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Archive for April, 2010
Dilbert… That Lost 4G Phone
Apr 27th
This was just too good not to share with you all. I found this on the official Dilbert site.
hahahaha…. hahahah… haha… see more HERE.
Desktop Video Cards
Apr 26th
If any computer component has constant change it is Desktop video cards. With a life cycle ranging from 3 months to a year the vast majority of desktop or consumer video cards have very short lives. That rapid change makes it difficult to choose the best card for the application. If you have a specific application in mind that is. Understanding what you need is going to be your first requirement. Some basic questions to consider would be the following…
• Am I playing Games or just Web and Office?
• Will this PC be used for Video?
• Do I need more then 1 display?
The most Basic configuration (out of the box) would be to use the on board video provided with most motherboards. This is Ideal for the user that has one display and is only using the internet and basic use of Office applications. With the constantly improving onboard video chipsets this will be fine for the basic PC user.
Do you think you’re a gamer? Honestly the on line games that you find on places like POGO or FaceBook will work just fine with the integrated graphics. It is the more advanced games that will require the additional horse power but again that power can be subject to the user and the overall configuration. Myself? I have a pretty standard 19” LCD and it’s not worth going to the top of the line. There are the true enthusiasts that are willing to drop $500 to $1000 on a graphics card but it can be overkill. The truth is that most people can get fantastic performance on a mid level card.
Remember When… Y2K
Apr 26th
My story is simple but so true. In 1998 to 2000 I had a computer store in a small town in Florida that was full of retirement communities that were looking for help on just some basic use. During that time I did some teaching at the local cultural center (community center) to try and build some business. As I am sure you can imagine my students started at 65 years of age and up.
As 1999 started to come to an end everyone was so concerned that their computers were not going to work. I tried to educate them that most computers we just fine and there was no need to pay any extra to have someone tell them that. During one of my classes this topic came up again and I told them all yet again “It’s going to be just fine. Your average computer will work OK when Y2K comes.” Then one of my students Yelled out, “What about the year 3000? I do not want to buy a new computer if it’s just going to have a problem then too.”
I did not know what to say other than, “does it really matter? Think about it.”
Calling All Geeks!!
Apr 25th
Hello all! I would like to extend an invitation to you all to join Geek-Weekly.com. We are looking for people that like to write and offer ideas to the site. If you’re a geek and you want to share with the rest of the web then this is the pace for you. Write an article about your new computer, cell phone, iPad or your favorite Star Trek. If we find you’re to have a talent we will post your article.
Sign up today! We are looking forward to make you one of our authors!
OMG it’s Dr. Who!
Apr 24th
So when I think back to when I was a child I can remember watching Dr. Who with my dad on PBS. It was a low budget show but an idea that continues today. OK after all this is called Geek-weekly.com and you Sci-Fi geeks are most defiantly familiar with the Dr. Who world.
Well the new season has already started on the BBC America with again an all new Dr. Again if you’re a real geek you know the Dr. must and does change from time to time.
CLICK HERE so see more about that the new Dr. is up to.
McAfee Apologizes for Win XP Antivirus Meltdown
Apr 24th
I am sure you might of heard of the McAfee Meltdown that took down XP computers all over the place. Tomshardware.com has the story on this…. CLICK HERE!
Into Space … Boeing X-37B
Apr 24th
Autonomous space shuttle launched April 22nd. Boeing’s X-37B, the test craft finally made it into orbit the other day. Formerly a NASA project, passed into DARPA hands in 2004 — and statements like those of the Air Force’s Gary Payton did not provide that much info: “in all honesty, we don’t know when it’s coming back for sure.” … talk about being in the dark. Also unknown, are the military’s intentions for the unmanned vehicle, which can remain in orbit 270 days at a time. Spy drone?
The success of the mission will depend on a couple things, how the return trip goes and whether the thing can be re-launched quickly enough. Ideally, the craft should be ready for another flight in about fifteen days. Another test is planned for 2011. Still not a lot of information but clearly the new space race is on!!
Tablets!
Apr 22nd
I know that it’s not really news but you cannot deny that the tablet (iPad) fad is in its full wondrous glory. Apple is just having a blast with their new toy and ever senses its release it seems that everyone is making one. With a verity of manufactures and operating systems it’s too soon to tell who will come out on top.
Will it be Google? With the Android OS about to out sell the iPhone (rumored to be this summer) it’s now being spotted on upcoming tablets and netbooks. I wonder if Microsoft has notices the spread of Google on these devices.
End User
Apr 21st
OK, so get this. I do some part time work fixing computers for end users for a company that has squads of people. This is a retail setting so working with the end user and providing customer service is the name of the game. End users please do not take offence to this but use this as an education. Before you blow your mind and start blaming the retailer for your computer challenges you need to take some ownership for you own activities.
I completely understand that everyone has different levels of understanding when it comes to computers but if you do not know how to drive do you blame the dealership if you crash? NO, but they are still there to help you fix it.
A while back I had a customer come in and start screaming at me that touchpad on the laptop was bad and kept shutting off. After spending some time with his verbal abuse I told him to start up the laptop and start surfing the web and show me how he uses it. Keep in mind this guy was convinced that WE made it that way. I watched him use his laptop and sure enough he was able to replicate the issue. What is funny here is I watched him repeatedly bump into the button that turns it on and off.
I stop the customer and basically just give it back to him. “You know if you were watching what you were doing you would see that it is in fact YOU turning it on and off… There is nothing wrong with your laptop and coming in here blaming us because you’re not paying attention is un-acceptable!”
I do want to say thank you to those of you that are true customers but there is a fine line when using the term ‘the customer is always right.’ When did Americans lose their common sense? Come On People we can do better than that… be better than that!
