One on One Computer Consultants (www.1on1cc.com)
July 2007 eNewsletter

New Computer Technologies and General Information

Dell to Offer “Ubuntu” Linux on PC’s

Dell will begin offering Canonical's latest version, Ubuntu 7.04, as an option on select Dell consumer models in the U.S. in the coming weeks. Ubuntu is an open source version of the Linux operating system. Computer companies have been trying to supply a Microsoft Windows alternative with little success; mostly because the alternatives required some “command line” knowledge for installation or modifications to the software. The Ubuntu package includes the Microsoft Office counterpart OpenOffice.org, which includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation program, and more. To find out more, go to: ( http://www.ubuntu.com/ ).

Test Drive Windows VISTA

Most people aren’t really ready to jump on the Windows VISTA bandwagon. After dealing with the other versions of the Windows operating systems and the service packs that followed, many computer users are just taking that “wait and see” attitude. Well, now you can “test drive” the Windows VISTA operating system before buying for free. There are two options for your “test drive”; the Microsoft Windows Vista Test Drive site ( http://www.windowsvistatestdrive.com/ ) and/or downloading the Microsoft Windows VISTA virtual machine ( http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c2c27337-d4d1-4b9b-926d-86493c7da1aa&DisplayLang=en ). There are some requirements for both options and the second option is a 150 Meg to 1.5 Gig download and only a 30 day evaluation.

Virus/Spyware/Spam Warning & Updates

Undeliverable Email

This scam has been going on for quite some time, but many people are still falling prey to this method of spreading computer viruses, worms, and spyware. The email message comes through as “undeliverable mail”, “server rejected…”, or a similar message. Of course, there is a supposed link to the rejected message. But, if you double-click on the link, you take the chance of installing some type of malicious software on to your computer. If you get such a message, your best option is just to delete it.

SpyHunter

If you do an Internet search for spyware removal, in your search results you’ll be directed to web sites giving you the option to download and install a program called, “SpyHunter”. This program will detect spyware on your computer, but you have to purchase the full version to remove the detected spyware. My guess is that the makers of SpyHunter have deliberately put up these web sites as a ploy to sell their software. My advice is to skip over those links and continue your search for spyware removal information. Many solutions can be found in Internet forums, where someone else has experienced the same spyware infection.

"Free" Software Downloads

Media Coder

As more multimedia files become available for download, it can be difficult to find the correct format for your particular computer or MP3 player. Thanks to the open source software project, you can now get a multimedia converter as a free download. “MediaCoder” integrates a lot of features allowing you to transcode among different audio/video formats. You can check the web site for the formats that are supported.
Go to: ( http://mediacoder.sourceforge.net/ )

Microsoft SharedView

Microsoft has released this program that will allow up to 15 people in different locations to share desktops and applications. According to their web site, people can share, review, and update documents. Anyone in the session can share and give permission for any other person to make modifications to the shared file. You are required to have a “Windows Live ID” (free) to initiate a session. But, you don’t need one to join a session. You need an active Internet connection and I suppose that a dial-up connection could be very slow or even impossible to use. For more information and to download, go to: ( http://www.connect.microsoft.com/content/content.aspx?ContentID=4791&SiteID=94 ).

Tips & Tricks

Free Wi-Fi Hot Spots

Michigan Tourist Welcome Centers, State Parks, Rest Areas, and Public Docks are installing limited, “free” Wi-Fi Hot Spots where travelers can access information through the state's web site at http://www.michigan.gov and the full travel information of http://travel.michigan.org.

The state of Michigan launched a unique pilot project --MiWiFi-- under a special affiliation with SBC and its FreedomLink wireless service. Michigan travelers with their own wireless equipped laptop or PDA (personal digital assistant) can stop in at one of the MiWiFi hotspots and easily connect to the Internet. Access to other Internet web sites is a fee-based subscription service. However, you can also do a search on the Michigan.gov web site for “Wi-Fi” which will return a listing of Michigan businesses that offer free Internet access. Some other sites to check for free Wi-Fi are:

http://www.wififreespot.com/
http://wiki.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/Wireless_Networking_in_Libraries
http://www.jiwire.com/hotspot-locator-laptop.htm

Windows 98/ME – Scheduled Restart (Reboot)

Some people are still using the older Microsoft operating systems (Windows 98/ME), which is fine if it works for your needs. However, as you open and close programs you deplete the percentage of available system resources. Typically for each program you open and close, you will deplete that amount by 3%. When those resources reach about 60%, you could be flirting with disaster. You might notice that your applications run slower, your Internet browser takes longer to open, or you computer could just “lock up”. Of course, when it does “lock up” you’re going to lose any work you had in progress.

The only way to replenish those resources is to restart your computer. Once all of your startup applications have loaded, you can check the maximum percentage of available resources by right-clicking on the “My Computer” icon, left-clicking on “Properties”, and then selecting the “Performance” tab.

To schedule an automatic restart, got to “Scheduled Tasks” (it’s probably already running on your taskbar, the small calendar icon). Select “Add a Scheduled Task” and enter “C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RUNONCE.EXE –q” (without the quotations marks) for the command. Select a time to restart just before your other scheduled programs are set to run like Anti-Virus scans, Scandisk, and etc. Your scheduled programs will complete in less time and have less likelihood of “locking up”.