Archive for the ‘Q & A’ Category

- Submitted by Christy Gan, Lee’s Services
A: It is funny how many misconceptions there are regarding web browser maintenance. To hear some people talk, it would seem that “cookies” are the source of all the world’s computer problems. Probably because clearing all this browser stuff is often a step suggested to people over telephone support. Because it has become part of the lore of do-it-yourself computer maintenance, I often get this question. The answer may completely surprise you.

Honestly, you should never need to clear the web browser’s history, cache, or cookies if you aren’t experiencing any problems with your browser. For example, I use the Safari web browser on my Mac and I do a ton of web browsing. I have my browser set to keep a year’s worth of history because I often want to go back and search my history to find some article I read months ago. I don’t think I’ve ever cleared the cache, cookies, or history of my browser since I’ve had my laptop, which is going on 3 years now. As long as I’m not having any problems, there really is no reason to clear out that stuff.

However, I have seen strange browser problems be resolved by clearing out the browser’s files. Often, this is a necessary troubleshooting step when cleaning out viruses on Windows PCs. And unfortunately, Internet Explorer on Windows is susceptible to a plethora of issues that also require clearing out those files to resolve the issues.

But again, the bottom line is that there really is no good reason to do a periodic cleanup of those browser files. The only time it should be necessary is if you are experiencing a problem with your browser and in those situations, it is often best to have your computer serviced by an qualified technology professional. But in the same breath, it really won’t hurt anything to clear out those files (other than losing your history) if you really feel like it.

If you have a technology question, please let me know and it will be featured in a future newsletter!

- Submitted by Tony Cecena, Cecena’s Jewelry
A: It used to be relatively simple to compare computer processors. One could look at the clock speed of a processor (Mhz or Ghz) and that would be a good indicator of the relative performance of that processor. Of course, this wasn’t a perfect method, but it was a good way to approximate. Within the last few years, however, processor manufacturers have stopped focusing on clock speed and have started introducing and marketing other technologies in processors. One of the more commonly touted technologies are processors with multiple cores. Unfortunately, most people have no idea what a multiple-core processor is. So let me enlighten you.

First a little background. Many years ago, computer manufacturers developed technology to allow computers to have multiple processors. A computer with more than one processor could be more powerful. For some applications, multiple processor computers showed significant performance improvements. Unfortunately, multiple processor computers were generally a lot more expensive and required specialized motherboards and software that was specifically written to take advantage of extra processors.

Fast forward a few years and processor manufacturers develop technology that allow a processor to have multiple “cores”, which in very simple terms is a single processor that behaves in many ways as if it is multiple processors. For many reasons multiple core processors are a great improvement over single-core processors and multiple processors. However, all the average person needs to know is that most processors made today have multiple cores and the specifics are not all that important. The only important fact to determine is relative performance. Competent sales people and technology professionals should be able to explain the relative performance of various processors when asked. If not, perhaps you should move on.

One thing to keep in mind is that just because a processor has multiple cores does not mean it is a factor of that multiple faster than a single core processor. For example, a dual-core processor is not necessarily twice as fast as a single-core processor, nor is a quad-core processor four times as fast. One reason is that software needs to be written so as to be optimized for multiple-core processors to take full advantage of them. Most software developers will not do this as it requires a lot more work. However, it should become easier in the future as software development tools will allow programmers to automatically take advantage of multiple-core technologies. One example of this is Apple’s Mac OS X 10.6 operating system, known as Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard has programming technology in it that allows software developers to automatically take full advantage of the processor technology in the computer without needing to specifically optimize their software to that processor. So no matter if the computer’s processor is single, dual, or quad core, their software will be able to run at full performance on all of them.

If you have a technology question, please let me know and it will be featured in a future newsletter!

A: Just to be clear, this question isn’t asking how long a laptop battery should hold a charge, but rather how long a battery should be useful. This is an extremely common question anymore. It seems people are holding on to their laptops longer and longer, which is not surprising given that most computers produced over the last 5 years or so are powerful enough for most common tasks. This is true for desktops as well, but since laptops are mobile devices they need batteries to function, which makes keeping a laptop a little more challenging.

Most laptop batteries will have a lifespan of about 2 – 3 years (the exception being the latest Apple MacBook/MacBook Pro batteries which claim a lifespan of about 5 years). However, the lifespan of a battery can be greatly affected by the way the owner of the laptop uses their batteries. Abusive use of a laptop battery can be detrimental of course, and I covered that in a previous article. But heavy laptop users may simply “use up” the charge cycles of a battery much more quickly than average users. Users who use their laptops on battery for many hours a day may only get 1 – 2 years of use before the battery loses a significant proportion of their ability to hold a charge. Users who don’t use their laptops all that often or who leave them plugged in a significant amount of time may get 3-4 years of useful life from the battery.

Sometimes, a battery may be defective and lose charge capacity too quickly. Unfortunately most manufactures don’t warrant their batteries past 1 year, even with extended warranties. Check the policies of a laptop manufacturer BEFORE making the purchase if this is important to you.

Finally, if you do need a new battery, I don’t suggest shopping for third party batteries. You may be able to save some money from a third-party battery manufacturer, but in my experience, the odds of problems and the hassle of service isn’t worth it. Most brand-name batteries are in the $100 to $140 range. For that you get the peace of mind knowing that the battery is the exact right model for your laptop and that if there is a problem you should be able to get service very easily.

If you have any questions about any technology topic, call or contact The Tech Spot today!

A: Microsoft released their latest operating system, Windows 7, on October 22nd. So now that anyone can purchase a copy of Windows 7 the question is can and should they do so?

First off, I advise anyone who uses their computer for day-to-day work to wait on upgrading for at least a few months, regardless of your situation. While Windows 7 has gotten good reviews pre-launch, remember so did Windows Vista. Let the early adopters weed out any serious problems or incompatibilities and let Microsoft and other vendors roll out the first wave of updates before considering upgrading. If you have spare machines or virtual machine software, then feel free to experiment with Windows 7 at any time.

I started writing this article intending to go over a few scenarios covering both Windows XP and Windows Vista users. However, as I started detailing the article, I quickly realized that it was getting way too complicated and unwieldy for an average user. I came to the conclusion that I could give a very simple answer that should cover the vast majority of users.

Basically, if you are like most users, I simply advise that you don’t upgrade to Windows 7. Not for the reason that Windows 7 is bad, but simply because for most users, the risk/reward equation is just not favorable. First, if you are using Windows XP, likely your computer is a little too old to fully take advantage of Windows 7. And even if your computer can handle Windows 7, the process of upgrading from Windows XP is technically challenging. If you are using Windows Vista, the upgrade process should be easier (to repeat – “should” be easier) , but if you aren’t having any real troubles with Vista at this time, you really aren’t going to gain any earth-shattering new features that make the potential risk of troubles worth it.

Here are links to a few articles detailing the potential pitfalls and challenges to upgrading to Windows 7:

http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20090722/for-some-move-to-windows-7-will-be-tough/
http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20090729/hasta-la-vista-the-many-versions-of-windows-7/
http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/files/2009/08/windows-upgrade-chart.png
http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/20090804/deciphering-windows-7-upgrades-the-official-chart/

Certainly, many technically savvy users will disagree with my recommendation. But again, I’m not targeting this article towards technical users. Bottom line, if you want Windows 7, then your best bet is to simply purchase a new PC. Of course, don’t forget that new computer can be a Macintosh!

If you have any questions about Windows 7, call or contact The Tech Spot today!

- Submitted by Misty Farmer
A: The iPhone 3G and 3GS are very similar devices. There are just a handful of substantial differences, one being that the older 3G phone is $100 less. Additionally, Apple released the 3.0 iPhone software upgrade at the same time as releasing the 3GS. This means a number of new features are available to the current iPhone owners who upgrade, which makes it somewhat confusing to distinguish which new features are available to both phones or just the 3GS. Luckily, I can quickly explain the differences and help you make a decision of which phone to purchase or to upgrade from your 3G phone.

First, feel free to visit http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare-iphones/, as this site has a nice chart showing the differences. While you are at it, this page http://www.apple.com/iphone/softwareupdate/ also shows the new features of the 3.1 and 3.0 iPhone updates.

To quickly sum up, these are the features that the iPhone 3GS has over the 3G phone:
1) The ability to record and edit video
2) A 3 megapixel camera with auto-focus (the 3G only has 2 megapixels and no auto-focus)
3) The 3GS is a lot faster – I’ve asked users who’ve owned both the 3G and 3GS and they say it is a significant difference
4) A compass feature
5) The 3GS has 16 and 32 GB models, where the 3G now only has an 8 GB model
6) The Voice Control feature

My opinion is that if you’re going to purchase a new phone today, purchase the 3GS. For only $100 more you get 8 GB of additional storage and all the features I listed above, including the improved performance. Remember, the prices advertised for the iPhones are for new or renewing contracts. If you want to buy a 3GS before you qualify for upgrade pricing you’ll spend at a minimum $399. If you purchase the 3GS, for the extra $100 you’ll never wish you had bought the 3GS when you had the chance.

If you already have a 3G iPhone, is it worth the $199 or $299 to upgrade to a 3GS if you are eligible to do so? This question is a lot harder to answer, as it completely depends on the user. For example, someone who needs a 32GB iPhone would find it worthwhile, as the 3G iPhone only offered an 8 and 16 GB model. But for someone who is happy with their 3G iPhone and isn’t really in need of the features of the 3GS, then it probably isn’t worth upgrading at this time. Use the info I’ve presented along with what Apple provides and make the best decision for your situation.

If you have any further questions regarding the iPhones or any other technology topic, please feel free to post them at The Tech Spot’s social networking site, http://thetechspot.ning.com

A: As the popularity of the iPhone continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, many people have taken an interest in the iPhone’s sibling, the iPod Touch. While the iPod Touch can do nearly everything the iPhone can (besides phone calls of course), many people are not quite sure how the iPod Touch works or what fees are associated with it.

Unlike the iPhone, there is no monthly service fee for the iPod Touch. Since it is not a phone, there is no service to be billed for. The iPod Touch has Wi-Fi connectivity so it can get on the Internet, but just like a laptop there is no fee associated with using Wi-Fi (unless you are somewhere that charges you for Wi-FI usage, but that’s a different story).

Because there are no monthly service fees associated with the iPod Touch, these devices are becoming popular with parents that have kids who are asking for an iPhone. With an iPod Touch, their kids can take advantage of the many apps and games available for these devices but without the worry of running up large phone bills.

However, just like the iPhone, if you choose to purchase an app or music from the iTunes Store then of course you must pay for it (except for free apps, obviously). For music and most apps you just pay one time and you own it outright. However, there are now some apps that also require a monthly subscription fee. At this time those apps are few and far between, but it is something to keep an eye out for, especially if you are allowing your child to use or own an iPod Touch.

So it is possible to use an iPod Touch and not pay anything beyond the original purchase price. This would be true you don’t purchase any music or apps or only download free apps. Personally, most of the apps I currently use with my iPod Touch and iPhone are free. But it is also possible to buy a lot of music and apps and pay a lot of fees. It is just up to you how it is used.

Feel free to check out the iPod Touch at The Tech Spot and if you have any questions you’d like me to answer, post them at The Tech Spot’s social networking site, http://thetechspot.ning.com

A: Junk mail is probably the most annoying problem that plauges all of us who use e-mail. There is unfortunately no magic bullet to stop it all. Most of us need to follow a few basic rules and perhaps additional software to help keep junk mail under control.

The first thing to check is whether or not your e-mail provider filters mail at their server. Most E-mail servers now have some sort of anti-spam filtering available. However, not all of them are on by default, or they may filter junk mail at a very low level. So make sure you are using the filtering available at your server at the highest level you feel comfortable with. Each e-mail server is different, so you’ll need to check with your e-mail provider for more details. For some people with light e-mail loads, server filtering may be sufficient to keep junk mail at a minimum.

Some people recommend that you try to keep your e-mail address “safe” by not giving it out very much in order to keep it off spammers lists. But this is easier said than done, and once your address is on a list, you’re pretty much always going to be on spammers lists. This is especially true the longer you’ve had your e-mail address. So while it can’t hurt to be careful where you use your e-mail address and to whom you give it to, ultimately this strategy can’t by itself stop the flow of spam.

Ultimately, for those of us who use our e-mail address a lot or have had it for a long time, we may need to resort to using anti-spam software on our computers. While anti-spam filtering on your server may be effective, it can only do so much for users who receive a lot of spam. For example, while my own e-mail server does catch a lot of spam, a lot still does get through. I filter the remaining spam using software on my laptop.

Some e-mail programs have built-in anti-spam technology. For example, Microsoft Outlook for Windows and Apple Mail for Macintosh users both have junk mail filtering technology. Again, this software may be enough for some users, but for those that need more filtering, 3rd party software may be useful. Very simply, for Windows users, I recommend SpamBully. For Macintosh users, I recommend SpamSieve.

If you have any questions you would like answered, feel free to submit them at The Tech Spot’s social networking site. Your question may be reprinted here next month!

- Submitted by Ken Kelley via The Tech Spot’s social networking site
A: Yes, definitely. The products are called USB hubs. They allow you to connect more than one device into a USB port. However, if you are in need of a USB hub, make sure you get a powered hub. Powered hubs provide more consistent power to any USB device plugged into it, which should lead to greater reliability with those USB devices.

One product I just found out about recently looks great for iMac users, the iLynx hub. It is $60 and is powered, but does not require an external power supply, since it plugs into both USB and Firewire. The wedge shape allows it to fit perfectly in the base of the iMac. This makes it very convenient and stylish.

If you have any questions you would like answered, feel free to submit them at The Tech Spot’s social networking site. Your question may be reprinted here next month!

- Submitted by many
A: For a myriad of reasons, people often want to connect their computers to a TV. Depending on the type of computer and TV one has, this can be very simple or quite difficult. The good news is that as more people own HDTVs, this task becomes easier and easier. But even those users that own older TVs can still often connect their computers to their TVs.

Ideally, if your computer has a DVI output, you can connect your computer to your HDTV with the use of a DVI-HDMI converter cable. Since both DVI and HDMI support digital signals, this type of connection delivers the best possible picture quality and ease of use. Some computers on the market and a few laptops actually have HDMI connectors, which makes the connection even simpler.

If your computer does not have a digital output or your TV is not an HDTV, then things can become tricky. Some TVs have a “computer” or VGA input. If you are lucky enough to have a TV with a VGA input, then simply connect your computer to the TV with a VGA cable. If your TV does not have a VGA input, then you must resort to attempting an s-video or composite connection from your PC – if your PC has these types of outputs. If your computer only has a VGA output and your TV does not have a VGA input, then you may be out of luck. There are adapters available to convert a VGA signal to an s-video or composite signal, but these can be fairly pricey and the quality of the signal only so-so. You’d probably be better off purchasing a new video card that supports a more direct connection as described above.

As usual, you can submit any technology questions you may have to me by e-mail, but now you can also post questions on The Tech Spot’s new on-line community!

- Submitted by Danny Ruppert, Bright Commercial Lighting

A: It seems that there have been a rash of utilities being released lately that promise to fix various Windows problems, primarily revolving around the optimization or “cleaning” of the Windows registry. The registry is basically a central database of Windows settings and configurations. It is true that if the registry gets corrupted many problems can result. However, whether any of these utilities actually help or hurt is another question.

Generally, I view with distrust any utility that claims it can automatically keep the Windows registry “clean”. The registry is quite complex and different for every computer. While general techniques can be applied to clean out unneeded entries, the truth is that you can do more harm than good by fiddling with the registry. Even if you do succeed in keeping the registry trim without causing any direct problems, any benefits you receive are probably minimal. In general, only significantly corrupted registries cause any performance or reliability problems, and by that point, most automated utilities aren’t going to help. It generally takes an experienced technician to be able to narrow down and fix a particular problem with the registry. At The Tech Spot, we take the approach of doing a very simple registry clean up with our Computer Tune-Up service. Our thought is that small, periodic clean-ups are most effective at preventing registry problems. In addition, we perform our Tune-Ups only after we’ve done a complete computer backup plus an additional backup of the registry before we clean it. This way if any problems occur we can revert to the backups, keeping your data and computer safe.

Another similar software making the rounds are automatic driver update utilities. These utilities keep you informed of driver updates and may even automatically apply the updates for you. “Drivers” are the software that control various hardware and peripherals in your computer. Similar to my thoughts on registry cleaners, I feel that drivers are best left alone unless you have a particular reason to update. I take the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. New drivers, while they can contain fixes and performance improvements, can also introduce new bugs or performance issues. Newer isn’t always better and again, mucking around with drivers can cause more problems than it can solve.

One way you can generally tell if a company’s software is legitimate is by the way they advertise. The more hyped up they make their claims seem, the more I distrust them. Also, if you ever see software like this being advertised by a junk e-mail, be extremely careful. If a company stoops low enough to send spam, I become very wary of any product they are selling.

As usual, please submit any technology questions you may have and your question may be featured in this newsletter!