Computer Chit Chat

Archive for the ‘Computers’ Category

Ever since I worked in a call center we were taught to lock our computer whenever we left the desk. It’s important for privacy and to protect whatever information you have stored there as well as whatever you’re working on. I was surprised to learn that a lot of people don’t know how to do this. It’s easy. One way to do this is to press the Windows key and the letter L on a Microsoft compatible keyboard. Another way to do this is to press CTRL-ALT-DELETE and then click on lock computer. Before locking make sure you know your password or you won’t be able to unlock.

• How to change nameservers for Yahoo domains
• How to create a database in Cpanel 11
• Looking for wireless trackball recommendations

I’ve had to use a computer for work for over fifteen years now. It’s become a necessity in the office, helping in productivity, accuracy and potential. While there’s not a computer in every home yet I do think we’re heading in that direction. With people like myself working at least eight hours a day on the computer, I think companies need to look into ways to make computer use safer and healthier for employees.

Here’s a quick video showing Dragon in action.

Several years ago I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in both my right and left hands. After several cortisone shots didn’t help I ended up having to have the surgery on my right hand. In the past month or two my left hand has started flaring up a lot. By lunch my fingers would be turning numb and by the end of the day my hands  burning in pain. I reopened the workers comp case and the doctor asked me to try physical therapy and refitting my work station. It was at this time that I realized that the software Dragon Naturally Speaking would not only be extremely beneficial for me but it could reshape the workplace as we know it if used on a widespread basis.Dragon Naturally Speaking is a speech recognition application that works with many of today’s popular applications. When paired with a noise cancelling microphone and headset, Dragon can transcribe your spoken word at a speed of about 150 words per minute. An average person only types about 40 words per minute. On a good day when I’m not in pain I can only type at about 65-70 words per minute, so it’s easy to see how Dragon could save a lot of time in an employee’s day and increase productivity. To get a glimpse of what I mean, try taking Dragon’s typing speed test! .

Dragon Naturally Speaking has been around for years and is known worldwide. Besides being a powerful piece of software, it is also the engine underneath the Macintosh software MacSpeech Dictate. Both of these products are ready to use out of the box with no expensive training.

I think that if companies offered use of a product such as Dragon they would end up saving money over time, not only because employees would be more productive but also because they could save money on some workers comp related expenses. Dragon would be a very useful tool for home computer users as well. Bloggers are a perfect example. Many bloggers such as myself spend a lot of time online - their blog is an online home of sorts and the internet and other bloggers are neighborhoods and communities.If a blogger used Dragon they’d be more productive, leaving them time to do other things (or blog some more). I’d save hours if I used this to work on my blogs. I can only imagine how nice it would be to sit back and talk instead of type. Check out video of Brett, a fellow blogger, using Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 outside. How cool is that!

I’d give just about anything to use Dragon. My Compaq desktop can’t run it, but my MacBook Pro could run the MacSpeech Dictate. Now all I have to do is save up the money.

• How Dragon Naturally Speaking increases earnings and pays for itself
• Journyx, free time and expense management software
• Looking for a free alternative to Office?

Ever see a phone number you don’t know on your caller id and wonder who it is? I have voicemail and yet every day when I come home I see between two and six calls from a number I don’t know that didn’t leave a message. When I see one on there several times a day and/or several days in a row I try to do a little investigative work. I’m sure there are lots of other people like me trying to find out who their annoying callers are.

Callerbase is a reverse lookup database. To use it you type the number you want to learn more about into the search box. You also have the option of searching by state or area code. Each time I used it I got results including whether the number was a land line or a mobile number, who the carrier was, what city and state it was located in and the ability to purchase more detailed information about the phone number. Both US and Canadian numbers can be searched using this site.

• Let’s chat about mailing lists
• How do you sell online?
• You can win a wii if you live in a Charter area

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?

• I love it when things are in stock
• Work smarter and healthier with Dragon

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. 

• Tempting Compaq laptop deal
• Your Windows Taskbar
• How to lock your computer

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!

• Work smarter and healthier with Dragon
• One person can be in more than one place at a time
• 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.

• How to save money and win a new car from Charter
• Journyx, free time and expense management software
• Pragma. A pragmatic solution.

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