Another Day With My PC

How do I turn off my computer? Let me count the ways…

While there may be a dozen means by which you could shut your PC down, there’s only one method by which Microsoft recommends on how you should do it – by clicking on the “Turn Off” button in the Start menu.

You may wonder why your operating system’s manufacturer insists that you put your PC to rest by clicking on the said button. You may surmise that Microsoft programmers are emphasizing on such method simply because they don’t want you to waste their effort in creating the red button. Surely there are other ways by which you could accomplish it. However, the textbook technique is the preferred one since it ensures that all programs would also shut down in the manner intended by their own manufacturers.

What Lies Beneath

There are many processes that transpire or run but lay hidden whenever we put our computer to life. The fact that you don’t see these programs running behind your operating system means that you also have practically no direct or immediate control over them. Hence, turning them off might be too complicated a task for you, if that’s even possible.

One of the reasons why control or management of these processes are directly delegated to the supervision of the operating system is that they are either too many or seem too insignificant for human attention. Imagine if you’re required to turn all of them manually. That would be a nightmare. Operating systems spare you from such dilemma or any needless intervention by executing those processes or applications automatically.

Already Taken Cared Of

Unsurprisingly, it is also the OS that shuts them down. However, as with the process of breathing life to your PC, a degree of human intervention is also needed in order to turn them off. By clicking the “Turn Off” button, you’re prompting your computer to end what it is doing and giving it ample time to execute the necessary steps in order to close all the programs running on your computer. This is the reason why it takes several seconds or even a few minutes before your PC shuts off.

The prescribed procedure is obviously long, especially if there are many programs that need to be closed. Resorting to faster techniques, such as pressing the power button for a few seconds, may spare you a few seconds, but it might not spare you from multiplying those saved seconds to the hours that you’ll need in order to restore important data or system files that got damaged or corrupted due to improper termination.

Follow the Rules

There are reasons as to why you should follow proper procedures, and most of these reasons have your welfare in mind. If you have a habit of just pulling the power plug in order to turn off your computer, then you’d better cut it. You might refute the dangers or consequences that I’m presenting here by attesting that not a single file in your hard drive got damaged by your improper shutdown practices. But I’m telling you, it’s only a matter of time when you’ll surely wish that you’ve clicked on that red button to turn your system off.

Do you know what endorphins are?

Endorphins are euphoria-inducing neurotransmitters that act as natural anesthetics. They’re also considered as happy hormones or chemicals produced by the brain that make us feel good. So whenever we smile and feel good about something, chances are is that endorphins are being mixed in our system.

So what do endorphins have to do with computers?

Feeling Good

We all want to feel good and safe whenever we turn our PCs power button on. We definitely want to double that sense of security whenever we hit the power button of our modem. There are hundreds of ways by which our PC could get mangled when it’s running, so it could be surmised that our endorphin levels are dipping dangerously to the bottom whenever we’re using it, especially when we’re connected on the Internet.

Whether you’re PCs holding sensitive information or just plain old games that you could easily install if it gets corrupted, you would definitely want your system to be able to fend off attacks from malware. I know, we’ve all heard of back ups, but reinstalling data back into a freshly reformatted hard drive consumes time. And even if data back up is already as common or popular as sliced bread, not everybody eats bread.

Additional Troops

An average PC user usually just depends on an antivirus and his operating system’s firewall for security. Ordinarily, this may already be enough. However, we’re all aware of the growing threat both on software and hardware. Viruses and spyware are being manufactured everyday from different points of the globe. Hence, one might say that it’s only a matter of time before an infiltration becomes successful.

I’m fully aware of the possibility that my system would eventually succumb to an attack. However, I also know that I could beat or go against the odds or predictions by encircling my PC with barbed wire. There’s this unexplainable feeling of joy, pride, and relief whenever I could tell myself that my PC is somewhat impregnable. I usually boast to my officemates that my laptop can withstand malware attacks, even some harsh ones, considering the sentinels that I’ve installed in my system. Aside from my antivirus and the built-in firewall in my OS, I also have RegCure since many malware targets system registries.

e-endorphins

The one thing that many of us value is peace of mind. I hate worries. I always want to do things with the assurance that when something goes wrong, I could still recover what have been lost. Or better yet, I want to do things with the thought that I won’t be disrupted therefrom. This goes double whenever I’m using my PC. I relish at the assurance that I’ll be able to recover what I would lose in case my system crashes. But the very thing that makes me feel secured is the thought that my computer would be able to withstand any attack against it.

Life is stressful enough to make room for a couple of more worries. Insurance companies often make this point in order to sell their products. And believe me, they do have a point. In the same manner, makers of security software and system tools assure people a considerable degree of confidence and assurance whenever they put their life in the hands of their PCs.

Inject a good amount of endorphins in your system by injecting a registry cleaner and an antivirus in your PC. These applications are not just mere placebos. They are up to the task of ensuring that the smile plastered on your face whenever you venture into cyberspace is justified.

There are many things that you should consider when buying a computer. For many, these things range from peripherals to processors. If you have wads of cash to spare, then you would definitely not settle for anything less than a Creative GigaWorks S750 or a Harman Kardon SoundSticks II for speakers, and the latest Intel Core 2 Duo chip for your PC’s processor.

There’s a very important consideration, though, that lies beneath the glam of the unit, and I’m not talking about the processor. The PC-Mac rivalry isn’t just about which unit has the coolest shell design. Rather, it’s about which architecture can best serve the needs of the user.

Of Frameworks and Platforms

In order for you to be able to distinguish between a PC and a Mac, let me give a brief background as to their origin. While the term “PC” generally refers to any computer, it also has a technical meaning. IBM gave birth to the PC, and as such, the term refers to computers that are based on the IBM design. On the other hand, the Macintosh (Mac) is a computer built by Apple.

The two were made from different blueprints. The PC is based on the Intel model, while the Mac follows the Power PC architecture designed by Apple, Motorola, and also partly by IBM. Since they were made from different frameworks, the two computers cannot run applications designed for a particular architecture. In other words, you cannot run PC-based software on a Mac and vice versa.

An Attempt to Unify

There really isn’t a competition between the two. For one thing, the PC has long captured the market and is the preferred class or architecture. There’s a growing fondness for the Mac, though. However, the Apple fad isn’t strong enough to unseat the PC as the unit of choice.

While the PC and the Mac could definitely coexist, a good number of users of both platforms are clamoring for the unification of the two. Thus, in 2006, Apple boss Steve Jobs announced that the Mac would depart from the Power PC architecture and would already follow the Intel blueprint. The development now makes it possible for Windows to be able to run on the Mac.

The shift was not well received by die hard Mac fans, though. They consider the Macintosh as a novelty that shouldn’t be modified by the PC. This is one of the reasons why the compatibility issue still exists and that Windows still hasn’t invaded the Apple desktops.

Both Vulnerable

Some Mac fans claim that their unit is less vulnerable to malware attack. This may be true, but not due to the reason that their architecture or OS is more barb-wired than the PC. It could just very well be that hackers favor Windows as the object of their affection since it is the most popular operating system in the world. Macs do need protective software like the PC, such as registry cleaners and antivirus programs.

You should definitely consider the compatibility issue when choosing between a Mac and a PC. If you want to play it safe, choose a PC-based unit. It’s the architecture that is widely accepted and used around the world.

Many predict that 2008 will be the year when laptops would finally succeed in their bid to dethrone desktops as the PC of choice. I agree.

For two decades, the desktop has lorded over almost all conceivable machines which could read and process electronic data. It was supposed to be the “future” of data processing. Everybody thought that the size and shape of the PC would not change significantly for generations to come.

Small Enough?

It’s not difficult to see why many didn’t dismiss the desktop as something that’s only transitional. Back when hard disks were still as big as cupboards, many wished for a computer that could easily fit one’s bedroom without having to throw out everything in it, including the bed. It took several decades before that prayer was answered. When IBM came out with a design that perfectly fitted study and office tables, many fostered the conviction that this was what a computer should look like and that any alteration of its structure would considerably diminish its appeal and even functionality.

Of course, being the only constant thing in this world aside from politics, change redefined the looks and functions of the PC. The world shrunk, and time became a very expensive commodity. Everything has to be done fast. While the term “multitasking” was already popular even during the days of Windows 3.1, the word took on a whole new different meaning a decade after the IT industry had started to blabber it as if it was a cuss word.

Run Run Run

As we all know, recent operating systems allow the juggling of different tasks, functions, or programs. Depending on the amount of memory and the type of processor that your computer have, large applications like CAD or multimedia programs could run side by side with other software. Nobody now asks if one could perform several things at the same time on a computer. The question has already been answered a long time ago.

Now that programs could already be ran simultaneously in a single computer, the question that was next asked is if one could still run all of them while he is actually running. As I have intimated a while back, everybody seems to be running after time and running out of it. Eight hours seem to be just eight minutes. It’s not surprising then when people started to wish that they could bring and do their tasks even when they’re out of the office.

Personal Accessory

To inaccurately borrow the words of the HP slogan, laptops made personal computers personal again. While mainframes exponentially shrunk to desktop size, it still isn’t exactly personal and portable as your watch or mobile phone. You simply can’t bring it anywhere, well at least not conveniently.

Everybody is maximizing the use of his or her time. It’s not surprising then if people treat travel time as an extension of their office hours. Laptops are not just becoming more affordable, but more importantly, they are also making time an affordable commodity. Don’t be surprised, then, if laptop sales exceed desktop purchases this year.

While Microsoft is highlighting the technological advances of Vista as its main selling point, a considerable number of PC users don’t actually pay attention to the litany of new functions and features of the new operating system. This is especially true for those who are not tech-savvy.

Beauty is sometimes skin-deep. Such is also true for software. When Vista was first introduced almost a year ago, the first thing that many checked out was its new interface. It is only after they’ve scrutinized the program’s shell that they started to take notice of the flesh.

For those of you who want the touch and feel of Vista’s hide but are not yet ready to chew its meat, a freeware that replicates the new operating system’s interface could be the best temporary solution to your curiosity. It mimics Vista’s Start menu quite convincingly, as well as the program’s other artwork. It’s perfectly safe and it won’t affect system performance. Try it on. It might actually convince you to shift to Vista. But, then again, maybe not.

Many hesitate to invest in antivirus and system tool programs because they cost money. They contend and complain that they have already spent a fortune on important and indispensable applications, such as the operating system, spreadsheet, and word-processing software. However, the misconception as to the dispensability of security suites and other applications that keep your PC in tip top shape has rudely awakened many who fell victim to malware.

Sure, some may contend that they could easily reformat their hard drive and just reinstall all their applications. This would save you from spending a few bucks on security apps, but it will definitely not save you from headaches and from wasting precious time in bringing back everything you’ve previously got in your PC. You might be able to install the programs back, but what about the more important ones – the paper that that you’ve worked on for weeks, or those pictures of your family that you cherish.

Sooner or later, you’ll forget to back up your important files. And when lady luck turns on you, you might end up facing a malware attack without any kind of protection during that time when you forgot to make a copy of all the valuables that you have inside your hard drive. Don’t wait for this to happen. What’s a few bucks for an antivirus or for a registry cleaner. Those few dollars could go a very long way in securing your priceless possessions that are stored inside your computer.

News has been lurking around the IT community about the release of a reliable test result on Windows XP SP3 which could further extend the lifespan of Vista’s predecessor. XP users will definitely be elated by the report since that would mean a few years more of mileage for their aging, but still reliable, operating system.

Many are still wondering why Microsoft is still constantly changing the oxygen tank of its most successful OS. Indeed, giving XP more than nine lives would certainly scratch Vista’s chances of dominating the OS market by 2008. Instead of competing with Mac’s OS X, Vista is in a precarious situation wherein it finds itself competing with another product that comes from its own creator.

The reputation of Vista as a very demanding OS is deterring millions of PC users from overwriting their old operating system with Microsoft’s new one. This should serve as a lesson for Redmond and Mac to make sure that their next OS would not unduly tax even entry-level processors.

Despite the fact that Windows Vista is just a quarter of a year away from celebrating its first anniversary, many IT experts and analysts still insist that there are no compelling reasons yet for people to embrace it. Even Microsoft would seem to suggest the same, having announced a few months ago that it is extending support for Windows XP.

While many are still using XP, products that are specially made for Vista are exponentially increasing. While many of those would also be able to function under the old OS, the former’s manufacturers will most likely insist on using Vista to avoid compatibility problems.

The Irony

Several months ago, compatibility problems usually refer to situations wherein hardware or software could not run under Vista. Aside from being expensive and a resource-hog, one of the main reasons why many opted to sport a wait-and-see attitude on the new OS is due to compatibility dilemmas.

This problem that separates XP and Vista still exists, albeit differently. The fortunes of the two operating systems have already been reversed. When one talks about compatibility problems today, they most probably refer to the apprehensions or consequences of installing a Vista-marked program or peripheral on a PC that runs on XP.

Interpreters

The success of Windows Vista could be attributed to the availability of various drivers that allow software or hardware which antedates the said OS to be able to function on it. Many people dared to make the early shift due to assurances that Vista drivers are already abundant even before the release of XP’s successor.

By analogy, it could also be contended that the survival of XP could or would be brought about by the availability of drivers that will allow Vista-labeled products to work on old operating systems. Indeed, the fortunes of XP and Vista have been stirred. It would not be surprising if Vista driver providers, such as RadarSync, would soon offer XP drivers.

Customer Support

Even if Vista applications and hardware could run on XP, problems would most likely still arise in the future. Customer service agents are now gradually being trained to troubleshoot problems under the setting of the new operating system. Hence, it would not be far fetched for troubleshooting problems to pop up due to the differences in the functions or options between XP and Vista. Solving the dilemma is not as simple as correlating the procedures or finding the Vista option’s counterpart in XP. Take note that Vista has many features that its predecessor does not have.

Magazines and Journals

XP users will not find solace in IT publications, either. Go to a bookstore and try to go through recent PC magazines or manuals and you will be rudely awaken to the fact that 95% of all OS articles are about Vista. Every sign now seems to point to XP’s successor. The shift is inevitable. Even die-hard XP fans know that. The only thing that’s uncertain is the ripe date to take the plunge. But believe me, it’s not that far away.

In a bid to entice people to search and retrieve their laptop, a brewer in New Zealand has recently pledged a lifetime of beer to anyone who could bring its portable PC back. Croucher Brewing Co. pleads for the return of its laptop since it contains all of the company’s financial details.

So what does this got to do with the PC?

Hole in One, Twos, Threes…

Well, do you ever remember a time when your PC crashed because Microsoft or some other software maker forgot to plug some holes in their creations? While some crashes are benign, requiring you to just reboot your PC to get rid of the glitch, other meltdowns take your computer and all its contents down the drain.

I’m sure some of you have already experienced the worst case scenario that I’ve just said. You probably spent the night thereafter trying to look for your back up disks or the installation CDs of the applications that used to rent space in your hard drive. However, if you forgot to back up, then you most likely spent the night giving the customer service lady at Microsoft’s hotline a very big piece of your mind.

e-Samsonite

PCs, especially the portable ones, are the modern day bags and briefcases. It contains things that are essential to our work. To some (like the workaholics), the very foundation of their lives are built around their PCs and on the information that are stored therein. Thus, a hard drive crash for them is life-altering, to say the least.

How much, do you think, would those persons offer to anybody who could retrieve their lost data? For big companies, I assume that they would be very willing to give a hefty figure for the retrieval of the 0s and 1s that they’ve lost in their hard drives caused by malware that were able to get into their system through the unlocked gates and weak walls of their operating system.

Warrant of Arrest

In situations like that, shouldn’t it be the software maker which should make reparations for our loss? There is such a thing as a “warranty” in commercial law. However, I don’t see it being applied in defective software, or at least not as much as with the other faulty goods that are offered for sale. Could it be that there’s a separate law or rule governing computer programs?

It’s not unusual for applications to be littered with errors that need patching up. Take Windows, for example. Everybody knows that it competes with Swiss cheese when it comes to having holes and clefts. They don’t stay open for long, though, because Microsoft makes it a point to lock them up through Windows Update. Maybe the authorities are not too quick to jump the gun on software makers as long as they immediately stitch every hole that they encounter.

Your Own Sentinel

I’m not sure if anybody has already filed a suit against software authors for having lost important data or files due to faulty programming. Until such time that we learn of one, and a successful suit at that, we should take matters into our own hands by making sure that nothing could go in and wreak havoc to our PC. Of course, an antivirus would be needed in this endeavor. A registry cleaner would also come in handy in case the malware would want to rewrite the contents of your Windows registry. But don’t rely solely on these security suites and system tools, though. The ultimate protector of your computer and files is still you, the user. Always make sure that the files or programs that you’re using come from legitimate sources.

This may come as a surprise to some, but definitely not for me or for those who tinker around with PCs for a living.

Microsoft has recently announced that it would be extending the period within which PC makers could bundle their products with Windows XP (SP2). Redmond has acceded to pleas by both retailers and end users to extend its January 30, 2008 deadline.

While some analysts see the acquiescence as an admission from Microsoft that XP is far from being interred, the latter insists that the extension does not also mean that Vista sales are encountering friction from the operating system’s predecessor. It admits that many consumers are still in the process of upgrading their PC units. Until this happens, demands for XP would still persist.

Old equipment is not the only thing or factor which puts XP on the shelves of PC shops. Computer makers are still issuing units powered by Celeron processors. This Intel chip has a reputation of choking out on demanding applications. Hence, many buyers of low-end units request that it be bundled with XP instead of Vista to ensure that it would not hang on them when applications heat up.

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