Re: [CGUYS] Why not build back up function into the computer?? (was back up question: what to back up and what doesn't need backing up?)
Built-in back-up software: Please see the info on Apple's web site about the Time Machine back-up software built into the forthcoming Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. Built-in back-up hardware: Time Machine will use a user provided external hard drive. Adding the software gives the Mac OS a competitive advantage. Adding the hardware, and therefore needing to increase the price of the computer, would give Apple a competitive disadvantage; so they leave that purchasing decision to the consumer. Alvin Tony, Sounds good, but I'd have to first learn what you are talking about and how to do it :) After reading your response and Mike's this thought occurred to me: Everyone who seems to know much about computers seems to advise that everyone regularly back up their computer. The same for running antivirus, spyware, adware and whatever else I'm leaving out or not aware of. Yet I believe I've heard the stat that only a fairly small minority of users (not speaking of businesses) actually back up regularly, not to mention doing the other important security things (spyware, etc.) The figure 20% of users doing regular back ups comes to mind, though not sure where I heard this or how accurate it is. Nevertheless, if regular backing up is something that everyone who owns and uses a computer should be doing, regardless of their technical expertise, why isn't backing up - the hardware and the software - a built in function of the computer itself? Or are there some computers that actually do this? I envision a modular set up with a back up drive that could easily be removed, which could also maybe make extra copies for separate storage at the same time onto DVDS, CDS. I also envision the back up function running automatically as a default (or as automatically as possible, say, every day at least) and that before each back up, built in anti-virus software, spyware, adware, whatever-else ware software would be run on the info to be backed up, so a clean backup would be likely. Maybe even some diagnostic exam to see if one is about to back up corrupted or damaged files, etc. If backing up or checking for spyware are important if not essential functions that should be performed regularly, they should be built in as part of the computer to the extent feasible, IMO. Is this asking too much or somehow unrealistic? It just seems to me that if something should be done as a regular part of using a computer, why not build it in and make it as easy and as automatic to use as possible, for all levels of users? So if someone wants, take my idea and go make millions on it; just remember me and send me a small royalty if you don't mind! I realize most PC makers don't usually also develop software for their computers, but maybe Apple could do this or maybe more PC makers could and should start producing an integrated, whole product. Could the fact that Apple develops both its software and its hardware be part of why it is generally considered a better product? Knowing little about the technical aspects of any of this, it intuitively seems like it designing an integrated product - hardware and software (including my back up module :)) - would more likely avoid glitches and produce a better product. Just wondering. I wonder if companies like Apple, Microsoft or PC developers ever hire novices or average users to give them feedback on what is needed or desirable in their products or if they basically only get the perspective and feedback of techies, programmers, and experienced users? From my perspective, computers and everything about them (still) seem unnecessarily complex and complicated, though admittedly this is based just on PCs. I do realize it is the American way to have endless choices and options for each of these things - ways of backing up, spyware, anti-virus, firewalls, adware, ISPS, email program, this program, that program, etc. However, for myself, and I suspect many, maybe most, average or novice users, all these choices simply add too much complexity, too many decisions, too many things to think about as far as whether they work with each other program or each piece of hardware, leading to the requirement of spending too much time and energy (mental and otherwise). Perhaps those who are much more knowledgeable about all of this like having so many options, but I think many users, myself included, would simply like a computer that works reliably, with as much of this stuff being pre-packaged and automated as possible. We would like it to be more like buying a new car, where what you need and want, as much as possible, comes with the car, not programs or hardware that you have to make decisions about and purchase subsequent to purchasing the car. The goal should be an integrated product and simplicity, not unnecessary fragmentation and thus unnecessary complexity. I also realize such complexity does create jobs for some who like and
Re: [CGUYS] Bees on the Beeb
Straight from the horse's mouth about bees cellphones: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003694330_beerapture0 5.html A small German study looking at a specific type of cordless phone and homing systems of bees exploded over the Internet and late-night television shows. It morphed into erroneous reports blaming cellphones for the honeybee die-off, which scientists are calling colony-collapse disorder, or CCD. The scientist who wrote the paper, Stefan Kimmel, emphasized there is no link between our tiny little study and the CCD-phenomenon ... anything else said or written is a lie. Robert Jacoby Reference/Electronic Services Librarian University of Toledo LaValley Law Library -Original Message- From: Computer Guys Announcements and Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of b_s-wilk Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 12:51 AM To: COMPUTERGUYS-L@LISTSERV.AOL.COM Subject: Re: [CGUYS] Bees on the Beeb More on bees and cellphones: on the BBC News Hour, a discussion about colony collapse syndrome and cellphones. One of the interviewees was some kind of officer of Vodaphone, and he didn't think that cellphones were involved. (Quelle surprise.) Tomorrow (Thursday): more bees on WAMU, on the Diane Rehm show (10:00 a.m.-noon). I tried to find out whether bees would be discussed on the 10:00 show or the 11:00, but that information wasn't posted on the WAMU website. (You can always listen later on the archives section of the website.) Chances are, the subject of bees and cellphones will come up, sooner or later. I kind of doubt that cellphones were involved--let alone the sole cause--but who knows? They haven't found a cause yet. Quite a lot of the food supply depends on bees. I'd kind of miss food, if it weren't around. I suspect they'll find out that it's a combination of factors: mites, fungus, pesticides, GM crops, electromagnetism. Lots of people have said that electricity, sound, microwaves aren't likely suspects, however, I worked on an experiment many years ago to test whether electromagnetic fields would affect growth patterns of several varieties of moss. The moss within the field grew more than twice as high [6-10] as those plants outside the field. However we didn't determine exactly why. Bees may also be affected. Determining exactly how and why bees are affected by environmental factors can be done, but remedies may need significant changes in farm, landscape and forestry practices. I'd miss food, too. Does cacao need bees? Podcast URL for Diane Rehm show is http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441i d=160993127 or http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=510071 * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Bees on the Beeb
On 5/9/07, Constance Warner [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Tomorrow (Thursday): more bees on WAMU, on the Diane Rehm show (10:00 a.m.-noon). I tried to find out whether bees would be discussed on the 10:00 show or the 11:00, but that information wasn't posted on the WAMU website. (You can always listen later on the archives section of the website.) As for the real cause(s), that remains to be determined. Film at 11. Figuring out that mites were killing bees a few years ago was not as difficult because you had all these dead bees in the hives. With colony collapse disorder, you just have empty (or relatively empty) hives - the bees that fly out aren't coming back. You don't have as many specimens to examine. There are probably multiple causes. Talk about an experimenter's nightmare. -- John DeCarlo, My Views Are My Own * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
[CGUYS] Power Buttons
Another usability issue with power buttons: what should they do and when? In the old days, push a power button and something turns on or off. On many computers nowadays, push the button for less than 3-8 seconds (it varies by manufacturer) and it does one thing. Hold it in for longer and it will power off the computer. I have had at least five people tell me the power button on their computer was broken, because it wouldn't turn off the computer. As a geek, I just tried holding it in longer without even thinking about it. -- John DeCarlo, My Views Are My Own * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
[CGUYS] Soundblaster question -
List members - I have an old Soundblaster card which I'd like to put in a Win2000 Pro machine .I've long since lost the setup discs if I ever had them . What should I do to get the card running ? Many thanks in advance , Tom * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] digital pics
I don't know her, but in general these are often also some of the worst photographers - taking 100 pics and keeping all 100 of them! Of course, with digital cameras it's sometimes advisable to overshoot, but if I can't delete 90% of the pics I take I feel I'm doing something wrong. I guess I'm one of those worst photographers.with 4 different cameras that go everywhere with me so that I can get just the right shots which is often dependent on the abilities of a particular camera. I KEEP 90% of them because even the bad ones can often be used for composites, backgrounds...examples of what went wrong, etc. I'm not a professional photographer but am a good one so not everyone who keeps all their photos is a bad photographer. Paula IN/USA Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO what a ride! Have a wonderful day! * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Power Buttons
On many computers nowadays, push the button for less than 3-8 seconds (it varies by manufacturer) and it does one thing. Hold it in for longer and it will power off the computer. That longer press is to force the computer off. This puts open files and cached data at risk. Better to turn it off via software. That starts an orderly shutdown process. * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Upgrading Laptop Hard Drive
Thank you all for the suggestions. As more background, no, I do not store, edit, or view videos on my laptop and I am in fact mystified as to how it filled up. Could be a big temp, scratch, or cache file. I have seen these grow to many useless GB. * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] three-finger command et al.
Yes you can set up Windows to bypass security, but is this a good idea? What three-finger command are you talking about? My XP Pro desktop at home is locked but running 24/7. I merely click on my USERID icon and enter the password. My work machine uses a CAC. Once again no three-finger command. To power up any of these machines, including my MBP, I depress the power button and enter my credentials at the login screens. * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
[CGUYS] Macintosh Question
There is a web site somewhere on Apples site that will tell me what OS a particular model of Apple Macintosh Computer can run. Can someone point there. I am asking about Power Macintosh 7800/180's Stewart Rev. Stewart A. Marshall mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Prince of Peace Ozark, AL SL 82 * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
Re: [CGUYS] Macintosh Question
At 9:25 PM -0500 5/10/07, Rev. Stewart Marshall wrote: There is a web site somewhere on Apples site that will tell me what OS a particular model of Apple Macintosh Computer can run. Can someone point there. I am asking about Power Macintosh 7800/180's http://www.info.apple.com/support/applespec.legacy/powermacintosh.html There is no 7800/180 listed. There is a 7300/180. Supported OSes are 7.5.5 thru 9. -- Roger Lovettsville, VA * == QUICK LIST-COMMAND REFERENCE - Put the following commands in == * == the body of an email send 'em to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] == * Join the list: SUBSCRIBE COMPUTERGUYS-L Your Name * Too much mail? Try Daily Digests command: SET COMPUTERGUYS-L DIGEST * Tired of the List? Unsubscribe command: SIGNOFF COMPUTERGUYS-L * New address? From OLD address send: CHANGE COMPUTERGUYS-L YourNewAddress * Need more help? Send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * List archive at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/ * RSS at www.mail-archive.com/computerguys-l@listserv.aol.com/maillist.xml * Messages bearing the header X-No-Archive: yes will not be archived
