Older than God! or ... When to buy a NEW PC.

Just as a dog's years are 7 to one, computers have a ratio that exceeds our aging span. Folks often ask me if they should keep and upgrade their computer or dump and replace. There IS a rule of thumb and the ratio is more like 15-1. That is:

• Year 1 & 2 - Computer is like 1-30 : In its prime. Ask yourself, "How are things working? Do I need more RAM memory (more about that in another post elsewhere)? Do I need a 'check up' with a service technician"?
• Year 3 & 4 - By the end of year 4, I hate to say it but you have a computer Senior Citizen on your hands. Not that that's any crime, but upgrades are almost too late to do much good to extend the life of your machine. Life is cruel but, though it still may have a lot to contribute, your computer is just NOT a kid any more.
• Year 5 and above - Hey, it's a bear being over 75, but its not the end of life as we know it. With some tender loving care your computer will still give you good service. Have a 'computer Doctor' do an exam and consultation, but keep the money you spend on this cherished family member reasonable, given that it won't be doing 'Internet Disco' much anymore, likely.

Bottom line? Over 5 years of age replacement is probably a better choice than expensive upgrades. The world around the computer is moving so fast that software tools, graphics's from the internet and e-mails become more complex and begin to over tax older machines. Hey, if you are over 50 you KNOW what I'm talking about. We still have plenty we can contribute, but we aren't able to leap tall buildings in a single bound anymore. It's just a fact of life.

Backing up I stumbled on....Eternity. (Revisited)

In my earlier article on the importance of backing up ANYTHING that you'd miss if it were gone (like that Outlook address book you've spent the last 5 years building!), I neglected to really thoroughly check out PC World users' recommendation of the FREE on line back up service MOZY. As this issue came up with a client, I owe it to my constant/periodic/infrequent and first time readers to say ... 'It ain't bad'! Now if you know me, that's high praise.

The site requires a member to sign up and some free software is loaded to your computer which allows you to set the time you'd like automatic back ups scheduled, and which files. You are allowed up to 2 GB (for many thats plenty) for free and charged if you need more. The first back up of 2 GB of data may take like 5 hours or more depending on your connection, so go get a cup of coffee .... a Venti size ... and maybe read War and Peace again, from the start. But subsequent back ups are quick, if you run them regularly.

I still am partial to having my own External Hard Drive for back ups ... but this on-line system is really very acceptable. For some it might be back up paradise. Call or write me if you'd like to know more.

Did you forget something? It's probably just your memory.

Many problems for computers (and humans, too) relate to not having enough memory. RAM, also know as Random Access Memory, is every bit as important to computers as adequate brain power is to us; not enough and we just can't manage important, complicated tasks ... sort of like chewing gum and walking at the same time, if you know what I mean.

The symptom, when computing any way, is often general sluggishness, repeated hanging or locking up of the computer; occasionally but rarely you may even see an error message mentioning insufficient memory.

Fortunately in the computer RAM memory is easily added. In fact it's SO easy I almost feel guilty charging my clients for doing it for them ... BUT I get over it! If you want to do your own memory upgrade I can tell you in a quick, 'no-charge' phone call how to proceed. If you're less adventurous I'd gladly be of service.

Sit down...I think I love you!

Some of us spend what seems like forever in a chair beating words and numbers into a computer and having the wrong chair is a just a big pain. I did some shopping (where else? on line!) and found what I hoped would be an affordable alternative to the Herman Miller Aron Chair, which is the recognized favorite amongst business users and upwardly mobile Fuppies (failed Yuppies). The Herman Miller chair costs 750-1,200 clams or more ... just unreachable for the practical user.

I've got great news to report ... I ordered my 'alternative chair' and I absolutely love it. It's ruggedly constructed, very similar in appearance and design to the H. MILLER chair, incredibly adjustable and, I sit on it all day without a single complaint from my nether end.

Call or write me and I'll share the details. Oh yeah, it's still not cheap ... Did I mislead you? It cost $550 I think. But that is still 36-118% savings, depending how you calculate, over the Miller chair .

Crash Recovery now offered!

We've just added computer hard disk crash recovery to our bag of tricks, for the folks who won't head my warnings about the importance of backing up your system. Yes, in many cases most, if not all, of what you lost when your system 'died' may be recoverable. To many, we'll just grit our teeth and get over it. To some, recovery would be an answer to an anguished prayer.

Call or write to get more info.

Backing up I stumbled on....Eternity.

Backing up...what a hassle! And why bother? We only need it when we loose everything we hold dear to us that's on our computers; and even then we only need it right before that happens.

Not backing up your data? Well I mean, folks, we got trouble, right here in River City. With a capital 'T' and rhymes with 'B' and stands for BACK UP. When? Just every time you change something on your computer that would cause you to look for the nearest bridge if you should loose it.

Now you can do it yourself, or you can subscribe to an on-line back up service (expensive), or you can pay a consultant to set up a back up routine for you that borders on automatic. How much is that gonna cost me? Well, my friend, a call or an e-mail and we can answer that question in a minute or so....painlessly.

Backing up is like an insurance policy. Would you drive your car without one? Well, that would be just wrong (and illegal). I recommend you get a back up 'thingie' going soon and save yourself some serious grief.

Write....Right now!

Since we touched on writing, and the fact that there is a wonderful suite of free applications, including a free WORD compatible word processor available for the asking (you haven't e-mailed me to ask for more info? Tsk, tsk)... I should mention that you can get a pretty good word processor on-line with Google DOCS. What's that you say? Write on!

Google docs allows you to have documents stored on line or saved on your computer. The on-line docs can be shared with others, if you need to collaborate. It will allow you to import or export MS Word files, amongst others. This system is really useful if you are traveling, don't have your computer handy and have to work from someone else's; planning ahead a document you've been working on can follow you wherever in the world you might go.

Google docs can be found by pointing your browser to: http://docs.google.com/
Are spreadsheets available the same way, you ask. Why"YES", as a matter of fact, they are.

"You never call...You never write..."

So which is the absolute BEST e-mail program/service out there? There are volumes written on this subject without a definitive answer offered. Seems there is room for personal preference, (isn't there always). Having said that, there are reasons so many business & home users alike choose Microsoft Outlook (or Outlook Express) as their e-mail 'client', regardless of whether they have e-mail through their business, or use Comcast, Hotmail, Yahoo or G-Mail as their e-mail service provider.

Outlook Express is a fine e-mail program and comes free with virtually all PC's these days, but its' big brother, Microsoft OUTLOOK, is MY personal pick. In addition to the ability to handle incoming, outgoing and mail history flawlessly, Outlook has the ability to save an e-mail to it's built-in calendar, which pops them back up at a date of your choosing ... 'set it and forget it'.

Appointments, to-do tasks all can be scheduled and if you so desire invitations to meeting attendees are easily e-mailed as a reminder to them as well. I also really like the way the OUTLOOK address book works and that it can important and export addresses as needed.

Amongst the free e-mail providers, I personally use Yahoo Mail, more from habit than anything else. I've set others up with Hotmail and Google G-Mail accounts just as often. They all are good and for home use any limitations are negligible. I say listen to what your friends tell you about what they are using, and why. Word of mouth is always the best endorsement, unless it's from someone you hates you; in that case, never mind.