Nathan’s Top 10 Tech Gifts For Christmas 2006

Well it’s hard to believe, but we are already in December. It’s time to start talking about our greedy little wishes for Christmas. If you are a tech geek like me, then your wish-list is already too long to ever become more then that, a wish-list.  If you have been a good boy or girl and are still on good terms with Santa you may want to consider asking him for the top 10 tech gifts of 2006, or at least one or two of them. We are not even going to mention the top two tech toys, the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii. If you haven’t already been begging for one of these since last year then you might as well forget it, because even Santa’s elves can’t keep up with the demand.

The following information was obtained from data found at CompUSA and CNET.

1. Apple iPod Nano- Topping the list is the second generation 4GB iPod Nano. Reasonable priced, displays album art and photos, and sounds great. It looks fabulous, too, still super slim but now with a hardier, seamless aluminum shell that comes in four colors.
2. Canon PowerShot s3 lS- With its 6 mega pixels, whopping 12X zoom, high quality lens, and image stabilization, you can capture great shots and zoom in for close-ups. Cool new feature is the LCD twist feature like found on camcorders, helping you to shoot in movie mode.
3. Sony 8” DVD Player- This portable DVD player is affordable ($200 list), with up to six hours of battery life and an 8-inch wide screen that swivels and folds back in to a neat tablet. It’s compatible with MP3 and photo CD’s too.
4. Sling Media Slingbox A/V- Set your TV free: forward its signal to your laptop, handheld or cell phone. The Slingbox slings live TV and anything you have recorded on your TiVo (or other digital video recorder) to any device with high-speed broadband access. Now you can be a couch potato anywhere you roam.
5. Apple MacBook- This winter-white laptop is thin, light, and affordably priced, yet it doesn’t skimp on features, such as Core Duo processors, a DVD burner, and a built in Webcam. With a 13.3-inch screen, you’ll have enough width to view two open windows or to watch a movie. If my boss is reading this, it will also make your employee MUCH MORE productive. (wink-wink).
6. Sony 60” HDTV- This 1080p HDTV delivers excellent picture controls to get your image just right, so both high-def and standard-def sources will look sharp and stunning.
7. Creative Zen V Plus 2 GB- The video iPod is a gorgeous gadget, but as the Zen V’s name says, it’s “Plus” and does even more, though it’s actually smaller. This compact player has great sound quality and battery life, plays a variety of music file types, and features FM radio, voice recording, and photo and video playback.
8. Nintendo DS Lite- For those that game on the go, try the slim Nintendo DS Lite, a low-priced portable player with a number of quirky titles available. Bonus: it’s Wi-Fi compatible, so you can play multiplayer games with friends and strangers.
9. Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T10- This slim camera offers a big, 2.5-inch LCD, 7.2 megapixels, and a 3X zoom, and the image quality is impressive. The camera also comes in four colors: black, silver, pink, and white.
10. Samsung 32” LCD TV- Style and substance meet in Samsung’s 32-inch flat-panel TV. Housed in a glossy black case on a handy swivel stand, the LN-S3251D reproduces deeper blacks than most LCD TVs do, offering impressive image quality and accurate color. You’ll also get picture-in-picture and plenty of connectivity, including a PC and two HDMI inputs.

 So there you have it. I know that not all tech geeks will agree with this list, but they will have to at least agree that you can’t go wrong with any of the above as a great gift choice. If you have purchased any of the above for your favorite techie and you hear them complain, just box it back up and send it to Newport Plain Talk c/o Nathan Hull. I will show you all the gratitude that you didn’t receive from the recipient of your awesome tech gift. As always this is just my opinion of a great wish-list. If you have any questions that you would like me to answer in future articles just send me an email at xrah2@bellsouth.net and I will try to answer your questions in The Plain Tech Talk. Until next week, continue to plead and beg for your much deserved top 10 tech gifts.You can read this article and more at http://www.plaintechtalk.com .  

 

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The Hunt for the Elusive Wii and PS3

PHOTO BY NATHAN HULL 2006
The line for the PS3 on release day included in no particular order Ed Hogan, Eric Hughes, Myrl Carr, Ronald McCarter, Stacey-Lee Gibson, Tina Lane, Tina Gosnell, Glenn Carr, and Cody Hughes. Portable game systems, cards, and books seemed to be the most popular form of entertainment while camping in line. Wal-Mart provided coffee for the determined customers.

10 Simple Tips to Keep Your Computer Safe

2006 has been an interesting year when it comes to security. There is nothing like standing in line at the airport for 2 hours while they do a full search of your great-grandma. I told her not to try and sneak that bottle of Metamucil on the plane. Just kidding of course but you see where I am coming from. With all the new threats to our security, I guess a random check of people makes sense to some. Security in the computer world has the same problems so it seems. Some security measures that have been implemented in the PC world has made huge differences while others seem to make about as much sense as buying up great quantities of duct tape and plastic sheeting (in case of biological attacks).

First the good news:

- We seem to be getting a lot more serious about our security as a whole. There are a lot of reasons behind this but identity theft is definitely one of the main concerns. New privacy laws are mandating that organizations tighten their security. Look to see more consumer privacy laws passed in the coming years with even more tightening of security systems.

- Authentication requirements are steadily increasing. This is filling in large security gaps. Corporations are requiring a great deal more authentication to get into their secure systems (this is also on the bad news side)

- There is a plethora of sophisticated programs to help us be more secure and they will continually be getting better. Competition right now is strong in the security industry, sparking a lot of innovation.

- ISPs are now taking on the responsibility to help us with our security. Take AOL’s recent commercials as a good sign that others will follow the trend.

Now the bad news:

- Securing our networks is costing us. Most companies are globalizing their organizations, and making them secure costs a lot of money. It will get worse before it gets better.

- Authentication requirements are increasing. Corporations are requiring a great deal more authentication to get into secure systems (This is also on the good news side) unfortunately, for the end user, it is one more thing to be unhappy about, not unlike airport security lines.

- Hackers are getting more sophisticated. For example, Botnets are becoming more complex and harder and harder to catch and stop. Do a search on botnets on the Internet. They really are causing a whole lot of problems, but it does not stop there. The number of viruses and malware out there is also staggering.

- Spammers keep finding more creative ways to fill our email boxes. Don’t look for this trend to stop anytime soon.
Today, more and more people are starting to use their computers for everything from simple communication to online banking and investing. As we do these things on a more regular basis, we open ourselves up to potential hackers, attackers and crackers. While some may be looking to phish your personal information and identity for resale, others simply just want to use your computer as a platform from which to attack other unknowing targets. Below are a few easy, cost-effective steps you can take to make your computer more secure.
1. Always make backups of important information and store in a safe place separate from your computer.
2. Update and patch your operating system, web browser and software frequently. If you have a Windows operating system, start by going to www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and running the update wizard. This program will help you find the latest patches for your Windows computer. Also go to www.officeupdate.microsoft.com to locate possible patches for your Office programs.

3. Install a firewall. Without a good firewall, viruses, worms, Trojans, malware and adware can all easily access your computer from the Internet. Consideration should be given to the benefits and differences between hardware and software based firewall programs.

4. Review your browser and email settings for optimum security. Why should you do this? Active-X and JavaScript are often used by hackers to plant malicious programs onto your computer. While cookies are relatively harmless in terms of security concerns, they do still track your movements on the Internet to build a profile of you. At a minimum set your security setting for the “internet zone” to High, and your “trusted sites zone” to Medium Low. Install antivirus software and set it for automatic updates so that you receive the most current versions of their virus database.

5. Do not open unknown email attachments. It is simply not enough that you may recognize the address from which it originates because many viruses can spread from a familiar address. You should turn off the preview panel in your email program to prevent some malware and spyware.

6. Do not run programs from unknown origins. Also, do not send these types of programs to friends and coworkers because they contain funny or amusing stories or jokes. They may contain a Trojan horse waiting to infect a computer.

7. Disable hidden filename extensions. By default, the Windows operating system is set to “hide file extensions for known file types”. Disable this option so that file extensions display in Windows. Some file extensions will, by default, continue to remain hidden, but you are more likely to see any unusual file extensions that do not belong.

8. Turn off your computer and disconnect from the network when not using the computer. A hacker can not attack your computer when you are disconnected from the network or the computer is off.

9. Consider making a boot disk on a floppy disk in case your computer is damaged or compromised by a malicious program. Obviously, you need to take this step before you experience a hostile breach of your system.

10. Download and install some anti-spyware software on your computer and make sure you keep it up to date. Run this software once a week if possible. If you can’t run the software that often, try to run it once a month at least. I recommend Adaware SE (www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)and Spybot Search and Destroy (www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html).

As always, I am not responsible for anything that may happen due to you following this advice. Have a great day and I will see you next week with some info about the great hunt for the elusive Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii.

For more information please go to my blog at http://www.plaintechtalk.com .
If you have a question that you would like me to answer in Plain Tech Talk please email me at xrah2@bellsouth.net with subject “Question for Plain Tech Talk”.

 Would You Set A Toilet Bowl On Your Desk?

A survey completed by the BBC concluded that the average personal computer contained “nearly 400 times more bacteria than your average toilet seat”.
How is that for a shock? I know that this may be a disgusting topic for a tech column but it is something that needs to be said none the less.In our age of technological advances the desktop or laptop computer has become a Mecca for programmers and developers trying to cash in on protecting your computer from the ever present threat of computer viruses, spy-ware, mal-ware, Trojans and more. There seems to be a never ending war between hackers and developers. In a surprising new twist, it is not only a battle for control of the internal circuitry of your machine but now there is an onslaught of airborne bacteria, viruses and organisms attempting to sabotage the actual hardware and circuitry.

Malfunctions, reduced productivity, and lost data are all too often caused by the simplest of things. Dust, dirt, and debris being trapped under keys on your keyboard can coat the circuitry and cause overheating in your machine. Dust and grime eventually build up on the small tracks where the ball is located in your mouse, causing the mouse pointer to move erratically or not at all. Dust collects on the blades of the cooling fan or on the fan’s motor, causing loss of power to the fan and the eventual overheating of your machine. All of these things are easily taken care of and should become a normal part of your computer maintenance schedule.
If you make a habit of keeping your computer clean it not only safeguards you from germs but may also protect the computer components and peripherals from crashing, locking, seizing etc.  If you work in an office environment that is clean and no one shares computers you could probably go 5 to 6 months between cleanings. On the other hand if your computer is in a home, warehouse, retail, or manufacturing environment it would probably be wise to clean the computers every 2 to 3 months. (Get the companies permission first of course.)  
As always make sure your computer is shut down, power is turned off, and all cables, wires, and peripherals are disconnected from the main power supply before starting any computer project. I do not take responsibility for anyone’s actions while following my tutorials. Follow directions at your own risk.The typical computer system can be cleaned very effectively using solutions available in most retail stores or hardware shops. If you can’t find them in your area, you can always order them online.

Here are a few cleaning tips that I recommend making a regular part of your routine.

1. Preferably outside, unplug your keyboard and turn it upside down, give it a vigorous shake to remove dust dirt and debris, use a soft brush or paintbrush to clean in between the keys, you can also buy a can of compressed air or use the brush attachment of your vacuum to complete the removal of all the remaining dirt.

2. The surface of your keyboard can get particularly dirty. This dirt can be removed by using a mild cleaning agent or rubbing alcohol. Never put cleaning agent or alcohol directly onto the keyboard surface! Always apply cleaning agent or alcohol directly onto a soft cloth and use your finger to gently rub clean the keys. A cotton swab can be moistened in the cleaning fluid to clean between the keys. Always allow your keyboard to dry before plugging it back in.

3. Computer tower and monitor can be cleaned using the same methods.  Always unplug and isolate from the main power supply. You will need to wear an anti-static wristband when opening your computer case for any reason. This wristband will help prevent electrocution and static discharge which can fry components in your computer.
4. Anti - static coatings for the case and components are available at most all computer repair shops. These coatings help to reduce the build up of dust and grime and should decrease the need for intensive cleaning in the future. Follow manufacturer’s directions when applying anti-static coatings.
5. To clean the ball track on your mouse you will need some rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip. Unscrew the round piece on the bottom of the mouse where the ball is housed. Remove the ball from the socket. Moisten the Q-tip with alcohol and clean the 2 or 3 roller bars located within the ball’s housing. Use safety tweezers to pull off any lint or dirt that can’t be removed with Q-tip. When finished place ball back into socket and replace the round piece that holds the ball in. This will relieve a lot of your mouse problems.Below is a listing of general tips that should be taken when cleaning any of the components or peripherals of a computer as well as tips to help keep a computer clean as posted on http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm .
1. Never spray or squirt any type of liquid onto any computer component. If a spray is needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to rub down the component.
2. Users can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around their computer on the outside case and on their keyboards. However, do not use a vacuum for the inside of your computer as it generates a lot of static electricity that can damage the internal components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job.
3. When cleaning a component and/or the computer, turn it off before cleaning.
4. Never get any component inside the computer or any other circuit board damp or wet. 
5. Be cautious when using any type of cleaning solvents; some individuals may have allergic reactions to chemicals in cleaning solvents and some solvents can even damage the case. Try to always use water or a highly diluted solvent.
6. When cleaning, be careful not to accidentally adjust any knobs or controls. In addition, when cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is plugged in, make sure not to disconnect any of the plugs.
7. When cleaning fans, especially the smaller fans within a portable computer or laptop it’s suggested that you either hold the fan or place something in-between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning. Spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage to some fans.
8. Never eat or drink around the computer.
9. Limit smoking around the computer.
Hope this helps you in your battle with the toilet bowl on your desk.
Nathan Hull
Nathan Hull is the webmaster for The Newport Plain Talk and K.C.C.B. He also runs several websites such as http://www.plaintechtalk.com/ , http://www.hostcc.com/ and http://www.newportwebsites.com/ .