Home > Technobuddy > Archives > 2007 > July
July 2007
Finding the middle ground
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I think there’s an untapped market for a device that splits the difference between a tiny handheld and a regular-sized laptop computer. I’ll link to an article here that spells out the advantages.
There are people - I’m one of them - who want a decent-sized screen, the ability to type rather than stab at a screen or keyboard with a thumb or fingertips, and enough computing power to do real work on occasion.
I hate the weight of a laptop when travelling but a palm-sized device, or an iPhone for that matter, just don’t fit with how I want to work. I’m not saying that I’m typical but I am saying that I’m not alone.
Too many laptops are designed to compete with desktop machines when it comes to processor power, storage and utility. I would be glad to trade all that power for something small enough to carry without spraining my shoulder. Too many palm-sized devices have tiny screens and - while great for checking e-mail - are awkward if you need to write more than three sentences.
I agree with the article I’ve linked that current attempts to create devices for this middle market are failures. But I also agree that doesn’t have to be so.
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Religion in cyberspace
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When the first radio preachers came along it seemed odd to some. Then TV ministries followed - and the range of ministries included conventional services along with some that seemed very unconventional.
Next? Well, we should have known it would happen - based on how religion has followed technology from radio, to TV. Now the online world is becoming a new frontier for religion.
I’ll link to a story here that talks about the Catholic Church’s move into cyberspace. The idea isn’t new and has been the topic of many news stories. The new in this story is a move into a well-known online world called Second Life.
That online community already has a full-time reporter - for Reuters if I remember correctly - covering it. Now an article in a Vatican approved publication urges that Catholics join in the game and use it to convert some of the players.
All this sounds strange but so did - at the time - radio and TV ministries.
What do you think?
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Buy your PC as if it was a bottle of wine
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When I started this column - way back in 1992 - I frequently offered computer buying tips. Technology was moving so fast that many of us replaced computers as frequently as shoes.
Nowadays, most home users can hang onto a computer for three or four years without making huge sacrifices in performance. Most any new brand-name computer will perform adequately in most homes. So I don’t write about computer shopping as much.
But with the advent of power-hungry Microsoft Vista and the approach of the back-to-school shopping season, it seems a good time to revisit the topic and talk about ways to save money. I’m talking about ordinary home users; not to those looking for a PC that could design nuclear submarines.
Wiith that in mind, here are some of my rules:
Stay in the middle: Think of a wine list in an expensive restaurant. At the very top you’ll find bottles going for hundreds of dollars. These are bottles that only make sense for show-offs, true connoiseurs, or people rich enough to disregard price. At the bottom, you’ll find cheap wine. It isn’t good wine, but it is cheap.
It’s no different with computers. The safest spot for most buyers is in the middle.
Be brand-aware: My stepdaughter wouldn’t wear blue jeans without a designer label. And she pays plenty for that label. That doesn’t make sense. However, there are exceptions to every rule, and brand names make sense when the ordinary person buys a computer.
While there are bargains to be found with off-brand computers, it’s important to assess the quality of components used. If you can honestly do that - hey, save some money with the off-brand. If you can’t - and that’s most of you - stick with a brand name machine.
Beware of bundles: I spent many years working in marketing and advertising for a Fortune 500 company. We often bundled products to add perceived value. Instead of selling each item separately, we’d offer several as part of a package. That adds what marketers call perceived value. And often it really is just a perception not a reality. All the added products in the bundle make it difficult for the consumer to calculate the true value.
That’s why many computer stores love bundling. You are offered a computer, monitor, printer, maybe even a camera. You may also get “free” software and maybe even virus protection and Internet service.
But if you already have a good printer, monitor, and Internet service, all this “free” stuff isn’t a bargain at all. If you truly need the add-ons, these packages actually can be a bargain at times. If you don’t, you’re losing money on the deal.
Shop smart: It seems really elementary to say this, but you can save money by watching for price cuts and sales. Let me suggest an experiment.
Go to the Web site for Dell or Gateway and price a computer. Check back in a week. You’ll often find some element of the deal has changed. On one week you’ll find free shipping, but on another the same computer may come at the same price but with added RAM or a monitor upgrade.
By repeating this process for four to five weeks, you’ll often find a deal that fits your needs and that saves you $100 or more.
The bargains can be even better at stores. Watch for sales and promotions. Also, don’t be afraid to bargain. Most people don’t realize that a sales person often has some latitude, even at a chain store. I’ve been able to get small price breaks - and in one case a free joy stick - just by asking.
Remember rebates: Many folks are leery of rebate offers. They assume they’ll never get the money or it’ll be a bigger hassle than it’s worth. But stores lately are making rebates easier to get. I can’t think of a time in the past few years when I failed to get the rebate money. So it’s smart to look for rebate offers as long as the offer is for a product you really need.
Shopping smart will add enjoyment to your computer. Sometimes the most fun a computer offers is the chance to brag about the deal you got.
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10 free computer security programs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s no secret - I like free software. Part of the reason is obvious, when there are several computers in a home the price of commercial software can often be more than what you paid for the hardware. And since many programs that provide computer security require yearly subscription fees, the purchase price of the program is often just the start of expenses.
But I also like these free programs because they remind me of how things were when home computing got its start. Most programs were free then. And it was possible to create your own programs. If you couldn’t, in the very earliest days of home computing, you could simply copy what others did. Computer magazines printed the computer code and users would fire up Basic and create a program by copying that code. (That wasn’t much fun to tell you the truth - even a small typo rendered the program useless so there was a lot of time spent searching for typos).
And - for whatever reason - some of the free programs available are still often better than commercial stuff. Today, linked here, you’ll find some security programs touted as 10 of the best by ZDNet. I have used - and like - some of them. Others are brand new to me. It’ll be fun to see how they stack up.
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Free storage for your iPhone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve told you before, I’m not a big fan of cellphones. Mine stays in my car. Unlike many of my friends, I don’t want to browse the Web on a tiny screen, don’t need to read my e-mail in the elevator and - if I want to hear music - I’m more likely to go to a club or turn on my home audio system.
Besides, I really do not want to stay in touch.
And when it comes to popping for an iPhone with its high price tag and a battery that can only be replaced by Apple, no way.
At the same time, I do understand. This weekend I was visiting with my best friends and they were proudly showing off their new iPhone. So we spent some time turning it on its side and watching the screen orient itself to the new position. And we looked at the maps and marvelled at the on screen buttons. I even figured out that you have to touch those buttons lightly - as if you didn’t want to leave fingerprints.
I had a lot of fun and jeez, it’s a beautiful piece of technology.
My friends spend a lot of time travelling and love the ability of checking their e-mail on the fly and of finding a restaurant within walking distance of their hotel. Maybe if I had a bunch of money I’d have an iPhone too.
For those prosperous folks who have an iPhone, there’s a really neat service. I’ll link to an article about it here.. It offers free - and for pay - storage for your iPhone. Sounds like a terrific idea to me.
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Pick up a few bucks while you clean the basement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I don’t know about you but - in my home - you could gather up enough old cellular phones to equip an infantry platoon. There are also maybe four MP3 players that I don’t use anymore. The basement contains an old video game system or two along with three computer monitors that still work, a couple of PCs that may work. I could find a few old boom box type audio systems … well, the list goes on (as do the complaints from my wife to clean out the basement).
Most of us have consumer electronic devices that are unused. But they fit into sort of a consumer paradox. They’re too good to throw away but not valuable enough to make much effort toward selling them.
That’s why I think a new business - you can read about it at this link - may actually have a chance of making it. You ship off your gadget or gadgets to Second Rotation and get payment right away. Then Second Rotation sells the stuff at a profit on eBay.
All that works - or is supposed to work - because Second Rotation keeps a database of what prices specific are bringing on eBay. So you are paid less than that, enough for Second Rotation to make a good profit. It’s hard to object to that system since, in most cases, the devices would have continued to gather dust in your basement otherwise.
The advantage to Second Rotation is the profit it makes. Your advantage is that you don’t have to deal with eBay, or potential problems getting your money. Instead you are paid right away and leave all the work to Second Rotation.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of my best friends is a big shot consultant in the high tech industry. He lives here in Atlanta on the weekend but flies off to his current project every Sunday and flies back late on Fridays. He’s treated well - a penthouse and car are furnished at his consulting project. On the other hand, by Wednesday mornings he’s worked more hours than I work in any week.
The guy loves technology and, like I said, his company is in that business.
But when he needed to meet with programmers in India, he got on an airplane. He could have done it by phone, or e-mail, or even used a fancy video teleconferencing set-up. But he spent 18 hours (lord knows what that’s worth at the rates he bills) on an airplane to meet with the programmers in person.
That’s why the story I’m linking to here rings true to me.
A poll showed that 58 percent of workers still think that it is best to communicate face-to-face with their bosses. That’s why - even as the technology increasingly makes it easier for us to jump around the world at the click of a mouse button - I’m betting that offices and meetings won’t be going away any time soon.
What do you think? Heck, what do you do? Do you work in a virtual world of IMs, e-mails and teleconferences - or do you make your way to work on the clogged interstates and endure days filled with meetings face-to-face?
Go ahead - feel insecure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I used to kid Laura about her obsession with computer security. She was constantly trying new firewall programs and could flawlessly rattle off settings to make a wireless router safe.
She earned an A in the technical part. But on a visit to her house, I saw something that changed her grade. There was a big yellow Post-it note on the front of her computer. In nice legible red ink, passwords were listed for various Web sites and online accounts.
Since you read this column, I’m sure you would never do something crazy like leaving your passwords out for all to see. After all, you realize such a list is fair game for everyone from repairmen to carpet cleaners to casual friends.
We won’t dwell on passwords today. But there is a way to test the one you use, to make sure it is secure. Go to the site linked here and enter a password. You’ll be told just how secure that password is. If the bar turns red, the password is bad. If it’s yellow, the password is weak. If it’s in the green, you’re in the green too. You’ll also get some advice on creating a good password at the same site.
Risky business
I used Laura’s letdown in security as a good example of the most important risk points in being secure online. While a good firewall and techical awareness helps, the most common cause of a computer breach isn’t some high tech hacker. The greatest risk comes from what you do.
Lets look at some ways you can go wrong.
I’ve known several smart people who have been fooled by phisher attacks. The e-mail seems to be from your bank or some trusted online company such as eBay or Amazon. You are given various good reasons in the e-mail to log on to the site and change your password or enter credit card information. But it’s a fake Web site - even though it looks like the real thing. That site records your personal data and uses it to swindle you.
You may be thinking that only an idiot would fall for this. But I know of a wife of a federal law enforcement agent and a physician who did just that.
Since these attacks - called social engineering by the security gurus - take several forms, the best thing to do is this: If you are asked for any information, decline. If you worry that the request is real, call the business or independently (not using the address given in the e-mail) go to the Web site and use the contact e-mail address to ask if the request is real.
Another frightening scam that’s becoming very popular relies on the fact that everyone loves a bargain. Here’s how it works.
You want to schedule a long weekend for yourself but need to find a bargain. As you search the Web, you find a site with such a good deal to Taos, N.M., that you’ll almost make money after buying the airline tickets and reserving a room. There’s no number to call but there’s a way to make the reservations online.
Too good to be true
Unfortunately, the ad was a fake. Web sites that offer prices too good to be true - whether it is a ticket, or a new summer sports coat - sometimes are simply efforts to get your credit card information. You don’t receive the products but the crooks get your personal information.
If something sounds too good to be true, listen to your brain instead of your heart. A really ugly scam involves so-called free anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. Here’s where it makes sense to stay with brand name products such as Windows Defender, Ada-ware and, for viruses Grisoft’s AVG or Avast.
There are programs that pretend to check for spyware but are actually spies themselves. To make things more complicated, there are malicious programs that use names similar to a legitimate one. That’s especially true with one of my favorite anti-spyware programs, SpyBot Search and Destroy.
The solution? Do a Google search for articles from sources such as Cnet, PC Magazine or PC World. These articles will either have direct links to the download site, or will at least list the address.
Today’s message is a simple one: Your common sense is the world’s best firewall. Just make sure you turn it on.
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Harry Potter book review
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I read the New York Times review of the final Harry Potter book this morning.
Since we talked about the book here - and even though there’s nothing remotely high tech about the review - I’m linking to it here.
Some of you may prefer not to read it. And I understand that, but since the review is out there - and since the reviewer bought the book at a retail store - I wanted to make it available.
The review does not disclose whether or not Harry died. However, it does go into some detail about the book.
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Would you like some ID theft with your coffee?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you’re using a wireless hotspot - at a coffee shop, hotel or where ever - you’re virtually hanging a sign around your neck saying - hack me.
The article I link here says it all - wireless hotspots are the single most dangerous wireless technology.
I can remember sitting in a coffee shop while a security expert showed me e-mails and passwords rolling past on his computer screen. But you sure don’t have to be an expert to do what he did - the software is available for free on the Net. (And no, there won’t be links to the stuff). But here’s the frightening thing. I am not letting the cat out of the bag on this stuff. The people interested in this sort of thing know all about it and many of them routinely hack into wireless connections like this - either for fun or profit.
And the problem is deeper than just being able to hack into a legitimate access point. It’s also easy to set up a second access point that looks like the real thing. You can even do that from a car outside a coffee shop. Even to an expert user, the fake hot spot looks just fine.
The linked article may get a bit too technical for some but it does go into some possible solutions.
However the real solution - for the meantime - is to avoid using wireless hotspots.
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Harry Potter - dead or alive
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you want to know if Harry lives or dies? Hey, it’s easy to find out. Leaked copies of the book have been appearing on the Web for a while. You can read about all the leaked versions in the story linked here.
My guess is that some of the leaked endings are correct. But since you’ll find Harry dead in some places and alive in others you’ll need to wait for the book to be sure.
But all this fuss does underline a couple of things: The ownership of information has been changed forever by the free-wheeling Internet, and it’s clear that you can find any answer you need on the Net as long as you don’t care if it’s right or wrong.
I’ve avoided linking to any of the many blogs and sites with these spoiler endings. For those who want to check things out, a simple Google search like this:
“harry potter”
will take you to screenfuls of blogs and Web sites that breathlessly reveal the ending - or competing endings.
Me? Hey my money is on Harry. He’s a durable magician and I think he’ll escape with his life. Don’t worry - it’s just a guess, I haven’t had an e-mail from JK Rowling in ages.
The future of home computing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Home computers are pretty much like appliances these days - with two ugly differences.
(1) Computers are not intuitive, appliances are. No one needs the read an instruction manual to make popcorn in a microwave.
(2) You don’t need to perform a long list of maintenance chores to successfully operate a refrigerator (although it sure helps to remove the old stuff before it gets moldy). But with a computer you should make back-up copies of your data, keep anti-virus and anti-spyware software updated, and set up a fire wall to keep intruders out.
There’s a way to make some of the routine tasks easier and to automate many of the maintenance chores. The notion is to install a separate computer on a home network with only one job - serving you. It takes care of the back-up, makes sure that your music and video is available to the computers you use and act as a sort of boss for the network.
That would be a home server. And that’s why servers will be the next big thing in home computing. Microsoft has recognized that future with its new home server software - you can read about it using this link.
The software is just part of the equation - you’ll need computers that are designed from the ground up to act as servers, not general purpose machines. (Any home computer could do the job but hardware designed with that purpose can be less expensive and offer more built-in storage).
That’s happening too, with several manufacturers - including HP - preparing relatively inexpensive machines for the server market.
By using a more complex system for a home network, life will be simpler. Whatever you think of Microsoft’s technology, it would be hard to second guess its marketing skill. There will be other entrants in this category - and I have no idea what system will prevail. But I do think home servers represent the future of home computing.
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That iPod may be hazardous to your health
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I wouldn’t worry too much about it - you are certaintly more at risk while driving to work - but there have been increasing reports of the consequences of using portable electronic devices (iPods, other similar players, and even cellular phones) outside during a thunderstorm.
The lightning strikes and it follows the metal and wiring to your body and, finally, to your head where the earbuds rest.
As the article linked here correctly notes your iPod doesn’t attract electricity, instead it offers a path for it to travel once it hits. So you’re not a walking lightning rod when you venture out while plugged in.
Lightning usually strikes the tallest structure in the vicinity - as I recall that’s called the umbrella effect. So a tall tree or a high building usually is the entry point. But once it strikes, metal forms an excellent conductor (that, of course, is why - especially in the Midwest where thunderstorms are works of art) you’ll see lightning rods on buildings and barns. These rods, connected to grounding stakes, help channel the lightning safely to ground.
Unfortunately, your iPod or music player - in the rare instance this happens - also provides a fast lane for lightning.
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Your magical computer kit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Congratulations. I’m here to deliver your Instant Computer Genius Kit. Use it to impress your friends or to get your computer or online connection going again.
Most of the ingredients in this kit are simple enough for even a grownup. You can use these tips to impress and amaze your spouse or friends, although I suggest keeping the techniques private. As any magician knows, you should never let the audience in on the secret.
On and off
We’ll start with the easiest trick: Fixing a frozen or balky computer. Simply turning off a computer, counting to five and then turning it back on will fix the problem at least half the time. A lot of computer troubles are one-time hiccups. Restarting the computer often clears the problem. And, unlike elaborate “fixing,” you’ll do no harm even in cases when restarting fails to correct the problem.
Have you ever turned on your computer and found it has lost its high speed connection? You could call your service provider, buy a new modem or router or trudge through complex diagnostic procedures. But you might restore the connection just with the on/off routine.
Simply turn off both the high speed modem and your router. Then turn them both back on. You’ll most often find that your connection is working again. What’s the magic here? Your high speed modem establishes communication with the modem on the other end through a synchronization process. A blip in power or other temporary glitch can throw the two modems out of sync. When you restart the modem it automatically establishes this synchronization.
Slow starters
The next fix takes care of a really common problem. Over time, computers can take longer and longer to start up. In extreme cases, you have time to fix a cup of coffee while waiting for everything to load.
The most common cause of the problem is spyware or adware. Check for that with Adaware or Microsoft Defender - both free for the downloading - or with your choice of anti-spyware.
The problem often is that your computer is automatically starting dozens of programs - including some you don’t want or need - each time you turn it on. When you install a new program it often automatically sets itself to load all or part of that program each time you start the computer.
The fix is simple. Click on the Start button and then find the Run command. Type: msconfig. That will open a small program. Select the tab that says Startup. You probably will see a long list of programs with checkmarks by each program name. If you see strange program names and you can’t identify them, type the name into Google. You’ll almost always find the name of the program.
Leave the checkmarks by your anti-virus program and programs that are part of Windows itself and, of course, any programs you want to start automatically. Then restart the computer. It should move along smartly now. If you want to add some programs back to the automatic startup list, simply repeat this procedure and add checkmarks where needed.
Extreme solutions
There are times when these simple techniques won’t fix a balky computer. There’s one last-ditch tip - not as simple as the rest and very drastic - that can fix a computer even when you don’t know the problem.
I think of it as the high-tech equivalent of dropping a nuclear bomb.
First, back up any data you’ve created including e-mail, word processing documents, spreadsheets, the works. Don’t bother backing up your programs. You will simply reinstall them (and that’s the best way) from the installation CDs.
After you make the back-up copy - usually it’s easiest to use an external hard disk for this, although CDs and DVDs can work too - check them to make sure they actually exist.
Then reformat the computer’s hard drive and reinstall Windows, then your programs and finally the data you saved.
There’s no way in the world that I can cover all the gotchas in this process. I suggest one of the many computer help books or a site like EHow. Do a search for reformat before you even think of trying this. If you end up being unsure of your skills after doing some research, please don’t go through the process. Mistakes can lose all your data or even create a computer that isn’t useable.
Despite the potential dangers, no Computer Genius Kit would be complete without this trick. The beauty of it is that you don’t need to identify a problem to fix it. You literally start from scratch. So this method will fix almost any problem other than one caused by defective hardware.
One final simple tip for fixing balky computers. When all else fails, swallow your pride, put the machine in your backseat and take it to an RE (real expert).
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Zoom in on your neighbors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you enjoy sunbathing - in the natural state - in the shelter of your backyard, go find some clothes.
Satellite imagery, available to the public now through plenty of sources, is turning up some interesting sights.
And Google’s Earth software, - you can download it at this link - offers you the chance to spin the globe and zoom in on any spot you fancy.
All this has turned into an enormous game for many, trying to see what they can see in unexpected places. Already sighted? A large pink rabbit, heretofore undiscovered ship wrecks and strange circles in fields of crops (flying saucers anyone?).
You can read more about it at this link. Then we’ll see what we can see.
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Spying on your family made easy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Technology gives us the tools to be a pretty good spy.
Do you want to spy on your spouse or a child while they’re at the computer? Programs like this can do the job - hiding themselves and taking note of what is said in e-mails and text messages. That’s a single example. Use Google to search - parental software control. You’ll find screen after screen full of programs eager to spy for you.
Do you want to know what’s going on with a child’s cellular phone? Here’s Radar, a service that will send you a message each time there is a call.
Over the years I’ve often had e-mails from parents asking how to spy on a child’s computer habits. And - as you’ve seen - there are ways to do it. It feels wrong to me, yet I also understand the urge and maybe even the need at times.
It’s hard to know what’s right. But I do know this. It would be easy for a parent to cede the responsibility for being a parent to a service or a chunk of software. To my way of thinking that’s dangerous.
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Battery problems for the iPhone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The battery on the iPhone is beginning to create some buzz, but not the sort that Apple would like. Is it serious - no, I don’t think so in terms of sales - I believe some people just have to have the iPhone (quite literally) at any cost. So they won’t be deterred. But I do think it’s something that may be changed in 2nd generation iPhones.
The problem with the battery is that it is hard wired into the phone. So unlike any other cellular phone I have used you can’t just pop another battery in. And - based on who is talking - that iPhone battery will last between 300 to 500 recharging cycles. So - when it comes time to replace that battery - you have to take it back to Apple. Before you’re done, you’ll have paid more than $100. There’s a story about all that linked here.
There are two other reasons that is a problem for users. For one, you’ll be without the iPhone while it’s in for surgery - the option is to go without or to rent another iPhone from Apple. The other problem - and it’s especially true for people such as my real estate agent wife - is that heavy cellular users do not have the option of carrying along a second battery. You can read about it at the link here.
Like I said, it’s not a fatal problem and won’t cut into sales much if at all. But I’ll bet you big money (well, not enough to buy an iPhone) that the problem is fixed in future iPhones. All this was inevitable, of course. When a product gets as much good attention as has happened with the iPhone, the bad attention is almost sure to follow.
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The joys of high-tech junk
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Technology is almost always gender neutral. Some of the smartest geeks I know are women; some of the most techno-clueless are men.
But my guess is today’s topic will be a natural for guys and not so much for women. Today we’re talking tech junk.
My junk drawer and junk closet have been valuable allies in diagnosing and fixing computer problems. They’ve gotten my home computers up and running during times when stores were closed.
I love my junk collection. But my wife thinks it is, well, junky. So be warned, following today’s suggestion could be hazardous to domestic bliss.
My junk addiction started when I became a ham radio operator. Spare and salvaged parts usually ended up in the junk box. After all, a guy never knows when he’ll need a spare Eimac 3-500Z tube. When I started messing with computers, it was natural to store away old hard disks, video cards, sound cards, printers and extra cables. Let me offer one example of how having a bunch of junk can save your neck.
You turn on your PC and the screen is flickering like a candle about to go out. Common sense tells you the monitor is failing, so you decide to buy a new monitor. That could turn out to be an expensive bet. You could hook up the new monitor and see the same flickering. A bad video card - even one that isn’t seated or connected securely - can cause the same problem.
That’s where the junk box (or closet) can save you some money. Get out that old but still-working monitor you saved and hook it up. If the problem goes away, you know the monitor was at fault. If it continues, you can reach into the junk box again and try a working video card. This diagnosis by substitution method works fine for printing difficulties, mouse problems, trouble with sound and a dozen other maladies.
Keeping old monitors and video cards and such around can save you money this way. They can also save your neck in emergencies, such as when a printer or monitor fritzes out late at night just as you’re finishing a critical project.
There’s one more use for junk that I adopted from a commercial technician. When his junk box gets full to overflowing, he’ll use it to create a Frankenstein of a computer. All it takes is a case with a power supply, a motherboard (that’s the main circuitboard), a junker hard disk and a monitor. Then he gives the home-assembled computer away to someone who can’t afford one.
Not only does that put junk to good use, it’ll make you feel good right down to your toes. Not everyone will have the skill or inclination to assemble a computer, but it’s a fine learning experience. If you’re working with discarded parts, there’s not a huge downside to failure.
If keeping a junk box is appealing, here are a few tips:
Most accessory boards such as sound cards, video cards and ethernet cards can be damaged by static electricity or just by being constantly banged around in a messy pile. That’s why I save the special anti-static packaging - along with any styrofoam packing - for these cards.
It’s also important to store your junk in a reasonably cool and dry location. Moist basements are bad; drawers and closets usually are fine.
There can be real joy in collecting junk, and it’s useful too. Still, if you’re a guy who wants to give it a try, you may want to plan on adding to your wife’s flower and jewelry collection as well.
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Get rich - or poor - quick by betting on iPhone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you think the iPhone will continue to be the rock star of technonology? Will sales keep on skyrocketing?
If that’s how you feel, you can join the investors who are buying up stock in the companies - some of them far from high rollers now - who make the components for the iPhone. Apple has kept quiet about most of the iPhone component suppliers but techies quickly began taking the phones apart to see who made what - down to the smallest component.
And as the list of suppliers became public, investors who believe in the phone began buying stock in these suppliers - pushing stock prices higher for the companies in some instances.
Here’s a story that gets down to the guts of the iPhone and names names of suppliers - ranging from giants like Intel to little-known companies such as Skyworks Solutions.
My disclaimer: None of this is a recommendation for or against the purchase of stock in any company. My track record - as far as a stock picker - has kept the red ink suppliers in the black.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Apple News
New Windows scam - and this one isn’t from Microsoft
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The latest online scam targeting Microsoft Windows uses an almost universally hated feature of Windows - online activation - to separate you and your money.
It’s really fairly clever. It starts when you turn on your computer. There is an on-screen message saying someone else has activated that same copy of Windows. That, of course, can happen. And with all the publicity about piracy and counterfeit copies of Windows, it sounds sensible enough.
So you’re taken to what looks like the regular Windows activation screen.
That’s where experienced users will see a red flag marking this as a scam. You’re asked to include credit card information. The on screen message says that your card won’t be charged - and assures you that the information is just used to prove your identity. Microsoft does not use credit card information during the activation process. But these crooks do.
You can read about the entire crooked scheme here.
Meantime, if you receive a message like this when you turn on your computer, ignore it and do not go through the “activation” process. All you’re doing is activating some crook’s bank account. The request for a credit card number should be enough to tip you off.
Permalink | | Categories: General
Share your iPhone stories
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Did you pick up an iPhone? Has it lived up to your expectations?
Were you one of the many who ran into delays while trying to activate it?
I’m curious.
Most of the reviews that I’ve seen are positive but speckled with some negatives. The negatives included stuff that has been talked to death including the slow AT&T EDGE network - Web pages can take minutes to download on the screen unless the iPhone finds a Wi-Fi connection. The general consensus is that the built-in camera is nothing special. That’s very typical of all this gizmos. There was one negative that sort of surprised me - it came in this review. The reviewer said telephone calls had poor audio quality.
The big pluses include the excellent media player and the large screen.
I’ve yet to see a reviewer - even those who found plenty of flaws - who hated the iPhone, most are fairly giddy about it. The things worth watching are these: (1) How will sales be four months from now? (2) What sort of improvements will come with second generation software?
Permalink | Comments (18) | Categories: General
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