• The History of Tablet Computers
• Tablets vs. Laptops: Are They the Same?
• Why is iPad So Popular?
• What Makes a Tablet Computer Work? - an look at the current "operating systems" available.
• Who Needs a Tablet? - the benefits of having a tablet computer.
• Buying a Tablet Computer - which brands are available, features, and pricing.
• How Can I Get Internet on My Tablet? - what are my options for Internet service?
• Can I Get a Tablet Instead of a PC? - or Will a Tablet Replace My PC?

• Tech Tuesday Podcast #1 - Learn more
• Windows 7 vs. Vista vs. XP: Computer Speeds by Charlie - Read now
• New Windows PC + Old Printer = Will They Work? by Jaketha - Read now
• One or Two Easy Ways to Save on Printer Ink by Jaketha - Read now

Image Source: PowerPCNet.com

Recently bought a computer or thinking about buying one? Or maybe you received a new computer for Christmas and you're not quite sure what to do with it. Well, for the entire month of March, we'll focus on helping brand new Windows 7 computer owners.

To help you out, we'll bringing back a SPECIAL EDITION of Tech Tuesdays as well as focus on how to select a new home printer or how to take your old printer and save money on ink and other techniques for printer efficiency.

Our anticipated postings are as follows:

• Windows 7 vs. older Windows operating systems, such as Windows Vista or XP
• What Should I Buy First - Laptop, Netbook, or Desktop?
• MACs  vs. PCs
• Home Printers 101
• Learn about the different Types: desktop, inkjet, photo, laser, multi-function/all-in-ones...
• Ways to Save Your Printer Ink...
• The Importance of Using the Right Printer Paper...
• What to Do When You Have a New Computer & an Old Printer...

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DID YOU MISS LAST MONTH'S DISCUSSION ON eREADERS?

Throughout the month of February, we covered eReaders from the most popular devices to the eReader benefits, apps and much more. In case you missed it, check out these links!

• Kindle vs. Sony vs. Nook: Part II (Feb. 28th) - Read now
• eReader Apps (Feb. 24th) - Read now
• Benefits of an eReader (Feb. 23rd) - Read now
• Kindle vs. Sony vs. Nook: Part I (Feb. 18th) - Read now
• How to Get Started with Overdrive (Feb. 14th) - Read now
• eReader Terms You Should Know (Feb. 11th) - Read now
• Introduction to eReaders (Feb. 11th) - Read now

Staying with our Android blogs, this week we are going to talk about the Motorola Droid X. The Droid X is the 2^nd “super phone” released by Motorola and one of the most powerful phones Verizon Wireless offers. Like the previous Android phones we have discussed, the Droid X is great. It comes loaded with tons of features and is one of the fastest phones on the market. The Droid X has a 1GHZ processor and can store up to 32GB of information. The Droid X also has a dedicated GPU. What does that mean? This phone has its own graphics card! This means the videos you watch, the games you play, and the pictures you take will be crisp and unmatched by other phones. The Droid X is also a 3G hotspot. You can connect up to 5 devices (laptops, phones, etc.) to the internet. Not to mention, the Droid X is also wifi capable.

Overall, this is a great phone. With the technology in the Droid X, not many phones can match it? Until next time, Happy Teching!

A few weeks ago, we did a blogging series on popular cell phones. There was one model of cell phones we did not cover. This week, we will start our series on Android phones.

Android got its big break in September 2005 when it was purchased by Google. Android was a startup company then, but already had a lot of money invested into it along with some big names to support it. In November 2007, the Open Handset Alliance, OHA, was formed. This increased the popularity of the Android operating system. Some of the members of the Alliance include Google, HTC, Texas Instruments, and Qualcomm. In December 2008, the OHA added 14 members including Sony, Toshiba, and Asustek. I tell you all this so you can understand the interests in open source development for mobile devices. The first release of the os was in February 2009 with Android 1.1.

Android is a Linux based operating system. Linux is a free, open source OS. Because it is available to the public, programmers and software writers are developing new software daily to utilize the power of the Linux kernel. Android is a mobile based Linux OS that can be found a number of devices such as netbooks, tablets, and the purpose of this blog, mobile phones. This week we will be talking about the Motorola Droid which was released in November 2009. The name Droid is a trademark of Lucas Films. Verizon Wireless is the only carrier in the US that carries the Droid. The Droid is loaded with features. The Droid is a touch screen device with a QWERTY keyboard that slides out. The Droid also doubles as a turn-by-turn GPS, which comes standard and is free. Droid was released with Android 2.1, but an update for Android 2.2 was released in early August 2010 for this device. The update increases the phone speed and utilizes its core for better performance. Also, because of the update, the Motorola Droid is also one of the first phones to have Flash 10.1. This is a solid device with virtually limitless capabilities.
Be sure to stop by daily as we give you more info about the Motorola Droid. Until next time, happy teching!

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

Over the past year I have been exploring various operating systems ranging from Windows XP to Linux. And I must say, I was surprised with my findings. I first started my exploration earlier this year when my Toshiba laptop of 4 years started giving me fits. When purchased brand new, the Toshiba had a Celeron processor, Windows XP Home, with 512 RAM and a 80 GB hard drive. Sounds out dated right? In 2006, upgraded the RAM to 1 GB (a $50-$60 addition) and installed Windows Vista Home. Everything was working perfectly at the time; until I installed Office 2007 Student/Home ed. I noticed Office 2007 took a long time to load on my laptop and would sometimes crash and turn my computer off.

My first mistake was installing Vista on a machine that wasn't stable enough for it. Vista claims it can run on 1 GB RAM, but I have yet to see it preform well in that type of environment. My second mistake was installing Office 2007 with a hard drive that was half way full. Both, Vista and Office 2007, require a lot of hard drive space to run. The laptop never had a virus. I did a good job of keeping it clean and free from the evil viruses that plague Windows computers. Plus, I was the only one to use the laptop. As you can imagine, it was an endless road of frustration. It was so bad that I bought a desktop and put the laptop in a closet.

After my wife and I got married in March, we took a leap of faith and moved to Oklahoma City, OK to finish our education. This is where most of my research and trial and error took place with operating systems. I wanted something "light" and easy to use. Unfortunately, Windows did not match my search criteria. Windows OS are easy to use, but by no means light. Plus, living on a student income, Windows was not in my budget. So, off to Google I went. One of the first things I noticed when started my research for reliable light weight operating systems, was the word Linux. I have heard of this OS before, but never researched it or any of that jazz. So as a curious techie guy, I started to dig a little deeper on this Linux. Come to find out it was very light and my computer's response time was quite fast. I guess you could describe Linux as the basics of a computer. The best part about Linux operating systems are they are FREE to download and to install. No licences, unlike Windows.

My Linux OS of choice and recommendation is Ubuntu. I installed Ubuntu on the laptop and it works great. But before I start praising it, I need to tell you some important details. Microsoft programs are not compatible with Linux. I will say that there are free open source programs that are like Microsoft, but not exact. For example, Office 2003 or 2007 will not run on Linux, but there is a program called OpenOffice.org that is as close as you can get to the Office programs. Also, Linux uses Firefox and Opera for Internet browsers instead of Internet Explorer. Overall, I like both Windows OS and Linux/Ubuntu. They both have their positives and negatives. Again, research before deciding on your OS and always look for reviews. And it never hurts to ask your computer guy about either of the operating systems.

Ok... I know...! It's a little late to be posting a blog about popular Christmas gifts, but if your like me and wait untill the last minute to do all your shopping, then this blog may be what you need for a last minute Christmas gift idea.

Another great Christmas gift that is popular every year are laptops/notebooks; especially with the new release of Windows 7 (Released in October 2009). Laptops are great for high school and college students. They are also great for those of you who travel a lot. Dell, Toshiba, and HP are a few companies that will have specials. Check you local Best Buy, Office Depot, or Walmart for the best deals.

Of course, I can't have a Christmas gift list without a few cellphone. And with the choices that are available to you, a new cellphone will not disappoint. AT&T has, the always popular, iPhone made by Apple. AT&T also has the Black Berry Bold. Both good choices for smartphones. Verizon has the Droids (Motorola and HTC). Both phones are touch screens and fast. Another phone Verizon has is the Black Berry Storm. A touch screen black berry that is powerful and rivals the iPhone.

And if there is a female in your life, jewelry will not disappoint. A nice ring or necklace would be the perfect finish to a good year.

As always, all of the items mentioned above are popular items. I cannot say that they will be in the store when you do your shopping, but I can say that each of these items are good gifts and are affordable, especially with the holiday sales.

From the I/T Dept. at the Bossier Parish Library System, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Laptops:

If you’re looking to save money on a computer, then Mini laptops are the way to go. Mini laptops get their name from the size of their screen, which generally range from 8in to 10in. Mini laptops will generally cost anywhere from $279 to $499. Some of the Mini laptops have Windows XP on them due to the size of the processor and the amount of RAM. For the mini laptops with the bigger processors and more RAM, they have Windows Vista. Here is a list of companies that sell Mini laptops: Dell, HP, Acer, and Asus. Here is my recommendation for a Mini: Aspire One, Atom Processor, 1GB RAM, 160GB Hard drive, 10.1in screen, and Windows XP ($289). Keep in mind prices vary in regions and in stores.

If you want something with a little more power, then you may want to look at a general laptop. The screen on general laptops range anywhere from 13in to 22in. Laptops will normally cost you anywhere from $399 to $2000. Unless you buy a Mac (Apple), they will have Microsoft Vista. General laptops have anywhere from 1GB to 4GB of RAM and their processors range from Intel 4, Duel Core, and Quad Core. This simply means the speed of the laptop will be faster. For basic use I would recommend 2GB RAM and a Duel Core processor. The reason being is most programs now will not run unless your computer has sufficient RAM. Again, prices will vary in regions and in stores. Here is a list of companies that sale laptops: Dell, HP, Acer, Gateway, Mac (Apple), e-Machine, and Toshiba. Here is my recommendation: Dell Inspiron Laptop, Duel core processor, 15.6in screen, 2GB RAM (expandable to 4GB), 160GB Hard drive, and Windows Vista ($429.99).

Desktops:

Desktop are normally used in office areas of your home or work. They are bigger and have more parts (Ex. Mouse and keyboard plug in the cpu, rather than being a part of the computer). Desktops are beginning to become cheaper. Since the new wave of laptops have come out within the last few years, you can buy a good desktop for $399. I recently purchased a desktop system and it cost me around $500. I added MS Office 2007 and an extra 1GB of RAM. Desktops generally come with more RAM, bigger hard drives, and faster processors. The RAM ranges from 2GB to 8GB, the hard drives range from 150GB to 500GB, and the processors are normally duel core, but some come with quad core. Most desktop, unless you buy a Mac (Apple) will have Microsoft Vista. Again, sometimes the basic computers are better in the long run. Here is a list of companies that sale desktops: Dell, Gateway, Mac (Apple), HP, e-Machine, and Sony. My recommendation: Dell 537 Desktop, duel core or quad core processor, Windows Vista, up to 4GB RAM, and 320GB to 750GB hard drive ($399+; Monitor not included).

Netbooks:

Netbooks are the newest computers in the bunch. They are laptops (generally Mini laptops) provided by mobile phone companies, such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless. You can also buy these at stores like Walmart or Best Buy. They will use regular wireless rather than a mobile signal. Just like a cell phone you will need to have a contract to utilize the internet on the netbook. Also like your cell phone plan, you will need to pay for the access of the internet (Verizon Wireless charges $39.99 mth.). The specs on a Netbook are somewhat the same as a Mini Laptop. Here are the specs on Verizon’s Netbook, the HP Mini 1151 NR Netbook: 1GB RAM, 80GB Hard drive, Windows XP, 10.1 in screen, and 2.4 lbs. If you are on the go a lot, then this may be the best buy for you.

With nearly 200 computers in the library system, it is not uncommon for the I/T Dept. to be forced to reinstall the Windows operating system for computers here and there. As a matter of fact, it's a day-long process and although it's time-consuming, it's usually a no-brainer until....

Microsoft makes an "improvement" that they to call "Windows updates". When they do that, it makes reinstalling the operating system downight frustrating. Nearly a year and a half ago, they released a major update called "Service Pack 3" for the Microsoft XP Professional OS.

Now, if you don't know by now, you can't buy a computer with Windows XP anymore. I think Microsoft stop selling those back in the summer of 2007. That means if you go to the store (or online) and buy a computer, you are stuck with purchasing Microsoft's latest OS, Windows Vista.

(As an FYI, there were two different versions of XP: Home and Professional. While there are four different versions of Vista: Home, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate).

However, right before they stop selling and providing support for XP machines, they can out with SP3. Now, I am not a Microsoft hater, just a "consumer watchdog". I use Microsoft products everyday both here at work and at home. (This is a good place to sigh.) The problem with Microsoft choosing to release an update like this is that if it has "bugs" then they don't necessarily "have-to" fix those bugs and that leaves us with computer "that aren't acting right" (as my grandmother would say). That also means that if you are not a technie, then you will probably take your computer to somewhere like Best Buy. If that doesn't work, you get frustated and buy a new computer (as my grandmother would do). I think you see the benefit for Microsoft here, don't you? I know far too many people who have made Microsoft rich off of the number of computers that they have bought throughout the years (just ask my grandmother) but that's for another blog posting......

Soon after SP3 came out, I probably reinstalled Windows on 5-8 library computers and each one of them crashed soon after SP3 was installed it. As I backtrack my thinking to try and figure out what was different this time as opposed to all of the other times that I had reinstalled Windows, I realized that it was SP3, which took nearly an hour by itself to install. That made the whole Windows reinstallation process now - a day and a hour. :-) Unfortunately, I had to reinstall the OS on each of these computers at least once more leaving SP3 out of the picture and all has been well since. (Even Best Buy doesn't install SP3.) Just a few weeks ago, I was "checking up" on one of pre-SP3 computers and have since found SP3 did installed itself (if you have automatic updates turned on) and strangely enough it hasn't crashed - yet!!!!

So, if you have a XP Professional on your home (or small business computer) and it begins to act strange after installing Windows updates, you might want to check Add/Remove Programs to see if SP3 is installed. Even though some in the "tech world" have said that Microsoft has made "the appropriate improvement to SP3 to prevent problems", I still don't trust it and a year and a half later, I still do not install it on any of the library's Windows computer. Hopefully, you won't find yourself having to reinstall Windows because of SP3.