Home > Technobuddy > Archives > 2007 > February
February 2007
Ubuntu - a friendly intro to Linux
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Russell Oaks is an IT professional who has been a guest moderator here before. Feel free to leave questions or comments for him. And, if you’d like to try your hand at the controls as a guest moderator for a day or two, just send me an e-mail at bhusted@ajc.com and tell me briefly about a topic you’d like to take on. Also tell me a bit about yourself. If there’s enough interest out there I’ll try to use a guest moderator once or twice a month. -Bill Husted
Ubuntu is a Linux Operating System that has won more accolades and appreciation from the IT world than any other platform.
It has a user base that is growing faster than any other desktop Linux distribution on the market today, and there is good reason for it. Ubuntu is very user friendly and has a very attractive, intuitive interface that doesn’t take a rocket scientist’s knowledge level to get up and running.
I’ve found that most Linux desktop distributions are easy to use, but the latest version of Ubuntu, also known as Dapper Drake 6.06, is by far the easiest. There are both Mac (PPC) and Intel (i386) versions available for download as disk images that you can place in your CD drive and boot into.
That’s the quickest way to find out if your system is compatible, without damaging or losing any information. If you choose to go ahead with the installation, you double-click on the “Install Ubuntu” icon on your desktop and follow the simple instructions. You’ll have a few opportunities to change your mind if you want to back out of the installation.
One of the biggest advantages to Ubuntu is in fact, its overall popularity. This popularity makes searching for almost anything related to Ubuntu very easy. Whether you are searching for problem resolution or have a “can I run my iPod on Ubuntu” type of issue, you’ll find plenty of information from others who have had similar issues and questions. Ubuntu comes standard with the Gnome Desktop and Gnome applications, but you can add any of your favorite K-based programs at will.
There are other releases that can also be reviewed here. You’ll find Kubuntu, the KDE Desktop-based system, Edubuntu, which has more educational applications and is free for any educational institution, and Xubuntu, which uses the very lightweight XFCE desktop, which is good for performance gains and runs well on low-end and/or older computers.
Here’s the kicker - it’s free, and if you use this website to get yourself started you’ll have a Linux desktop environment that will outperform Vista, Windows or Mac installed on the same system.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Special Guests
When old programs don’t get along with Vista
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Most of my old programs work just fine with Vista. But I do hear from some readers who have compatibility problems with older programs.
First, I think you’d be smart to put off installing Vista for a while. But some of you will install it anyway and others will end up buying a new computer that already has Vista installed.
If you run into problems running an old program, you may be out of luck and need to buy an updated version of that program. Before you do that, however, try this.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: General
There’s life in the old-fashioned tube TV
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ll never forget going out to a top-notch video production company - a place where many HDTV movies and commercials are edited - and seeing banks of old fashioned tube television sets used as monitors.
The engineer explained that - to get the accuracy of color that they wanted, only tube type sets would work.
Lost in all the - justifiable I think - praise for flat panel sets is the plain fact that tube type TVs work great and have a long track record to prove it.
Maybe not so obscure is the fact that these sets are real bargains now - including HDTV tube type sets and regular old fashioned analog TVs. I’m linking here to a story that explains sales are just fine - even in the hot sales period just before the last Super Bowl - for sets using the cathode ray tube (the old fashioned CRT). The story also talks about the unmatched fidelity of tube type sets.
You’ll find some comparison pricing here, showing that comparable sized CRT sets sell for roughly half what a flat panel set might cost.
A CRT set isn’t for everyone, but - for those of you who like a bargain and don’t mind the size of a CRT, either HDTV or analog - there are bargains. And, if you buy an analog set, it’ll work just fine even when all the broadcasters switch to digital and HDTV. As long as it is connected to a cable box or satellite receiver, it won’t miss a beat.
Am I recommending that you buy one? Nope, I’m just saying that it may be worth considering, especially if you are buying a second or third TV and don’t want to spend a fortune.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: HDTV
Making the connection - broadband
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My Internet service goes out more often than my stepdaughter.
Both my DSL and voice telephone service arrive at my home over the same wire. But that’s where the two part company. While my telephone service almost never fails, the DSL connection is a sometimes thing.
Don’t feel cocky if you have cable. Before I had DSL, I used a cable modem, and it also went out on a regular basis.
There’s no way your Internet service - at least for the immediate future - will be as dependable as your telephone. But I can help you ease many of the problems you are almost certain to encounter.
One problem I often see with both computers and networks is the devastation caused by fixing something that isn’t broken. So keep in mind that your connection can slow down for all sorts of reasons beyond your control.
For instance, just as on I-85, traffic can jam things up at a Web site. Too many people logging onto a site can bring speed to a crawl or put it out of business temporarily.
Your Internet provider can also have problems. If you go to the main Web page for your provider, you’ll usually see a link to a page that offers reports on any network problems. Keep in mind that some problems only hit part of your service. For instance, an e-mail server at your provider can have problems even though the Web part is just fine.
You’ll also find a telephone number to call if problems persist. The help you’ll get depends on the provider. In some lucky cases, you’ll get help tracing the problem - even if it’s in your own system. But at other providers, you won’t even get sympathy. If that’s the case with your provider, it may be time to take your business elsewhere.
To make things even more complicated, the Internet itself can slow down. If you’d like to check that, just head to an Internet traffic report here to get a traffic report. High traffic or equipment problems at one of the main server locations can slow down things for everyone.
But there are times when the problem is in your house, and there’s a trick for that. It’s way too simple to seem like a big deal. But using it can restore Internet service more than half the time. It should be your first move when your computer can’t connect using either DSL or cable.
Simply turn the modem off. Let it sit that way for a few moments and then turn it on again. You’ll be pleased at how often that works. Here’s why: Your modem must be in sync with the modems at your Internet provider. Restarting the modem requires it to establish that synchronization. (If you want to seem like a genius, move everyone from the room while you do this and make some impressive noises. No one needs to know how easy it is.)
The nice thing about this fix is that, even if the problem isn’t at your home, it does no harm at worst and can be a lifesaver at best.
Some problems aren’t as obvious or as simple to fix.
Last week, for instance, my connection slowed to a crawl. I ignored the problem, figuring that it was a temporary glitch on my DSL provider’s end. But things got worse, and finally my computer couldn’t connect at all. I tried unplugging the ethernet connectors both at my computer and at the router, thinking they might not be seated correctly. That didn’t help.
So I traced the cable along the wall to the router and noticed that it had developed a kink. Since I often make changes in hardware and move the desks around to do it, I probably created the kink when I pulled the desk away from the wall to get working room.
Keep in mind that this wasn’t a visible break in the cable, just a sharp bend. A bend like that can break one of the tiny wires inside the cable. But even when a wire isn’t broken, a sharp bend can still create enough interference between the wires to slow or stop a connection. Simply replacing the cable fixed the problem.
But since I have a beagle that considers cables a chew toy, I also used wiring molding to cover the cable for most of its run. Besides protecting it from the dog, the portion of cable that is covered will never kink.
The day may come when Internet service is just as reliable as the telephone. But that day is so far off that you can’t see it from here.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Columns
How happy are you with your cellular provider?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I can usually muddle through most tech topics, but the cellular telephone industry has always mystified me. I find it difficult to compare service and rates. That’s because there are so many rate plans and because a big determiner of satisfaction is reception. Reception is hard to gauge since it varies based on where you live.
Cnet attempts to cut through the confusion and rate the various carriers. One criteria was user ratings - Cingular came in at the bottom on that one. I use Cingular and have had no unusual problems - either with reception or support. T-Mobile topped the user rating category by the way.
I’ll link to the Cnet piece here and, if you feel like it, you can let me know how the various ratings compare with your own experience.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: General
Now hackers can find out where you live
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There have been computer criminals almost from the moment that computers were created. But there’s a striking difference these days - some of the schemes are so sophisticated that, even when a home user does everything right, there’s great risk.
One scheme that caught my eye recently is the use of software that tells the crook just where you’re located. Knowing where you are is a real advantage since it makes raiding bank accounts and using personal information for identity theft a lot easier.
I’ll link to the story here but - in brief - a tiny program uses Google maps to pinpoint your location.
As far as I know this particular scam is only taking place in Australia now. But, obviously, it would be easy for it to spread.
The good news is that - as often is true - the scammer relies on an e-mail that requires you to click on a link before the software can be planted in your computer.
And since other schemes make it easy to steal address book information, a good rule is to avoid clicking on any links in any e-mails unless you are gut certain about the sender. It just isn’t worth the risk. Since anti-virus and spyware software isn’t likely to stop a scam like this you need to be suspicious of e-mails that include clickable links.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Crime
Finding the digital camera that’s right for you
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve been shooting digitally for a long time, using a semi-professional digital camera that uses all my old Nikkor (made by Nikon) interchangeable lenses.
It wasn’t hard to abandon film since the costs of shooting are so much less. And even though it is expensive to make prints at home - especially when I crank one out at 13x19 inches on my really nice printer - the actual cost of prints is much less. Nowadays I make very few prints instead of paying a processor to make prints of each frame I shoot. So I save money there too.
Digital photography is old hat now and - to my eyes - good ole hat.
One question I often get from readers - either thinking about upgrading from one of the early generation cameras or buying a first digital camera - is about the megapixel count needed.
Megapixel count is one determiner, certaintly not the only one, of the sort of quality you’ll get as well as an indicator of the size of print you can make.
I’m linking to a really easy-to-use formula from PC World that helps you figure out how many megapixels you need. For instance, if you aren’t interested in big enlargements you may be able to buy a relatively inexpensive camera with a low megapixel count.
But my advice to you is to buy the best digital camera you can afford and to get at least 6 megapixels. As prices have dropped, you will find affordable cameras even within that group.
Permalink | | Categories: Digital Photography
The hidden cost of Vista
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you read my column this Sunday in the newspaper, or here on the blog, you know I upgraded one of my computers so that it would do a better job with Vista.
That worked out fine, it’s now doing a good job with Vista. But, even for that small upgrade of video card and RAM, I spent just under $300. And now I’d love to get a flat screen monitor to replace my decent - but heavy - 19-inch CRT monitor.
I did all the upgrade work myself, of course. So the price tag would be even higher if I had taken the machine to a shop. Besides the money, it took some time to get everything done.
So let me repeat my earlier advice. Don’t upgrade now. If you can wait until you need a new PC you’ll save both money and hassle - after all the PC will come with Vista installed (I paid $200 for the upgrade) and if your upgrade costs $300 or so, we’re already talking $500. You can darn near get a new PC for that.
PC World wrote on the same topic - you can read the article here.
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Minor PC surgery helps prepare for Vista
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There may be few certainties in life, but there’s at least one in the computer world.
If you install a new Microsoft operating system on an existing computer, your PC will probably need more memory and a new video card.
That was true for Windows 98, Windows ME and Windows XP. And now it’s true for Vista.
Each upgrade has meant that PCs needed a horsepower boost just to operate with the same sort of speed and efficiency as the old operating system. Adding RAM and a better video card are the most efficient ways to get it.
I have several computers, but most would require so many upgrades that the cost-benefit ratio doesn’t work out. They’ll live happily in the XP world until they are given away or retired.
But upgrading makes sense for my newest machine, which boasts 1 gigabyte of RAM, a 3-gigahertz hyper-threading Intel processor and a 200-gigabyte hard disk. I can easily add the needed zip without damaging my retirement fund.
This computer has a video card with 128 megabytes of memory - perfectly fine for XP and within specs for Vista. But going to a card with 256 megabytes of RAM, or even 512 megabytes, will make a big difference. The 3-D graphics look of Vista’s Aero feature really gives the card a workout.
Besides, I play a few computer games and that’s always more fun with a better video card.
If you find yourself in the same situation, here’s how to procede.
To start searching for a new video card, hit the review section here. Scroll down a bit, find the Components heading, and click on the link called Graphics Cards.
You can search the reviews by price, manufacturer or Vista-readiness. Spend some time reading reviews.
I selected the ATI Radeon 1650 XT ($189 to $256) with 512 megabytes of memory. I’m not recommending the card; you need to select your own. But for me it’s a good compromise. It does a good job with gaming as well as normal applications. If gaming isn’t a priority with you, you won’t need to spend as much. You can find good cards with 256 megabytes of memory for $100 or less.
Next, consider your memory needs. The biggest challenge is buying the right kind. Two Web sites do an excellent job of helping on that. Go to either Kingston here or Crucial here and use the automated software.
You’ll find the memory you need for your computer brand and model. Then you can shop around and buy it wherever you like. You’ll also find out whether your computer requires memory to be installed in pairs. If so, you will need to buy two 512 megabyte chips to add 1 gigabyte of RAM.
If you’re happy with your PC’s performance using XP, you’ll need more to get the same performance with Vista. Let’s say you have 1 gigabyte of RAM. You’ll need 1.5 gigabytes to equal your performance and 2 gigabytes to better it. If you have 512 megabytes of RAM now, go to at least 1 gigabyte.
Installation is literally a snap, both in the case of video cards and memory. Even if you’ve never opened the case of your computer, you can do the job.
The most important rules are:
Make sure you touch the chassis of the machine to get rid of static electricity before touching the chips or graphics card. Winter’s dry air creates an especially dangerous time for static.
Read all the directions with the chips or card and then read them again. Then open the case and go through the process a third time mentally before actually starting.
Make sure you look at the diagrams that come with your memory (and your PC’s manual) to make sure you have the chips - really a tiny circuit board - oriented in the right direction.
I usually test things after an installation before closing the chassis. If something doesn’t work, I don’t have to go through the hassle of opening it again. But don’t run a computer for long periods with the case open.
If you’ve added memory and graphics cards before, you’ll zip through the process. If you’re trying it for the first time, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is. But - and this is a serious qualification - there are some people who just know jobs like this aren’t for them.
There’s no shame in having this done at a repair shop. Some retailers also have service desks where you can have it done. You’ll still be able say you did it yourself. It’s just that the tool you used was a credit card.
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Anti-adware programs reviewed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My wife gets frustrated because - when we go out to eat - I always want to go to my favorite restaurant. I know the folks there, know the food is good and feel at home.
It’s the same with software. I’ve used SpyBot at home as my main tool fighting spyware and adware. But - because of that - I’m not as up-to-date as I should be on other products. I read about them but - to be able to offer an honest opinion - I’d need to use them for an extended period.
My old favorite SpyBot made the top 5 list in a review at PC World. But it was No. 5 on the list. You may want to check out the reviews over there and even try some of the products.
As always, it’s interesting to me if you have a favorite in this category - whether it is on the list or not. So feel free to let me know
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Viruses, spam, adware, etc.
Vista - ready or not
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve been running Microsoft Vista for some time now if you count the beta versions and finally the shrink wrap version from the store.
It’s been an OK experience - how’s that for enthusiasm - but not something I recommend. I still think it’s smart to wait.
Many of you won’t wait for Vista and that’s OK too - if you love computing you also probably enjoy the pain of finding problems and fixing them.
But for those of you who aren’t into pain, here is a way to get some of the Vista features now, without leaving XP.
You’ll be able to use the free downloads to add some of the Vista look and feel without messing with the way your computer performs. I have to admit that - other than the Google desktop included in this list - most of the features don’t really interest me - either as add-ons or as part of Vista. But we’re all different and you may want to sample some of these downloads.
One other bit of advice - for those of you who are waiting. Unless you know that you’ll be buying a new computer in the next six months to a year, be thinking about gradually upgrading your computer so that it’ll be Vista ready. RAM memory and video cards can make a big difference - in fact I’ll be writing about that in the column that will appear in print Sunday and in this space on Friday.
Also check out the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor now - even if you’re not moving to Vista right away. You may find that fixing the potential problems in an older computer will just be too expensive. If that’s the case, you can either budget for a new machine or just plan on running XP for the life of your machine. Either option works just fine.
Permalink | | Categories: General
What gadgets do you crave?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are all sorts of things - including gadgets - that I really want.
That’s why I was surprised, when I read the Cnet.com list of most wanted gadgets, that few of the gadgets I lust for were included.
Some of the top 20 on Cnet were fairly obvious - HDTV (I have one) and the Apple iPhone (I don’t want one, I don’t even enjoy carrying my regular cellphone) - and some caught me by surprise.
But none of them hit my “want” button. Take a look and feel free to post if there are gadgets that you crave that weren’t included on the list.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Shopping
Year 2000 bug redux
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I just talked to a smart techie friend - a professional - who is worried about the mess the Congress has gotten us in.
He’s not talking about Iraq or even Nancy Pelosi’s airplane. Instead, he was talking about an act of Congress that changed the date that daylight savings time starts. My buddy said getting the computers in his workplace ready for that is tying up a lot of the resources in his computer department.
All this reminds me of the Y2K bug - Year 2000 - that was supposed to bring the world to a halt. The idea was that some computers kept track of dates using two digits with the assumption that the first two digits of the date would be 19.
I spent the first minutes of 2000 on the air at WSB-AM here in town, waiting for disaster to strike. Some of the most fearful had said that telephones would stop working, utilities would go out of service - it was basically going to be the end of life as we know it.
What happened? Not much of anything. That’s because the computer world spent a lot of time and money - just as my techie friend’s department is doing - getting ready.
Generally the problems that we know about don’t kill you, it’s the ones that we don’t know about that are fatal. I think that’s how it’ll be this time. But I’m linking to a Washington Post story that will let you learn more about the problem so you can get up to speed if this is new to you.
I’ll also add a link to from Microsoft for home users
I wouldn’t go out and stock up on ammunition, beer and toilet paper because of this, but it doesn’t hurt to - uh - keep up with the time.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: General
I’ve got the PC blues
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is one of those times I’m glad my wife doesn’t read my column. I’m feeling that old itch again.
I want a new computer. Notice I said “want” not need. Truth is, the computer I have runs my programs well, works with Vista and has a relatively fast 3-gigahertz processor.
This itch is all too familiar
I’d hate to tote up all the times I’ve given in to it. Almost every day now I shop for a computer online and plug in all the options I want. The first time I ended up - honest to gosh - with a $4,000 PC. Since then I’ve gotten the price down to $1,400, but it’s still too much. My car needs new tires, and our heating system is inhaling so much natural gas I’m afraid Al Gore will accuse me of contributing to global warming.
So while I’m marking time until my bank account gets healthy, I’m easing the pain by convincing myself that a new computer with a dual-core processor is really a bad idea.
Most of the machines I want use the relatively new dual-core processor. My guess is that your next PC will have one. Heck, there are already quad-core processors out there.
So let’s talk a little bit about dual-core processors. Maybe it will make me feel better.
One chip, two processors
Dual-core processors contain two processors on a single chip. The processor is the engine of the computer - in a way, it is the computer.
Business-level computers have long had more than one processor chip - so it isn’t some newfangled notion. The idea is to split up the work so it goes faster. Dual-core takes the idea to the next level. Instead of separate chips, you have one chip that contains two processors.
There’s a real advantage to that. The distance data travel is a lot less and - skipping some electronic theory here - keeping the data pathway on one chip speeds things in other ways as well.
The big argument for dual-core has been that single processor chips are bumping into the heat ceiling. When you increase the chip’s speed, you also increase the heat it throws off. Even now, a processor chip gets hot enough to literally fry an egg. Dual-core chips can avoid this speed limit by running a bit slower and still - in theory - outperform a faster single-processor chip.
That’s why most of the machines with dual processors are rated at slower speeds than single-processor PCs. For instance, a popular configuration using an Intel dual-core chip might run at 2.4 gigahertz vs. my antique 3-gigahertz machine at home.
For software that is written to take advantage of dual-core, the work gets split up and - just as two slow house painters can finish a job quicker than one fast painter - the job gets done in less time.
The key here is that the software you use must be written with multiple processors in mind.
Windows Vista takes advantage of dual-core technology, as do some computer games. But most of the programs on my computer at home do not. (Software packaging or the maker’s Web site should let you know.)
Feeling better
Here’s where I can make myself feel a little better about my pitiful bank account: If a program doesn’t have the computer code necessary to take advantage of the dual-core technology, it won’t run faster. There’s no doubt that this technology is how PCs will work in the future, but for now it’s not a huge advantage for most folks.
To be fair, there’s another way dual-core can outperform single-core chips, even for folks who run programs that are not written for the new technology. If you often run more than one program at a time, dual-core technology will speed things up noticeably. I usually stick to single-tasking, but you may be one of those folks who listens to iTunes while arranging your photo library and writing e-mails all at once.
That’s the best I can do at dampening my lust for a new machine. But maybe if I empty out the half-gallon wine jug that holds most of my savings in quarters, dimes and pennies, I could get a nice new monitor or maybe a video card. I think I’ll go online and price a few of them.
Do me a favor: If you bump into my wife, don’t mention any of this.
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TV newscast uses computerized virtual host
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The launch yesterday of the virtual realistic-looking human newscaster from Simple News gained rave reviews. Others have made several attempts earlier, but this sends the live newscasters in to a pretty shaky future.
That all happens, it is just that it happens in the year 2030. That’s according to a relatively new Web site called News of the Future.
The fellow who runs the site e-mailed me (and probably about a thousand other reporters) and asked me to take a look to see what I think. I don’t know, it’s sort of fun and maybe it’ll catch on. It’s a nice looking page and amusing.
Here’s the deal, I’m terrible at predicting the future - ask anyone who has ever gone to the horse races with me. I’m not alone in my inability to predict future events - life has just gotten too complicated to know what’s around the next corner.
But I did enjoy checking the page out and pass it along for your inspection - I predict that some of you will like it, some will hate it and some won’t check. Finally a prediction that feels safe to me.
Permalink | | Categories: General
Steve Jobs speaks out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m all for getting rid of the draconian Digital Rights Management system that can turn buying music for an MP3 player into a nightmare.
So I agree with Steve Jobs. You can read what he has to say here.
I hope he makes the first move by making it easier to use tunes from iTunes on other players.
This guy - quoted in the AP article - may have an axe to grind but what he says still sounds convincing:
Jobs “could open that platform up tomorrow if he really wanted to,” insisted Mike Bebel, chief executive of Ruckus Networks, a Herndon, Va., service that offers more than 2.5 million DRM-protected song titles to college students. “It’s great PR (for Jobs) and a nice way to turn the tables, but it’s not really working toward a solution.”
Look whether Jobs is an saint or a devil, he’s sure right when he says DRM has to go.
Permalink | | Categories: Apple News
How to: From vinyl phonograph album to digital
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I still have a box of ancient vinyl phonograph records. While I do have a turntable from many years ago (actually a very nice one), I’ve never transferred the music to digital form.
Mostly that’s because it sounds like too much trouble to me. I can find almost anything I want - including the recordings on vinyl - as an MP3. So that’s the easy way out for me.
Many of my readers do want to transfer music from vinyl to digital form though. While I understand the theory of how to do it I’ve been reluctant to write about it because (1) without doing it myself I don’t feel comfortable just rewriting what someone else said and (2) to include all the gotchas and do a complete job - well, it would take more space that my print column allows.
But I have found a good link that will walk you through the process of making the transfer.
Since I’m no expert on the process, I’d be glad to hear - if some of you have done this - any suggestions, corrections or comments. Then, when I get reader e-mail asking how to do this, I can refer them to the archives here on the blog.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Do-it-Yourself Projects
Spam - all you can eat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If I ranked the questions I receive most often, inquiries about ways to eliminate spam would be in the top five (No. 1 is still “should I turn my computer off when I go to bed at night?”)
I’ll leave the No. 1 question alone, but - when it comes to spam - like it or not, the answer is: “You can’t totally eliminate spam.”
But there sure are ways to reduce the volume. This article offers some suggestions.
By the way, the built-in spam blocker in Vista seems really effective. I had been using Norton Anti-Spam but Vista does a much better job. I was especially impressed that the built-it spam blocker was able to catch all those stock tip e-mails that Norton couldn’t touch.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Viruses, spam, adware, etc.
Enjoy the pretty Vista, but don’t step off the cliff
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When I installed Microsoft Vista Tuesday afternoon, I knew Bill Gates was right. This version of Windows really is the most secure yet.
That’s because, after the installation, I could no longer go online. Now that is a computer safe from hackers.
With a little work I straightened the problem out but it illustrates the heartaches involved in installing any new operating system. You are almost guaranteed to discover that some of your old programs and devices no longer work.
The solution to my problem was fairly simple - my network interface card (the device that connects the computer to the home network) needed new software. Once that was installed I was back online.
You may not get off that easy so my earlier suggestion still holds - don’t install Vista now. Wait for a few months, then wait one more month.
But many of you will upgrade to Vista within the next few days, so I’ll take you along on my highly educational adventure of installing Vista.
Let’s start at the store. You’ll find four versions of Vista. For most of you, the only sensible choice is the one I bought: Vista Home Premium. The bottom-of-the-line Vista Basic doesn’t include some features that make the upgrade worthwhile. The two most expensive versions of Vista - Business and Ultimate - don’t add enough value to make them worthwhile for most home users.
If you have a computer that’s already running Windows XP, you can and should buy the upgrade version of Vista, not the full version. You’ll get the same product and - in the case of Home Premium - save about $80. With tax included I paid $171 for Home Premium Upgrade.
Back home from the store and ready to install Vista, I ran into my first problem. I couldn’t figure out how to open its fancy plastic case. A confusing mess of arrows indicate you are supposed to pull on one tab at the top while depressing two plastic tabs on the side of the package. I ran out of fingers. Finally, after I broke one plastic tab, my stepdaughter opened the case for me and I was ready to install.
I popped the installation DVD into my machine (keep in mind that Vista doesn’t come on a CD so your PC needs a DVD player). Once I did that, the installation program immediately offered a link to Microsoft’s Upgrade Advisor. That program will audit your PC in advance and let you know about any potential problems before you install.
Vista allows you to skip that step if you wish. Don’t. That’s how I discovered I needed to download the software for my network card. Had I not downloaded the software while still running XP I would have been caught in a giant Catch 22. When Vista was installed I couldn’t go online to download the driver software needed to get online.
There’s one other decision to make before you get started. You need to select one of two installation methods.
One is a clean installation - if you choose this option you must back up all your data and then plan on reinstalling it, along with all your programs, after Vista is up and running. In truth, this is the best way to go - Vista gets a clean start and is most likely to be trouble-free. But a clean install also involves the most hassle.
You may not have a choice, by the way. Some computers have versions of XP that make a clean installation mandatory. The back of the Vista package offers complete details on installations that require a clean installation.
I took the second route, an over-install that leaves your data and programs intact after you are done. (A sensible person should back up all data before the installation anyway. Please don’t ask if I’m a sensible person, I’d rather not say.)
Once all the decisions were made, I started the installation process around noon. Within minutes I ran into a problem. An onscreen message told me I needed to remove some Symantec programs and Vista aborted the installation. I used the Windows uninstall feature in the control panel to get rid of the programs.
Then I started the installation again. The first onscreen message was: “Your upgrade may take several hours to complete.” That was cheery news, especially since I planned to sit at the machine so I could report on the installation.
The installation itself was fairly boring - there’s no need for you to sit at the machine and watch the completion meter slowly turn from zero, to 1 percent done, to 21 percent, and finally completion. Had I not been writing about all this I would have taken Lucy the beagle for a walk. Unlike earlier versions of Windows, there were no decisions to make once the installation started.
Finally, at 1:45 p.m. the installation was done. Given the noon start time and the aborted first attempt, it didn’t take several hours. Your own installation time may vary wildly depending on your computer, its speed, the size of the hard disk and other factors. My machine has a 3-gigahertz Intel processor, a 200-gigabyte hard drive and 1 gigabyte of RAM.
Once Vista was up and running I started exploring its new features. While I have used beta copies, some of these features weren’t fully operational then.
First, I checked out the look of the program - after all, the new Aero 3-D graphics have attracted the most attention. Many reviewers say Windows has finally caught up with Macintosh’s pretty desktop graphics and features. Me? I could live decades longer and never feel the need for the new look. That’s just me. It is sort of pretty but the thrill passed quickly.
I would say Aero does no harm but that would be a lie. The fancy graphics use up some of your computer’s horsepower.
Next, I wanted to check out a report in PC World that programs actually run slower with Vista than Windows XP. Before installing Vista, I timed a complex task in PhotoShop. That task took about 6 seconds with XP, about 7 with Vista. My very unscientific finding is this: Vista may be a bit slower but I doubt you’ll care or notice.
Then I tried some of my old programs. Most of them worked just fine with Vista. Your own mileage may vary. Ironically, the only programs that gave me any trouble were those created by Microsoft. Before I could open and use Microsoft Word, I had to insert the installation CD for that program to let it update. Once I did that, Word worked fine.
Another new feature is the ability to dock small novelty programs on the right side of the screen - one offers news headlines, another is a clock. The techie term for these things is gadgets. Macintoshes have had this feature for a while. I didn’t find it usefu. But - other than the ones that came with Vista - there are many available for free download. Maybe there’s one I’ll like.
One major improvement is not glamorous but very handy. There’s a great back-up program built into Vista and it worked fine - no tweaking necessary - with my external hard disk. It’s the only back-up program you are likely to ever need and a major improvement from what XP offers.
Finally, I decided to turn off my computer. Windows now puts your PC into a powered-down sleep mode instead of turning it off.
That means your PC will start quickly and - if you have programs open when you power down - all your work will be where you left it when you start working again.
You have the option of changing that feature so Windows turns the PC off. But I like the way sleep mode works and will use it.
Finally, my overall impression of Vista: It’s a worthwhile upgrade, worth waiting for. And that’s what I want you to do - wait for it.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Categories: Columns
Review of the new Microsoft Office 2007
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I am not one of those guys who hates change. There are times when it delights me.
But when a major software package - containing programs that I use on a daily basis - changes I always begin with hate in my heart.
Even if the changes are an improvement, I have to fumble around to find stuff and also need to figure out how all the features work with the new version.
So I hate the new Microsoft Office 2007. Honestly, that probably will change with time.
Since I’ve admitted my bias, I’d better steer you toward a reviewer who - presumably - doesn’t have hate in his heart. It’s an important upgrade for software than many of us use both at work and at home.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: General
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