Just Because They're Called Laptops...

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:50:39 +0100

I was reading a recent article from the New York Times titled "Make Sure the Problem Is Not in Your Chair" and thought of some of the interesting issues that have been presented to me as a systems technician over the years. Issues like getting calls from users asking "Where is the "any" key?" when their application asks "Press any key to continue". The article talked about how users will unknowingly damage their computers. I know many people that have laptops (my daughter included) that will operating them while lying on their bed. Many laptops have vents on the bottom that need to be keep open for proper airflow. By operating your laptop on top of your bed can restrict that airflow. Simply using a hard flat surface - be it a portable laptop table or just a square board will keep the proper airflow.

The typical users is becoming more computer savy when it comes to basic computer operation but I believe they still lack the preventative maintenance skills. Preventative maintenance is not only important to health of your computer, it is important to YOUR health as well. Airborne viruses and bacteria can be cultivated in a nice warm computer and spread throughout air through the fans. Proper maintenance (preferably by a trained service professional) can keep your computer running optimally for a long time.

Murphy, K. (2011, September 29). Make Sure the Problem Is Not in Your Chair. The New York Times, p. B6.

When Did You Get Your First Computer?

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 17:35:14 +0100

I have been working with computer systems for way over twenty years. During that time, computers have changed the world. My first computer was a TRS-80 Color Computer (First Generation). It hooked up to my 12" Color TV. I was able to write computer programs in BASIC or in a machine language using POKE and PEEK commands. Programs were saved on magnetic cassettes using a cassette tape recorder. I could get a 5 1/4 Floppy Drive but that was expensive. There were also game cartridges that would slide into a slot on the side of the system. I had a single small joystick to play those games when I did not use the keys on the keyboard. That system cost around $1200 - which took me a long time to scrap that much money up. I kept that computer until about 5 years ago. It had not worked for years and I kept saying I would repair it even though it was not worth repairing. It pained me to throw it away because it costs me $1200!

lets-talk-computers

Just Because They're Called Laptops...

When Did You Get Your First Computer?