Fancy a Lap Dance?

I often get asked what my favorite laptop is. What? Nobody ever asks you?

Lenovo has been getting the nod for several years now. Never heard of 'em? Where have you been? Lenovo was once upon a time IBM's laptop, before they sold the division to the company that has always made them. IBM is STILL who answers the phone when you call for service. Like just about ALL service centers the person saying 'IBM' may say it with an accent, but hey..so what?

Lenovo is the choice of PC Magazine's readers, too (right after Apple's notebook line). Lenovo consistently scores high for reliability, technical support and low incidence of repairs, when weighted against other PC type laptops.

What do I look for in a Laptop? Way at the top is low weight. I ACTUALLY carry mine from place to place. So, there goes the gorgeous 17" screen, in favor of a very acceptable 14" one. I'd rather squint then lug, and those big screens are outrageously heavy...not to mention more susceptible to damage. Size DOES matter and small is better/lighter.

Additionally I look for long battery life. I have often selected a battery upgrade at purchase, taking a 9 cell or better. And RAM? Only a chump buys less than 2 gigebytes anymore...3 would be 'mo' bedda'. The size of your hard drive depends on your needs. Storing lots of music, photos and/or programs? Then go 160 GB or bigger. And yes, buying a 7,200 RPM hard disk WILL make things run faster.

Want to save money? Save it on software. You can get open source office suite software for free that will read and write Microsoft Office formatted files. Checkout www.openoffice.org. There is no substitute for Microsoft's OUTLOOK if you want a great e-mail handler, scheduler, calendar program. I buy it separate and save several hundred.

Hey, listen...if you don't agree with my picks or have favorites of your own then leave me a comment.


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...Get the Picture?

Staying with the theme of getting pictures from a digital camera ON to your Computer, and then organizing and editing the images...Picasa comes to mind.

Picasa is a free program (from the people who bring you Google). It downloads on to your computer and facilitates the picture handling process. There are some EXCELLENT online videos that walk you thru the process and I'll post them really soon.

There are MANY ways to handle pictures, but Picasa is pretty cool. Additionally, if you have a google/gmail account (also free) Google gives you space to store pictures online and share them with friends and family. How cool is THAT?

Want a short course on how to use PICASA? Just play the video below. For those of us with weak eyesight there is a small box to the right of the speaker icon at the lower right of the Video window that will let you 'blow it up' to full size. Enjoy!

Morning at the Oasis - Digital Cams

I think I've mentioned before how the Oasis Center, Macy's Bldg. 4th Floor, Downtown PDX, is a great resource for folks over 50 who wish to hone computer skills. For very little bread you can take a class, or just float in and use the 9 Windows XP or 9 Windows Vista computers available in the lab. Pretty neat.

But what ALSO seems to be pretty neat is the number of ladies and gents who line up to learn how to use digital cameras with their PC's. This is perhaps the most popular class I've offered there and it just gets better each time we offer it.

Folks have these cameras but little to NO idea how to take pictures (or even know that they can take movies, too, with the same camera); and once they DO take one, how to edit it and attach it to an email of make a slide show of photos.

Call me, or Oasis (503) 241-3059 and ask how you can get on the list for this fun class.

Feeling a little Green around the....?

So these days it seems folks are upgrading to newer computer gear and the question becomes "That do I do with my 'old' one (your old one being that machine you bought 5 short years ago!).

Well, there are going to be fewer and fewer choices soon, as Portland shifts it's recycling attention to deal with the mountains of old computer gear building up at landfills.

Thank god for FREE GEEKS, and others like them that handle hi tech waste and reduce it to its lowest common denominator, or better yet, recondition it and find it a new home. The Free Geeks folks (1731 SE 10th Ave, Portland, OR) ask only a small donation and that you drop your equipment of during normal working hours, M-Sat.

You MAY wish to remove certain components you could be using with your NEW computer, such as hard drive, CD/DVD drive and the like...but either way, isn't it nice to know your old gear will be handled in an environmentally sensitive manner? We think it is.

So...need help removing components to save? What? You thought we were going to pass up a chance to pitch our services? Call US and ask for a free estimate for decommissioning your old machine. After all, at the very least you don't want those pictures of the kids out there for some new user of your old stuff to be gawking at...I mean, I know they're cute, but.....

You've Got Mail!

Well, a few weeks ago I taught a class of enthusiastic E-Mailers covering different ways to 'Do Mail'. With E-Mail now the number one use of computers and by FAR the largest communication vehicle on the planet (Bigger than TV, radio, phone or postal mail), it seemed to make sense to teach to the needs.

People wanted to know things like:

• How do I access and make changes in my electronic address book?
• How do I permanently delete mail, or move it to a new 'folder'?
• What's the fastest way to add a contact to my address book who JUST sent me an E-Mail?
• I see a calendar here...how can I use it to help me remember appointments and important dates?
• Do I need to pay for Hi-Speed AND AOL? (No, by the way...you sure don't!)
• How do I move my mail and address book from one E-Mail program to another?
• How do I sign up for an additional FREE E-Mail account(s)?
• How do I deal with attachments? Add a picture or file to my E-Mail
• Send one E-mail to many people at once.
• What is an E-Mail address book GROUP?
  

I can't tell you how fun it is to answer questions like these and have people leave happy. I can't tell you that is, unless you e-mail me or call me. Maybe there is something you've wanted to do with E-Mail, or that digital camera or.... We can help with that. Call or write us.

ADVERTIZING!

Well, welcome to any that have found me thru the magic of advertising. I'm out there in a number of spots now, to help new friends find me. If you find me either thru this blog or via the NW Examiner please mention that you did. Its worth 10% off your next bill with Neighborhood Computer Services, just by telling me you read it here!

Some are missing the way a blog works. I don't just 'pontificate' here, but really seek your tips and incites to share. I learn more from my customers (and employees) than I have in ANY computer course I've ever attended. So add what you will to any of my articles...even if you go 'off subject'. Its interesting to read a new tip but its TONS more fun to add one. Be my guest.

Get some Class, will you?

S0 in a previous post I mentioned that this Winter I'd be teaching classes to 'qualifying' folks thru the Oasis Center, which is moving back into the Macy's Building in downtown Portland, OR
They have other offerings by other teachers (but mine are always fun).

To get more info call the Oasis people at 503-413-5563

Get More Out of E-Mail – a frank discussion of the options for e-mailing
Wed. Feb. 20 10-noon

How can I make e-mail easy; what are my e-mail provider options and how do I pick one; are AOL/MSN, etc. worth the expense; how do I attach pictures and files to my e-mail; what do I do when I get an attachment; what is the difference between Outlook and Outlook Express and which is ‘better’. This course is both a general and specific look at e-mail options for the new and not so new to e-mail.

Music and Pictures…They’re worth a 1,000 words –
Wed. Apr. 16 10-noon

Do you have a digital camera or an IPOD and no idea how to connect it to your computer? How does one organize and manage their files? What about buying music online… how does that work? It’s all easier than you might thing. Learn how to enjoy more than just e-mail on your computer. Students are encouraged, but not required, to bring laptops and cameras or IPods, if they have them.

Going, Going, Gone! Buying & selling on e-Bay & Craig’s List –
Wed. Mar. 19 10-noon

You’ve heard it’s dangerous to buy things online and yet millions do it every day. Learn how to take advantage of these online market places to find and/or sell things for fun and profit.

Oasis...your horrizons expanded..

The Oasis Center in Portland Oregon will be moving back to the Macy's Building (formerly Meir and Frank) with expanded computer services available for folks over 50. Eight Window XP stations and eight Windows Vista stations will double the Center's capacity. Classes will be available at little to no cost covering a number of subjects for the inquiring mind. I'll be teaching several and will write with a description and schedule as soon. If you are willing to admit you've become senior to some, you owe it to yourself to check this place out.