iPhone 4
June 23, 2010
Apple has now released information about 2 new products. The first is the new iPhone 4. The second is the new operating system running on the phone, called iOS 4. The new iPhone 4 is available for purchase as of June 24th, 2010.
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The Life Cycle of Computers
May 20, 2010
Computers are an investment. When purchasing a computer people often look only at the original sticker price as the full cost. However, the total cost of computer ownership includes original hardware, original software, hardware and software upgrades, maintenance and labor.
There comes a point when it is no longer economical to put money into a computer to fix it. In general that is 3 to 4 years. Now, of course there will be exceptions and this is just a guideline that has been developed from years of experience working with computers. Read more
Product Spotlight: Temperature and Moisture Monitoring
May 19, 2010
Computers + extreme temperatures and/or water = bad news. This is why a company named Invetex released two different products to help monitor temperature and moisture. The first product is called “Halotile.” Essentially it is a flat 2ft by 2ft panel that is designed to go on top of ceiling tiles. If you don’t have ceiling tiles or that doesn’t sound like a feasible option then they have a second product called “Aquapede.” Aquapede does the same thing that Halotile does, but it is a small sensor that is placed on the floor near the baseboard.
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3-2-1 Backups
May 19, 2010
When it comes to backups, there is a general rule that should be kept in mind. It is known as the “3-2-1” rule. It means there should always be 3 copies of all critical information on 2 different storage mediums 1 of which is offsite. By following this strategy you know that if a problem arises you will be prepared and your data will be secure.
It is important to have multiple copies of your data. When discussing the 3-2-1 backup strategy, the first set is the original data: this is the information you work with in real time. The second and third sets of data are considered backups of the original information, but the backups are of 2 different types. Read more
Windows 7 Overview
March 31, 2010
In November of 2009, we wrote an article to help you determine if you should upgrade to Windows 7, but we didn’t cover any of the new features. Now it’s time to take a look at Windows 7 and what it offers that Windows XP and Windows Vista don’t. Read more
Is Your Computer Up To Date?
March 31, 2010
One of the most important things you can do to keep your computer safe is to keep the software on it up to date. Most people are familiar with the updates Microsoft provides using the Windows Update tool and most people apply them regularly whenever they show up. This is a very good practice but it is only one necessary step to keep your computer safe. If all your computer’s applications are not kept up to date, your computer is vulnerable to attack.
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Wireless-n
February 24, 2010
Wireless Internet communication is something that most of us use at some point. You may have heard terms such as 802.11 followed by a letter such as a,b,g or n. 802.11 simply refers to a set of wireless protocols for carrying out wireless transmission. The letter refers to a particular type, generation or version of wireless transmission and offers improvements over the preceding generation. We will examine the latest, 802.11n and determine if it makes sense for you.
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Android Phones
February 24, 2010
Have you heard of an Android phone before? Perhaps you have heard of the Verizon Droid. This is one example of an Android-based phone, but what exactly does “Android”mean? Why are Android phones becoming so popular, and why are they seen as a competitor to the iPhone?
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Free Anti-Virus vs. Non-Free Anti-Virus for Home Users
February 24, 2010
With so many different anti-virus programs to choose from, some of which are even fake as shown in one of our previous articles, how do you know what to get? Here are some of the differences between the free and paid anti-virus applications available to home users. Note: this article is only directed for home users. There are lot’s of subtle details businesses and organizations need to consider, including the license for free software. Emerson Technologies would be happy to help your organization find the right anti-virus program to fit your needs. Use this article to think about how your home computer is setup.
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Power Strip vs. Surge Protector
January 28, 2010
If you have electronic items, then you know what a power strip is. A power strip plugs into your wall outlet and allows you to plug in multiple electronic devices. The outlets in your house or office likely have room for two devices. Well, if you need to plug in more than two devices you can use a power strip and plug in many more. Some people think that a surge protector is the same thing as a power strip when in fact this is not true, even if they both appear to be the same. Read more