Review | Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners

Posts Tagged: review

General Computer Tips — 4 Comments
2
Nov 09

Should I backup?

photo credit: daryl_mitchell

Should you carry health insurance? Should you carry car insurance? Should you save for retirement? Should you eat every day? Does a bear…. Well, hopefully you get the picture. The answer is a resounding YES!!

You should backup, and depending on your computer needs and usage your backups should occur frequently (sometimes daily). Many computer users equate backing up their computers with their mother’s giving them castor oil. It’s no fun, but a necessary evil. What is castor oil any way?

Things you should backup on your computer include Continue reading →

Print Preview

Sometimes the most helpful computer utilities elude us and stay hidden for years. One such utility that I find very helpful (and have taken for granted) is the Print Preview function found in almost any program that allows printing.

Because Windows and Macintosh made the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) environment available to the masses, what we see on our screens is pretty close to what we see on our print outs. However, if you need to tweak margins, find the extra line that is creating an extra page, or determine whether a document (like a spreadsheet) will look better in Landscape or Portrait mode, there is no substitute for the Continue reading →

Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 16 Comments
2
Jun 09

Digital Readers and E-books

photo credit: pt

Amazon released their version of a digital reader, called the Kindle, in late 2007. It received a lot of attention at the time, but not as much as its new version released this spring. Amazon states that more than 285,000 books are available for download and purchase, 50,000 audio books, and there are many magazine and newspaper articles also available for download (including my blog). A full text book can be downloaded in about 60 seconds and most books cost around $9.99. For newspaper, magazine, and blog subscriptions, the Kindle automatically syncs the content to the Kindle over the air (no cables needed).

Currently, two Kindles are available for purchase; one holds up to 1500 books and the other up to 3500 books. Current Kindle users seem extremely happy with the device and the technology based on online reviews.

Intrigued by the buzz surrounding the Kindle, I downloaded Continue reading →

Digital Photography / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
3
Sep 08

Google is on fire – New beta release of Picasa

How can you not get with Google? Here is a company that makes strategic acquisitions, encourages their employees to reach for the stars and challenge themselves and the status quo, and never rests on their considerable laurels.

Today, they have done it again. This time with the release of the beta version Picasa 3. PIcasa 3 offers some great new features that help you share your photos easier, organize them easier, fix some of their flaws easier, and create fun collages and movies from them easier. Look for a review coming soon. In the mean time, try it out for yourself by clicking here to learn more.

Ubuntu Tips — 3 Comments
13
Aug 08

GOS Gadgets Operating System Preview- Video Tip

GOS stands for Good Operating System and was the operating system of choice for WalMart’s $199 Everex computer last year that they couldn’t keep in stock. GOS is a customized version of Ubuntu Linux and like most Linux operating systems is free to use and works on almost any laptop or desktop built since 2000 or so.

In this week’s video, I give you a quick overview of some of the features of GOS 3 Gadgets. You will notice an Apple like application dock complete with animations, the newest version of OpenOffice.org’s word processor, spreadsheet and presentation manager, tight integration with Google services like Gmail, Google Docs, and desktop gadgets (thus the new name).

For me, the best part of learning more about Linux is that it truly is simpler to use than Windows and is much more secure without the need of becoming a computer security expert. Take a look at the video below to see what a truly revolutionary operating system can look like…for free!

Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
9
Jun 08

Are Macintosh computers poised to make a run?

iPhone 3G JUNE 2008 UPDATE:

I wrote the article below two years ago, ran across it tonight and wanted to write an update to it. At the time I wrote it, I think the now famous Apple and PC guy commercials had just started ramping up and the ominous steps towards Windows Vista were getting closer. My words probably weren’t unique at the time, and I don’t claim to be a sage, but it is astonishing how much the market has really changed since 2006. Linux continues to make a bigger splash world wide, and I continue to install it on more computers here in Western Colorado. Apple’s sales and stock price are literally going through the roof. My Macintosh service calls (mostly for ordering and training…rarely for troubleshooting) continue to escalate as well. Almost 18 months into Windows Vista, I see the machines on only about 10% of my appointment mostly because no one is buying them.

Today, Apple announced their new iPhone version 2.0 will be released in July. Three to four years ago, Microsoft was starting to increase market share of their mobile operating system with their mobile Windows in the smartphone arena. Palm and Blackberry used to dominate that market, but Microsoft was predicted to dominate. Then in June 2007, Apple released the iPhone to extremely positive reviews and cell phone consumers who couldn’t get their hands on one fast enough.

Since then, all other smartphone operating systems have take a hit and iPhone users, largely, couldn’t be happier. I personally have 5-6 clients who are pretty picky phone users and have owned literally dozens of phones over the years, but say they wouldn’t trade their iPhone for anything at the moment. The new iPhone 3G (faster cell speeds) announced today improves on every facet of an already excellent product. The new iPhone 3G will be cheaper, faster, slightly smaller, have a longer battery and talk-time life, offer GPS navigation and incorporate a brand new platform that will allow developers to invent new ways to use this already versatile tool.

What are your thoughts on my older story below and this new story you just read? Also, what do you think of the new iPhone 3G…hype or substance? Leave me a comment below!!

Story below originally posted on 2006-05-09 16:40:45 -0600

I helped a customer configure a new Macintosh laptop today. This was the third time in a month that I did that. And if I think back over the past year, my Macintosh calls for both help and learning how to buy a new one have escalated by at least double. Is Western Colorado indicative of a bigger national trend?

Maybe so. Macintosh computers are hands down the prettiest machines in the market today. Apple takes great strides to engineer the look and feel of the Mac to make it not only pleasing to the eye, but pleasing to the rest of your house. Certainly a pretty machine does not make the Mac worthy of consideration by itself. However, Apple continues to innovate and deliver solid products to the marketplace. They are easy to adapt to (even for Windows’ faithful), safer to use on the Internet (most likely because of their small market share), and provide ease of use for the most common computer functions; email, Internet, music, pictures and video.

The fact that their prices have steadily decreased doesn’t hurt either. The laptop I helped configure today was their ultra-portable iBook with a 12.1 wide screen with 1 GB of RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, wireless, CD/DVD Burner and more for under $1400.

Last month, Apple announced that a program (Boot Camp) is available for owners of the new Intel Mac computers that allows them to install and run Windows XP side-by-side with the Mac operating system. Only geeks really raised an eyebrow at this, but the more I think about it, the more I think that some huge changes may be in store in the computer market in the upcoming year to eighteen months.

Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
6
Jun 08

Yelp – Real world reviews

On my most recent travels, I discovered yet another great travel web site that I will be using every time I travel. The site’s name is Yelp. Yelp bills themselves as a site of Real People. Real Reviews. Yelp reviewers review everything from restaurants to schools to religious organizations. As their slogan describes, anyone can write a review about any service. I think the service works so well because it works like the feedback on eBay. Everyone has an opinion about everything, but after reading a dozen or so reviews for whatever topic (I used it for finding good restaurants) you can easily titrate the advice into something usable for you.

I found the reviews to be extremely helpful and fun to read. And acting on the advice that I found most helpful, the resulting restaurants and fare they served were excellent. Another added bonus if you travel with a phone that can access the Internet like the Treo, Blackberry, iPhone, etc, you can access Yelp with your phone at mobile.yelp.com.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — No Comments
21
May 08

I have Wii Fit in hand

I made an early trip to Sam’s Club today and picked up three Wii Fits to resell on eBay. It has been month’s since there has been an item worth scalping on eBay. It will be interesting to see whether or not I can actually make a profit or just break even.

eBay raised their rates by about two percent earlier this year. At the moment the $90 Wii Fit device is selling for around $150 on eBay even though they are fairly easy to find on store shelves. Shelves are supposed to be dry of them by next week.

Nintendo has already said that supply will be limited for a while. So far the reviews are mixed as far as using the device as a full exercise program, but everyone seems to agree that the Fit is well made and works as intended.

There is a 330 lb. Weight limit so those who need it most will have to do some real exercise before getting into digital exercise programs.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — No Comments
6
May 08

Use YouTube.com to review the games your kids are playing

Grand Theft Auto IV was released this week and, as always happens when a version of GTA comes out, there has been a lot of discussion about video game violence and sexual content.

Without going into detail GTA is a game that features guns, civilians, cops, cars, prostitutes and an environment that allows you to act in any way you please. As you can imagine, most teen game players choose to use the game as a simulation for testing their skills at abiding the law.

While I am all for creative freedom, I think that these games should be at least monitored by parents. I am not one of those guys who believes that kids shoot up schools because they play video games, but I think that the games make for good practice and help develop violent imaginations. Essentially I think that companies wouldn’t play millions of dollars to have their products advertised on billboards in the games if the games had no influence on those that play them.

Monitoring these games can be difficult though. Parents often are at a disadvantage because they don’t know how to work the controls, they may not even know how to turn the system on. Kids are not that anxious to play a game around their parents that allows you to kill prostitutes rather than pay them for their services.

While kids usually don’t play these games around their parents, there is a way to see everything that a video game has to offer. Head on over to YouTube. Doing a simple search for the game title will typically lead to dozens of screen recordings. Add the word “review” to your search and you will find well constructed reviews to help you see what the game is all about.

Most consoles now have parental control that allows parents to set the system up so that it won’t play rated M games (M=mature). The decision on whether kids should play these games or not is up to the parents, but parents should be able to make informed decisions.

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 9 Comments
1
Apr 08

Save pictures from email – Video Tip

It’s been almost one year since I first posted this tip. We have many new visitors this year, and not enough of you are heading my advice yet on this subject, so I’m posting it again. Please believe me when I tell you that this tip alone can save you countless dollars, time, and tears!

Through my travels, I have noticed that many computer users save emails with pictures because they are unsure of how to save those pictures. Saving lots of pictures in your email program can drastically slow down the performance of the email program over time. Email programs typically can handle thousands of messages, but if something happens to the email database, and you haven't backed up those databases, the pictures will be gone for good. Your best insurance for saving pictures is to save them to a folder on your computer (like My Pictures or a subfolder of My Pictures) then back them up on a regular basis.

To save pictures from your email to a folder on your hard drive, do the following:

Outlook Express

1. Click the paper clip icon in the preview pane*
2. Click Save Attachments
3. In the "Save To" box at the bottom of the dialog box that pops up, click Browse and choose where YOU want to save the pictures and click OK
4. Click Save

* If you read your Outlook Express email in its own window, then RIGHT Click on the attachment name and click Save As

AOL

Click the "Download Now" button at the bottom of the email you are reading and follow on-screen instructions. Remember that most AOL versions automatically download to an AOL Downloads folder in the AOL directory. It differs, however, from version to version.

Juno/NetZero

Depending on your method of reading messages, the technique changes, but generally you should be able to RIGHT click on an attachment and save it.

For any email program that you can see the picture in the body of the message, you can RIGHT click on the photo itself to save it by clicking "Save As" or "Save Picture As".

Keeping your pictures stored in a known folder allows you to access the pictures easier, print them easier and most importantly gives you the ability to back them up. For more tips about receiving, printing and sending pictures via email, browse through our tips archive.

Watch the video below for a demonstration of this tip.