Tune Up (1) – Adware

Posted on May 18, 2010 by David Rier

Adware is software that displays or downloads advertisements.  Each adware program sits in memory and randomly generates advertisements.  If there is enough adware on your computer, it will take up memory and clog up the processor.

I’ve run into people who had hundreds of adware programs running on their computers.  In sum, those programs slowed their computers down and drove them crazy with incessant pop-up ads.

How do you remove adware from your computer?  I would recommend that you use AdAware.  It is free and can be downloaded at www.lavasoft.com.  Install the software, run it and use it to remove any adware that it finds.

Once the adware is removed, your PC will run more quickly and the pop-up advertisements will be reduced or totally eliminated.  It’s a good first step in tuning up your PC.

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Tune Up Your PC

Posted on May 6, 2010 by David Rier

Over time, every PC seems to slow down.  It’s not because it’s getting tired or old.  It’s that lots of things get regularly done to or added to your PC.

Just about everything that you do when you use your PC can eventually lead to a slow-down in its response.  This includes adding or deleting programs, upgrading or patching your system files, surfing the Internet, adding or deleting files, etc.

So what are you to do?  Every now and then, you can devote some time to tune up your PC.  Over the next few weeks, I’ll offer a series of tune-up tips.  They will not be exhaustive (that would require a year of blogs).  However, they should leave you with a cleaner, “zippier” PC.

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An Introduction to Skype

Posted on May 4, 2010 by David Rier

Skype is an Internet-based service that started in 2003.  It allows you to make phone calls, video calls, chat, share files, etc.  According to Wikipedia, there are over 500 million business and individual user accounts on Skype.

So what do you need to use Skype?

  • The Skype software,
  • An Internet connection, and
  • An input device

The Skype software is free at www.skype.com.  Using your Internet connection, download the software and install it on your desktop or laptop.

When you first start up the software, you will be asked to set up an account.  You select a unique ID and password.  As part of the set up, you can test various input devices (headset, microphone, camera, etc.) to make sure that they work correctly with Skype.

Once you’re set up, who can you communicate with and what will it cost?

  • Communications from one Skype user to another are free.  That includes voice calls, video calls, instant messages, etc.
  • Calls to 800 numbers are free.
  • You can make calls from Skype to landline phones or mobile phones.  There is a charge for such calls, but it is very reasonable.  This part of the service is called Skype Out (I.e. “out” of the Skype service).  It takes a bit of set-up, but it is very competitive compared to other phone services.
  • It is also possible for regular phones to dial to a Skype account.  This is called Skype In (I.e. “into” the Skype service).  I haven’t personally used this.

So why use Skype?  Here are some examples of how I have personally used Skype.  (Note: This is not an exhaustive list, but can give you an idea of the possibilities).

  • Free calls (even video calls) to/from a child who is away at college.
  • Free video conferences from my desk at the office to a colleague in Europe.
  • A 20-minute call to a friend who was at a conference in Japan.  Total cost? $0.46.

If you haven’t used Skype yet, give it a try.  It can be very useful and save you a lot of money.

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What Does IT Really Do?

Posted on April 29, 2010 by David Rier

So you’ve just started your first IT Manager position.  As in most things, your mother will ask you what your job does.

Let’s assume that your first management position is not managing the IT function of a Fortune 500 company.  In reality, what does IT do on a daily basis in a company without lots of “specialty” departments?

Sure, IT takes care of the computers in your company, along with the software, data, all manner of peripherals, wiring, network devices, etc.  In most companies, the IT department also takes care of the telephones, voicemail systems, communications lines, alarm systems, data collection devices, etc.

So what else does IT support?  Most people assume that people who work with computers can take care of anything that is electronic.  That assumption brings TVs, cameras, projectors, PDAs, etc. into your IT area.

So what do you tell your mother?  I once heard it said that “IT supports anything with a plug or a wire”.  It’s simple and it’s not too far from the truth.

(Note: I’m being a little facetious, here.  However, if you think you’re just going to work on hardware and software issues, you are in for a big surprise).

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Your Child’s College Computer

Posted on April 27, 2010 by David Rier

College acceptance season has now come and “the choice” has been made.  You’ve probably already realized that choosing the college is just the first of many decisions that you will have to make (E.g. how to pay for college, which meal plan, how to coordinate your daughter’s decorating with her roommate’s, etc.)

One decision that needs to be made correctly is what type of computer should your child get?  A computer may not be a purchase that is required by your child’s school.  You may think “If I’m paying that much money for tuition, maybe I can save some money and not buy him/her a computer.  After all, the college has computer labs and computers available in the libraries.”  Resist that thinking!

Hundreds or thousands of college students may use the computer labs and library computers.  If your child is a procrastinator or there is just a small time window for some assignments, using “public” computers may set them up for failure.

So if you are going to buy him/her a new computer, here are some words of advice:

  1. First, check with the computer department of the college.  They will have specifications for personal computers that they recommend.  If you buy a computer “on special” at a local electronics store, it may be a good financial deal.  However, if it doesn’t meet the college’s computer specs, it may not even be allowed on their network.
  2. Don’t “fight city hall”.  The college has a very specific and complex computing infrastructure.  Their personal computer specifications dovetail with what hardware, software and networking exists at the school.  You may know a lot about your business’ network, but the college’s IT department is not going to support something new just for one new student.
  3. It may be simpler (and even cheaper) to buy the computer through the college.  They have the advantage of offering good deals because they can buy in bulk.  As well, the computer you get that way will be a “college-approved” unit.
  4. Think about paying for a repair plan.  A computer will break down, and usually at the worst time.  Paying out-of-pocket for emergency repairs just before finals can kill any finely-tuned budget.
  5. Think ahead and get a more powerful computer (or one that can be easily upgraded).  Get extra memory, a better processor and a larger hard drive.  I know it will be more expensive, but look at it this way.  The computer will (hopefully) last through college.  As your child gets into more involved classes, they may need the power and storage to complete their assignments.  (Besides, it’s rare that spending a few hundred bucks can make you a hero to an 18-year-old.)

Good luck!

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“America’s Digital Goddess” ™

Posted on April 21, 2010 by David Rier

Most people think of computer experts as nerdy escapees from the high school AV Club who have a pasty complexion from staying indoors with their computers.  Well, meet Kim Komando, the antithesis of that stereotype.  (That’s her tag-line above).  She has computers in her genes (as her mother helped to develop UNIX), has a degree in CIS, and experience working for IBM, AT&T and Unisys.

Kim’s expertise is in the general digital world.  She has a syndicated, weekly radio show that is heard by millions of listeners and a web site http://www.komando.com that is a treasure trove of general information.

The site (and the newsletters that are attached to it) is free.  The topic areas covered include Downloads, Cool Sites, Tips, Buying Guide, etc.

The topics are not very deep technically.  However, they touch on many computer areas that are used both at home and in the office.  I personally scan the daily newsletters for topics and software of use or interest and put the information into my group of technical tools.  On average, I’ll find something useful every couple of weeks.

Give the site a try.  It may surprise you and you’ll never think of computer geeks in the same way.

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Experts Exchange

Posted on April 19, 2010 by David Rier

Experts Exchange (http://www.experts-exchange.com/ ) is the exception in the sites that I’ll recommend.  It’s a “pay” site, but I believe it’s worth it.  (Note: You get a free 30-day trial period.  After 30 days, there are a number of subscription options like $12.95 a month, $99.95 per year, etc.)

What sets Experts Exchange apart in my opinion?  Two things make it a site that I include in my IT budget: a) the breadth of the topics covered and b) the technical quality of the information and answers.

The navigation tabs tell you that the site meets a huge variety of needs.  They are: Microsoft, Apple, Digital Living, Hardware, Software, OS, Storage, Database, Security, Programming, Web Development, Networking, and Other.

I have searched the existing postings on topics ranging from server issues, VBA programming, data conversion, hardware issues, etc.  In almost all cases, I have found the answers I sought.  The nice thing about the service is that questions that are posted are identified as “solved” or still open.  Within the thread of a “solved” problem, the post that yielded the solution is bracketed in green.  Both formats help to quickly get you to the answer you need.

Note: If you can’t find what you are looking for, you can post your question and request an answer.  Experts compete with each other for the points a questioner awards for a solution.  They also get bragging rights as the experts with the most points are listed in the “Hall of Fame”.  (It’s a hokey system, but it works.)

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Great Tech Sites

Posted on April 16, 2010 by David Rier

It’s not possible to know everything in the computer world.  Happily, there are a number of sites that offer great information and advice.

Every now and then, I’ll highlight a site that I find particularly interesting and useful from a technical standpoint.  These sites should become part of your IT “toolbox”.  The tips, tricks and tools they offer are invaluable.

Most of the sites that I will mention are free.  I’ve found their information useful and they’ve helped me get out of many tough situations.

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Lock Down Access to Your Wireless Network

Posted on April 14, 2010 by David Rier

How can you really “lock the door” against hackers who want to enter your wireless network?  Make it so that only certain computers can sign on.

The exact details may vary depending on the wireless router or base station that you use. One of the base stations that we use at my job is a Linksys unit.  By going to its web-based administration screen, I can enter a section called “Wireless MAC filter”.

Note: Every network hardware device (both wired and wireless) has a MAC (Media Access Control) address.  It is akin to a social security number for the network card.  It uniquely identifies the exact card in your PC.  (If you want to get deeper into the information about MAC addresses, see http://whatismyipaddress.com/staticpages/index.php/what-is-a-mac-address ).

Locate the MAC address of the wireless card that will communicate with your network and enter that address (it is in a 00:00:00:00:00:00 format) into your MAC filter list.  (If you don’t know how to locate your PC’s MAC address, see http://www-dcn.fnal.gov/DCG-Docs/mac/ ). With MAC addresses is in your base station’s filter list, only PCs with network cards having a MAC in the list can enter your wireless network.

Yes, it is possible for a hacker to “pretend” to have a MAC address that is not on their wireless network card (like using a fake Social Security card).  However, they would have to guess the exact 12-digit, hexadecimal MAC address in your MAC filter list (I.e. one in over 280 trillion possibilities.)  If they could do that, they should just go straight to guessing PowerBall numbers – a much easier task.

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Plan for Disasters from Day 1

Posted on April 12, 2010 by David Rier

There’s an old saying … “S**t happens”.  That’s true in all areas of life, but it seems to be very true in the IT world.  Maybe it’s because we rely on our PCs for so much of our lives these days.

A good rule of thumb is to plan for likely breakdowns right from the start.  Here’s a good example: planning for a server breakdown.

Looking at a server, what is most likely to break down?  Like most computers, the most likely things to break are those that have mechanical parts in them – things like the power supply or hard drives.

An example of a good disaster recovery “rule of thumb” might be to order an extra hard drive at the time you originally order a RAID-based server.  This might not seem to be common sense, but hear me out.  Although hard drives have consistently gone down in price, those regular changes lead to drives with different mechanical and physical specs.  Replacing a drive in a RAID with one that has different specs just asks for trouble.

In the above situation, if a drive in your RAID fails, you can immediately open the replacement drive and initiate a re-build of your RAID array.  If you did not have such a drive on-hand, you would have to a) frantically look around for a drive with the proper specs, b) order the drive with priority (I.e. expensive) shipping, c) wait for the delivery, and d) then re-build your drive.

As an “experienced” (I.e. smart) IT manager, it makes sense to plan for a server breakdown and have a replacement part on the shelf.  Less “down time” means a faster availability of the server and a smoother-running IT function.

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