Computer Chit Chat

Archive for the ‘Computers’ Category

I am very weird about how things appear in my Windows Taskbar. My taskbar is on the bottom of the screen. I have to have certain programs appear in a certain order or I just cannot work efficiently. For me, Thunderbird must always be furthest left, then Firefox, then any other programs I’m using. If I have something crash or I have to get out of something I have been known to quite every application and reopen them again in the order I want them to appear. Does anyone else care about where their apps appear in the taskbar, or am I just being anal about it?

• Looking for wireless trackball recommendations
• I love it when things are in stock
• Tempting Compaq laptop deal

We got Parallels installed on the Macbook Pro I recently got, so I could run some Windows apps. It’s pretty neat to be able to do stuff on both operating systems from one machine. My next step will have to be to try and get more of my Windows apps installed here, so that everything I use on a regular basis is on both the desktop and the laptop. I am not having the worst time with the trackpad but am missing my trackball. I’m thinking I might see if they make a wireless trackball that’s compatible. If any of you are able to recommend a wireless trackball I’d love to hear about it. 

• Your Windows Taskbar
• Tempting Compaq laptop deal
• What seek and find computer games do you recommend?

I have been wanting a Macbook Pro for a really long time. I’ve been watching specials and availability, checking the Apple site every day. I saved money for a long time just for this. When I finally got enough money together the model I wanted was out of stock. And so it went for a couple of weeks. Along the way I found myself second guessing myself and almost hesitant to order. Last night I found the nerve but only the glossy screen was in stock and I wanted the matte. This morning before work I turned on the computer as usual and checked the site. To my amazement the model I had been wanting had come into stock overnight. So at 4:30 this morning I ordered it. I was so excited that I forgot to order the Parallels software, so I had to call in and add that to my order. I can’t wait until it gets here! I’m so excited!

• Your Windows Taskbar

Just before the holidays the company I work for hired a guy specifically for server management and security issues. The IT guy we had didn’t have enough time in the day to do everything so they brought in a specialist for one of our most important areas. Right now our network is in one location. But as we continue to grow and if we expanded we’d need to implement something different such as a remote management solution. Uplogix has created the Envoy appliance so that someone like our one IT guy can administer several different physical locations. Now the old saying “one person can’t be in more than one place at one time” is no longer true, because these appliances stay on even if the remote network goes down so the admin can fix the problem and get things up and running again. And, to keep our IT guy happy, Uplogix makes sure the network is protected and secure by using the strongest standards. And to make all of us happy, Uplogix remote management will be increase efficiency and save the company money which should leave more money for the employees. That’s a win win situation.

• Journyx, free time and expense management software
• Pragma. A pragmatic solution.
• The History of Backup

I have an ipod, as do both of my sons. I still have the original ear buds (in ear headphones) that came with the ipod. I find that the foam that came with the original ear buds always seems to loosen and pop off, or just wear a little hole. The ear buds fit in my ears ok but could be a lot more comfortable. I recently decided that rather than get more foam pads I might as well try and find some ear buds that are more comfortable.

It was then that my husband pointed out that I should be careful what I got because I would want the same or better sound quality, not decreased sound quality. Well, that left me with a problem because stores don’t let you just open up all of the ear bud packages and try them on. So I went to my favorite place for information, the internet.

I somehow landed on the Wize site and started reading about bose in ear headphones. What I liked most about the site was that there were pictures of many models of ear buds, over 160 of them. Many of the models also featured reviews written by other consumers and experts, as well as a display of current pricing. I have more to read before I make a purchase but this site should help me out with the decision making process.

• The iPod Shuffle
• Pay Per Play makes sound sense
• 25 free magnets

Fellow blogger Skeet recently wrote about hidden objects games. I was familiar with the concept because my oldest son has a book full of pages with hidden objects. But I’d never played one on the computer and gone against time. After reading her post I was curious, so I found one that looked good. I downloaded Big City Adventure - San Francisco and immediately began my one hour free trial. I liked it a lot. At one point shortly after my youngest had gone to bed there were three of us (me, hubby and oldest son) huddled bear the monitor looking for things. I’m including a screenshot. If you like this type of game or are looking for a new type of game to try, check this one out. It’ll keep you busy. If you already play this type of game and enjoy it, please recommend some others to me.

• New hidden object game - Mystery Case Files Ravenhearst
• Free games
• You can win a wii if you live in a Charter area

I have been wanting a new laptop for quite a while now. Today I came across a deal for a new Compaq presario laptop, final price just under $320.00.

CircuitCity.com has the Compaq Presario C508US Celeron M 1.7GHz 15″ Widescreen Notebook for $349.96 with free shipping. A $30 mail-in rebate lowers it to $319.96. Sales tax is added where applicable.
Intel Pentium M 430 1.7GHz processor, 15.4″ 1280×800 widescreen LCD, 512MB RAM, 100GB hard drive, CD/DVD combo drive, 802.11g wireless, Windows Vista Home Basic. Rebate expires September 29.

• Looking for wireless trackball recommendations
• Save and Restore back up software deal for under $1
• HOT specials at Tiger and Buy