A while ago I was in a computer retailer and a customer asked about the processor for a new computer. The sales assistant said don’t be too concerned about the speed. To me that was a major concern. The problem with getting advice from a retailer is they only make money if they can sell you something, so if there is an issue with something they’ll often gloss over the issue or change the conversation away from the issue so the customer forgets.
Right now I’m seeing quite a few portable/tablet type devices being advertised in the market. They look very good but then when I check the specs they have a pretty average performing processor. The problem is a higher performing processor consumes more energy and that means a shorter battery life at this stage with the current technology. With portability we want a longer battery life. I know I certainly do.
In the past underperforming processors were largely kept to the bottom end of the market with the cheap prices. But now with tablets and hybrids, you could end up with a computer that barely runs as fast as a 4-5 year old computer.
One service I have provided clients is to review the specifications for the computer they are thinking of buying. Often this gives clients peace of mind they’re making a good purchase, but in other cases it has meant they’ve decided not to purchase. For example a student was being offered a cheaper notebook and a more expensive lighter notebook through their school and the parents contacted me for advice. The more expensive notebook was actually far less powerful. With that knowledge they were able to make a better informed decision. Another example is a person was buying a notebook on special at Dick Smith. It ended up the notebook couldn’t write to CDs let alone DVDs (this information wasn’t clearly stated) which meant the notebook wasn’t suitable.
The small cost for advice at the right time can end up helping us make better buying decisions and in some cases, help us avoid buying a dud. Just ask yourself next time when you’re buying something, “is the advice you’re getting in your interest or the interest of the person selling?” If you need help, make sure you have someone in your corner you can trust.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
It is hard to believe that a mouse (as in computer not rodent) was the cause of a factory fire in Tottenham causing $10,000-$15000 worth of damage.
Exploding mouse behind factory fire... Read More
The cause of the fire was suspected to be a loose connection in the battery terminals of a wireless mouse. I can see how this can happen because I’ve had one TV remote overheat after it was dropped and the batteries moved, and more recently, I returned a Bug Zapper which had a problem and the batteries were extremely hot.
Perhaps this is a good time to consider if you drop a device with batteries to open the device and make sure the batteries are seated properly.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
At this point all those measurements and hand drawn plans seem to just go out the window. Now since I'm a computer consultant the tool I can quickly and easily use is the computer. But what software will I use. I can't use software I don't know as that would take too long. I knew one package I'd used in the past which was free, but then I thought, I can do pretty good things with Microsoft PowerPoint. Yes, PowerPoint!
So I opened up PowerPoint, scaled all my measurements and within a short time I had the floor plan, where the shower was located, and a group of images to represent the tiles which I could move around to check different ways to lay out the tiles. What's interesting is it makes it very easy to determine the number of cuts required as well as the minimum number of tiles required. Add a few extra tiles just in case and the order was placed.
I find that many people know pretty much the minimum they need to know to get their work done, yet if they knew their software a little better they'd be amazed at what else can be done. Sometimes just asking the opinion of an experienced computer person is enough to put you in the right direction.
My approach with the ensuite renovation is what I call DIY+. I do the things I can and those things I can't, or which would require too greater time to learn the skills, I leave to the professionals. I end up saving money and get a great job in the end. To me computers can be treated much the same if you have the right computer consultant. Let the consultant do what they're best at, but don't pay premium prices for things you can do yourself. Although ultimately the approach used is always the client's choice. Some people just want the job done, others want to do it all themselves and others are somewhere in between. Use whatever approach you're most comfortable with.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
More distant areas, if cost effective, can be serviced using a number of approaches.
Ever had the feeling you’d like to give away your excess items to family and friends. I decided to do just that and use technology I know to make it easier and also show others how easily it can be done.
I decided to set up a blog called FreeStuffForFamilyAndFriends. I know quite a few tricks of using a blog so that made it relatively easy. The advantages of the approach I’m using are:
1. I can take a photo of an item on my mobile phone, send the photo to the blog and the item is immediately available.
2. I can provide an email address to family and friends and they too can list their items.
3. If people want to be automatically notified when a new item is added it is easy to add them their email address or use the RSS feed.
4. I can monetise the site using Google advertising and earn a little from complete strangers anywhere in the world.
The best part is if family and friends find items they’d like I free up some space and the item goes to a good home.
If you’d like assistance in setting up a blog to promote your excess items to your family and friends (or for any other purpose) this is another service I’m happy to provide.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
Call 0415 910 703 for computer advice and support.
I’ve received a number of emails with the subject “You have received a secure message”. The attached file “SecureMessage.zip” contains malware which is not currently detected by most antivirus software packages. Don’t open the attachment. You should delete these emails.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
Monday, 4 February 2013
One of the features I feel is important in a mobile device is the ability for the device to know its current location. It is easy to assume a tablet will have a location feature built in, but in the case of the Microsoft Windows Surface tablets, neither tablet has GPS built in. The question is then whether or not having GPS built in is a mandatory requirement for you. To me it is very desirable and I’d prefer a device which did have GPS built in, but that just means it is a matter of weighing up the positives and negatives of each device.
In case clients are considering a Microsoft Windows Surface tablet you may wish to note the lack of GPS and factor that into your decision making process.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
The following MyAnswers solution 2309 is now available:
How to set up a signature with Windows Live Mail to include a web site link.
Click here to obtain the solution.
Click here for related solutions.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)