Tech Review with Rob

Welcome to my weekly Tech Review.
This week I’m going to answer a question I have been hearing a lot.

What is an SSD? Do I want to buy one?

First a SSD is a Solid State Disk. Basically it’s a new type of hard drive made using flash memory. Most of you all use flash memory in your cameras, in your mp3 players and even in your camcorders. It has come a long way in speed, price and stability. The nice thing about this drive is it has no moving parts. No moving parts mean a lot less chance for things to break.

SSD Drive Pros: Speed and product life.
Standard hard drive Pros: Price and capacity.

Here are two drives I checked out this morning:

The Patriot SSD which has a 128GB capacity and costs $2.93 per gigabyte and the Seagate 7200 Standard which has a160GB capacity and costs $0.25 per gigabyte.
As you can see the standard hard drive is much cheaper.

The main reason to get a SSD is for speed. No moving parts mean it has a much faster access time. They also have a quicker write time as well. Currently the prices of SSDs and standard hard drives are falling at the same percentage. Roughly 50% year to year, this means that there does not look to be a huge price break coming on these units. So who are these drives for? Power users, people who need speed and are not afraid to spend money to get it. The average user needs capacity. So if you are looking to upgrade your hard drive or buy a new computer then you need to remember that you will be paying a high price if you choose an SSD drive.

An economical suggestion:

I see people who want the speed but can’t afford to sacrifice the capacity do this:

They buy a 64GB SSD and make it their primary boot drive that hosts the operation system (Windows 7), then they buy a much larger standard drive for storing music, pictures and data. This is a very nice way to make your system run and boot up fast while allowing you the ability to minimize the entry price to upgrade. Keep in mind not all system will just allow you to plug in an SSD drive. If you system is a few years old it might not work well with your motherboard or it might need a BIOS upgrade. If you aren’t sure you can check your motherboard online or give us a call at the office 904 281 0009. We would be happy to help you if you decide this is something you want to try.

Too Much of a Good Thing- Anti-Malware

Think that protecting yourself with 9 different types of the latest anti-malware is a good idea? Think again. More often then not, when I am called to a residence to fix an issue regarding computer speed, the issue is not from any form of malware at all. Ironically, the things that you put on your computer to protect yourself from malware (McAfee, Norton, etc.) and keep things running smoothly can cause more issues then the malware would have! Having many different types of anti-malware is not the ideal solution for keeping your computer safe; choosing 2 (3 max) different types of anti-malware solutions is a much more practical and smooth way of doing things.

The main issue stems from the fact that a lot of programs you purchase at stores are designed for relatively new computers…Norton 2010 may not be the best solution for your Windows 98 computer for example. When the software is designed they assume certain minimum benchmarks for your computer to be at for running the software properly, and while you may very well meet those minimum requirements it will eat up your system resources which makes everything run slow. This problem is magnified when you run multiple forms of anti-malware with actively running components (McAfee, and Norton for example) at the same time. It gets even worse if they are configured improperly, and run their scheduled scans at the same time. In many cases, anti-malware programs do not play nice together, and will actually cause conflicts that make certain programs/applications stop working…most notably Internet Explorer and Outlook. At most, you should have one actively running anti-malware program, which is a program that starts up when your computer starts up and is always on actively protecting you from any malware you may encounter.

I highly reccomend having one actively running anti-malware program, and one that you can choose to run manually as a backup. Here are some reccomendations for your anti-malware needs, and a list of ones you should avoid with a slower computer, try to aim for having one from each list! My personal choices are AVG and Malwarebytes.

Popular Anti-malware Programs with active running components-
AVG (Low computer resource usage, very up-to-date)
Trend Micro (Relatively low computer resource usage)
Norton (Avoid with a slower computer)
McAfee (Avoid with a slower computer, free with Comcast!)

Manually run anti-malware programs-
Malwarebytes (Free! You can pay for this one to have an active scan)
Spybot (Free! Comes with components that block harmful websites and system settings changes)

Anti-Malware Programs to Avoid-
AOL’s Internet Security (This is a highly intrusive resource hog that only causes problems, avoid using at all costs!)
CA Security Suite (This is peddled by people that work at Best Buy and Comp USA. Avoid it, expensive, intrusive, and causes problems if installed/uninstalled improperly.)
Zone Alarm (No. I don’t even know if this is used anymore, but this will prevent you from even using the internet in certain cases. It is worse then any virus I have encountered.)

If you need help getting any of these set up (or to fix the fact that you have 12 installed on your computer right now), give us a call at 281-0009 and we will be happy to help you out .

Tech Review with Tech Rob

Welcome to my Wednesday Tech Report.

I will be posting a tech report each Wednesday. I deal with a lot of different customers, some are big companies, some are small companies and some are regular home users. I get asked about technology a lot. People ask me about what TV to buy, what camera to buy, what wireless router to buy. I do a lot of research and I get a lot of information from vendors about products. I also get a lot of products to review and test. I get to see products in use in many different areas. This gives me a lot of great information. Redline has decided we should share this information with our customers. Things we may see might be of benefit to you. I will also field questions and some of the more useful ones will find their way on to this blog so others can benefit.

Recently I have been getting asked about the new “Video Cameras” A lot of these new mini camera/video recorders allow you to post your video directly to the web. They also are very portable and even do full 1080p HD recording. So, I decided to take a look at one.

The two main companies I looked at were Sony and Flip. Flip is a division of Cisco for people who did not know. I decided to try out the Sony MHS-PM1. This unit is called the Sony Webbie HD.

The main things I look for in a device like this are: 1) Battery Life 2) Compatibility 3) Warranty 4) Ease of Use 5) Features and 6) Value.
These are in no particular order, just things that should be considered when you buy technology.

1) BATTERY LIFE – I took my webbie out to the batting cages with my son to record some of him and his team hitting baseballs. I was there for about two hours and I was recording in 720 pretty much the whole time. Never an issue with the battery, even when I was playing back videos for other people to watch. So far I’d have to rate the battery life as very good.
2) COMPATIBILITY – The webbie allows you to record in MP4. The included software allows you to put it on your computer fairly easily. I had no problem hooking the unit up to a HDTV and easily playing videos on it.
3) WARRANTY – One Year Parts and Labor. That’s pretty much industry standard for these devices. Depending on where you purchase it you can add an extended option. I do not recommend this, if it makes it past it’s first year chances are it will last a few more years and by the time it breaks you will want newer technology anyway.
4) EASE OF USE – Pretty easy here, I was able to get this up and running without even reading the manual. You can use this almost right out of the box, (Requires a quick battery charge). It’s easy to figure out and the manual is layed out and fairly simple.
5) FEATURES – It can record in VGA/720/1080 so it records just about whatever you want. The audio recording is average, but it’s about the same as anything not recording in stereo. You can use Memory Stick cards to increase space and record for hours on end. It has the plug for a tri-pod mount. Comes with all the cables to hook to your Computer or TV.
6) VALUE – It’s small and compact, it does what it says it is going to do and comes at a very reasonable price (under $150).

Final Verdict – Tech Tested and Tech Approved!

Game Consoles!

The holidays are here, and with the holidays comes a bunch of fun toys. Chances are your kids or significant other may be obtaining their long coveted Xbox 360, Wii, or Playstation 3. With these devices come some fairly obvious uses (namely playing video games), but a lot of them have lots of nifty features that I see not being used in a lot of households I visit; most notably their abilities to connect wirelessly to your existing internet connection! Here are some of the features you are missing out on by not utilizing your internet connection/home network for your gaming consoles:

Wii:
-News Updates, local or otherwise
-Weather Updates, local or otherwise
-Ability to send mail and pictures to other friend’s Wii
-Online Multiplayer Games, allows you to play people all over the world in some of your games
-Games Marketplace, my personal favorite, allows you to purchase old school games (NES, SNES, etc.) for dirt cheap from Nintendo (from like 4 dollars to 12 dollar purchases).
-View pictures from your PC on your Wii

Xbox 360 (This one requires a special adapter to use Wirelessly- http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=76045):
-Xbox Live, pretty much one of the biggest selling points of this console, has monthly or annual fees that allow online play and game downloads. It has an online profile that stores screenshots and other goodies such as achievements for your games. You also have the capability to chat (via text or through a microphone), with freinds
or other players across the world.
-Netflix, you can download/stream your Netflix movies directly to your Xbox
-Facebook
-Stream Music and Movies from your PC to the Xbox

Playstation 3:
-Playstation Network, very similar to Xbox Live.
-Netflix, again, similar to the Xbox
-Stream Music and Movies from your PC to the Playstation 3

There are a lot more features that I am probably leaving out, but I sadly see these features completely not being utilized at residences I visit for computer work because people simply don’t take the time to get themselves connected. They are fairly easy to set up if you have a wireless router, and offer a lot of things that make your purchase seem a lot more reasonable. If you need help getting these devices set up, or have any questions, feel free to give us a call at our office (281-0009). I will be more then happy to come out and playtest them for you .

Happy Holidays!

Donald Michaels
Redline Services

Holiday Happenings in Jax

Now that the weather is getting cooler, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Redline has compiled a few Holiday happenings around Jacksonville. Feel free to post others that you know of.

December 1 – December 23, 2009
GINGERBREAD HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA 2009
Gingerbread Homes are built by professional chefs, architects, engineers, contractors, business professionals, civic organizations, church groups, school groups and other creative community members. Tickets: $5/adults, $3/children 3-16, free/2 and under. Wed- Sat, 11 am- 5 pm; Dec 21 & 22, 11 am- 5 pm.
Old St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.

December 1 – January 3, 2010
WINTER WONDERLAND RETURNS TO THE ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE
Daily thru January 3, noon- 10 pm. The 3rd annual Winter Wonderland Festival is becoming a holiday tradition. The fun includes an ice rink, the Ice Slide, nightly snow, sleigh rides, the Elf Village, Candy Cane Forest, live theatre, s’mores and, of course, Santa Claus.
St. Augustine Amphitheatre.
For more Info: www.winterwonderlandflorida.com, 209-0367

December 2 – January 2, 2010
THE JACKSONVILLE LANDING CHRISTMAS TREE
The Landing’s 56-foot-tree comes alive each evening with more than 78,000 lights and a 10 minute synchronized light show that will take place every hour, on the hour. Sun thru Thur from 6- 9 pm and Fri and Sat from 6 pm- midnight. Dec 2- 21 enjoy the Holiday on the River Concert Series, with daily and evening live performances by local schools, churches and dance groups.
Jacksonville Landing, 2 Independent Dr.
For More Info: 612-8491, www.jacksonvillelanding.com

December 5 – December 12, 2009
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Children (and adults) can enjoy a delectable continental breakfast as they visit with Santa Claus. Sessions last about 45 minutes beginning at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 am. Tickets: $12/adults, $10/children 3- 12, $3/children 2 and under. Prices include admission to the Museum. Reservations required.
Museum of Science and History, 1025 Museum Circle.
For More Info: 396-6674, www.themosh.org

Friday, December 11, 2009
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER
Created by Chip Davis, Mannheim Steamroller’s signature sound is where classical and modern-day rock, acoustic and electronic music meet. This “18th Century” rock band has become one of the most popular and best-selling acts in the last 30 years. 4:30 & 7:30 pm.
Daytona Beach Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd., Daytona Beach.
For More Info: (386) 671-3462

Friday, December 11, 2009
ACOUSTIC CHRISTMAS SHOW
The Big Ape brings Acoustic Christmas starring Colbie Caillat. 9 pm.
Mavericks Rock N’ Honky Tonk, Jacksonville Landing, 2 Independent Dr. W.
For More Info: 356-1110, www.mavericksatthelanding.com

December 11 – December 12, 2009
HOLIDAY POPS
Celebrate the season as the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra brings you wonderful melodies with symphonic yuletide favorites. Lynn Roberts joins the festivities while the Symphony Chorus and Children’s Chorus will warm your hearts. Dec 11 at 11 am, Dec 11- 12 at 8 pm, Dec 12 at 3 pm, Dec 13 at 7 pm.
Times-Union Center: Jacoby Hall.
For More Info: 354-5547, www.jaxsymphony.org

December 12 – December 13, 2009
A SNOW DAY
Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex and the First Coast Skating Club of Jacksonville are presenting two performances of the holiday ice show, A Snow Day. (see page 9) 5 pm. Tickets: $8- 10.
Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex
For More Info: www.jaxiceandsportsplex.com or 399-3223

December 18 – December 20, 2009
THE FLORIDA BALLET PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER
E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale comes to the stage in the beloved holiday classic for all ages.
The Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St.
For More Info: 355-2787, www.floridatheatre.com

For more information about the above events, please contact vendors directly.

For more events and Jax Happenings check also check out: EU Jacksonville AND Hello Jacksonville

Redline wishes everyone a very happy and safe holiday season.

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