|
Ordering a new computer? Have a new computer? Setting up a new computer... |
September 2007 |
Site Hints | Shop Hours
Search:
Inventory &
Help |
| This Month: |
The only thing that saves us from the bureaucracy is inefficiency. An efficient bureaucracy is the greatest threat to liberty. - Eugene McCarthy
Available EquipmentEquipment for sale:
Destroying CDs --topFrom the archives... If you have old CDs that are no longer needed and you wish to destroy them, do not bend to break the CDs as they may explode into small, sharp pieces. Instead, just cut them a couple times with a scissors and throw away. Antivirus vs. Antispyware --topThese are not synonymous! You must have an antivirus application, but antispyware is optional. We constantly see the big companies and repair facilities pushing antispyware applications such as Spy Sweeper. It is our opinion they are looking at their bottom line and not what is best for you. We believe having all available service packs and updates along with a good Internet security package and some Internet common sense is sufficient, but judge for yourself. From their respective sites:
Since Norton Internet Security and other good antivirus applications will protect you from spyware, why have yet another application running, consuming memory and in general slowing the computer's performance? But be aware...We have found nothing that will protect from, or remove certain adware applications that are installed from the Internet. One such adware prompts the user to install an ActiveX video controller. Once the user approves this installation, nothing seems to stop it. We have seen this adware gain access to many machines including machines with antispyware applications like Spy Sweeper or Windows Defender and also to machines with antivirus applications like Norton, McAfee or PC-cillion. Many times while cleaning up and scanning machines for viruses, our scan finds Winfixer, WinAntispyware, Antivirusgold and others as dangerous applications. So, if you stumble across these or are prompted to install them, do not. Always use good judgment on the Internet! If you get to an unwanted or obscure site and are prompted to install something, stop the process and do some research on that site and installable. The first place to look is: http://www.symantec.com/enterprise/security_response/index.jsp Call it for what it is... --topFor some time, antivirus companies have been sued for calling spyware software - "spyware," but the courts have (finally) made it clear that the antivirus companies have every right to call spyware for what it is. This reversal stemmed from the Zango (spyware) vs. Kaspersky (antivirus) suit. The article. Internet Add-ons --topInternet "add-ons" or "extensions" are little programs that attach to your Internet browser. While they are much less serious than a virus, they can cause equally frustrating problems. Add-ons are very prevalent on the Internet. Most are useful and even needed at certain sites, but some can cause problems. A list of problematic add-ons for Firefox can be found here, but we have not found a similar list for other browsers.
More on this next month... Thanks for the subject, Dayle Cell Phone Batteries --topMost recently on the battery recall list are Nokia cell phone batteries. To find out if you have a recalled battery, see this article. If interested, here is a recap on battery recalls over the last couple years. Watch what you share... --topYou have probably heard the ads on the radio or received (in the mail) a threatening notice about software piracy. The mailed version looks very official, almost as if the government sent it, but it was likely from an independent company called The Software & Information Industry Association. This company has taken their cause beyond extreme and more disturbing, they won. A group called Knowledge Networks shared newspaper and magazine articles with some employees. Apparently that act of sharing violated copyright laws. Who knew... The referenced article indicates that a "license" is needed to share information, but what does this really mean and how far can that be taken? If one reads a newspaper, magazine or perhaps a novel then gives that to someone else, are they violating the law? The original article. Google EarthGoogle Earth has launched! By clicking a button on the Google Earth toolbar, the latest version shows you the cosmos. You can tilt, scan and zoom various stars, constellations and objects, and clicking an object presents you with more information. Try zooming out beyond what you initially see, i.e., look deeper into space. Very cool... We had some problems with it, where it would close without an error message, but that will likely be resolved as they add to and improve this service. Download the latest version here. Laser Printers --topAre businesses ready to give up laser printers forever? According to an Australian study, laser printers are as unhealthy as secondhand smoke. The article. Based on this new knowledge about another of life's little hazards, the State of Minnesota should make laser printers illegal in all public buildings within a couple of years. Power --topWe are facing a choice, said the Environmental Protection Agency, build more energy efficient data centers or choke on fumes, suggesting that unless the computer industry becomes more energy efficient our only option is to build coal burning power plants. There are plenty of other sources of energy available, but unfortunately many fall into the "not in my backyard" or "it will harm nature" mindset. This month's quick links... --topAn article and images on the history of computers... Leaving you with these, the first from my loving wife... Two men are out ice fishing at their favorite fishing hole, just fishing quietly and drinking beer. Almost silently, so as not to scare the fish, Mel says, "I think I'm going to divorce my wife - she hasn't spoken to me in over 2 months." Earl continues slowly sipping his beer, then thoughtfully says, "You better think it over - women like that are hard to find." and Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House in D.C. One from Chicago, another from Tennessee, and the third from Florida. They go with a White House official to examine the fence. The Florida contractor takes out a tape measure & does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me." The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew, and $100 profit for me." The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, instead he leans over to the White House official and whispers, "$2,700." The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?" The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1,000 for me, $1,000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence." "Done!" replies the government official.
|
--top
