Posts Tagged ‘USB’

Computer Speed – Bridge the Gap with ReadyBoost

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Ask anyone about their home PC and you will get one answer more than any other, “it’s slow.”  This is typically the point at which most computer owners will begin to debate a new PC purchase.  It is also the reason I began JumpstartMyPC.com.  Home computers will slow down over time, but that doesn’t mean they should be cast aside.  As we have pointed out time and time again, there are steps you can take to keep a PC running like new and a hardware upgrade can help speed up an aging machine, but what if you are caught in the middle?

You’ve already performed your routine maintenance: defragged your computer, cleaned the registry and dumped all of your browser history and unnecessary files.  That helped, but you still feel like you want/need more speed from your PC.  You’ve debated that switch from 1GB of RAM to 4GB, but the upgrade will cost you over $100 + shipping and you aren’t quite sure if you want to open up your tower or laptop and “fiddle around in there.”  If you find yourself in this state of limbo and you are running Windows Vista or Windows 7 (any version), there might just be a simple, cost-effective answer right in front of you.

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Technology in Cycling – Pedal Power is Here

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Writing a blog is really a personal experience and so I often write about things, events and people that I interact with.  This past weekend, I rode in the BP MS 150 (a bike ride from Houston to Austin that helps raise money for MS research) and had lots of time to think about things as I cycled through the Texas hill country.  A recurring theme for this ride, my sixth trip for this great cause, was technology and how riders are finding ways to implement it into their cycling.  Cell phones, GPS devices, ipods, stereo speakers, etc.  It seemed that the majority of riders had found some way to enhance their 150+ mile ride with a bit of cycling tech.

As with any technology, one thing is required for any extended period of time…. power!  Most riders carry extra batteries and I even saw some who attempted to use small solar panels to power their devices.  Unfortunately, each of these solutions has their own set of problems, including a mostly-overcast ride this year.  One possible solution that I have kept my eye on for some time was the use of “pedal power” for our gadgets and devices.  Why not use the power of our own legs to generate the juice needed for our devices?  Thankfully, the folks of Dahon were working on an answer to the same question.  Their answer, released just a few months ago, was the BioLogic ReeCharge.

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When You Think It’s Too Late, AVG is There

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

An increasing trend in malware is the “fake anti-virus” program.  There are hundreds of names for these programs, but the story is always the same.  You are essentially locked out of your computer by a program that promises to help you remove….. itself.  Unsuspecting PC users are forced to fork over $50 or more to simply regain control of their computer.

Possibly the most frustrating part of these malware programs is that there are tools out there to help you remove them IF you could gain enough control of your PC to install and run them.  Unfortunately, you have no control.  Whether you are tricked by one of these “fake anti-virus programs” or your real anti-virus program simply lets one get by, you are going to need some help.  Luckily, the folks at Avast have developed a FREE Rescue CD that can be used to scan your system and remove these pesky programs with ease. (more…)