Screensavers will kill your screens faster - turn them off

These days screensavers are nothing more than just unnecessary (yet attractive) "energy-wasters".

Let me explain my statement:

Screensavers were originally created/designed to protect CRT (Cathode Ray Tube - the big, old, tv-like screens) from a problem known as phosphor burn-in.  Phosphur burn-in caused any still image that was displayed for an extended period of time on those monitors to leave a permanent ghost image on the screen.

Modern LCD (Liquid Crystal Display - flat screens) do not have a phosphor burn-in problem and so there is no need to have the Screen Saver option enabled especially when you consider the fact that some screensavers use a lot of processor power and gives the video card unnecessary work hence just simply wasting precious electricity or battery power (if enabled on your laptop).

NB: Using screensavers on LCD screens WILL NOT cause them to last any longer than they were designed to.

Steps to turn off the screensaver on your PC (in Windows 7):

•   Right mouse click on the desktop

• Choose Personalize from the list (it's at the very bottom)
• In the bottom right corner you'll see the Screen Saver option, click on it

• In the new window, select (None) from the list under the Screen Saver section
• Click on OK and you're done
• Start saving energy

For more information check out this link: Screen burn-in

Apple, Android or Windows...the tablet battle

So maybe you want to get a new tablet and you're a bit confused as to what you should get with what's available NOW and what's COMING SOON.

Should you go for Android, IOS, Windows 8 or WebOS (smile) and then there are the names; Nexus 7, Kindle Fire, Transformer, Galaxy Tabs, Galaxy Note, Ipad, Ideapad, Touchpad...the list just seems to go on and on, so i'll try my best to help you out:

Here goes:

First things first; Identify the OS you'd prefer play (or work...lol) with:

1. IOS is extremely smooth and well optimized, there are tons of apps for just about any need on the planet (and beyond), there is no market fragmentation and there's the whole Apple ecosystem that caters for all your tech-appetites BUT you won't be able to customize it much more than how it comes out of the box, side-loading apps is not possible unless you jail-breaking the device and even then it may not be worth the effort.  It also means your only hardware option is the Ipad (1,2 or 3) which all comes without expandable storage capability.  UNLESS YOU DECIDE TO WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER...The Ipad Mini drops then...it might be worth the wait.
2. Android is the most exciting of the lot dues to the amount of custom ROMS available and the million and one things that can be tweaked and customized within that OS.  The apps collection is excellent as well, though not as plentiful as you'd find for IOS.  ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) or Android 4.0 is great with Jelly Beans (Android 4.1) being as close to perfect as I think Android can get.  Android is really fun to use, but it is a fragmented operating system and with so many companies putting out hardware running Android it can get really confusing really fast, so my recommendation is to read the reviews before spending the money.  You can check out Engadget, Android Central or even Liliputing, they tend to have very good reviews.
3. Windows 8...tablet running this OS is not available as yet and then again I believe that the best experience would be on the Microsoft Surface which is not due out until October.  For persons who have experienced Windows Phone 7.5, Windows is like that with a bit of perfection splashed in...I AM WAITING FOR THE SURFACE...maybe you should too (wink).  Check out WpCentral or Engadget.
4. WebOS is dead!! (Did I say that?)...You're not going to get any new hardware running this operating system until the open source version is done being "baked" still I must say that my HP Touchpad was one of my best gadget purchases of all time.

When you have decided on the operating system you prefer, comment in the comment section and we will talk about the brand/company line you should consider.

Getting more from a single battery charge

There are very few tech-related things that are more annoying than having your portable device "die" on you when you need to use it simply because you had forgotten to charge it up before you left home, but what if you did forget to charge it up?  How can you get the most out of the remaining "juice" in your battery?

Here goes:

1. Keep the device's (laptop, smartphone, tablet etc.) screen/display at the lowest usable brightness level possible.  
2. Turn off wireless features such as WiFi and Bluetooth if you're not using them
3. On your smartphone you can also turn off the GPS receiver (if it has one)
4. If your battery is running low you may also want to avoid processor-intensive activities such as the playing of games, copying of discs and viewing of videos
5. On laptops you can also unplug any USB peripheral device that draws power from the USB port if that device is not being used
6. You should also consider putting your laptop in hibernate mode instead of sleep mode if the battery is low and you'll be needing to use the device intermittently.

SEE: http://www.jadabreo.blogspot.com/2012/08/best-battery-care-practices-for-laptop.html

How to fix the configuring failure of recent windows updates

Windows updates are necessary and should be installed when they're available in most cases, but apparently this time something has obviously gone wrong.
After installing the latest released updates (installed week of August 19th 2012) I noticed that my computer would say "Configuring Windows Updates" when shutting down every time I shut down and when I turn the computer back on it would say "Configuring Windows Updates" then "Failed to Configure Update, Reverting blah blah blah" now this can be very frustrating, so how do you fix this?

This is a bit time consuming, but it works (another method is welcomed):

1. Go to Windows Update in the control panel (OR in Windows 7 go to Start - All Programs and it should be towards the top of the list on the left side) 
2. You can now click on "Check for updates" (the option is in the top left corner of the window) although this may not be necessary since it would have already found the updates hence the problem
3. Click on the "important updates are available" option
4. Clear all the selected updates (they would have check marks in the little box on the left side)
5. Now click/select any one (1) of the available updates and click on OK (bottom right corner)
6. Click on "Install Updates" and allow it to do its thing (you may have to restart your computer when that update is finish installing)
7. Repeat the steps until all the available important update have been installed.

NB: The problem does not appear to originate from the optional updates so I would recommend installing them as you normally would.

I sincerely hope that this would not be a trend to future Windows Update and would update this post in the coming weeks accordingly.

UPDATE: Special thanks to Sten Phillip for identifying the specific update and commenting below - KB2647753

Browsing the Internet without leaving tracks

These days more and more persons are looking for ways to browse the Internet and to keep their web-tracks secure from the spying "eyes" of their employers, family members and friends among others and it's really not that hard to do; it's as simple as switching to private browsing mode (or porn mode) in your favourite browser.

So here goes:

1. In Google Chrome - Press Ctrl + Shift + N (it's called Incognito mode)
2. In Mozilla Firefox - Press Ctrl + Shift + P (it's called private browsing)
3. In Microsoft Internet Explorer - Press Ctrl + Shift + P (it's called inprivate browsing)

NB: If you're using Windows 7 and you have your browser pinned to the taskbar (not desktop) you can simply secondary mouse click on the browser icon there and choose the available private-browsing mode.

What those privacy modes do is disable the logging of the websites you've visited, by getting rid of whatever cookies are normally stored on your computer when you end the session (by closing your browser).  They also delete your download history so no one (using your local computer) would be able to tell exactly what you've been doing for the last few hours.

It's important to note that the sites you visited WILL most likely remember you (smile) and your ISP (Internet Service Provider) WILL know what you've been up to, so if the government wants to squeeze you they will be able to get the information, i'm just saying.

NB:  These mode do not protect you from spyware or key-loggers so still use some level of common sense when in private browsing mode.

How often should you scan for viruses?

In theory, once you have installed an antivirus program on a clean computer or on any computer and then cleaned it, you should never have to scan that system/device again.  Why?

Here goes:

There are two (2) types of protection that is provided by a good antivirus software:
    1. On-access protection
    2. On-demand protection

On-access protection provides continuous computer monitoring and should be able to keep the threats out of your system or at bay (if that antivirus program is any good).  It means therefore, if the antivirus is doing its job properly, once the computer was cleaned in the beginning it should always be in a "clean state".

The truth though is that some antivirus programs can be somewhat slow to react, especially to new threats, which means that a new Trojan, worm, spyware etc. may actually be able to get into your computer system without being detected.  This is where ensuring that your virus definitions are always up-to-date comes in.

If you then suspect that a virus (digital nasty) may have gotten in, you can turn to the second type of protection available to you - on-demand scanning.  The antivirus program should then be able to find/recognize the threat and neutralize it (keeping in mind that there is NO PERFCET antivirus software).

On-demand protection also allows for the scanning of memory card and flash drives when they are inserted into the computer.

NB: If you do feel the need to scan you system, once a month should be sufficient.
______________________________________________________

How can you tell if your computer is infected?
http://www.jadabreo.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-do-i-know-if-my-computer-is.html

Best battery care practices for laptop, tablets and smartphones

 “A device or gadget is only as portable as its battery life.” 

One of the major selling points for just about any mobile device (tablet, smartphone, laptop etc.) is the length of time that the device can run between charges and so it is important to know how to properly care for those batteries and even try to prolong their lifespan.

Here goes:

Many persons have been encouraging persons to fully discharge their battery every time they use it before charging it again – THIS IS JUST A MYTH (partially); 

Let me explain — older devices came with nickel cadmium batteries that suffered from a memory effect, something that is no longer present in modern lithium-ion batteries.

Modern lithium batteries require little maintenance; still there are some good practices that can be exercised in order to prolong their lifespan:

1. HEAT IS A KILLER – keep the battery as cool as possible so ensure the device is not stifled under a blanket while charging ESPECIALLY LAPTOPS.

2. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BATTERY FULLY CHARGED – the new lithium-ion batteries will last longer (prolonged lifespan) if kept within the 40% - 80% charged range.  Once the battery gets to 100% DO NOT LEAVE IT PLUGGED IN.

3. Perform shallow discharging – discharge a little, charge a little (discharging to 50% and then recharging to about 80% is the best range).  Try to discharge the battery as little as possible before recharging.

4. Fully discharge the battery once a month – this is to ensure that any miscalibration as a result of shallow discharging is sorted out.  This will help with the accuracy of your battery meter.

NB: Even after taking all the precautions in the world your battery will die after a few years so DO NOT sacrifice practicality and having fun just to try and keep your battery alive.

UPDATE: Lithium-ion batteries (the ones found in newer devices) should not be left empty or with a very low charge for any long period of time, this WILL cause the battery to deteriorate very fast and eventually lead to it no longer being able to be recharged.
_____________________________________________

See my blog on laptop battery care: 

http://www.jadabreo.blogspot.com/2012/02/laptop-battery-care.html

Android, Task Killers and Performance

Many Android users are made to believe (by some "so-called technicians" and bloggers) that in order to speed up their android device or to lengthen its battery life they need to use a task-killer of some sort...NOT TRUE!!

Android is not Microsoft Windows where you can run out of RAM.  On a Microsoft Windows computer the more programs you have running at one time the slower your computer gets  therefore, by simply closing the applications you’re not using will help speed up your Windows computer.

Well, Android is not Windows and does not manage processes/resources like Windows would (or would not) .  When you leave or back out of an Android app by returning to your home screen or switching to another app, the app that you backed out of stays “running” in the background.  In most cases, Android will freeze/pause the app in the background.  This means that the app will no longer be using up CPU resources (unless it is an app like your music player, or email clients that plays or syncs in the background).  Then when you return to the app you were recently using, Android simply “unfreezes/unpauses” that app and you resume where you left off quickly.  This is fast because the app is still stored in your RAM and ready to be used again.

So you see, not only will the Task Killer do nothing for your precious battery life, but most of them are designed to solve problems that do not actually exist (for instance running out of RAM on your Android device - something that the OS is designed to handle once the version of android you are running on the device is recommended for the device). 

If perchance however you do experience a performance boost with a task killer, it is most likely because you're killing a task/app that has either malfunctioned or has gone "crazy" (in which case it would make more sense to just reboot your device) OR because you've downloaded and installed a poorly designed/written application (in which case the best thing to do is to uninstall it). 

Truth be told Task killers can often cause more problems on your device than they will actually solve and as a result should only be used if you're using a very, very old android device with very, very outdated software.

Personally I hate task killers and have never recommended them to anyone.  Android has evolved to the point now where these apps are null and void...did I hear someone say ICS or Jelly Bean?

Buying the RIGHT computer

Computers are an integral part of a successful business. But for many persons, the speed and range of advances in technology make it difficult to answer the question:  What is the right computer for me?

But it doesn’t have to be so hard.

1. Understand the terminology and what it means for you - first things first

The processor

The processor, also known as the CPU, is the ‘brain’ of the computer. It controls everything the computer does. So, if you’re looking for a computer that can keep up with you, the right processor is vital.

Tip:  Upgrading a processor can be expensive and complex.  Buy the best processor you can afford.

The hard disk drive (HDD)

The HDD is the computer’s long term memory. It acts like a filing cabinet, storing information - the more space you have the more music/pictures/movies etc. you'll be able to store. The capacity of a HDD is measured in gigabytes.

Tip: You can upgrade the HDD, or add an external drive later for extra storage capacity. Try starting at no less than 250GB when purchasing a new (MODERN) PC.

RAM

RAM can be thought of as the computer’s short term memory. RAM is used to process what the user is doing at that point in time.  

Tip: Get the right amount of RAM for how you will use your computer. You will need more memory for heavy gaming and watching HD movies than for surfing the internet.  ( Read for Operating System requirements http://www.jadabreo.blogspot.com/2012/05/32-bit-64-bit-operating-system.html )

Graphics

Integrated graphics are built into your computer’s central processing unit (CPU), such as Intel HD graphics available on select models of the Intel Core processor family. Integrated graphics are suitable for everyday tasks. Discrete graphics are ideal for 3D games and professional designers.

Tip: Integrated graphics are perfect for viewing high-def video, photo and presentations NOT FOR 3D GAMING.

2. What type of computer?  Desktop or Laptop?

If you need to be moving around a lot then this one answers itself.  But if you’re stuck at a desk and not sure, here’s something to think about:

Laptop - Pros

- Mobility: Go where you want

- Flexibility: Work anywhere

- Increases in battery life

- Smaller size

Laptop - Cons

- Battery life

- Small Monitor

- Upgrading can be more difficult

Desktop - Pros

- Performances and efficiency

- Multimedia power

- Ease of upgrading

- More for less - real bang for your buck

Desktop - Cons

- Lack of mobility

- Takes up more space

3. Make a smart choice for today and for the future.

Remember to think ahead when you buy, and get a processor with the intelligence to keep up today and still be able to compete tomorrow.  Be mindful that not all good deals are good.  Buy with the purpose in mind or you will find yourself with money in your pocket and a dud on your hand.

Google Nexus 7 tablet

Someone asked me a few days ago for my take on Google's latest techno-gem, the ASUS built Nexus 7, so here goes:

To begin with there is NO perfect tablet, not even the supreme Ipad comes close to being perfect.  The flaws in the different products is what drives the next generation/version of the said product to market and so it's important for these companies to always "leave something out" until the next version is launched.

That being said the Nexus 7 is currently the best value-for-money tablet on the market. It is much faster than the other 7-inches tablet competition out there (i'm thinking Kindle Fire), has a much better screen, superb battery life and a much purer Android experience. Simply put, the Nexus 7 has blown the Android-based competition away, but that does not make it perfect.

You will have to live with the fact that it ONLY packs 8GB of internal storage space without any room for additional storage (NO MicroSD slot), no rear facing camera, there is also a lack of compatible apps for the Nexus 7 at the moment and several persons have complained of touch-related issues.

So what's my final verdict:

The Nexus 7 now sits in a class all by itself as king of the 7-inch category and is a great buy for anyone wanting a tablet that size, but the competition is closing in fast with the Ipad mini, Kindle Fire 2 and the Microsoft Surface (among others) all set to hit the market in just a matter of weeks.

Do I recommend it?

Yes, but if you can hold out until October.....(smile)

Boosting your WiFi reception for CHEAP

I'm sure that you have noticed that the further away you are from your wireless router the weaker the signal gets (duh). Now this can be very frustrating, especially if moving the router closer to you OR you moving closer to the router is not very practical at that moment, so how can you fix this without going out and buying another piece of hardware?  

Quite simple really, the answer is aluminum foil!

1. You can place a sizable piece of aluminum foil over the back of your laptop screen and watch it work its magic 

OR 

2. You can place a piece of the same foil behind the wireless router (form a slight curve with the foil to focus the signal in your direction) and watch the signal bars on your laptop increase.

NB: a more permanent fix would be to simply get a wireless repeater/signal booster OR a more powerful Wireless router.