T.Byrd Computer Forum "LIVE" Talk Show

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Welcome to the Online Version of our Live Computer Talk Show

Callers:   Ron from AC, Ron from Galloway, Al from Absecon, 

Winners:  no giveaways this week

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Tbyrd Computer Show---1400 WOND -- Let's-Talk, 16:38:05 07/09/03 Wed
I now declare the "TByrd Computer Show" on WOND 1400 AM the most informative...most fun....and the "in thing" in South Jersey....I can because...I am "Let's Talk"
You are all great Americans!!!!!!

Coming up on this weeks show!  scroll down for previous shows

GUEST:    There will not be a guest on this show. 

TOPIC 1 -  Why You Should Switch To Fast Internet Access

With fast Internet access becoming available in more and more areas all the time, perhaps it is now available in yours. If so, you might be wondering if it makes sense to make the switch from dialup. For the vast majority of people, the answer is a resounding yes! Here are a few reasons why:

• Cost - your primary consideration is probably the extra expense required to move up to fast Internet access. But in reality, the extra cost is usually minimal.
  
  If you currently pay for an extra phone line just for accessing the web, that monthly payment added to your ISP fee is probably very close to what a fast connection will cost you.
   
• Increased productivity - If you use the web to work from home, you'll get more work done in less time with fast Internet access.
  
  You'll be able to download large files in seconds instead of minutes (or even hours) and your Internet research time will be reduced dramatically. All of those graphic intensive web pages that creep onto your screen at a snail's pace will pop up almost instantly!
   
• Convenience - You'll no longer have to endure lost connections or busy signals. There will be no more waiting around while your modem dials in and attempts to establish an often shaky connection.
  
  Fast Internet access is always on, meaning any time your PC is on you have immediate and constant access to the web. What a timesaver!

Summary

If you do business at home and Fast Internet access is available to you, you'll almost certainly be very happy if you make the switch. In fact, most people wonder how they ever got along without it and say they'll never switch back.

And even if you just use the Internet for fun, the amazing difference in speed and convenience coupled with the relatively low extra cost make fast Internet access a bargain!

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TOPIC 2 - Backup Software

A quality backup software program is a must if you store vital, irreplaceable data on your computer. There are many types of backup software packages available so it's important that you choose the best one for your particular needs.

Here are a few things you need to consider when buying backup software:

• Operating system - Some OS's (including MS Windows) come with built-in backup software utilities, but these programs can be limited in features or supported backup media.
   
• Backup media - Most current PC's are equipped with CD-RW drives. Some newer models even have DVD burners.
  
  If so, make sure you select a backup software package that supports the appropriate device. And don't forget that inexpensive tape drives that make backups easy are also available.
   
• Features - The current crop of backup software packages vary greatly in features. I recommend purchasing one that allows for both complete and incremental backups on the widest variety of media possible.
   
• Ease of use and reliability - A backup software utility should be easy to install, configure, and use. When evaluating various programs, search the web for reviews and ratings to find out how other users like the packages and uncover any common problems they might have.

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TOPIC 3 -  GO to My PC?:   

What is GoToMyPC?

GoToMyPC is a software/service package that lets users remotely access their home and/or office PCs from any computer anywhere in the world as long as it has a high speed Internet connection.

What we tested

We tested the GoToMyPC Single User Account from a desktop PC that accesses the Internet via our corporate LAN. We also tested the same account from a public use PC at the local library.

Details of the test

I downloaded the setup file for GoToMyPC and started the setup procedure. Installation was quick and easy with just a few standard "installation" type questions (which folder to install in, etc). The only information that I had to enter was:

• my email address
• a password 
• an access code (must be different from the 
  password)

After the installation was finished, my ZoneAlarm Pro firewall automatically detected GoToMyPC and verified that I wanted to give it access to the Internet. The GoToMyPC icon was then displayed on the task bar letting me know the program was active and ready to receive a remote connection.

Next, I went to another computer on the network and visited the GoToMyPC website. After logging on with my email address and password, I was asked to provide the access code.

The access code is actually a password that resides on the host computer and isn't sent to the GoToMyPC website. This code is used in the encryption algorithm.

After I finished entering the authentication info (password and access code), the Java viewer application was automatically downloaded, installed, and launched on the local PC.

What happened next was truly amazing: The remote computer's desktop appeared on the local PC's screen. All of the icons were there as well as the task bar, Start button, etc.

I clicked Start>Programs>Microsoft Outlook. The Outlook screen appeared with all of my folders intact. I created a couple of emails and sent them out. I clicked on a couple of the folders and right there was a listing of all of my messages that were stored on the host computer's hard drive! I began to get excited.

I then logged on to a couple of websites that required a secure login - everything went smoothly. The little lock appeared letting me know I was accessing a secure server.

For phase 2 of the test, I paid a visit to the local library and sat down at one of their public use computers. To make a long story short, I repeated the steps detailed above with precisely the same results.

Conclusions reached after completing the test

GoToMyPC worked exactly as described. In every way it seemed like I was sitting at the host PC's workstation, using its keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

The only thing that took a bit of getting used to was the slight delay when I clicked on a link. GoToMyPC creates a compressed image of the host computer's screen every time it changes, encrypts it, then sends it to the local PC's screen via the Internet.

This process introduces a very slight delay between the click and the screen update. I didn't find the delay either excessive or annoying - very acceptable actually given the tasks being performed.

System requirements for using GoToMyPC

Host PC

• MS Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, NT 4.0 , XP or Windows Server 2003
• Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later 
• "Always on" stable Internet connection with cable 
  modem, ISDN, DSL or better
• Minimum of Pentium 300 with 64 MB of RAM 

Local (client) PC

• MS Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, NT 4.0, XP, Server 
  2003 or any operating system that has a Java-enabled browser
• Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later 
  with all Java components enabled
• A stable Internet connection with cable modem, 
  ISDN, DSL or better

Security

• All GoToMyPC data transmissions are 128 bit AES
  encrypted end-to-end
• The encryption key is unique for every remote 
  connection and it is based on the access code
  and a random bit sequence.
• The access code is stored on the host PC and is 
  never transmitted to the GoToMyPC servers (so it
  cannot be intercepted).

Prices (as of this writing)

• 1 PC Monthly Plan $19.95/month
• 1 PC Annual Plan $179.40/year 
• 2 PC Monthly Plan $29.95/month 
• 2- PC Annual Plan $269.40/year 
• 3 - 20 PCs Additional PCs are $14.98/month or 
  $135.00/year
  

Summary

GoToMyPC worked flawlessly, exactly as described in the advertisements. After I entered the authentication information, the host PC's desktop appeared on the local workstation's screen.

From then on, with the exception of the slight delay between click and screen update, I simply could not tell that I was accessing the host computer remotely.

Recommendation

If you need to access the applications and files on your home or office PC from a remote location (using a second computer), I highly recommend GoToMyPC. As a matter of fact, after the testing was completed I paid for a one year account for both my home and office computers!

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TOPIC 4 - Understanding Pc Memory

Understanding computer memory is very important because memory is what enables your PC to operate. Sure, your computer's CPU (central processing unit) is the computer's brain, but a brain is useless without memory.

Because memory is one of the most important parts of a computer, it has been redesigned and tweaked often over the years to enable it to store more data and work faster. This has resulted in a myriad of technical terms and contractions. In this article, I'll try to clear up a few of these terms and give you a basic understanding of computer memory.

When you work with an application on your computer, the program is loaded into "main memory". Of course there are several other kinds of memory besides main memory. For example, there is "cache" and "flash BIOS" memory. In fact, a computer consists primarily of memory. Even the CPU has a type of memory referred to as "registers". But main memory is the focus of this article.

Memory is quite simply an array of "cells". Each cell holds one binary data bit, either 0 or 1. A row of 32 cells store a "word". A word may contain the bits to code one single number or one single character. Each word can be accessed by it's own unique "memory address". A computer doesn't have to access the addresses in any particular order. It can store or retrieve a word from any memory address at random, hence the term "random access memory" (RAM).

Because a computer needs millions of memory cells in order to operate efficiently, the cells have to be cheap. The cheapest memory cell of all is a very tiny capacitor. A "0" value would be represented by an absence of electric charge stored in the capacitor. A "1" is represented by an electric charge being stored in the cell.

A tiny capacitor can store an electric charge, but that charge dies off within a few milliseconds. To prevent data loss, the computer uses special circuitry that repeatedly scans all the memory cells and refreshes the charge in any cells that contain a "1". This circuitry must operate between accesses of the memory by the CPU and other components. This continuous recharging is known as "dynamic" refresh, hence the term "dynamic" RAM (DRAM).

To understand the way memory works, you need to know what a  "bus" is. The CPU needs wires to connect to memory cells. But instead of wires, a circuit board uses copper "traces" inside or on the surface of the circuit board. It takes 32 parallel traces to access one word of data. We also need a few extra traces to carry the signals that control whether the CPU is reading from or writing to the memory. This set of parallel traces make up the "data bus".

In order to access a word of data, the CPU needs to provide the memory address of the word. The traces that perform this function make up the "address bus". The address bus requires  64 parallel traces for the address information.

There are also several other parallel groups of traces on the circuit board that handle various communication and control signals. Each of theses groups is referred to as a "bus". The most important signal racing around the system board is known as the "system clock signal".

The system clock provides the "pulse" of the computer system. It's a continuous stream of electrical pulses at a very high frequency. If you have a 1.8 GHz computer system, then your system clock pulses come at a rate of 1,800,000,000 per second. Memory can be accessed on the rising edge of the system clock pulse. Memory reading and writing is synchronized with the system clock, hence the term "synchronous" DRAM (SDRAM).

SDRAM is available in a 168-pin dual inline memory module (DIMM) package. It comes in two speeds: 100 MHz (PC100) and 133 MHz (PC133) and two voltages: 3.3 volt and 5 volts. Some SDRAM "sticks" contain a bit of extra circuitry called "error checking and correction" (ECC) that stores extra bits along with the data. These extra bits are used by the CPU to verify the validity of the data and correct any errors that it finds.

New systems use a type of memory that can access data on the rising and falling edges of the system clock pulses. This means your computer can access the data in memory at twice the normal speed, hence the term "Double-Data-Rate SDRAM (DDR-SDRAM).

DDR-SDRAM is available in a 168-pin DIMM. It comes in two speeds: 266 MHz (PC2100) and 333 MHz (PC2700). If your system board has more than one memory slot, and you have only one memory module, you should install the single DIMM in slot 1.

Some system boards made by Intel use Rambus DRAM (RDRAM). RDRAM uses a proprietary communications channel to access the memory cells. RAMBUS is available in a 184-pin RAMBUS In-line Memory Module (RIMM). There are two connectors on an Intel Rambus system board. Each connector must contain either a RIMM or a C-RIMM. A C-RIMM (continuity RIMM) does not contain memory. It's simply a module that provides a pass-through path for the signals.

If your PC is older, its main memory may use "fast page memory" (FPM) or "extended data output" (EDO) memory. Some of these memory sticks used a special "parity bit" to validate the data. These older types of memory are packaged in either a 30 pin single inline memory module (SIMM) or a 72 pin SIMM.

If you want to upgrade your PC's memory, be sure to use the correct type of memory for your system board. Refer to the manual that came with your system board to determine exactly what type and speed of memory is required for your computer.

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TOPIC 5 -   UPDATING YOUR MOTHERBOARD

So you need a new motherboard. Your old PC takes forever to load and run that great new game you just bought (or maybe it won't run at all). Or you want to upgrade to the latest version of Windows but your motherboard is too out of date. This guide will help you choose the best motherboard for your money. It may even help you decide to purchase your new motherboard pre-installed in a new computer.

Should I upgrade the motherboard or buy a new PC? 

The first thing you need to determine is whether you would be better off replacing your motherboard (also referred to as a main board or system board) or simply buying an entirely new machine. The issue is more complicated than simply choosing a motherboard and installing it.


Factors to consider before deciding to upgrade your motherboard:

• How old is your current PC? If it's more than a couple of years old, you'll likely have to replace more than just the motherboard. For example, a state-of-the-art motherboard probably won't be able to use your system's existing memory, video card, or hard drive very efficiently (or at all). This negates the benefits that you're purchasing the new motherboard for in the first place. Therefore you'll need an entirely new computer instead of a new motherboard.
   
• Can your computer case accept a standard ATX style motherboard? Almost all new motherboards come in the ATX form factor. Many older cases (and even newer proprietary ones) were designed to use motherboards with different (or non-standard) form factors. If you're unsure, consult the manufacturer's website. In the "support" section, verify the style of your existing motherboard model.
   
• How much has your old computer been used? If you've been using it for 5 hours a day for 2 years, it is probably ready to be replaced anyway. Components fail over time and with use. Disk drives (hard drives, CDROM drives, etc.) are especially prone to failure, usually without warning. Installing a new motherboard will be an exercise in frustration if the rest of your components are ready to fail.

Asus-P4C800-E Motherboard
Things to consider when selecting a motherboard:

• Chip sets - Different motherboard manufacturers use different chip sets. On a practical level, motherboard chip sets can be divided into two camps: those that support CPUs made by Intel or AMD.
   
  Different motherboard chip sets also support different hardware varieties. These include support for specific types of memory, bus speeds, and peripherals such as integrated video, audio, and network controllers.
   
  There are really only four main suppliers of motherboard chip sets: Intel, Via, SiS, and NVidia. Many different motherboard manufacturers use the same chip sets to build their motherboards, so do some research about what each chip set includes so that you can evaluate the differences between otherwise very similar motherboards.
   
• Memory type(s) supported by the motherboard - Different motherboards (and CPUs) support different memory types.
   
  Motherboards utilizing an Intel CPU will likely support Rambus DRAM (RDRAM). RDRAM is very robust and it adds to the overall performance of the system. But it's also very expensive when compared with other memory types which can be a significant factor if you're working on a tight budget.
   
  Motherboards that use an AMD CPU usually support other types of memory, including SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) and DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM). I recommend that you choose a motherboard that supports DDR instead of SDRAM since DDR is twice as fast.
   
• Components integrated onto the motherboard - Virtually all new motherboards include one or more components built right onto the motherboard itself. These usually include video, sound, and/or network controllers.
   
  I recommend that you purchase a motherboard that does not include an integrated video controller. A stand-alone video card will usually provide a significant overall performance advantage over an integrated video controller. A stand-alone card can also be easily replaced in case of failure or if you decide to upgrade at a later time.
   
  Integrated sound is fine as long as you aren't a serious audiophile. The average user will get along just fine with an audio controller that is built into the motherboard. But if you require the latest and greatest in top-quality audio, you'll want to go with a stand-alone sound card.
   
  Integrated networking support is fine for most everyone. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't even consider a motherboard without it. Networking circuitry that is included on the motherboard works just as well and is just as fast as a stand-alone LAN card, so choose a motherboard with networking built in and spend the money saved on more memory or other enhancements.
   
• Relative motherboard and CPU speeds - As a guideline, I recommend buying a motherboard that supports the fastest CPU currently available along with a CPU that is a couple of notches from the top in terms of speed. With all modern CPUs, there is little noticeable difference between the fastest CPU and those one or two speeds below it.
   
  But the difference in price can be enormous! By selecting a CPU along with a motherboard that supports CPUs that are a couple of notches faster, you can upgrade your CPU later (when you really need the extra speed) without spending the premium required to get the very top speed today.

Conclusion:

You must make several decisions when it comes time for a faster, more powerful motherboard. If you choose your new motherboard wisely (research!), you can extend the life of your current PC and ensure room for easy expansion in the future.

The web has lots of great information on motherboards and everything that goes along with them. Visit the websites of the major motherboard retailers and read the specs on their latest motherboards. Filter that information using what you have learned here and you're sure to be happy with your new motherboard after you get it installed.
 

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TOPIC 6 - ONLINE FAXING

Online faxing is rapidly making stand-alone fax machines obsolete. Several companies now offer online faxing services, often as part of a complete business communications package.

Here are some of the advantages of online faxing:

• There are no busy signals to contend with since there is no dialing to be done.
   
• You don't have to tie up your phone line in order to send a fax.
   
• If you have a high speed (always on) Internet connection you won't need a phone line at all!
   
• With online faxing you can send and receive faxes via email, a simple web browser interface, or dozens of the most popular software packages.
   
• Online faxing is inexpensive, especially considering the fact that you don't have to purchase ink cartridges and other fax machine supplies.
   
• You'll have one less machine cluttering up your office.
  
  The only disadvantage to online faxing is you'll have to have a scanner in order to fax a hard copy document.

Summary

Online faxing saves time and money in several ways and it is available to anyone with an Internet connection, a scanner, and a printer.
 

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 TOPIC 7 -  Digital Cameras
 

Digital cameras have changed the world of photography in a big way. With a digital camera, you can take high-quality photos, and then immediately print them or instantly send them to someone anywhere in the world via email.

Digital cameras are all the rage. Every store in town is running ads for them and offering great deals on digital cameras in all price ranges. So which digital camera should you buy? One selling for $100? $1000? A digital camera priced somewhere in between?

This article will provide some basic information on megapixels, which is perhaps the most important specification that you need to consider when shopping for a digital camera.

A digital camera's resolution (a measure of how much fine detail the camera can capture) is rated in megapixels. The higher the number of megapixels used by a digital camera, the higher the resolution and the sharper your pictures can be.

Larger and clearer photos will require a digital camera with a higher megapixel rating. Here are a couple of examples:

• High-quality 5x7 prints - If you need photos no larger than 5x7, a two megapixel digital camera is ok. A two megapixel camera can produce photos that are made up of approximately 1600x1200 pixels, which is about the size required for a 5x7.
   
• High quality 8x10 prints - A three megapixel digital camera is capable of producing images using approximately 2048x1536 pixels, which make a great 8x10.

One thing to consider is that when you take pictures with your digital camera using a higher resolution, you won't be able to take as many pictures as you could by using a lower resolution. Why? Because the higher the resolution, the more memory that is needed to store each photo.

If you plan to use your digital camera mainly for taking 5x7 snapshots, you can get by just fine with a 2 megapixel camera. But if you want the ability to take high quality 8x10 photos, you'll need 3 megapixels or higher.

Just remember that regardless of the amount of resolution that you decide that you need in your new digital camera, the more memory that comes with the camera the better. More memory means you can take and store more photos, regardless of the resolution used.

It's recommended that you only consider purchasing a digital camera that can accept a supplemental memory card. That way you'll be able to add more memory later if you need to

 

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TOPIC 8 -  SPYWARE

Online advertising is now way too intrusive and invasive. Unethical advertisers don't see a problem with installing spyware programs on your PC without your knowledge or consent.

In Internet Explorer's "Tools" menu, click on "Internet Options...". On the "Security tab" click on the "Custom  level..." button. Unless you have the "Disable" or the "Prompt" radio button selected next to "Download ActiveX controls", its virtually certain that someone has already installed a spyware program on your computer and is monitoring all of your web surfing activities.

Your Web browsing is being tracked and the data that is "mined" is being sold to countless third parties (remember all those pop-up windows you've been getting?). These "privacy thieves" make lots of money by selling your browsing habits to companies who target you for advertising. Popup ads appear out of nowhere even when you visit web sites that don't use popup windows. 

The Lavasoft software company maintains an up-to-date reference database of all spyware programs. They provide a free software program called Ad-aware that scans your PC's hard drive and registry for known spyware programs. It then  allows you remove the spyware programs and tracking cookies from your computer.

Visit Lavasoft and select "Download" on the "Support" menu. On the "Download" page, scroll down to "Full install" and click on a download source, (ie download.com). This will download the  Ad-aware installation file (aw6.exe is the current version as of this writing).

After downloading, double-click on aaw6.exe to execute the installation program (if you're using Windows 2000, first login as Administrator). The installation program will put an icon for  Ad-aware on your desk top.

Double click on the Ad-aware icon to execute the program. In the program window, click on "Scan now". On the "Preparing system scan" page click "Next".

The software will scan your hard drive and registry (this may take a few minutes) for spyware programs and data tracking cookies. The results will look something like this:

       52 objects recognized   3 Registry keys identified
       66 files identified

When the scanning process is finished, click "Next". You'll be taken to the "scanning results page" where you'll see a list of spyware objects found. Once again, click "Next". A dialog box appears asking if you want to remove the objects. Click "OK" to delete the spyware objects.

The Ad-aware Standard Edition is completely free and it removes spyware software and data tracking cookies from your system.

The Ad-aware Plus Edition (which you have to pay for) adds real-time monitoring and blocking to the program. In addition to spyware detection and removal, the real-time monitoring prevents the spyware from being placed on your computer in the first place.

There are other spyware detection and removal utilities available, but Ad-aware is free, easy to install and use, and extremely effective!

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TOPIC 9 -  THE HARD DRIVE

The hard drive is one of the most important parts of your computer. It stores the operating system, your application software, and your precious data.

If your free hard drive space is running low, system performance will go down and you may find it impossible to install new software packages.

Here are a few tips for choosing a new hard drive:

• Buy a larger hard drive than you will immediately need. Hard drive prices have fallen so much that it simply makes no sense to skimp on hard drive storage capacity.
  
  That 100 Gb hard drive might seem way too massive for your needs right now, but an upgrade to the next version of Windows and other software packages may well require it! Buy more now instead of buying again later.
   
• Buy the fastest hard drive that your PC can handle. Check your PC's specs (or motherboard specs) to determine the fastest hard drive that it can handle. Buy a hard drive to match those specs.
   
• Select a hard drive that will work with your system. Most modern computers use IDE/ATA hard drives, but some use SCSI. Refer to your system's documentation to determine which type of drive to buy.
   
• If you're a relative "newby" to computer hardware upgrades, buy a retail hard drive kit instead of an "OEM" hard drive.
  
  A retail hard drive kit will typically include the hard drive itself, mounting screws, a data cable, an installation guide, and a floppy disk or CD-ROM that holds software that helps you move your programs and data from the old drive to the new one.
  
  An "OEM" hard drive on, the other hand, typically includes the bare hard drive only.

 

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