Technology Bytes: May 2007 Archives

Fix for Eject button on Network icon in Sidebar (Mac OS X)

I love my shiny new MacBook Pro. However, until just a few mintues ago, one thing was annoying me. If I would try to choose Network from the Go menu in the Finder, nothing would happen. Upon further investigation, I also noticed that the Network icon in the sidebar had an eject button attached to it. I knew this was not supposed to be the case (how can you "eject" the "network"?). I recalled that I had this problem a few years ago on my G4 desktop and that I had solved it after doing some Internet research. However, I could not remember how I solved it, so I went back to the Internet and tried to find the solution. After many searches over the course of a day, I could not find a solution - which is strange for me because I almost always find solutions to problems like this fairly quickly. However, I did find a few references to people having the same problem, so I knew I wasn't crazy. Still, I was without a solution. Not that it was a really big problem, but I don't like being annoyed - especially by a brand new Mac. Therefore, using my mystical technology powers, I divined a solution. OK, it was just a well-educated hunch, but still, maybe I do have mystical powers.

I downloaded, installed, and opened OnyX 1.8.0b1 (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/20070). After letting OnyX verify my Startup Volume, I clicked on the Maintenance icon in the toolbar, then the tab labeled "Reset", then checked the option for "Sidebar of Finder windows". I clicked the Execute button, heeded the warning message, and clicked the Continue button. OnyX did it's magic, restarted the Finder, and voila! problem solved.

I have posted this fix because I had such difficulty finding a solution myself, I thought I would help other users who might encounter this problem in the future (and just in case I forget again ...)

For any Mac questions, feel free to contact Marcel Brown of Marcel Brown Technology Services.

Posted by Marcel Brown on May 21, 2007 10:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Tech Toy of the Month: Digital Photo Frames

This isn't really a specific tech toy, but rather a whole category that has started becoming popular lately. The idea is very simple. Basically, imagine a small LCD screen inside a photo frame. Instead of showing just one picture, the screen can cycle through an entire library of photos, making for a dynamic slideshow of sorts.

There are many models out on the market right now. The main differentiators are price and screen size. Obviously, the larger the screen size, the higher the price. On the low end, you can get 5" screens and prices in the $50 range. On the higher end, you can get 8" screens in the $200 range. There are also bigger and more expensive digital picture frames, but I'm limiting this article to the above mentioned price and size ranges. Basically, if you are interested in a digital picture frame, pay attention to a couple of features.

First, get a screen size that will be large enough to adequately display your pictures. 5" screens I feel are too small for most purposes. One exception is displaying the pictures on your desk, as you will be fairly close to the frame so the small screen size shouldn't be a problem. If you can find a good price, go for a 7 or 8" screen. This screen size is usually big enough for display in a living room-type environment.

The second feature to pay attention to is the type of media cards the digital picture frame accepts. Most frames accept a large variety of media cards, but it is best to make sure. Ideally you can re-use your older media cards that don't hold as much data. They are perfect for use in a digital picture frame. To make best use of smaller cards, you can export pictures from your photo organization software in a reduced resolution. Reduced resolution photos don't take as much space, so you can fit a lot more photos on a card than you normally would. Just don't reduce the photos below the resolution of your digital picture frame, or they won't look good.

As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this, or other digital photography topics.

Posted by Marcel Brown on May 14, 2007 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Q: Should I turn my computer off when I'm not using it?

A: This is one of the more common questions I get. I believe one of the reasons I get asked this so often is due to the common advice that says you should leave your computer on all the time because turning it on and off shortens its life. Other people wonder the opposite: will leaving my computer on all the time burn it out?

Another reason I get this question so often is because people are concerned about their energy usage (especially now that power rates have gone up significantly in Illinois). The underlying question is how much power does my computer use and can I save significantly by leaving it off when I'm not using it?

I'll first say that modern computers are designed so that they can be turned on and off without any negative effects. So don't worry if you like to turn off your computer when not using it. You're not hurting it, no matter what the common myth says.

The reason a common myth like this survives is because there may have been an element of truth to it at one time. While I can't find any definitive proof, some older computers (like from the 70's or 80's) may have been fragile enough that repeated power cycling (a few times a day) could have worn them enough to cause damage to the computer (or more likely the power supply or power switch).

Secondly, most modern computers can run 24/7 for years and years without problem. In fact, the computer I'm writing this on has run nearly 24/7 for about 8 years now (let's hear it for the Macintosh!). The life expectancy of most of the parts of a computer (except, notably, the hard drive - see my article about hard drive transplants) is far beyond the time the computer would become obsolete. So if you like to leave your computer on all the time, you're not really hurting it either.

But if you do leave it on all the time, are you wasting electricity? That depends on what you define by wasting. According to the "Mr. Electricity" web site, a typical desktop computer uses about 65 - 250 watts of electricity when on. That seems like a lot, and it can be. However, most computers are set to go to sleep after a period of time. Mr. Electricity says a sleeping computer uses 1 - 6 watts. So if your computer is asleep most of the time, it's using some electricity, but not a lot. You may still think that a few watts is worth saving. However, keep in mind that most computers still draw some power even when off. Usually this is around 1 watt. So you'd need to unplug your computer to make it totally stop drawing power. It really all boils down to a matter of convenience vs. saving power.

My recommendation is to make sure your computer is set to sleep and don't worry too much about it. You're not hurting it by leaving it on, and the small amount of power you'd be saving by turning off your computer or unplugging it isn't probably worth it. If you are really concerned about saving power, there are many other things in your home that use more energy.

Posted by Marcel Brown on May 14, 2007 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Backing Up Your Data Simplified

Backing up your data is probably the most important thing you should do to maintain your computer. However, it is also one of the most misunderstood topics, and therefore, many people neglect to properly back up their data. In an effort to help people back up their data, I will summarize a very simple but effective backup routine.

Basically, instead of messing with media like CDs or DVDs, external hard drives are much simpler. They are relatively inexpensive and can hold many times more data than a CD, DVD, or most other removable media. Purchase an external hard drive that is bundled with backup software. Most backup software that are bundled with external hard drives are very simple to set up. Set up your software to automatically back up on a schedule, and you should be all set. Check your backup software's logs every so often to ensure that the backups are running correctly.

For further data redundancy and peace of mind, buy 2 external hard drives. Periodically swap the drives and take one off site (for example, to a safety deposit box). This way, if your home or business suffers from a disaster such as fire or theft, you will have a backup in another location.

There are many brands of external hard drives. I feel more comfortable recommending well-known brands such as Seagate and Western Digital. However, any brand is better than having no backup at all.

If you already have an external hard drive, but no backup software, I recommend Retrospect Express HD (http://www.emcinsignia.com/products/homeandoffice/retroexpresshd). It only costs $50, is very simple to use, and you can download it immediately after ordering it on line. Even if your hard drive came with backup software, but it doesn't backup on a schedule or you just aren't satisfied with it, you can buy Retrospect Express HD.

The bottom line is that your data can be gone in the blink of an eye. Don't put off backing up any longer. If you would like help setting up your backup, please feel free to contact me.

Posted by Marcel Brown on May 14, 2007 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Technology Bytes

Technology articles from Marcel Brown Technology Services

May 2007 Archives

May 21, 2007

Fix for Eject button on Network icon in Sidebar (Mac OS X)

May 14, 2007

Tech Toy of the Month: Digital Photo Frames

Q: Should I turn my computer off when I'm not using it?

Backing Up Your Data Simplified

RSS Feed / Subscription

Search

About May 2007