computers

Disadvantages of a Notebook Computer

January 4, 2012 By Terry Stockdale

I’ve mentioned many times that my main computer is my notebook computer. Sure, I have a desktop computer, too, I just don’t use it very much. I also have my home theater PC and a Linux-based file server for backup. But, my Dell Inspiron 8600 is the real workhorse.

In this week’s online newsletter, my article Why Buy a Notebook Computer? I’ve written about making the decision on whether or not to buy a notebook computer — and when to go for the cheaper models.

But, first, let’s consider some of the limitations of a notebook computer, as compared to a typical desktop computer.

These include:

Price — for an equally capable computer, a notebook is more expensive

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The Network Is Down – No Internet Access

January 2, 2012 By Terry Stockdale

I sat down at my computer recently to finish writing my newsletter, only to find the hated words “Not connected.”

Windows 7 was informing me that I had no network connection. Not just no Internet access, but not even access to the other computers on my home network. This was a horrible morning.

Everything worked fine last night when I went to bed. It was time to put on my Debugging Hat…

My first step was to reboot my cable modem and my router. The process was easy and seemed to be fine. Unplug the power to the cable modem; unplug the power to the router; plug in the power to the cable modem; wait for the cable modem to download it’s configuration data from the cable Internet service provider and stabilize it’s lights, plug in the power to the router so it can make its connection to the cable modem and to the other computers and the Gigabit Ethernet switch connected to it.

But, it didn’t solve the problem…

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Filed Under: Communications, Networking, System Repair, Terry's Computer Tips, Web browsing, Windows 7 Tagged With: access, cable internet access, cable internet service providers, cable modem, computers, connections, digital cable, home network, internet, internet access, modems, network connection, networking hardware, no internet, routers, the network

Accessing the Internet While Travelling – 2011 Style

May 31, 2011 By Terry Stockdale

Several years ago, I wrote an article about how to access the Internet while travelling. It focused on using a notebook computer with dialup access, using a hotel business center’s computer (or a friend’s whom you were visiting) to access your emails. Little more than that

So much has changed…

Now, we have smart phones, whether Blackberry, iPhone, Android, that we can use to check emails and can use to surf the web. The small screen isn’t great, but it works!

We’ve also got the ability to use 3G wireless network adapters for laptop computers (assuming we have a laptop computer), Apple iPad’s with 3G service from AT&T or iPad 2′s with our choice of AT&T or Verizon 3G service (assuming we can find one in stock somewhere, or are willing to order one and wait!).

Finally, the best (in my current opinion) approach — tethering our smart mobile phone that has 3G access to our laptop computer.

I used to do that long, long ago with a laptop and a Motorola flip-phone. But, then AT&T got wise and changed their terms of service to prohibit tethering.

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Filed Under: Communications, Networking, Terry's Computer Tips Tagged With: 2011, 3g, accessing, at&t, blackberry, cloud clients, computers, computing, dialup access, hotel business, iphone, laptop computers, laptops, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, portable media players, smart phones, smartphones, style, technology, tethering, the internet, travelling, wireless, wireless networking