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May Blog

by colin on May 15, 2012

Working as I do every day; with broken computers, there are some job requirements that necessitate that I must be ever present in front of a computer or laptop while installing programs and updates. It was with some relief that I recently happened across a free online service that reduces my exposure to the eternal installation progress bar.
Ninite.com offers a few more benefits than just time saving for square eyed computer technicians, the downloads that it offers cover everything from photo editor Picasa and free antivirus software AVG, to the more mundane essentials like Java and Flash.
The website, easily found by Google search ‘Ninite’, offers a fairly simple automatic install facility for all your basic software needs. The benefits in using this website to install your software requirements are mainly two fold. Ninite enables the user to install multiple applications (‘apps’ if you will) at once, all up to date and with options customised to your own computers specifications. For example if you have Windows XP or Windows 7 it will automatically download the correct version for you.
The main reason I am recommending it though, is that the clever people there disable the junk add-ons that come bundled with the software of your choice. For example if you need an Adobe product, you normally get a useless security scanner and an internet toolbar for your trouble. Not with Ninite.
One word of caution, these programs can be very useful but moderation is important. You shouldn’t install two antivirus programs or media players; just like you wouldn’t fit a second steering wheel to your car.
If there are any questions regarding this or any other computer related question please let me know at colin@colcom.info.

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April Blog

by colin on April 12, 2012

Disposal of your old tech can be a bit of a bind. Many households have old computers stored away in the attic as just another thing to deal with later.
You may not know how best to get rid of you old or broken kit in a way that is secure and safe, for you and for the environment. The nasties that live inside your computer are generally the heavy metals that make up the circuitry. The older the technology the more likely it will be to contain harmful elements like lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium. Environmental concerns aside; the small matter of your data security is another reason to employ a considered approach when parting ways with your old machine.
Removing or transferring sensitive data from an old computer can present a problem, especially if the machine won’t even turn on. Options are still available, removing the hard drive from the unit is a little awkward but achievable with a No. 2 Phillips head screwdriver. Laptops can vary in difficulty but generally a smaller ‘star’ type Phillips head will get you there. The data on your computer lives solely on the hard drive, not in the RAM (the random access memory) as is frequently thought. So in removing the hard drive from the machine we completely neutralize it of its stored memory.
Your local council recycling centre is in Linwood, Middleton Road or in Greenock, Pottery Street. If you are looking for a greener, guaranteed safe disposal option, where suitable components will be reused or recycled, I now offer this service with data retrieval as standard. £45 will remove the hard drive from your computer and take care of the disposal of the machine. We can have your data returned to you on a DVD or by email. You can dig out that old Christmas card list yet!

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March Blog

February 19, 2012

March 2012. Last month I bought a gift for my wife that I thought may be worth while checking around online for price comparison. In the end I purchased the present the old fashioned way; on the high street. A few days after the gift was given I heard an exclamation from the lounge where [...]

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February Blog

February 1, 2012

February 2012 There are many, many email providers. Some come as part of your broadband package, some come free; some do the job well and some in my opinion – not so well at all. Here is some opinion on three main vendors. BT Internet and Yahoo merged a while ago now so they share [...]

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January Blog

December 19, 2011

With Christmas come and gone some of the luckier among us may have a new laptop or computer to play with. You might be getting used to the new experiences that may be Windows 7, or OSX Lion. Maybe you have a touch screen PC and, like me, are still reaching for the mouse at [...]

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