Another Day With My PC

Are you unhappy with your current operating system?

Changing the program that calls the shots in your computer is not as simple as installing and uninstalling regular applications in your PC. Aside from the fact that an OS is probably the largest tenant in your hard drive, every program’s existence also depends on it. Don’t get me wrong, though. I’m not discouraging you from changing OS. All I’m saying is that there are many things to consider before you decide to make an upgrade or make a switch.

Is Your Hardware Tough Enough?

The first thing that you have to consider is your hardware. If the unit you’re currently using is being powered by a Pentium II processor and is still running on Windows 95, then you should shelve your plans of installing Vista in it. Units that are more than two years old probably do not have the strength and stamina to carry Vista on their shoulders. Adding a few memory modules and overclocking your processor might do the trick, though. However, you may just be speeding up its demise by doing so as overclocking could fry or wear out the chip and the motherboard.

Will Your Old Apps Work?

The second thing that you have to consider is your existing applications. There are some programs that might not work with the new (or old) operating system. If you’re bent on keeping your old applications, make sure that there are drivers available for download that would make them compatible with the OS that you intend to install. You could check the Web site of your software’s manufacturer for drivers or patches. If you don’t want to go through the trouble of rummaging through links or pages for the driver that you need, then you may want to install or subscribe to a Web service that does this dirty job for you.

Oil and Water

Another thing to consider is compatibility. I guess by now you already know that Macs and PCs are like oil and water – they simply don’t mix. This is very important especially if you’re constantly trading files or collaborating with somebody on a particular application. It would be pointless to have an OS which would not allow you to do tasks with others. You’ll be a virtual untouchable in school or in the office if you use an OS that is incompatible with the one that the majority uses.

While an operating system is classified a program, it’s in a class that is separate and distinct from all the other applications. Your computer’s performance depends on the OS that it is running on. So choose wisely.

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.

New Year’s fast approaching. In fact, I could already see fireworks challenging the moon outside my window at this very instance. The sight is a treat. It’s not everyday that I see something new or spectacular whenever I peek out on the window.

Speaking of windows, do you expect to see something new and exciting on your desktop this coming New Year? If you’re using an operating system other than Vista, then chances are, you couldn’t or shouldn’t expect much. I still haven’t discarded XP on my old PC, and honestly I’m starting to get tired of looking at the same old desktop themes and menus.

Vista for Less

Of course, there’s a quick fix to that eyesore. I think I’ve already provided a solution to this problem on my December 26 post (Skin-Deep). There are many available Windows themes on the Web. The one that I’ve featured in the said article is a freeware by OrdinarySoft. Like most freebies on the Net, it doesn’t pack all the features of the program. You have to buy the full version. But the limited/trial version doesn’t expire. And if you’re just after the skin, then you don’t have to skin your wallet to get what you want from the program.

If you’re not a Vista fan though, or if you think that the new Microsoft OS is still aesthetically challenged, then OrdinarySoft’s mimicry of Vista would obviously just spoil your New Year. So let’s check on another alternative in cyberspace.

Willingly Deceived

Stardock provides a library of Windows themes that would surely make you look forward to opening your PC (except if you’re doing the same at the office and you’re up against a deadline). The program, called WindowBlinds, changes every perceivable detail of your desktop, be it the start menu, task bars, and even the buttons. I tried installing the trial version and it was great. My old PC suddenly seemed to have been rejuvenated. Well, not really. I mean it’s still slow, but the new theme makes the wait quite bearable.

WindowBlinds makes you feel and think that your PC is running on an entirely new OS. You may argue that the program is just a foolish superficial deception. Maybe. But the fact that many purchased Vista just for its skin makes theme programs very good alternatives. Nobody’s complaining about XP’s performance. In fact, it’s more reliable than Vista. The only complain that XP owners have about their OS is that it looks old.

Camouflaged

Installing programs like WindowsBlind may seem harmless, especially since it’s only skin deep. But be very careful when introducing any application that you’ve downloaded on the Internet, especially if the author of the same is unknown. Spyware are sometimes disguised as legitimate programs, and in most cases, they do seem to be genuine apps since they look like and perform the functions of the application that they purport to be. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye because the spyware is running simultaneously with the installed application and is camouflaged by the latter.

Make sure that you’re security suite is updated whenever you download and install programs from the Net, especially if the source is unknown or dubious. Many spyware focus on system files, including the operating system’s registry. So be sure you have a registry cleaner installed in order to protect your PC from veiled intruders. Start your New Year right by keeping your life (I mean your PC) safe and secured. Install RegCure and make 2008 a trouble-free and efficient year for you Happy New 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.

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.

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.

After spending a fortune on Windows Vista, you might think that your wallet may not be able to churn out a few bucks for other applications anymore. You may brag all you like on having the latest operating system, but it would practically mean nothing if you don’t have other programs. PCs can’t live on OS alone, you know?

While it may seem unlikely to others, there are many Vista freebies on the Internet. While the quantity and quality may not be as good as those available for XP, Vista apps are fast catching up with software made for its predecessor.

While many of you might be rummaging through the Web for free Vista games or media players, bespectacled techie persons, such as yours truly, are usually scouring for system tools and other utilities that could help us go around the new OS.

One such application that almost made me shout, Eureka!, is TweakVista. This free (trial) software allows you to go through and around Vista without a sweat. This tool from Stardock allows you to do a myriad of things, such as monitor system resources, optimize memory usage and CPU performance, and conduct benchmarking tasks.

While it may not be as sophisticated as Norton’s Systemworks, it has enough features that could help you get out of the forest if you ever (and you most probably will) get lost navigating around Vista. Of course, as PCs don’t live on Vista alone, it could not function reliably and efficiently without other system maintenance tools, such as registry cleaners. Security suites are also must-haves, too.

There are other free system tools available for Vista on the Web. Finding them might be tricky, but it will get a lot easier over time as software makers are doubling their efforts in complementing the new OS with their products.

We know what’s best for you.

It would seem that this is Microsoft’s justification for the unauthorized updates that it has conducted on its latest and previous operating systems. Windows XP and Vista users have recently complained that Windows update has modified some of their system files without warning them about it.

Windows Update (WU) is a feature in XP and Vista which automatically downloads and installs patches and updates to the operating systems. Users are given the option to either let WU get the files automatically or prompt them before downloading the necessary files. While many have taken the laissez faire approach, a good number still wants to be warned whenever patches would be installed in their systems.

So the next time you see your PC’s DSL and hard drive lamps blink like crazy, don’t sound the alarm and raise your antivirus and anti-spyware security level to “high.” Chances are, it’s just Bill Gates trying to rearrange your operating system’s files. If you’re using OS X though, then you might want to immediately cut the yellow cable.

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