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formerly Solotechie Computer Services

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Solotechie Computer Newsletter
--Tardy Edition

Hello again, everyone!  I apologize for the long, long gap between newsletters--I really have no good excuse for the delay, so I'll make one up:  I was kidnapped by rabid purple unicorns, and held in a small barn on a distant planet.  (It's true--I have pictures!)  :-D

Feel free to forward this on to some friends!  If you have an idea for a future newsletter, or if there's something you like or dislike, please let me know.  If you'd rather not receive the newsletter, that's fine; just tell me, and I'll remove you from the subscribers list. 

Again, I want to thank all my customers for their patronage!

FREE STUFF!  (Mozy: Easy Online Backup)

If you have files you don't want to lose (and we all do), then you need to be doing some kind of regularly scheduled backup.  Some folks like to use CDs, but it doesn't take long until your backup sessions take up several disks.  Another option is an external hard drive, which you can connect to your computer via a USB cable, and use to schedule a regular backup session.  A third, and better option, is an online backup solution called Mozy. 

With Mozy, your backups are automatic, and always up-to-date.  You download and run the Mozy software, select the files you want to back up, and Mozy takes care of the rest.  Mozy will look for your important files for you, and make suggestions, but you are ultimately in control of what is backed up--it's remarkably easy!  You get 2GB of online storage for free, with the option of unlimited storage for $4.95/month.  Mozy is secure--it's encrypted and password-protected--and once it's setup, there's really not much else to do.  After the initial backup, Mozy runs in the background and makes sure your backups are kept current.  It uses very little system resources and bandwidth, so it won't slow your computer or internet connection down.  It's really a great little backup solution!  One caveat: You need an always-on internet connection (not dial-up).

Click here to learn more, or to download Mozy.

Vista!

There's a new operating system in town--you may have heard of it.  Microsoft has released their latest operating system (OS), Windows Vista.  Many of those who've either bought new computers with Vista preinstalled, or those who upgraded from a previous Windows version really love the modern new interface, the faster, more complete search function, and many of the other improvements over Windows XP.  Other reviewers aren't so sure--Vista, because of it's added features, requires a good bit more in the way of hardware (processor, RAM) to run well.  Some are having troubles with instability and incompatibility with some programs and drivers, and the added security features do get in the way sometimes.  A few have uninstalled Vista in disgust, and gone back to good ol' Windows XP. 

An operating system is a VERY complex piece of software, requiring the work of hundreds of software engineers and designers, and one small error in one of the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of lines of code can cause problems.  Microsoft commits a huge amount of money to making their operating systems work correctly, but with a project as huge as Vista was, there are bound to be problems.  As such, I recommend waiting at least 6 months before upgrading to a new Microsoft OS, so the bugs can be worked out.  This will also give other hardware and software manufacturers the time needed to work out compatibility issues.

(Please note: The rabid purple unicorns who kidnapped me give Vista "one hoof up"!  I doubt that means much--every time they try to type on their keyboard (unicorns type with their nose), their horn goes through the monitor, causing quite a ruckus, and giving the unicorn a serious electrical shock.  As a result, none of them have used Vista for more than about 30 seconds, so their reviews aren't all that in-depth.) :-D

Baby Update

Updated pics are here. 

(In case you're tuning in late, my wife and I were blessed with a baby girl, our first, on October 5th, 2006.)

Our little Annika is really growing--her favorite pastimes include chewing things, putting things in her mouth, looking for things to put in her mouth, and trying to figure out how to get whatever's in arm's reach into (you guessed it) her mouth.  All those hobbies keep her pretty busy!

Dial-Up Providers

I am often asked who I recommend for dial-up internet service.  For dial-up, I always recommend using a small, local provider--you get better service and fair prices.  My local favorite is Great Cove.net  They have local access numbers for Franklin, Fulton, and Washington counties (and probably others), friendly tech support, and great prices.  Dial-up service with GreatCove.net is $10/month.

(I don't recommend you call a large, national company (AOL, PeoplePC, Juno, etc), as the software you have to install to use their service will slow down your computer, frequently urge you to "upgrade" to a more expensive plan, and sometimes just stop working.  However, some folks are very happy using these kinds of service providers, as they are quite inexpensive.)

Just for Fun

Some people never grow up:
Lego Stadium

An addictive little sledding game--lots of fun!
Line Rider

Like mazes?  Here are 1,000,000,000 of them.
One Billion Mazes

Quote of the Month:

"Life is something that everyone should try at least once."
--Henry J. Tillman

Thanks for reading!

--Jeff