Der Pengy

If you’re using a refurbished laptop or older desktop computer, odds are good that you’re still on Windows XP. This can be an advantage – after all, you missed the whole Vista debacle, and generally speaking XP is a rock solid platform. However, as System 7 emerges as “the new thing” and even Vista has straightened itself out, it becomes increasingly difficult to find support for Windows XP machines.

Luckily, there are a couple of places that still focus on Windows XP support. The best of these is Reimage.com. Reimage uses a proprietary database of “spare parts” (fresh copies of key system files and registry items) to help your Windows XP machine stay in tip-top shape. Better yet, they offer a free system scan to help you get started. You can run a simple performance scan for free right now.

Reimage also offers a downloadable system performance monitor that allocates more resources to the program you’re using. On older machines this can significantly increase the speed of your computer when it’s working on processor-intensive tasks. Of course, any tasks you have running in the background will slow down just as much as your active window will speed up, but sometimes it’s worth it to borrow from Peter to pay Paul. This is especially true if you’re relying an older computer with limited RAM.

So when you have a chance, check out Reimage.com and boost your PC’s performance with their free system scan.

Looking for a way to get the lead out of sluggish PCs? If you have an older or refurbished laptop, you sometimes end up with slow running applications or odd Windows glitches. Even more than new computers, older computers running Windows need lots of work for consistent performance.

Defragmenting the hard drive regularly will help a great deal. This prevents the CPU from having to access multiple points on the hard drive in order to launch a program. The native Disk Cleanup utility also helps keep a tidy hard drive. Finally, be sure to run Windows Update often (or schedule it to auto-run) so that you will be using the latest system tools and drivers.

However, the simple fact is that routine maintenance will only lead to routine results. To truly optimize performance, you need to get under the hood and make changes to the way the CPU treats resources. In new computers, this is hardly an issue. In older models, however, optimizing CPU performance can make a world of difference in the speed and efficiency of your computer.

If you’re like most computer users, though, the odds that you know what buttons to push and which levers to flip are slim and none. That’s when it comes in handy to have a reliable utility that performs processing optimization for you, and cleans out any unwanted malware and bugs along the way. The TuneUp Utilities suite was recently given the Editor’s Choice Award from LAPTOP Magazine:

The novice-friendly TuneUp Utilities 2009 can snap a sluggish or underperforming PC into shape with a minimal amount of effort with best-in-class performance and special features that its competitors are lacking.

- LAPTOP Magazine

Those special features include tools that help you customize your Windows desktop, wrangle bugs and hard drive flaws, and even restore and repair lost or damaged files. Last December, PC World Magazine said,

This software does a comprehensive job of cleaning up your PC to make sure it runs faster, more smoothly, and without problems. It’s one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind.

The 2010 edition will be Windows 7 compatible, and feature even better optimization tools. And you’re in luck! Right now, Der Pengy readers can get a special deal on TuneUp Utilities – if you buy the 2009 edition, you will be provided the 2010 edition for free when it comes available. Don’t pass up this limited time pre-sale offer. Save 60% on two years of great performance with TuneUp Utilities.

Old cell phones, PDAs, laptops and other gadgets are becoming a global problem. The most recent EPA data estimates the total solid waste mass from computers, phones, and other electronic waste at 2.5 million tons. In addition to clogging landfills, many electronic components contain heavy metals, toxic insulation materials, and other chemicals that can contaminate air and earth, and leech into groundwater with adverse health consequences for populations using such water.

The quantity of electronic waste produced in the U.S. is growing annually, and at the moment adoption of recycling programs is lagging behind. The EPA estimates that in 2007, approximately 18% of computers, monitors and peripherals that were disposed of were recycled, while only 10% of cellphones were recycled. It is unclear whether these figures include charitable donations, but nationwide figures regarding technological donations are thin on the ground. The most generous estimates place donations at 5% of the total quantity of electronic waste. This is unfortunate, because in the case of laptops and cellular phones, almost all of the production components can be recycled or reused. Cell phones in particular have many valuable materials that are easily separated and recycled. The most advanced phones and laptops are often prime candidates for repair and resale. However, until consumer behavior can be changed, electronic waste in landfills will continue to grow.

Few consumers know that not only is recycling the safest way to dispose of electronic waste, in many situations they can actually sell their old gadgets to recyclers. Gazelle.com, for example, draws market data from Amazon and eBay to establish a baseline price for popular electronics. They then offer money for used phones, laptops, or other gadgets based on the market data. Gazelle’s pricing lists allow a consumer to know up front what they will receive for a given brand and model, and consumers can even request a quote on models that are not listed. Because Gazelle knows what the bottom line is on a given device, they can even offer free shipping for recycling gadgets. The model is simple: if Gazelle can collect nearly-new devices and laptops when people upgrade, they will reap a profit when they resell those items. Consumers who sell devices to Gazelle benefit, because they get some money back and they reduce the toxic impact of their devices. The majority of Gazelle users end up recycling more than one device with the service.

Electronic waste can be minimized only when device owners take responsibility for proper disposal. Awareness of the problem is growing, and services like Gazelle make it much easier for the average American to properly dispose of electronic waste. For even more tips for living a green lifestyle, there is now a great service called Going Green Today. For a one-time fee of $29.00, you get an action plan for reducing your carbon footprint and the environmental impact of your other activities, including waste disposal.

Massive clearance sale!
Huge end-of-month stock clearance going on right now at Geeks.com, with savings of up to 85% today and tomorrow. Scrolling through I saw several laptops for under $500 (and some even cheaper), a HALO 3 special edition XBox for $159, and many more incredible deals. There’s no coupon code, just crazy deals! Get in there!

I’m going to pick up some thumb drives and a portable iPod speaker system, if I can find one that’ll fit on my desk at work.

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” goes the phrase, and for the most part we listen. We sort our garbage, we recycle our bottles. But do we think about the impact of our computing? If we don’t, it’s important that we start. The power consumption of a typical data center rivals that of a third world nation, and the disposal of old computers, phones and other devices is made dangerous by the toxic components in the batteries and circuits.

Luckily, there are multiple ways to help reduce the impact of your computing, hosting, and gadget obsessions. There is a growing trend in industries greening their practices, and technology companies are no different. Whether it’s proper disposal of old computers, environmentally conscious web hosting, or buying back and recycling old technology, there are options available for the everyday consumer.

Webmasters are becoming increasingly interested in green hosting as a means of reducing their carbon footprint. Particularly if you are managing a personal domain, choosing a green host needn’t be any more expensive than other hosts. The small packages are competitive with the best prices of traditional web hosts, and the service is just as good, with one-click installs of popular web services. The efficiencies that the green hosts enjoy mean that they can offer the same level of service at the same prices.

Another way to reduce the environmental impact of computers is to take “reduce, reuse, recycle” to heart. To the “three Rs,” you can add a fourth R – “refurbish.” There are many places to purchase cheap used computers, often with software packages installed. Even old computers can run smoothly if you install Ubuntu or another flavor of Linux on them. Ubuntu is open source and easy to get used to, whether you’re a Windows or Mac user. If Linux isn’t your cup of tea, you can find refurbished machines running Windows, or even older Macs.

Some computers, however, have done as much as they could do. When it’s time to dispose of old devices, it’s important to ensure that the components are properly disposed of. Because the materials involved are valuable to recyclers, some recycling centers will even pay for your old devices. Gazelle will even cover the shipping costs! Click the link to get free shipping at Gazelle.com

As awareness grows of the environmental impact that comes with the convenience of the Internet, more consumers are looking for ways to green their computing practices. Many consider this a moral responsibility, others are simply looking for a good deal that doesn’t come with a chaser of guilt. Whatever your reason, there are ways to reduce your carbon footprint with a minimum of fuss.

As you may know, in the past few years, certain common trends have emerged in the market for computing training. It is important to note that in the face of difficult economic situations, the corporate sector has started implementing a host of measures aimed at streamlining investments in computer training as well as the personnel who deliver the training. As far as this issue is concerned, one study notes that 13% of all training is delivered through online means. Here are some of the critical trends observed in the world of computer training:

In-House Expertise:

Focus on Self-Learning: The other helpful thing to add is that compared to the bias towards theoretical input prevalent earlier, there is a rising focus on ‘learning by doing’. In fact, this is being made possible by on-the-job IT training programs that place a lot of importance on teaching aids such as CDs, online assignments, and interactive software to learn computers. Corporate intranets are being utilized as training hubs, with self-study and follow-up curriculum available for anyone interested.

Individualized Training: No doubt, as opposed to group training modules that organizations have used for years, there is a rising trend of computer training being delivered on a customized basis to individuals. People prefer more individual attention and training that has been created to suit their needs instead of generic training that is more applicable at the entry level.

Need-Based Training: In the past organizations have delivered random group-based computer training without evaluating if it is the best way to deliver training or not. Nowadays, it is no great surprise that employees are given computer training more when they need it than being given compulsory training at fixed intervals. This just-in-time system of training has helped decrease the gap between the time the training is administered and the time the employee is able to practically implement the skills learned during the training.

Dedicated Resource Centers: An organization these days prefers to make available a dedicated resource center for its employees on computer training. Actually, these resources are created on more of a self-tutorial mechanism that allows employees to access a database of the latest training material, at the click of a button. It’s well known that these resources also reduce the dependence on a dedicated training department that has large cost implications.

To sum up, the world of computer training has been changing quickly in the past few years in keeping with the changes in the corporate world across the globe. What is more important, it remains to be seen how traditional organizations cope with change and mold computer training needs with the changing times. Whether you’re a mom and pop retail store, a small real estate brokerage, or a mega-corporation with international offices, consistent access to the training your employees need is essential.

Mac Resource has excellent information on computer software training, computer training and IT training courses.

Apple MacBook Core 2 Duo T5850 2.16GHz 1GB 120GB DVD±RW DL 13.3″ AirPort OS X w/Webcam – B Lovingly refurbished with a 1-year warranty from Geeks.com, this Apple MacBook delivers fast performance for all your computer applications! The 120 GB Serial ATAhard drive provides enough storage for your music, photos and movies! Ships with Mac OS X 10.4 (Leopard). Create your own video discs, digital photos and music on DVDs and CDs with the slot-loading DVD RW DL drive. AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wireless card, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR and Gigabit Ethernet. The built-in iSight webcam is perfect for video instant messaging! Other features of the Apple MacBook include two high-speed USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 400 port, on mini-DVI and audio ports. ENTER CODE SAVENB before September 30th to get $100 off! That’s $599 for a “status” laptop. Pretty good.

Leopard included! You can upgrade to Snow Leopard at the Apple Store for $19 (but you’re not missing much).

Businesses spend thousands of pounds a year on technological support, but did you know that this bill could be hugely sliced down to size by one simple step? How many small to medium-sized businesses actually experience enough PC problems to warrant a full time IT department? Still, many businesses employ an IT professional simply as a precaution. These days we rely so broadly on computers for the day to day running of our businesses that if there were a failure in our systems it could cost huge sums of money in lost trade or damage to business relationships.

There is another way; by outsourcing your IT support you can obtain the best of both worlds. You gain skilled assistance which is at hand as soon as a problem arises, but on the other hand you only get billed for support when there is a problem (or, you pay a small retainer instead of a full salary). There are specialist companies popping up all over the place offering remote support services. These businesses use specialized remote connection support software which, once installed on each of your work stations, will allow them to connect remotely and fix any issues without actually having to be there. This means that they are always only a phone call away and your problems will be nearly instantly addressed. Fix It Nerds, for example, operates out of north London but can work on computers all over the world.

Obviously on the exceptional occasion where there is an actual problem with the hardware of your machine, you might need someone to arrive in person to replace the part, but even here remote software can identify the piece of hardware that is at fault. By employing a local firm you can guarantee that the technician does not have to far to travel, and of course because these companies are buying hardware on a regular basis you will find they are able to get much better prices than you would pay as a private buyer. The level of support you receive is no less than an in-house support department could offer, but the overhead is drastically reduced.

We’re pleased to announce that we have found an excellent source of inexpensive computers, peripherals, and other technology needs. Geeks.com is a long-established retailer of new, refurbished, and just-plain-cheap gadgets, computers, and so on. We’ll be keeping you updated about great deals and sales over there. Meanwhile, clicking to Geeks.com through our links helps us pay for the maintenance of this site and feed our kids and whatnot.

To celebrate the partnership, Geeks.com has offered us a 10% off coupon for anything not marked “special” (there’s a huge sale going on right now – you can’t add this coupon to sale prices). Just enter code GEEKBERT to get the discount.