Entry level tips

 

Choosing a operative system can be difficult, especially if you already have a computer and many 'purchased' programs.

On this web site, I mainly talk about the main and most used operative system or OS called Windows.

Certainly, the most common thing to do is to buy a OS as new as possible - or you will have to spill out cash for upgrading!

But there are buts here.

1. a new operative system because it is NEW, will certainly have initial teething problems like: program closing unexpectedly or a printer stop working for no reasons etc. and we all have to wait for a update called patch! or even better a Service Pack to fix the most common problems usually called SP.

2. if you are not new to computers (at any level), you will certainly have programs you either purchased or they were bundled with the previous computer which you are use to and do not wish to buy new ones and part with your cash ! A new operative system may require a update from each manufacturer of each of your programs. So, before you buy a new computer which most likely will have a new operative system, please check which of your already owned programs you wish to use with the new computer.

Often and especially from Windows XP series, you will have the chance to set the way it runs - within the Properties tab of a programme with a .exe file extension - i.e. the one you click on to run it.

Which is called compatibility mode.

If for example you purchase a computer running with Vista (the windows version after XP), by using that tab and set the programme which was happily running on XP and not running properly on Vista or crashing, etc. - you can set it to run 'as XP' and usually most programs work.

If they do not work, you will have to check with the manufacturer, if they have done a update to Vista - hopefully!

Often these days, what they do is - lower the programme prices and then do not update them as often as they used to and you will have to 'buy' a new version nearly every time the operative system changes or every 2 system changes - this to have a better working programme and giving its best within the new environment, although it may still work 'reasonably' fine wit ha few more crashes than usual.

3. the most blood curling' thing is the external devices drivers
A driver is a small size file which tells the operative system (XP, Vista, etc.) what to do when you use it and if the manufacturer does not update that driver, you can say good buy - (yes, not goodbye).

An example was the Lexmark Z series, some of them only run up to windows 98 and do not run properly or at all on XP ! They never released a updated driver, why? So, you will buy a new printer - one of those that are very cheap and require £. 60 to replace their cartridges.
Mind other makers too do it sometime, not just Lexmark.

4. if you are not new and especially if you only need a computer to surf the net and email/letter writing, etc. - you can simply buy a cheap Laptop with Linux installed - instead of Windows. If you need more, it would be preferable if you are not a novice in computing in order to be able to digest Linux - although it has many versions and some of them much easier to use, it still is difficult manage if you have problems - especially with external devices, as it is very different from Windows and does not have the huge list of drivers that Windows have and manufacturers are only now starting to add Linux drivers too most devices and - but certainly is the best operative system around EVER!

I do not wish to enter in the Windows/Apple/Linux debate, but there are some very good and cheap choices out there other than a Windows system !

 

 

ALWAYS WHERE POSSIBLE, be sure you get:

1. FULL operative system disks, not just a rescue disk

2. All disks (or at least downloads) for all the 'free' programs you get with ALL licence keys - after all, they are yours!

Generally these days you do not need any new software as the operative system has its default email/Internet browser programs and basic text typing programs - plus you are most likely to get a bundle of programs free when you purchase a new computer.

If you wish to work with images and home movies, well the best bet is to find a new computer which has the most common bundled programs free - Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements.

If they become too tight and you are a GOD on these programs, you can always upgrade to the professional versions - very expensive, but worth the money if you are going to use them professionally or as a keen hobbyist.

Like making music ? Well you can start with cheap programs. But if you already know you are going to be serious amateur and wish to spend some money on it, Steinberg's are the relatively cheapest best programs.

Again, if you buy a Linux system computer you will find loads of free and 'working' programs!

 

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A LITTLE 'REAL' STORY regarding SONY laptops - example the VGN-FW series - just to prove what I mentioned above

A customer purchased one of those Laptops and they state on their website (which their dealers and retailer refers to) comes with Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and Premiere Element 7.

It does not state the most important thing:

1. no discs are supplied

2. no licence keys are supplied

3. you cannot register to Adobe website these 2 programs because you do not have a licence key [supposed to be part of your purchase - which means you must have a full licence!]

When you run those 'pre-installed' programs, they work fine and if you check their About window as in most newest programs you can see their licence key displayed in it.

Only, in this case, the last digits are missing - they should be 6 groups and we find only 5 - how can we register them?

Also, SONY FORCES you:

1. to create your own rescue discs from a partition of the Laptops hard drive which contains in all effects your computer info/programs/OS at factory settings

2. to use those disks in case you need to reinstall any of the 'bundled' programs

They do not inform you about all this when you purchase it and 'most' consumer do not normally create a rescue disk and if you loose info or the HDD is in need of re-installing at factory settings, you will have to call their 0900 PREMIUM number and order a copy (3 DVDs of the Laptop factory settings) - yes order - it means you will have to pay for them.

When you run those programs, they have a inner script that runs and connects you to Adobe and Adobe sends you a 'supposed to be' offer to purchase the newest version of their program (version 8 at present - Oct 2009).

That means you are going to pay for the full price or very near to it and for something you already have in your possession and only need to upgrade if you need it.

In reality their asking you to BUY a upgrade to a programme you have not even started to use!

So, you believe you save money and in fact you are paying for what should have been 'part of the purchase' in the first place.

What they say is: you have the rescue disks and you can use them.

In reality, you do not own a licence for these programs !
You are not allowed to use your computer and programs the way 'YOU' like.

Wouldn't you like to have had the rescue disks and the disks of the Windows Operative system (that too is not there!) and the disks of all the program that you got bundled when you purchase your computer and their relative licence keys and keep them in a safe place?

I believe this way of doing business was started many years ago by Packard Bell, then HP, DELL etc. - it is not just SONY - probably to cut costs and to help Software Manufacturers to get more money out of your pockets.

Five years ago, when I purchased a Laptop from Toshiba, they gave us the rescue disk, but not the OS disk.

So, my suggestions are:

a. you either do not bother about all this and do a rescue set of disks (and I suggest you to do a DOUBLE COPY of them) and put it in a SAFE place (your repairer as well 'may' need them - most of the time they do not)

or

b. shop around until you find a supplier that supply you with ALL disks and LICENCES - that usually is normal in 'small retailer shops' - where you usually get friendly helpful 'technicians' which 'know' what their doing.

Unfortunately the reality is: computers are now like a fridge or a washer and that is wrong - they are a highly sophisticated piece of Electronics.

Even most of so called IT Repairers, do not know anything about Electronics at component level, but they only learn to replace cards!

This is the world we are in now, it is a race to who waste more.

Use and throw away culture called Globalization.
Do not complain there are no jobs and they mostly are in the East and Far East - you have been playing along with it.

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A note on email programs.
The best bet, if you never had a computer is to set-up a 'webmail' account with your Internet Provider - to be on the safe side - in case you loose info on your computer. The webmail is always there, even if you forget your password!

 

 

Most of you certainly do not need the best hardware you can find or it is offered to you!

It would be best to purchase the best and fastest and upgradable computer hardware you can, rather than object to a 'bundle' of free program you may never use.

That way, you computer will last far longer - did you know computers are meant to last over 10 years?
Well, they were!

Go to a showroom in various retailers and try the computers out for what you think you need it for and see how they work and how you feel with it. Do not get pulled in by the 'HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS' type of thing and IT IS CHEAP!

Check what hardware comes with it, if it is a PC (workstation - not a Laptop), i.e. graphics card, audio card (if any) and so on - get brochures and compare them at home, then compare the 'money deals you can get.

Sometimes shops offer a 9 months no pay and then you get a 30% interest from then on to pay back. If you know you can pay it back before the 9 months, good - do it and pay it a month before - in case you cheque is lost in the post!

NOTE: remember if you are serious about images/videos and or music - especially music.
It is important to ask your computer supplier the best setting of hardware for the money you wish to spend on.

It will be worth it and avoid problems.

 

 

This part may be annoying for PC Gamers and Image creators or amateur photographers, etc. - a £. 300 Laptop will not suffice !

At time of writing you need to spend £. 500 at least.

POWER !

That is what you need on a computer to be able to 'easily' manage the latest Games and Imaging / Videoing in general.

Most £. 300 laptops have either a Intel 'CELERON' CPU or a Centrino SLOW version - generally only 1.2/1.5GHz and usually only 512Gb memory with a low motherboard buffer speed.

Buffer speed = in simple words is how fast CPU/Memory/Hard drive talk to each other - not enough.

These days you need at least 2/2.5GHz CPU, 2/4Gb memory, Motherboard buffering 800MHz and the memory must be fast too.
Also possibly, if you get a 2Gb one the ask for ONE memory card of £. 2Gb.
Since you usually have 2 slots to insert memory, if you have a slot free you can upgrade by adding another 2Gb and make 4Gb at lower price.

If you had 2x 1Gb, you would have to buy 2x 2Gb or 1x 4Gb [if computer allows it] and it would cost more - of course you could try and sell the 2x1Gb memory.

The screen:
often there is a huge difference in price between a 15" and a 17/18" and if you do not really need a 17", that could be spent to have a 'faster' computer - better hardware and your computer will last years - depending on how you treat it too!
You can always buy a separate external monitor - even a 21" at a good price and if it fails, you either repair it or replace the monitor and not the laptop.

Last thing: do not buy a laptop with Graphics 'shared' memory [unless it is very fast indeed]
Graphics must be at least 256/512Gb and possibly non-soldered on the motherboard to give you a chance to one day upgrade it to a faster one.