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A Faster computer does not equal faster Internet

Just as Rick mentioned that people often expect the computer to run faster once they have faster Internet, the opposite is also expected.

Often people on dial-up or slower DSL ask me once they have a new computer whether their email will go faster or their websites will load quickly. Typically the difference between a new computer and a Windows 98 machine with sufficient RAM will be barely noticeable.

It may take longer for programs like Outlook Express or Internet Explorer longer to start up on an older machine, once the program has loaded the actual reaction time for the Internet is pretty much unchanged.

True Vista capable machines are just now being announced

If you bought a brand new computer with Windows Vista on it, you can probably expect your next computer to also have Vista on it too.

The first generation of Vista powered computers has mostly been under powered. Even with dual core processors and a gigabyte of RAM most computers with Vista perform at an acceptable speed at best.

This week Intel and AMD each announced new processors that will run at speeds double that of systems currently on the shelves. Why do we need that much speed? Vista.

AMD and Intel each made mention that the new processors will have the power that Vista demands. In other words each company essentially said that current processors are under powered when it comes to the demands of Vista.

Turn off file sharing when connecting to wireless while travelling

Disable unprotected File Sharing on Windows XP Home

If you use Windows XP Home Edition, then you should avoid sharing files over the campus network and make sure that file sharing is disabled on your computer. NOTE: File sharing is enabled by default when Windows XP Home is installed onto your computer. Since Windows XP Home does not support password-protected file sharing, any person or virus will be able to access your computer without your knowledge if file sharing is enabled. Follow the instructions below to disable unprotected file sharing.

Dial-up users: Are you tired of waiting for email with large attachments?

I have been utilizing this tip much more lately as dial-up users get pummeled with email containing pictures that haven't been resized and an endless parade of forward spam with large attachments from friends and family with high speed connections. For every one megabyte of space an attachment contains, it takes 5-8 minutes for a dial-up user to download it. Many joke emails, slide shows or movies being passed around today can be 5mb or larger…tying up the dial-up users phone line for an hour or more!  If you don't want to tell the offending parties to take you off their list, you can do one or both of the following procedures to gain some control over you email again.

Even eBay isn’t get rich quick business

This week there is an eBay seminar going on in our city. The sponsoring company is flooding TV, radio and newspaper with ads for the events.

It seems that such seminars come around several times each year. Each time the company presenting the seminar uses specially chosen wording to make people think that eBay has something to do with the event.

In reality, eBay only sponsors one series of seminars called eBay University. If the seminar or lecture series doesn't say eBay university than it is not sponsored by eBay.

Rick and I have done classes on eBay that truly are about how to get involved with eBay, but our lectures don't promise that you can make money easily from home. We also don't give out getting started packets or trial products.

Microsoft Word Features You Might Have Overlooked

Most computer users (myself included) never get close to using everything a piece of software has to offer. Microsoft Word is a great example of this theory. You could work with Word for years and never know all the power that it is possible of yielding. This week, I'm going to point out what I think are some of the features you are likely to use if you knew about them. Thesaurus

Sure you know how to use Word's spell check, but did you know you have access to a pretty good thesaurus as well. Here's how:

1. Highlight a word
2. RIGHT Click on the word
3. Click Synonyms from the menu
4. If you like one of the suggestions, click on it and it will replace the original word for you.

Web Appliances revisited

I wrote a number of months ago about the need for a new web appliance. A web appliance is a device that only accesses the Internet. Web TV (now MSN TV) is the only device that sort of falls in this category. What I envision (and wish I had the knowledge to build) is a flat screen monitor with built-in speakers and a cordless bluetooth connection to talk to a mouse, keyboard, and a printer. It would also have a card reader to interact with a digital camera and a wireless and/or Ethernet port for high speed Internet access.

It would not have a hard drive or anyway to load applications. All programs and document storage would be online ala Google Docs and Gmail. The vast majority of clients I work with do only three or four things: Internet, email, games, and maybe some word processing and/or digital photography. All of this (and more) can be currently accomplished online thus circumventing the need for anything but an Internet connection. Also, this type of user would benefit greatly by not needing to worry about backup and where their documents are when they need them. It would take away the need for the user to learn and understand file management (which is sorely missing for most computer users).

So long Art Buchwald – Video obituary

My wife told me when I got home today that Art Buchwald had died.

My interest in politics began in elementary school. One of my first heroes on TV was Michael J. Fox's, Alex P. Keaton character on the show Family Ties. From as early as I can remember being aware of politics, I can remember caring about it.

Whether people agree with me or not, I have more respect for people who are willing to talk about politics than I am for those who refuse to take any position.

Ronald Reagan was a hero of mine but so was Art Buchwald. One of the first books I actually purchased on my own was Art Buchwald's, You Can Fool All of the People All of the Time. I was in the 7th grade and I bought the book after seeing an Interview with Buchwald about the book.

How to detect keyloggers

Keyloggers are viruses (or can be hardware in an office situation) that log everything you enter into your computer…including passwords, user names, and account numbers. Don't take this problem lightly as it can lead to identity theft. Keyloggers are rare and if you run proper security software (search security on our site), you are not at risk. However, if you suspect a keylogger, use one of these tools to detect them:

SpyBot Search and Destroy

Keylogger Killer

A (another) word about passwords

I will be the first to admit that remembering the plethora of passwords and pin numbers in our high tech world is overwhelming. However, it is imperative that you DO remember them. And even more imperative that you use different hard to guess passwords for different sites…especially financial sites. Using sticky notes is not the best way to manage your passwords, but using a Rolodex or index cards in a recipe box can work well. You can read our tip (click here) about electronic ways to save and remember your passwords. Knowing your passwords will save you a great deal of time when needing tech support either on the phone or from guys like me who make house calls. And we all know time is money.