Computers and Technology

Protecting Your Computer and Data

Posted on November 26, 2012 by David Rier

Your computer and the data on it need to be constantly protected. Without protection, your hardware can be permanently damaged, and your data can be either damaged or stolen.

So what should you do to protect yourself (and your computer)?
At the very least, buy and use a surge protector. If your hardware is hit by an electrical surge, it could easily “fry” the motherboard and/or crash your hard drive. In such a case, you might be able to repair your PC or recover portions of data from your hard drive – at a cost of lost time and money.

Next, protect your data from malware and malefactors. Turn on the firewall that is included with your OS. Also, install and use anti-virus software (and keep it up-to-date!) To be even safer, you can install and use anti-malware software to protect yourself from spyware, Trojans, etc.

All of the recommendations above shouldn’t cost much at all. Free firewall, anti-virus and anti-malware software is readily available. As such, you may only have to pay (and not very much) for a surge protector.

Posted in Computer Advice, PCs, Personal computing | Tagged anti-malware, anti-virus, firewall, protect your pc, surge protector | 3 Comments

What Type of Printer Should You Buy?

Posted on October 18, 2012 by David Rier

There are many types of printers available such as ink jet, laser, dot matrix, thermal transfer, etc. They range in size from small label printers to huge plotters.

I’m going to concentrate on general-use printers that would be used in a home or small- to medium-size office. In those settings, the two main choices are ink jet printers and laser printers.

Ink jet printers are inexpensive to purchase and usually can do color printing. However, the ink jet manufacturers sell their printers at a low price because they make lots of money on the frequent replacement of their uniquely-shaped cartridges. (It’s sort of like giving away a razor to make your money on razor blades.) If you do a lot of printing, an ink jet printer may wind up costing you a lot of money per year.

Laser printers are more expensive to purchase and their cartridges are more expensive, too. However, their price per page can be significantly lower than that of ink jets.

So what’s the best choice for you? If you’re in a business, the best choice is probably a laser printer (either monochrome or color). If you’re buying a home printer, an ink jet will probably be just fine. (Note: To save on ink jet cartridge costs, print most of your documents in grey-scale and draft modes. Adjust those settings only when presentation-quality or photographs are needed.)

Posted in Computer Advice, PCs, Personal computing, Technology | Tagged choosing printers, ink jet printer, laser print, printer | Leave a comment

Wired or Wireless?

Posted on October 12, 2012 by David Rier

Answering this question revolves around a couple of factors:
1. Where are you going to use your PC?
2. Is that location near the modem that receives your Internet service? and
3. Is your PC a laptop so you might be using it in multiple locations?

Wired connections have the advantage of being directly connected to your modem/router. Unless the wire is severely kinked or extremely long, nothing will affect the signal to your PC. However, setting up wired connections in various locations can involve some time and expense.

Wireless connections emanate from a wireless router (sometimes called a “base station) that is connected to your modem. As long as you don’t move too far from your base station, you can wirelessly connect. This enables your PC(s) to be portable and still maintain their connection to your network and/or the Internet. As well, it keeps you from having to string network cables to all your computing locations.

Note that you can also wirelessly connect printers to your network. This saves on cabling costs, allows printers to be shared from multiple locations, and reduces the “cable clutter” that you have to endure.

It may take a little more time to initially set up wireless connections and make sure that they are secure. However, I personally “vote” for the convenience and inexpensiveness or wireless computing.

Posted in Computer Advice, General Information, PCs, Personal computing | Tagged wireless, wireless network | Leave a comment

Repair or Replace a Broken PC?

Posted on October 2, 2012 by David Rier

What do you do about when your PC breaks down? Note that I’m not saying “if” your PC will break down. PCs are not made to last for a long time. Most PCs have a useful life of between 3 and 6 years depending on how much usage they get.

When you purchase a personal computer, it normally comes with a warranty period of a year. This is not surprising as breakdowns during the first year are relatively rare unless faulty parts or poor manufacturing was involved. As such, the regular, one-year warranty costs the manufacturer very little.

When a PC breaks down, there are two costs involved in getting it repaired. Replacement parts can be tricky. Replacing a circuit or connection that’s part of the motherboard can involve just buying a plug-in board to replace that one function. However, some functions are not available as plug-in boards and you may need to replace the entire motherboard.

On top of the cost for parts, a repair involves labor for accomplishing the repair. If the repair is simple and/or you know how to do it yourself, then the out-of-pocket cost is negligible. If the repair is complicated or you don’t know how to accomplish it, labor can run up to $125 or more per hour. Parts plus even a few hours of labor might make it more sensible to just buy a new PC.

If you rely on your PC and would need it repaired ASAP if it broke, then you may want to purchase an extended warranty. They are available primarily at the time your purchase the unit. The prices vary by manufacturer or VAR, but they usually run about $100 – $150 to extend your warranty so that it covers 3-4 years of service. Look carefully at all the conditions and what is included. As an example, is the surface completed “on-site” or do you have to send the unit to a repair location? As well, is labor included or does the warranty only include replacement parts?

Posted in Computer Advice, General Information, PCs, Personal computing | Tagged broken pc, repair broken pc, repair vs. replace, replace broken pc | Leave a comment

Desktop or Laptop?

Posted on September 28, 2012 by David Rier

When you buy a personal computer, should you get a desktop or a laptop?

There is no one right answer to the above question. Each choice entails plusses and minuses. However, here are some of the factors that you can consider:

A desktop:
1. Is less expensive to purchase when comparing units with equivalent specs.

2. Has parts that are easily and inexpensively replaced on an individual basis (E.g. the keyboard, monitor, etc.) As a result,
it is less expensive to repair than a laptop.

3. Is not mobile. If you frequently move your personal computer to different rooms or take it on trips, then a desktop is not for you.

4. Can be easier to use than a laptop if you need a larger keyboard or monitor.

5. Can be much more powerful and speedy than a laptop if you spend the same amount on your purchase. This is especially useful to power users, gamers, etc.

A laptop:
1. Is more expensive (for an equivalent unit) than a desktop. This is because it is more expensive to make things smaller.

2. Is more expensive to repair. As an example, it may more than half the price of a new laptop to replace just a cracked screen. In fact, faced with the repair of a laptop, many people just “bite the bullet” and buy a whole new laptop.

3. Laptops are mobile. This makes them very attractive for salesmen, students, travelers, etc.

4. Usually take up much less physical space than a desktop.

Laptops are currently selling more than desktops, which is not surprising in our mobile, throw-away society.

Posted in Computer Advice, General Information, PCs, Personal computing | Tagged desktop, desktop vs. laptop, laptop | Leave a comment

Apple or PC?

Posted on September 19, 2012 by David Rier

Right now, the first question you need to answer about choosing a computer for your home or small office is this: Do you buy an Apple computer or a PC?

This question was the basis for one of my first blog posts on this site. Some things have changed in the personal computing environment (E.g. Windows 7, tablets, etc.) Personal computers are also faster now and have more memory (which is not a surprise over any 2+ year period).

So what are some of the factors that you should consider in making your choice? Here is a “replay” of the points I made in my original post:
1. Are there programs you need to run that are only available on a Macintosh or a PC? If so, you have no real choice. Buy the computer that will run the programs you have to run.

2. Is there a “requirement” that you buy a PC or Mac? This might be the case when you buy a personal computer for a child that is going to college. Some colleges require one type of computer. (Check with the college before you buy a computer!) If there is a particular requirement, you have no real choice again.

3. Is the “look” of your personal computer the most important thing, no matter the price? On the whole, Macs are very sleek and “sexy” in their design while the design look of PCs lags behind.

4. If all things are equal (E.g. screen size, memory, processing power, programs available, etc.) will you purchase the less expensive option? Note: Comparing the cost of like units (apples to apples?) the Apple unit is usually 25%+ more expensive than the comparable PC.

5. Will your personal computer ever need to be repaired? On the whole, the more expensive a personal computer is, the more costly it is to repair.

6. Are you concerned about being attacked by viruses? PCs are attacked much more by viruses than Apples. Does that mean that Apple PC’s are immune to computer viruses? No. Should you be concerned about viruses if you own a Mac? Yes, if you ever use the Internet.

I have used both types of personal computers. The businesses I have worked in did not need to use Apples and they were concerned about total cost of ownership. As a result, PCs have been my professional choice as an IT manager. However, it’s your choice – do what’s best for you.

Posted in Computer Advice, General Information, PCs, Personal computing | Tagged Apple, PC, PC vs. Apple, selecting a PC | Leave a comment

DIY or Get Help?

Posted on September 11, 2012 by David Rier

This is both the easiest and trickiest question that you should answer when looking for a small office or home PC . . . Are you going to do the installation and setup by yourself or are you going to get outside help?

The tricky part comes from two factors: 1) How technically savvy and confident are you? And 2) How much time and/or money do you want to invest in the project?

If you are confident about what to do and how to do it, then you can save money and do everything yourself. If you don’t have the time or know how to do the project, then find a consultant you trust and let them set you up.

It’s a tough call, but be honest with yourself. If your small business will rely on and benefit from a computer, make sure you get the right hardware and software and that it is set up correctly. The money you spend on outside help at the start may be a lot less than fixing problems or recovering data in the future.

Posted in Computer Advice, General Information, PCs, Personal computing | Tagged setting up, small business computer | Leave a comment

Setting Up a Small Office or Home PC

Posted on August 28, 2012 by David Rier

So you’re finally going to get a PC for your small business or your home. Good for you?

There are lots of factors to be considered I making the right choices for your hardware and software. As well, you want to protect your investment and your files.

I’ve worked with PCs for over 30 years in both home and business settings. Over the next few months, I’ll pass on some of lessons and observations about choosing and setting up a PC that I’ve learned during that time.

Posted in Computer Advice, General Information, PCs, Personal computing, Technology | Tagged home office, home pc, small office pc | Leave a comment

Amazon Prime

Posted on August 21, 2012 by David Rier

In my previous post, I laid out some of my reasons for liking Amazon. As the old saying goes, “the best is yet to come”.

Using Amazon does not require a membership (paid or otherwise.) However, Amazon has a paid membership that you can acquire called Amazon Prime. So why would you pay $79 a year to use Amazon when you can get it for free?

Amazon Prime adds a number of features that make the cost of membership worth it (in my opinion). First, you orders are given free 2-day shipping (with no minimum order size for such shipping.) I have had both a $2.00 item as well as a 200-pound gas grill shipped free to me via Prime. If you frequently order via the Internet, the free shipping can easily offset the cost of your membership.

Amazon Prime also offers free streaming of movies and TV shows in the Amazon library. As well, it offers free access to thousands of Kindle books.

All in all … how can you go wrong?

Posted in Computer Advice, General Information, Personal computing | Tagged amazon, amazon prime, amazon.com | Leave a comment