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The power of databases

Lately, I have been helping a business customer set up a database to help manage a portion of their business. Databases are highly underutilized in the small to medium sized business. Databases differ greatly to spreadsheets and potentially offer many more benefits to using spreadsheets.

Properly designed and built, a database can save many hours of data entry and reduce entry errors to almost zero. Databases also provide the opportunity to instantly extract subsets of information from the data…this is done through a process called queries. Reporting functions also excel (no pun intended) with databases and can be customized to meet any need.

Proper Cleaning of your LCD (flat panel) Monitor

Flat panel monitors make a wonderful addition to any computer. However, they do require more special care when cleaning than traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors. CRT monitors all have a glass front. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors, on the other hand, have a much softer face…almost membrane like. Because of this, LCD monitors are much more prone to being damaged from being touched and poked.

Rule #1:  Never touch an LCD monitor with your fingers or poke them with any object. Permanent damage can result.

CRT monitors can be cleaned in a myriad of ways because of their glass exterior. You can use water, glass cleaners, or just about anything that you would use on your windows at home. LCD monitors should never be cleaned with harsh chemicals of any type. Instead, if a liquid must be used, use only water or water mixed with a little rubbing alcohol. Some people even recommend diluted vinegar as well.

Rule #2:  Never spray any liquid directly onto a LCD monitor. Instead, use a soft cotton cloth and apply the liquid to it first.

When cleaning any kind of glass surface, it is common and acceptable to use circular motions and any number of cleaning rags are acceptable. As you probably guessed by now, LCD monitors are different. ONLY use soft, clean cotton cloths or special made LCD screen wipes that can be found in electronic or office stores.

Rule #3:  When cleaning your LCD monitor, do not rub in a circular pattern. Instead, use a side-to-side motion or up and down. And even then try to move your rag in only one direction. For example, wipe from left-to-right only or top-to-bottom.

LCD monitors can last a long period of time and provide you with excellent images IF you follow the simple precautions above to keep it clean.

Choose local Internet providers for DSL

No one likes to sit on hold waiting for ‘customer support’. DSL high speed Internet is growing rapidly because of increased availability from the phone companies and it is inexpensive. However, many computer users choose to get the service through the phone company (which in turn is provided by big guys like MSN or AOL) or they choose to upgrade their dial-up service with their existing large national Internet provider.

DSL offers the opportunity to cut the ties with the large national chains and get your Internet provided by your local Internet company. Part of DSL monies still go to the phone company, but technical support is handled by your local provider. Local DSL providers offer some distinct advantages:

I always have my tools with me

Most computer problems have nothing to do with the mechanics of the computer. It is rare that I see a motherboard die, RAM go bad, a video card burn out or a power supply fail.

Almost all computer problems are software related. Among the hundreds of millions of lines of programming code, a few 1s and 0s crash together and things go screwy.

Whether it is a programming glitch or the problem is caused by an intentionally designed virus, the majority of computer problems must be solved by tweaking the software.

Twice today I had people comment on my lack of tools. I walk into a home or office with nothing under my arm. Everything I need is on my person.

Computer guys are kind of like Zorro

Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I am not complaining in this post at all. I am just explaining the events of the day.

I began my day with a blank schedule. My mother in law was scheduled to arrive to spend a couple of weeks with us so I had blocked today so that I could help my family get ready.

My phone rang at 7am this morning. It was a dentist’s office. They had accidentally done something that had deleted their patient schedule and they were completely lost without it. I told them that I would be right in after I took a shower and got dressed.

As it turns out, they backed everything up on tape drives. It took 3 tries and almost six hours before we finally had a success in getting everything back up. Then one of their laptops died in an unrelated occurance.

Printers don’t come with cables

This is a short one today, but it is something a lot of people don’t know.

When you buy a new printer it typically will not come with a cable. You must also purchase a USB cable. If you are switching from an old printer you can use the old cable as long as it is USB.

Old printers that worked on Windows98 were typically parallel printers and that cable will not be compatible with the new printer.

Before you shell out $20-$30 at the office supply store for a USB cable, check your local discount store (Wal-mart, Target, Kmart) as the cables are typically between $7-12 and you can save a little. 

Technology solves problems tracking medical records

Have you ever been to a doctor’s appointment where the doctor asked you a lot of questions then referred you to another doctor only to have that doctor ask you all of the same questions all over again?

Are you tired of answering questions about whether you have any allergies? Are you ever curious why the doctors ask you when your last tetanus shot was? Don’t they ever write this stuff down?

As it turns out, doctors offices each track your records, but only certain information gets passed on when you go to the hospital or to a different doctor.

The solution to this problem in on the Horizon. I began my morning meeting with a doctors office that is a client of mine and a local group called Quality Health Network.

I’m not perfect….

I have never claimed to be the most knowledgeable computer tech on the planet…and I never will. However, what I will promise is that I give my customers the best advice that I can for the topics that I know about and will refer them to the best possible resources for topics outside my scope.

Today, I saw a client who traded some services with another computer tech here in Grand Junction, CO. The other tech reformatted my client’s computer and proceeded to install a copy of Microsoft Office 2000. The copy was not a legal one. My client never paid for Microsoft Office and never received a CD and certificate of authenticity for the software. She was appalled that a "business person" would do such a thing. Unfortunately, this is the second time I ran into a situation like this in less than two weeks. I also happened to talk to a client of mine, recently, who took a class and was "sold" a pirated copy of some software for a substantially reduced price over the retail price of the product.

Upgrade or repair?

If I had a dime for every time this question comes up….

I actually had this happen with two of my cutomers today. My answer, the last couple of years, is a definite ‘it depends’. Wishy, washy, I know, but it really does have to be thought out. First, the proper diagnosis has to be made. What is the estimate of the repair parts and labor and how does the user use the computer factor in together. Next, a comparison of that number to what is available in the market for new computers. Last week, as an example, Office Depot had a decent little system on sale for $198 after rebates!!

Unfortunately, the market is making so much of the technology we buy disposable…economically speaking. When looking at individual situations, however, the repair costs usually are a little under a new system. And with the exception of the hard drive that died, or the spyware and viruses that must be removed, the system is still very usable. So it comes down to how the computer is used. 

Velcro – reuseable duck tape

I discovered a new tool this week – the Velcro strap. I have seen them around for a few years, but I just began using them this week.

Personally, I think that cable mess is cool. I think it is a geek status symbol. However, I know that there are a lot of people out there who prefer to keep their cables tidy.

The reuseable Velcro cable strap. You can get them in the computer department of almost any office supply or discount store, I have found that they are a lot cheaper if you go to the tool or building supply department though.