Backup Blog
Handy computer tips and advice
Protecting your Computer from Dust
After water, dust is your computer's number one enemy. Step into a server room of a high-tech building and the air you inhale is air-conditioned, dry and dust-free – this is your computer's utopia. If your laptop lives in a pile of filth and your desk is littered, it's only a matter of time before your computer starts malfunctioning.
The part of the computer most affected by dust is the fan. The fan is used to regulate the temperature of the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Like the name suggests, the CPU is essential to the function of your computer and it will simply stop working if it overheats. A fan that is clogged with dust will spin slower and require more power to keep the CPU cool, taxing the entire computer.
Other parts of your PC dramatically affected by dust include the peripherals; the keyboard and mouse will stop responding if their contacts are jammed with dust, and your computer screen will get blurry and even burn out if too much dust accumulates inside it.
Cleaning
To clean dust from most parts of your computer, you will need a can of compressed air and an anti-static cleaning cloth. To clean the fan, turn off your computer, open the back of your CPU to get at it. Spray the dust off (preferably not in the direction of the motherboard or other intricate parts), then use the anti-static cloth to lift it off.
Use a similar technique with caked-up dust in your keyboard and mouse. An antistatic cloth is perfect for cleaning computer screens.
Never use a vacuum cleaner or liquid-based cleaning methods on your computer. Static electricity is damaging to your computer and your safety.
Prevention
Keep your workspace clean and tidy. Never eat at your desk - crumbs are worse than dust as they contain water. Tar and nicotine residue are corrosive and very damaging to electronics, so never smoke in front of your computer.
Dust your keyboard regularly and use your anti-static cloth on your screen and mouse.
Purchase a computer cover and use it every time you finish with your PC. If you have a laptop, invest in a dust-proof case and put your computer away whenever you aren't using it.
Maintenance
Most computer centres offer cleaning services and are generally very affordable. A regular service will keep your computer running smoothly, dust free and add to its longevity.
How To Use a Mac for Windows Users
We've very pleased to annoced Quick Backup now supports online backup for Mac computers. It seems alot of people are jumping ship to Apple these days so here's a few tips.
The jump from a Windows PC to an Apple Macintosh computer is a daunting experience for most users. Whether you have to use a Mac for work or if you've recently bought a MacBook, it will take some adjusting to get used to the differences. Here are the main difficulties that Windows users have when switching to OS X:
The most obvious difference is that the maximize, minimize and close buttons are on the left of the windows rather than the right. Also note that by closing a window in OS X, you won't be shutting down the entire program as you would be in Windows – to close a program, go to the Menu at the top of the screen, click the name of the program and then "Quit" at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Alternatively, just press Command+Q.
The "right click" that Windows relies on is not a function on an Apple mouse. Instead, press "control" when clicking on an item to get to the properties and other options. However, you can use a two-button mouse on a Mac – OS X will automatically recognise that the right mouse click means "control+click", and you won't notice the difference!
The "Dock" is the Mac equivalent of the Window's Start Bar. The most popular programs (or "applications") are held in the Dock to provide quick access. When you click on an application, a black triangle will appear beneath the logo to indicate that it is loading. Once open, a white dot will take place of the black triangle.
To get to the rest of your files and applications, open up the hard drive icon on the desktop, or click on "Finder" in the Dock. Any applications you open will show up on the Dock, making it easy to see what programs are running.
Now that you're using OS X, the "Recycle Bin" is called "Trash". It's located at the end of the Dock, in the form of a wire waste paper basket. Click and drag items into the Trash to delete them, then Control+Click onto the logo and click "Empty Trash" to get rid of them forever. You can click "Open" to view to contents of the Trash folder and restore items that fell in there by mistake.
Once you have mastered these basic differences, you will be able to get a grip on the operating system and start to explore its other variants. To help, here is a list of the ten most commonly used keyboard shortcuts:
Apple+N : New Window.
Apple+T : New Tab If the Application supports Tabs.
Apple+M : Minimize Window.
Option+Apple+M : Minimize All Windows.
Apple+Q : Close Application.
Apple+Z : Undo
Apple+X : Cut
Apple+C : Copy
Apple+V : Paste
Apple+A : Select All
Five Quick Ways To Speed Up Your Computer
Here are the five quickest ways to speed up your computer (without installing more memory) when it starts chugging, lagging and freezing:?
Make Space
When your computer's disk space is full, it will take longer to process information, causing programs to open slower and files to take longer to save. Take a look at the programs installed on your hard drive ? do you use them all? Use the Add/Remove Programs function to delete applications you don't need.
To free up more disk space in one quick swoop, use the Disk Cleanup. You can find this program in Systems Tools within Accessories. This tool gives you the option to delete temporary files, Java applets, optional Windows programs and applications you haven't used for some time all at once.
Defrag Your Hard Disk
Fragmented files scatter themselves all over your hard disk and your computer will slow down trying to piece them back together. "Defragging" your hard disks will speed up your computer's access to data and its general functions will run smoother.
To run a defragmenter on your hard disks, launch the Disk Defragmenter under System Tools. Analyze your drives, then defrag them if necessary. This can take some time and you shouldn't use your computer while this is happening. Vista doesn't display a graphic representation of the defragging process, but XP and older versions of Windows do.
Aim to defrag your hard disks every month to keep your computer running quickly.
Detect and Protect Against Spy Ware
Spy ware is designed to infiltrate your computer and send information back to its creators about your activity without alerting you to its presence, let alone asking for permission to send the information. As well as potentially endangering your safety by collecting passwords, spy ware takes up a lot of memory as it is constantly sending information back to its creators. Run a virus scanner that includes spy ware detection regularly, and install a firewall or use Microsoft Windows Defender.
Repair Any Disk Errors
Windows has a tool called The Error Checker that scans your drives and detects and corrects bad sectors and file system errors. Bad sectors can slow down your computer's performance and make it difficult or impossible to save files.
You can find this tool by right-clicking on the hard disk you'd like to repair and selecting Properties. Then navigate to the Tools tab and click the Check Now box. Check "Scan for and attempt recover of bad sectors," and press Start.
Do not select "Automatically Repair" unless you know you have bad sectors on that disk.
Keep It Clean
Keeping your hard drive as empty as possible goes a long way in keeping your computer running smoothly. Refrain from installing programs you don't need, regularly empty your Recycle Bin and perform routine maintenance like monthly disk defragging. Your computer will boot faster if you have fewer programs in your System Tray, so keep them to a minimum.?
Advanced Options
Other then the above you may want to install more RAM in your computer, possibly reformat or upgrade other hardware. You should ask your local computer shop for advice with this.
Should You Use Wireless Peripherals?
Wireless, or cordless, mouses and keyboards are a great way to reduce the clutter in your workspace. Aesthetically, wired peripherals look bulkier and cumbersome compared to their cable-free companions. Wireless pieces are easy to pack away and don't restrict you from moving around your work space.?
Cordless keyboards and mouses can even provide health advantages. Using a wireless keyboard makes it easy to set up your desk with ergonomics in mind - you can sit as far back from your computer screen as possible and adjust the height of your keyboard and mouse independently.
The main downside to using wireless peripherals is the cost. The initial price is often twice, or three times that of a conventional keyboard or mouse, and as they run on batteries rather than your computer's power supply, they can be an on-going costly investment.
Response times for wireless peripherals are getting better but still aren't as fast as conventional keyboards and mouses.? If you're a serious gamer, a cordless keyboard will do nothing but slow you down and give you a great disadvantage, especially if you are playing multiplayer games online. Wireless mouses still have terrible accuracy that does not lend itself to playing first-person shooters, or doing any visual art or graphic design work. If you are committed to being cable-free but want the fastest response time and decent accuracy, expect to find a hefty price tag on any wireless peripherals you look at.
There are two types of keyboards available: Split Key and regular. Split Key keyboards are ergonomic and are designed to allow the user to rest their arms in their optimum position to reduce risk of RSI. Regular keyboards are the types found with most computers ? a simple rectangle with no curve to the key structure.
Wireless mouses also come in two types ? wheel and optical. Optical mouses are more accurate and can be used on a variety of surfaces, while wheel mouses require a mouse-pad and need the contacts around the mouseball to be cleaned regularly.
If you choose to go wireless, you will find decent savings if you buy your keyboard and mouse in a bundle. A great way to compare these type of products online is a shopping comparison site like GetPrice, compare prices from hundreds of retailers at http://www.getprice.com.au/buy-best-wirless-keyboard-mouse.htm
Basic Internet Safety
Know The Risks
Using the Internet doesn't just put your computer at risk from viruses. There are many other dangers associated with Internet use and it pays to be aware of these before you log on. The five main concerns are:?
- Viruses and Spy ware
- Hackers
- Stalkers and predators
- Scams and fraud
- Internet addiction
Be Prepared
The sooner you can establish protection against the Internet nasties, the safer your computer will be. Ideally, a firewall and a quality anti-virus scanner should be installed before your computer logs onto the Internet for the first time. Norton Internet Security Suite and McAfee products are reputable and available for purchase from most computer stores.
Do some research on common viruses and how to recognise a dangerous link or email.
Give yourself and your family a set of guidelines for Internet use ? what kinds of websites should be avoided, what types of programs can and can't be downloaded, what information should never be given out online, and put a cap on Internet hours to protect your family against addiction.
Protect your personal information
While it's important to secure the files and programs on your computer, it's just as important to stop yourself from divulging too much personal information on the Internet. Personal fraud and stalking is a real danger. Never use your full name or tell personal details to strangers, and never give your financial details to anyone over the Internet, no matter how well you know them.
When signing up to social networking sites, use a handle or nickname rather than your given name, and take advantage of the security features these websites provide. Set your security to "friends only" so that only people you know can see the photos and information you've posted.
Put Up The Walls
Installing a good quality, easy-to-use firewall will make it easy to protect your computer from viruses, spy ware, and hackers. Firewalls detect attempts at unauthorized entry into your computer and can be customized to automatically refuse entry, or prompt you to give or deny permission on a case-by-case basis. However, firewalls aren't perfect!
To protect yourself further, stay away from the shady parts of the Internet. Sleazy chat rooms and illegal websites are crawling with viruses and hackers looking to infect your computer.
Be Cautious Against Scams and Cons
Most email scams are easy to spot ? a message from an unknown email address containing a sob story (or a grand prize) and a request for cash or your bank details. These are simple to get rid of, with a quick click of the DELETE key.
The types of frauds that are harder to avoid are the con artists who stake out chat rooms, forums and singles sites looking for chumps to rip off. Don't be overly guarded when making internet pals, but set yourself a strict set of guidelines before you start chatting to others online; know the limits of what information you will give out, no matter how well you "click" with someone. Be cautious when asked for your full name, address or phone number and never, ever, divulge your financial details, even if you have met your "friend" in real life.
Is Windows Vista Right For You?
Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows Vista, has received a bad rap on Internet forums and software review sites since its launch. So should you buy it?
Microsoft has done its upmost to strip XP back to its best features, pack them into Vista and add some extra fandangle bits to deliver an operating system that will inspire Windows users to upgrade. Unfortunately, there have been a few hiccups along the way. Lots of applications simply do not work and many users report the operating system to be rife with error messages.
The main argument against using Vista is its hefty price-tag for an operating system that doesn't really do anything you cannot do with XP. If you already own a PC, upgrading to Vista might cost you big-time as you may need to upgrade your actual hardware just to run the OS. Be sure to check your specs against what Vista requires before you buy, and be prepared to come across problems when it comes to finding Vista-friendly drivers for your hardware.
On the other side of the argument, Vista has a bunch of great functions and features. There is a sidebar on the desktop for quick access to important programs and files, backing up data is painless and restoring files is a breeze. Once you have become accustomed to the foreign interface, Vista can be easier to use than XP and enables the user to access programs, documents and help files quickly.
Vista is very pleasant on the eye, especially when compared to XP. The classic Windows green-hills-blue-sky default background has been replaced by inoffensive swirling colors, and the windows look very swish with a translucent effect.
The main argument for Vista is that you will "have to" upgrade eventually anyway, so why not bite the bullet and get a grip on the operating system now? Our suggestion is to wait for the next version which is Windows 7 and should be released by the end of 2009.
How To Start Your Own Blog
Since the evolution of the web into Web 2.0, blogging has taken the place of personal websites. As well as being easy to update, well-organized and search-engine friendly, blogs are simple to set up and attract an interactive audience right away.?
The first step is to decide what you want to share with the world wide web. Make sure your subject matter is something you are passionate about. It doesn't matter if you're not an expert in the field ? users prefer to read blogs by inspired writers that learn as they write, rather than know-it-alls with no flair or passion for their topic.
The next step is to decide where to host your blog.? Most writers begin with free hosting ? there are a number of blogging websites dedicated to providing free hosting for aspiring web writers. Shop around for the best blog site for you ? WordPress is the most popular with Blogger coming in a close second.
Once your site is attracting a lot of attention and has a heavy readership, you can purchase your own domain name and additional hosting.
Choose a name for your blog that is unique, descriptive of the content and easy to remember. You will attract more readers if you use some humor in your title, but make sure to keep it short. Search engines will rank you higher in their results if your username contains keywords that people use in their searches. Avoid using hyphens and numbers.
Customize the look of your blog page.? Work with complimentary colours and use images that reflect the content. Make sure not to sacrifice function and navigation for looks ? users care much more about finding your archives than how swish your page appears.
Start writing! Write an entry as soon as you set up your blog and keep writing. Blogs with more articles attract more readers and more interaction. Aim to upload at least two posts per week. Having a regular posting schedule can help you stay motivated ? post every Sunday and Wednesday, for example.
If your site proves to be popular, consider generating some extra income by installing advertising space that pays per click ? you'll be making a passive income everytime someone visits your blog!
Protecting Your Wireless Internet Connection
Wireless Internet is becoming commonplace, with some cities even providing free Wi-Fi for their citizens in public places. Home users with wireless Internet connections are free from cables and the costs involved in ADSL, but there are risks involved in surfing the net on a wireless network.
Hacking, identify theft and neighbours using up your bandwidth are three of the main concerns for wireless users. It can be even more serious than that? if a hacker using your connection engages in illegal activity on the Internet, you could be in a world of legal trouble.
Here are the five steps for protecting your PC, your privacy and your pocket:
Secure Your Hardware
The router or access point that connects you to the Internet will require you to input an administrator username and password to get into its settings. By default, the password is likely to be something predictable like "password" ? it's important you change this as soon as possible, to something unique. This hardware is the main gate between your PC and the Internet, so make it as secure as possible.
Turn off your SSID broadcast
Most routers and access points broadcast your SSID (Service Set Identifier) continuously to make it easy for you to add other wireless devices to your connection. Once you have added all the additional devices you want to, set your router to keep your SSID a secret ? otherwise all the wireless devices in the area will see your connection.
Forget WEP encryption - go for WPA.
The weaknesses of WEP (Wired Equivalency Privacy) encryption are well-known and are easy for even amateur hackers to get around and gain access to your wireless network. Use WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) as it allows more password characters than WEP. If you have a new router, you may find it has the latest and strongest version, WPA2.
Tune Down Your Range
Some wireless routers and access points allow you to reduce the range of your WLAN transmitter's signal. With some careful trial and error, you can lessen the spread of your signal and reduce the risk of neighboring offices or homes using your connection.
Check Your Usage
First, make a list of the MAC IDs and IP addresses of all the devices that should be connecting to the router. To find a MAC ID/IP address of your PC, type "cmd" into the Run protocol, and click OK. Into the screen that pops up, type ipconfig/all and press Enter. The address that pops up is your MAC address. Now check these against the MAC addresses listed in your router's logs. If one or more unknown MAC addresses appear, you will need to increase your security.
How To Set Up Your Laptop To Save Your Health
The Laptop Hunch is the latest posture problem among computer users. While desktop computers have been perfected to provide spine-friendly ergonomics, it is up to the laptop user to set up their portable PC in a way that doesn't cause short-term pain and long-term damage.?
The three main problems caused by excessive use of a badly set up computer are RSI (repetitive stain injury, usually in the wrists), Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD), and Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
Sadly, laptops are not designed with your body's needs in mind. Their design is focused on portability, compact size and weighing as little as possible. This means that laptop keyboards can be cramped and their small screens can restrict to how far away you can place them. If you have a choice, use a desktop computer for most of your work and save the laptop for when you're on the move.
If your main computer is a laptop, there are ways to prevent injury and strain to your body.? First, understand that despite its misleading name, placing your laptop in your lap is the worst way to use it. Here are directions for optimizing the position of your laptop for extensive use:
- Set your laptop on a flat surface so that the screen can be viewed without bending your neck. You may need to use a laptop pedestal to achieve this, or a couple of books can work as a haphazard substitute.?
- Ideally, if you are using your laptop for long periods at your desk, attach an additional keyboard and mouse to the USB ports so you can raise the laptop high and keep your keyboard low, thus saving your wrists and elbows from RSI.
- When typing, your shoulders should be relaxed with your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle and arms by your sides. If this isn't the case, adjust your chair height, position of your laptop or treat yourself to a spiffy new desk.
- As with using a desktop computer, it's important that your chair provides proper lumbar support for your back. Invest in a decent office chair that is ergonomic and fully adjustable.?
To avoid RSI? in the wrist, place the keyboard directly in front of you and not so far away that you need to extend your arms to reach it. If you are using an external mouse instead of the track pad, it should be placed adjacent to the keyboard and on the same level. Aim to keep your wrists "flat", and invest in "wrist supports" for your desk that give a negative tilt to your hands when typing.
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Remove Pre-Installed Programs
When you turn your new PC on, you will (hopefully) find that the computer company you bought it from has installed an operating system for you; the downside is that they probably added some pre-installed programs too.??
In the computer business, software companies ply their wares into pristine, new computers by buying "ad space" from computer companies. This essentially means that all the trial software littering your new computer has bought its place to be there in an effort to get you to try it, love it and buy the full versions. This is an effective tactic and you may find yourself doing just that for many pieces of software ? but what do you do about the pre-installed programs that you don't want to use?
Find
The first step is identifying the infiltrators. Click the Start Bar and browse through the Programs List. There may be some software you recognise and some you don't. Do not automatically assume that everything you don't recognise should be deleted ? open the program, see what it does, then add it to the list of "Keep" or "Delete".
Destroy
Depending on the time and energy you want to give to clearing your computer of pre-installed programs, you can give it a thorough once-over, or simply download a program that will do it for you. The programs that do this are not as thorough as deleting things manually and you may find many useless programs still installed.
To remove these programs manually, click on My Computer, then Add/Remove Programs. A list of "legitimately" installed programs will be displayed and the option to remove them. Do this to as many as you can, but keep in mind that many programs will be hidden.
Hidden programs lurk in the shadows, taking up valuable hard-drive space and utilizing memory. If you've written down a list of pre-installed programs you want deleted, search for these Archives on your hard-drive and delete them manually. The delete key, or a click-and-drag to the recycle bin should do it. This method is time-consuming but is the most effective way to clean out your computer.
Protect
Once you have gone through the arduous process of eliminating unwanted programs from your computer, the key is to keep them out so you never have to do it again.?
Install a good virus scanner and of course backup your files?with?ouronline backup software.
When installing new software, carefully read what you are agreeing to ? many programs come with "extras", and "free trials" made by the same software company and will install these by default.
Check for unwanted programs at least once a month and delete them as soon as you see them to stop them from banking up.
