Getting into reading again

Two days ago, I was rummaging through my closet and came across this computer book called Starting an Online Business for Dummies. Hmm, didn’t know I’d bought that book, must have done that a while back. So I picked it up and started reading…and reading…and reading. It feels a bit strange reading a proper book, as I’m usually reading newspapers and magazines.

I used to buy a lot of the For Dummies series in years past, when they weren’t as expensive as they are nowadays. I like the way they present the facts, interspersed with some humor and cartoons (Rich Tennant’s The 5th Wave is always brilliant). I remember buying Windows 98 for Dummies, Microsoft Office for Dummies, DOS for Dummies, Outlook for Dummies, etc. etc.

Anyway, Starting an Online Business for Dummies has given me some ideas. We’ll see what comes up.

Desktop vs Laptop

Prices of laptops have plunged dramatically here in Malaysia. So much so that many people are opting for laptops rather than desktops. And who can blame them? Compared to desktops, laptops are

• portable
• cheap
• just as powerful as desktops
• space-saving
• hip/trendy/sexy/stylish, you name it

But give me a desktop anytime. Maybe that’s my geekiness showing, but I just love an actual keyboard and mouse, plus the robustness of a desktop. It’s also easy to update or replace components. With laptops, if the screen or keyboard decides to go South (and your warranty period has expired), you’re in trouble.

But there, I’ve said my case.

Your computer keyboard is as filthy as a toilet seat

And that’s not an insult. I read this report on the Guardian UK website and it made me squirm. However, I’m not too surprised because this applies to piano keyboards as well. We spend so much time typing away, so much so that the grime on the keyboard builds up rapidly. Truth be told, there are some simple steps to avoid making your keyboards (whether computer or piano) a garbage dump for germs:

• Never eat when you’re using your computer. If you must eat, go somewhere else, chow down, and wash your hands thoroughly before using the keyboard again.
• Clean your keyboard often. I do it about once every two days, using just a moderately-damp cloth with a little drop of liquid soap.
• If you must sneeze or cough, turn away from your keyboard. It’s amazing how many people expel all that gooey stuff into their keyboards or their monitors!
• Every once in a while, I turn my keyboard upside down and give it a few sharp whacks. You’d be surprised how much crud falls out. And vacuum it if possible. Don’t do this for your piano keyboard though!
• Since I’m using a desktop PC, the keyboard is cheap and easily replaceable should a major disaster occur.
• Don’t forget to clean your mouse too!

How to keep your computer (and yourself) happy

Well first, here’s the stuff that I have in my PC. I built it myself (ta-dah!)

• Intel Pentium 4 3GHz processor with Hyper-Threading
• Intel D915GUX Motherboard
• Western Digital 80GB SATA Hard Disk
• 2 GB of Kingston RAM
• Lite-On DVD Writer
• nVidia GeForce 7200GS graphics card with 256MB RAM
• Windows Vista Ultimate

And this is what I have to keep my computer (and myself) happy:

• Comodo Firewall Pro 3.0.22.349. This firewall is free and doesn’t consume a lot of system resources. During the first week or two after installation, it will bug you about allowing or denying events, but once it’s learnt what goes in and out of your computer, it just keeps a silent watch in the background. If you’re connected to the Internet (and who isn’t nowadays) you need a firewall.
• AVG 8 Free. Again, if you’re connected to the net, you need antivirus protection, period. I’ve used AVG 7.5 in the past, and it does a pretty good job, so does the new version 8. Just remember to keep it updated and scan through your system at least once a week. The new AVG 8 comes with built-in spyware protection as well.
• CCleaner v2.07.575. Everyone needs a program to clean through the junk files that get deposited on our hard disks every time we visit the Internet and do stuff in Windows. CCleaner is free, and does an excellent job in the housekeeping area. You can even set it to run automatically every time Windows starts.
• O & O Defrag 10. Again a defragmenting program is necessary due to the fact that Windows throws and scatters files willy-nilly throughout a hard disk. Defragmentation re-sorts and consolidates files so it’s easier for Windows to find them. Think of Windows as a very untidy teenager throwing stuff around the house; a defragmenting program is the housekeeper that tidies up after him. O & O is not free, but there are plenty of free defragmenting programs around. Defraggler is a good one to use. Defrag your hard disks at least once a week and you’ll be ok. HOT NEWS O & O Defrag 4 is now available for free! Register here to get your free copy, with no limitations.

Now where’s my coffee?