In this week’s column, I thought I would just pass along some of the timely or interesting things I have seen in my recent travels as a local computer consultant. Not all information may apply in your case, but some of it may be interesting.
* Road Runner is now starting to do commercial accounts. As you are probably already aware, I am a big supporter of Road Runner due to its speed and reliability. Contact me if you want to follow up on this.
* Lightning storms are taking their toll of modems. The usual symptom is a “No Dialtone” message when you try to dial. The only resolution (after checking the phone line to make sure there IS a dial tone) is to replace the modem. They are fairly inexpensive these days, but of course require you to open your computer and to know how to install it. This is not something to do if you are inexperienced in these things.
* I have seen some people with new digital cameras that are using the wrong connection to their PC. Cameras used to come with serial (COM) port connections – these are the 9 pin d-shell connectors. Serial connections are very slow and should not be used unless there is no alternative. The connection method of choice is USB – this will be much faster and more reliable than serial. If your camera came with both cables, make sure you are using the USB cable. To use USB, you need a USB enabled computer (all recent models are) and running Windows 98 or later.
* There are still lots of folks who don’t understand about virus checking programs. Lots of people think they are protected because their computer “came with one”. But I often see that they are not even running, much less up to date. You have to have the virus check program running, and it has to be updated very frequently – once a week at the least. You can read up about virus checking programs in my earlier columns – see my website.
* There are also lots of folks who don’t understand that using the Preview Pane in Outlook Express is very dangerous for virus infections as it actually opens the e-mail even though you haven’t actually opened it yourself. In Outlook Express, use the View Menu, select Layout, and make sure that View Preview Pane is NOT checked.
* It comes as a surprise to some people that virus infestations cannot always be removed. Some viruses can erase or destroy files permanently. For example, the Love Bug virus last year permanently erased all the image files (digital camera files) on the hard drive, with no hope of recovery. So, good backups and good virus protection are necessary – it is often too late by the time you find out you have been infected.
* Not only has the downturn in the computer market caused prices to plunge – delivery times are very quick (the factories must be very idle). A client ordered a system from Dell on Tuesday and had it on Friday – and it was a customized system, not an off-the-shelf one. Wow!
* I broke down and bought an LCD flat panel display for my wife’s PC so that we could eventually put it in the kitchen. It’s really great – very thin (front to back) and looks terrific. I tried some of the Internet sites that specialize in monitor calibration tools, and the LCD did better than my Sony Trinitron display. The price was higher than a CRT, but not too bad. I got this one for $400 (after rebate) at Best Buy in Raleigh.
My column publishing may be somewhat sporadic for the rest of the summer – family coming in and I plan to spend more time on the beach in August. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
(Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport / Oak Island area. You can visit his website at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail him at bsc@bobseidel.com).