onSite Computer Repair Blog

Hallelujah! I have seen the Second Coming!

onsitecomputerrepair — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:52:17 +0000

Well, no, not actually. But I HAVE test-driven the new iPhone! While killing time in the St. Louis Galleria, I checked out this new piece of electronic wizardry at the Apple Store. Gotta tell ya folks, it, in my opinion, is going to change the cell phone industry forever. It really is as simple to use as the ads show it to be on TV; lots of neat features, too. The screen is easy to read, fairly intuitive, and more lightweight than the complaints I’ve seen elsewhere regarding it’s heft.

My thoughts? Every cell phone manufacturer will be madly rushing to copy this whizbang gadget, and we’ll see nifty competitors by the end of the year. That’s good for all of us, no matter who our cell phone provider is.

The iPhone-hype or ripe?; Memory issues with Windows Vista

onsitecomputerrepair — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:43:45 +0000

—Well, the newest craze in electronics is out; the new Apple iPhone. It costs $499 for the 4GB version, and $599 for an 8GB unit. The reviews I’ve read are somewhat mixed; you can read two fairly positive reviews at the links below:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9026018&pageNumber=1

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9026019&pageNumber=1

—One thing I’ve noticed about Windows Vista is that it is VERY picky when it comes to either using or adding memory to any given PC. Apparently it has to do with the software kernel that runs the entire operating system’s show. If you are contemplating moving to Vista, you can contact me for an appointment about how best to move towards Vista regarding this issue.

Vista avoidance; death threats via email?; my ratings of the local high speed Internet providers; PCLinux2007–an alternative to Vista or XP

onsitecomputerrepair — Tue, 22 May 2007 03:49:48 +0000

—My earlier take on Vista still stands; it’s a nice operating system, but has a few quirks that, if you don’t NEED to move to it, don’t. There are issues at times with certain software and hardware items; therefore, let Microsoft get the bugs out of it for a year if ya wanna go to it.

That said, if you purchase a new computer in a store, you’ll be stuck with it, since it’s the only OS that’s being provided on a new computer. You have to special-request XP if you’re ordering one from a place like Dell.

—From the you’re-not-going-to-believe-this file, there is an email death threat circulating called the 419 death threat scam (story is here). Basically, it states you are being threatened unless you reply to the email. Umm, don’t; it’s a scam, likely an attempt to get account numbers from you as blackmail. Just delete it if you get it.

—I have elected to rate the Quincy internet providers as a service to my customers. Note this is what I have seen in my years as a computer repair person in the Quincy area, solely my opinion, and does not rate the satellite or cell phone high speed providers, as I’ve no experience with them.

Now for the ratings: as far as reliability is concerned—

1 (tie) Adams DSL

1 AT&T/Yahoo! DSL

2 Insight Cable

59 Adams wireless (not DSL)

When I’m referring to reliability, I mean speed and overall availability of your internet connection. I’ve never had anyone complain to me about Adams DSL, but they’re the most expensive, at about $44 a month, modem rental included (at last check). AT&T/Yahoo! now covers more of Quincy (it’s expanded eastward in town), but is a royal pain to set up for most computer users. I’d recommend you contacting me if you’d like to install it. Insight used to be the top of the lot; fastest speed and most reliable, but they’ve slipped over the past several months. I experienced problems with them, as has several folks in town, and I’m concerned about the Comcast takeover this upcoming winter. Finally, unless Adams has improved their wireless, I’d skip it; SEVERAL of my customers have had issues with it. Through the grapevine last year, it was known that they had overbooked that system, ergo connectivity problems. That’s why they’re 59th.

Now regarding customer service, here’s my ratings:

1 (tie)Adams

1 Insight Cable

59 AT&T/Yahoo!

Both Adams and Insight offer very responsive and courteous customer service, overall. I’ve caught a few folks with both companies that were a little snippy, but if I do, I just hang up and try again. I believe Adams’ customer service is handled locally, until after normal business hours, with Insight’s being either out of Springfield, IL or Louisville, KY. AT&T/Yahoo!’s problem is that they’re so big, you can wait on hold for awhile, and it becomes a random crapshoot on the quality of tech you’ll receive.

—If you’d like to have an alternative operating system on your computer, I have a suggestion: PCLinux2007. I’ve installed it on one of my computers; it works great and everything was up and running once installation was completed. If you’d like it installed on your setup, click here for my contact information, and I’ll come to your home or business to do so.