Christmas Buying Guide 2009

As Christmas draws nearer and Black Friday is only a short time away, the question on everyone’s mind is what to get for that special someone. While the items I am about to discuss focus primarily on technology, they do provide a number of interesting gifts fro any type of person.

Laptops

Gone are the days of extremely expensive portable computing, as now you can easily find laptops for around $400. A few tips to keep in mind when purchasing a new laptop:

1. Dual Core and Windows 7- If you purchase a computer that says it has a dual core or multiple cores (think of these as additional brains, two heads is better than one), then you need to purchase the right operating system. Make sure you purchase a laptop that comes with Windows 7 x64 (64-bit edition). This edition utilizes both brains to their fullest extent, instead of using just one brain (x32 or 32-bit edition).
2. Memory or RAM – This will be listed in the details, get at least 2 GB (gigabytes) of memory
3. Hard Drive – Where you store audio, video, documents, etc.. Storage has become extremely cheap, so I would not settle for anything less than an 80 GB (gigabyte) hard drive.
4. Screen – Bigger screen will run a premium, so make sure you are comfortable with the screen size, consider what you will be using it for when you are choosing the screen size. You may want to go bigger if you are planning on doing a lot of typing while casual browsing of the net or checking email would allow you to go smaller.
5. Keyboard – test the keyboard out before you buy and once again think about how you will use the laptop. Bigger screen typically yield bigger keyboards.
6. Netbooks – Netbooks are great devices that are like miniature laptops that have a number of the features of full-sized laptops. Netbooks are typically much cheaper than regular laptops, however there are some trade-offs. Netbooks are not as fast, nor can they store as much as regular laptops. These devices are great for someone who is on-the-go or for the casual computer user. Anyone planning on doing extensive work on the computer would want to go more towards a laptop. Also, netbooks are much smaller than normal laptops.
7. Brand- In terms of Reliability, Apple is the best followed closely by Sony, then Toshiba. After these, there is a slight drop in quality before you reach HP. Dell has also improved their quality recently.

Always consider who will be using the computer and why before you purchase.

Televisions
When it comes to televisions, the latest and greatest is OLED or LED televisions. These screen are made using LEDs or Light-Emitting Diodes. Simply put, they do not burn out, they offer better, more brilliant colors and much better contrast and resolution. The downside of these televisions is their price tag. A reasonable step down from LED TVs is the LCD television. These have dropped in price significantly over the past year and provide a crisp, clear picture even in places where there is a lot of light. Plasma TVs are another option, however they do not do well in lit areas (such as rooms with windows) and they also consume a great deal more of electricity. My pick of these different types of televisions would have to be LCD due to their reasonable price and economy.

Pulse Pen

This pen is great for anyone having to take notes (especially students) due to it’s innovative note-taking system. It has an infrared camera which takes pictures of what you are writing while simultaneously recording the lecture and indexing the two. You can then take the pen and connect it to your computer and view the notes and recording of the lecture as well as add additional notes, upload them to the web, and download these notes or recording back to the pen. It is an easy way to keep you organized and to assure that nothing is missed while you take notes. This is a great tool for any student or note taker. Cost for the professional pack is $249. See the link below for more information.
http://www.livescribe.com/

Powermat Portable Recharging Mat

This folding mat allows you to charge your plethora of electronic devices by simply laying the device on the pad, no wires, no connections. While the price tag is hefty ($99), this is definitely a must have for those who have multiple devices to charge. Make sure you check compatibility with your devices before you purchase it. See the link below for more information.
http://www.powermat.com/


Nintendo Wii

By far, possibly the best family gift is the Nintendo Wii (current price $199). Not only is it affordable on most budgets, the games are fun, interactive (literally) and great for all ages. If you are looking for some family fun time, this is definitely a good choice. Below is a link for more information.
http://www.nintendo.com/wii

Windows 7 Debuts

As October 22nd draws nearer, there is a great deal of anticipation for Windows fans as Microsoft will release the newest version of its operating system, Windows 7. So what is all the fuss about? Due to the fact that I am hosting a launch party for my class, I was able to obtain a copy of Windows 7 before the launch date and test it out. Below you will find a description of my experience with the new operating system.

First, I will predicate my thoughts with this: I have a great deal of experience with both Windows XP and Windows Vista and found Vista to be bulky, difficult to use, and overall a very unwieldy piece of software, as did most people who have used it. Therefore, I use Windows XP on the majority of my machines excluding a laptop I purchased which already had vista on it. My experience that I will describe is on the laptop that had Vista which I then upgraded to Windows 7.

Upgrading to Windows 7:
The upgrade process is pretty straightforward. I strongly recommend downloading the compatibility software to make sure your system is ready for the update. This option is on the screen when you first insert the DVD of Windows 7. It will then take you to their website where you download and install the compatibility tool. This tool will prompt you with any changes you might need to make. Once you have done this, make sure your laptop is plugged in and connected to the internet before you begin the upgrade. Once you click the upgrade button, it is on cruise control. It does offer a nice feature in that it allows you to keep all your files and any compatible programs once the update is complete (I still recommend backing up any important files before upgrading). The process only takes a little while and you are then introduced to the Windows 7 interface.

Windows 7, First Glance:
The most notable difference to me when first looking at the Windows 7 interface was the taskbar (seen below), which was notably larger. Also, it is less cluttered as the program icons no longer have file names, so it is easier to see what you have running. It also allows you to move the mouse over each program icon and see a thumbnail of what that program is doing. This is an enhanced feature of Vista that is very useful

While Windows 7 still keeps what is called the Aero interface (the mouse pointers and waiting symbols look like Vista), they are smoother looking and overall seem to operate more effectively. Also gone is the annoying task manger which asks you every minute if you wish to run a task or not. The desktop is also more manageable with updated gadets (clocks, calendars, etc…), bigger icons, and new ways of arranging Windows on the screen. Also included are better power management features, increased performance and easier wireless networking tools. Another cool feature are the Jump menus, which allow you easily access video, music, and files that you frequently use (see picture below).

Also included is full 64-bit support for those computers with dual core processors, it squeezes every bit of productivity out. Windows 7 also includes a new interactive them set where the backgrounds change from day to day so you don’t get bored with the same theme. Finally, my favorite feature has to be touch compatibility. There has been an amazing shift towards touch screens and touch interfaces due to their simplicity of use and Windows 7 is no exception. For those computers that have touch screens, you can now interact completely and more easily with Windows 7 than any previous operating system. I believe this is a positive step forward because of the trend that I mentioned before.

Should I Upgrade?
Windows XP Users: The upgrade is a little more difficult and your computer (if it is older) may not be able to take advantage of all the features that Windows 7 has to offer. I noticed that when I installed it on an older laptop that I lost the Aero interface and most of the new functionality features that Windows 7 offers. Because of this, I would wait until the price drops and then upgrade later.

Windows Vista Users: The cheapest upgrade version (and the one most people would need) is the Home Premium upgrade. At a cost of $119.99, one should weigh this upgrade option carefully. If you rarely use your Vista PC, then I would not upgrade just because the cost-benefit breakdown would not be substantial. If you or your student frequently use your computer (At least 2-3 times a week), then I would strongly recommend upgrading as the benefits are a far superior operating system that will remove a lot of the hassles that Windows Vista causes.

The Verdict
Windows 7 is far superior to Windows Vista in almost every way imaginable. The new operating system is smoother, lighter (meaning it takes up less space and less system resources), and more secure. The new features are a plus and the promise that devices (such as printers) will interact with it more readily than Vista is also a bonus. So, if you have the money and Vista, it is worth the upgrade.

Home Media Servers: What movie would you like to order tonight?

Home media servers to this point have lived in obscurity, but are becoming rapidly more popular with advent of faster, higher bandwidth wireless technologies as well as a storage market that has seen a decrease in size and price (you can get a 1 Terabyte Hard Drive for around $80 today). So what is a Home Media Server and what does it do? Most people tremble at the term server because it brings to mind programming and complicated operating systems with which they have no experience. However, the Home Media Server is not your average server. As the name states, it is designed for home and allows a person to watch their favorite movies, pictures, etc.. as well as listen to their music virtually anywhere in their house from one centralized location. The Home Media Server stores your movies, music, etc… on it’s hard drives and then wirelessly transmits this information to things called media extenders (which we will discuss shortly) that are then plugged into your TV. Media Extenders are devices which can accept this signal and then plug into your TV to act as a conduit for the streaming video, audio, etc… While you can buy a media extender for around $150, there are some devices that already can act as media extenders that people already own, notably the XBOX 360 and the Playstation 3 (both of which just had a price drop recently). These devices have the capability already built in to receive the Media Server’s signal and provide you with your stored audio and video. So what can you put on a home media server? You can put all of your movies you own (including high definition formats such as Blu-ray), pictures and home movies, any audio files, and even better, most servers will pull in your iTunes library for your listening pleasure. So what are the benefits of such a device?

• Never use a DVD or Blu-Ray again
• Access all your audio and video from anywhere you have a media extender
• Store your recorded TV for later access
• Listen to your iTunes or other music library anywhere
• Watch and store home movies, pictures, etc.. and view them anywhere
• Combine all your Audio/Video needs into one location

If this list isn’t reason enough to look into a Home Media Server, the prices have recently dropped on them as well. One problem some people might run into is what happens if you run out of space? Home media servers are expandable, which means you can add hard drives for more storage space as you need it.

So who makes them and where can I get one? Through my research, my favorite Home Media Server at this point is the Linksys Media Hub. I chose this one not only because of Linksys’ proven track record and the quality of their products, but it has the most features and adaptability for the price. I have included links to other products below. You can find the Linksys Media Hub at Fry’s Electronics and Best Buy or it can also be purchased online.

Linksys Media Hub
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/US/en/promo/Media-Hub

HP Media Smart
http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/mediasmart-server/

iPods in School? A New Type of Learning Tool

As I sat watching 80’s tech on Modern Marvels (A History Channel show) I somewhat waxed nostalgic as they went through a number of the gadgets of that decade such as “The Brick” cell phone, Simon, and a number of other equally innovative devices at that time. One particular item stood out to me amongst the others, the walkman. This device started a personal music revolution in the way it made sound portable. Today, many of us use iPods, MP3 players, and the like to listen to books, music, commentary, etc… Interestingly, these devices have also found a use in the classroom.

A number of teachers have begun what is known as Podcasting their lessons and lectures for their students. Podcasting refers to the release of audio files in a chronological format through what is known as web syndication. In other words, the students can get each lesson from the internet as the teacher posts them daily, weekly, monthly, etc… and put them onto their portable digital music device (such as an iPod). This new way of distributing information to students has a number of positive benefits:
• It allows students to review notes
• Allows for greater focus or concentration in class on lecture
• Grants students the ability to catch up on missed lectures or notes
• Helps students review for tests, quizzes, etc..
• Provides are more succinct way of communication in which the teacher can thoughtfully prepare the necessary content for each lesson

While these devices were once just another electronic device which shouldn’t be brought to school and provided a mere distraction to the student, they are now capable of becoming an invaluable tool for students. Also, with the advent of devices which can also play video as well as music, many professors are beginning to do video and audio tutorials and podcasting those as well.

In the spirit of being on the bleeding edge of technology (as we always strive to be at Blessed Trinity), I will be podcasting my video and audio tutorials throughout this semester. Next month, I will provide the information as to how to obtain these tutorials as well as a review of our current progress. Thanks for reading!

The Laptop Revolution

If you are thinking about buying a laptop in the near future, DON’T. There are a couple of major changes that will be occurring in the computer market which will drastically change the laptop landscape.
First, there is Windows 7. I have successfully tested the Beta (pre-release) version of this replacement for Vista and I was extremely impressed. I was able to run this system on a 5-year old laptop with very little in the way of upgrades of problems. While there are a number of features that make this a great system, the most prominent is it’s touch interface. That’s right, I said touch interface. If you don’t know what that is, think iPhone or iPod touch. This new system supports many of the same features you see with touch screen phones for laptops and desktops. So what does this mean? By the time Christmas rolls around, we will see a large boost in touch screen laptops. Interaction directly with the screen instead of the mouse means a much easier and more pleasant computer experience. Next month I will discuss the benefits of these types of interfaces for college students (and they are tremendous!).
Second, a revolution in the way laptops are being made stands poised to take the laptop market by storm. A British company has developed a new way of designing processors so that the entire working of a laptop fit on a single $20 microprocessor. What this means is that we could easily see laptops which could start at $100 by Christmas. This evolution has been fueled by the rising popularity of Netbooks in recent months.
So, once again, hold onto that old laptop a few more months more and it will pay dividends. Windows 7 is for real, and tiny, cheap laptops are on the way!
Next month I will discuss the benefits of Touch Screen Laptops to your college bound student along with a brief discussion on what netbooks are and if they are right for you.

Mac vs. PC

In speaking with my classes, there are a number of Mac people and PC people. The fact that someone could be labeled as one or the other shows the loyalty people have towards their specific brand. The irony is lost on most people that Microsoft actually owns a substantial part of Apple. So I have decided to give you a quick breakdown of which to choose if you are going to buy a computer. Apple computers are typically designed to be more user friendly and aesthetically pleasing. While companies such as HP, Toshiba, and Dell have attempted to take into account this form and function, they have not quite caught up to Apple. As far as operating systems are concerned, Apple has a very simple and typically error free operating system. It is geared more towards users who want a simple interaction with the computer and who do not mind limited control of the system and limited programs to choose from. PCs typically run windows (the most recent edition, Vista, has been a flop). This system allows more control and has a much wider variety of games and also allows for great deals of customization. As far as hardware is concerned, PCs take the edge because they are easy and cheap to upgrade or modify to suit the user. Apple computers are proprietary, which means that only specific parts will work with them (typically through an authorized vendor or Apple themselves). So all in all, if you want simplicity and reliability and price is not an option, Apple is a good choice. If you want the ability to upgrade, change, or modify your system, want a wider variety of applications, and are looking for more cost efficiency, than a PC is your best bet.

Is Windows Vista Dead?

Hello again to another edition of unleash your geek. This week we will be discussing Windows Vista and its eminent demise at the hands of a newer operating system, Windows 7.

Since its inception, Windows Vista has suffered a number of issues and drawbacks. It has had difficulty with networking as well as printers and software conversion. Many users have complained of its new security features which seem annoying at best. There have also been a large number of bugs, patches, and fixes in the software. While some users have had positive experiences, the overwhelming majority of individuals have been negatively affected by this new system.

So why did Microsoft rush to offer a new operating system knowing it had unresolved problems and issues? There has been a general trend towards creating computers which are not only more user friendly (easier to use), but that also provide more “eye candy.” This is evidenced by the smooth fade ins and outs as well as color scheme of the new operating systems. All of this is to provide the user with an overall better and more enjoyable computer experience. Apple has managed to provide this type of operating system for a number of years in MAC OSX. This has led to a fear in lost market share by Microsoft. This fear is even further augmented by the fact that Windows XP (arguably one of the best operating systems that Microsoft has produced) is beginning to age on consumers who are always clamoring for the newest, latest technology. Therefore, in an attempt to keep up with this need, Microsoft released Vista.

While Vista does have a number of problems which could have been resolved with more careful planning and testing, it is not entirely a lost cause. The graphical part of the interface was a welcome improvement over XP and was in many ways easier to operate. This is why Windows 7 will retain a number of the features which Vista had while adding and improving on a plethora of other features which promise to make Windows 7 an amazing operating system.

What is Verdict, and What Should You Do?
I am currently testing the Beta version of Windows 7 (this version is a trial that Microsoft allows interested parties to test). My March article will deliver a list of pros and cons and whether this new operating system is worth waiting for. Right now, the safest bet is to stay with the computer you have and not to upgrade to Vista if possible. As Vista is a relatively new system Microsoft may offer a discount to users who upgrade to Windows 7 when it releases, but I wouldn’t count on it. If you must buy a new computer or laptop, try to make sure and get the ultimate or premium editions of Vista as these have the best features. Also make sure that you install the Vista service pack 1 which can be found on www.Microsoft.com. I hope to bring you good news next month of the new operating system. Until then I hope that this article has helped you in your computing decisions.