Category: Hardware

  • Prepping your computer and electronics emergency bag

    This is that time of year again, when the storms can interrupt electricity for hours or days on end. And, you should be ready if part of your life and work depends on electricity-eating electronics. So, to keep working and in touch, you need to consider computers, tablets, smartphones and regular cell phones, how to…

  • 2012 Resolutions – nearly new

    Here is that time of year again, new resolutions and some old ones that I didn’t get to. Check all UPSs (uninterruptible power supply). Make sure that only the computer and the monitor are plugged into the side that says battery and surge protection. All other things, especially printers, should only be plugged into the…

  • Cords and Connections

    Portable this, digital that, wireless connections and yet I find that I have to keep track of so many different connecting cables, power adapters and chargers that it feels like I have to have a second bag, apart from my clothes. When going away with your devices, what do you bring? Of course, bring the…

  • Tips to Keep Your Gear Safe During Electrical Storms

    Surge protectors are the way to go, either a good one as part of an Uninterruptible Power Supply, or something for fast clamping. Or, to protect everything you can get a whole house surge protector. Anytime your surge protector trips, you should consider replacing it, even though there is a reset button, the electronics won’t…

  • ’11 Resolutions

    Learn a programming language, it sounds scary or unneeded but it can be fun. http://scratch.mit.edu/ or http://sketchup.google.com/ might get you going. Scratch is fun as you are dragging around actions element to make a “story” but what you are really doing is called Object Oriented Programming, a common programming “style.” Work on better ergonomics, keyboard…

  • iPad mania

    April 3rd is the day the rest of us may experience what could be either a laptop screen without a keyboard or just an iPhone on steroids. So, what can the iPad really be? Although I am not one of those blessed with time and access to play with one of the prototypes, I did…