Tech Talk

By ringageek on Mar 14, 2014 in Tech Talk | 0 comments

Sooner or later you are going to want to buy a new laptop. This is especially true if you are still running XP since the end of support for this great operating system is April 8, 2014. Microsoft has delayed this date several times but it looks like they are sticking to their guns this time around. When shopping for a new machine they are lots of factors you will need to look at before making your purchase. First and foremost is the operating system. Almost all computers that are sold at retail stores will ship with Windows 8.1 installed. For many folks, this will not be a comfortable option. Windows 8 is not user friendly unless you are using a touch screen computer or laptop. In addition, it is slower and more sluggish then Windows 7. I have yet to see a “snappy” Windows 8 computer. If you do want a Windows 7 system, you will need to look online at Tiger Direct or HP online. Both places have them available. The next thing you need to decide is what brand you want to purchase. The truth is, most manufacturers get their parts from primarily the same places. They are almost all made overseas and are similar in quality. I would put more emphasis on how much you can get for the money over buying a specific brand. Many folks have a pet peeve for a certain brand and that is fine. For me, I like Toshiba laptops. They have a great looking screen and the ones I have seen are all fast, as long as you get Windows 7. So brand should not be a limiting factor in buying a new laptop. All brands have certain “bugs” that might show up in certain models, as it did for us a few years back from Dell. Overall, almost all the Dells that we purchased were perfect and ran fast. Next, you need to decide how you will use the machine. If you are doing mostly browsing and a few word documents, the standard video card that comes with the laptop will be enough. If you like games and working with videos a lot, then a more powerful video...

By admin on Mar 15, 2013 in Tech Talk | 0 comments

So I did it, I’m officially “password organized”. I admit, I just made up that term but I’m finally on track with all of my passwords, completely organized and it feels great! This may sound like a rather trivial accomplishment but you would not believe how many of us are just all over the place with our passwords! Like most people I started with my passwords on a piece of paper. Oh joy, that’s secure. There they were, written on a sheet of paper next to my desktop (at the time). Now granted this was a number of years back when we really only had a few online passwords. Back then it was easy to keep track. You typically had one username that you stuck with and a standard password or two that you used with maybe some slight variations that were sort of easy to keep in your head. So I had just a handful of these written on my little tattered sheet of paper near my computer and it worked.  Then a few years passed. Facebook came along, then twitter, then google plus, then another email account, and a few more financial institutions, oh and don’t forget pinterest and tumblr and constant contact and passwords for my business and passwords for just personal accounts and passwords for things that I signed up for that I no longer really need but I haven’t gotten around to cancel. Well you get the idea.  I had to do something. The sheet of paper had turned into a lengthy list of cross outs and run on information so I opted to transfer everything to a password protected excel spreadsheet. There I had a number of columns. Web address, login info, password and a column for notes. I had been using this system for a number of years. I’d make copies of the electronic file so just in case it became corrupted I had a backup. I named it something inconspicuous, not “password sheet” of course, something a little more creative. Password protected the document and kept that on my machine. I felt pretty good. I had them organized, the information was there and all in one place. It wasn’t perfect but...

By admin on Oct 31, 2012 in Tech Talk | 0 comments

Anyone who pays attention to technology has noticed a dramatic shift toward smart phones and tablets in recent years, and smart phones have now become the most popular form of computers around. The transformation is staggering, and it has changed the Internet and software. This growth has caused some to proclaim that the PC is dying; according to them, everyone will be using tablets and smart phones in the future. Further, technological developments will focus on this new breed of devices instead of traditional computer hardware. Are these prognosticators correct? – The merits of their argument Smart devices will undoubtedly become more common in coming years, and many people will use tablets instead of PCs for a number of tasks. In addition, these devices are useful for managing information, reading analyses and even creating certain types of content. Further, the prices of the components that make these devices are dropping, and the low costs of future devices will attract an even larger segment of the market. When it comes to consuming media, smart devices have a major advantage over desktops and laptops. – Where the argument falls apart Some activities, however, simply cannot be done on smart devices. No matter how advanced touchscreens and on-screen keyboards become, they cannot match the speed, accuracy and feel of physical keyboards. Those who type documents will continue to use PCs. In addition, touchscreens cannot match the accuracy and reliability of a mouse or track pad. The same components that drive the adoption of smart devices will come to PCs as well. Ultra-thin notebooks are selling well, and touchscreens can easily be installed on a laptop or desktop monitor. – How will PCs change? Many of the advances that come to mobile devices will be available on PCs as well. Notebooks have become considerably smaller in recent years, and PCs will be able to rival the portability of laptops while retaining the power of having a full-fledged computer. The slightly larger footprint of laptops will be used to install longer-lasting batteries. With efficient electrical components, users will likely be able to use their PCs longer than tablets. There have been a number of hybrid devices in recent years that function as laptops with...

By admin on Jul 3, 2012 in Tech Talk | 0 comments

If you’re considering purchasing your next computer, then you should take some time to think about what type of device is most suitable for your everyday requirements. Several years ago, computers were usually only differential based on their internal specs, however today diverse form factors and software functionality options have created a complete range of computer solutions. The 3 main devices that you will likely consider will be a desktop PC, a laptop or a tablet device? This guide should help you to pick and buy the best new computer for your needs and enjoyment. Desktop PCs Desktop PCs have been a favorite amongst computer users around the world for decades. While they still represent a large percentage of daily computer usage, the original hardware design has become less flexible in our busy mobile lives. However if you don’t need portability and enjoy sitting your computer permanently on a desk, then a new desktop computer is a great choice. Current retail Desktop PCs will normally ship with the highly acclaimed Windows 7, however Microsoft have an all new operating system coming out in the Fall 2012 called Windows 8. While this touch friendly OS has been showcased with Tablets in mind, the new Windows can also work equally well on your desktop PC. Out top tip if you are about to buy a new Desktop PC is to ensure you buy one that includes a touch screen PC monitor. The costs of touch monitors has reduced dramatically in recent years and by having a touch-ready you’ll ensure your new computer is future proof being able to enjoy future touch based software. Laptops Laptops have fast become a popular alternative to the desktop PC thanks to their lightweight portability, full powerful functionality and competitive costs. If you decide your next new computer will be a laptop, you still have to decide what type of laptop you need? Below is a great selection of different laptop designs and form factors that you can pick from: Ultra books – Ultra light laptops called Ultra books are the latest type of portable full featured machines for 2012. These super thin PCs are sleek and powerful, but also expensive. If you have an unlimited...