Clean Up Home Computer before Disposal

The Home Computer is a Gold Mine
Not that everyone stores highly confidential data on their home computers, but most of us use our home computers for more than just surf the WWW and read email. If you create files, manage finances, or even download licensed software, it is all there to stay until correctly deleted. Meaning, if you delete the file using an OS such as Windows, do not believe for a moment that the file is actually removed from the storage media (floppy, hard drive, etc.).

Recommendation
So, I recommend, before disposing of your computer to the local goodwill, school, or library, be sure to format the drive. This will at least provide some level of protection from files be recovered by unknown individuals. If you have confidential content stored, you may want to take the clean up process a few steps further.

The Technical Concept
Basically, data stored on the disk can still be recovered even if it was deleted and written over. There are a number of free and licensed products available on the Web for removing content from storage permanently.

I can give you more details as to what I found and use for those interested. Just post and let me know your interest.

• Computer File Shredder Article

Digital Video Recorder (DVR)

So you want to record your favorite television show? Should you use timeless VHS and the slow VCR that seems to play back whatever quality it feels like that day? Or use the latest in technology and reproduce the same great video and sound quality each time you watch?

I prefer DVR. In fact, the only reason I have a VCR still hooked up in my house is to play back those old VHS tapes my kids love to watch. Or to watch one of the many home videos recorded over the years (this is another topic I will cover in a later article.)

There are a number of options when deciding how to set up DVR. Your cable television or satellite provider will only let you use DVR if you sign on with a package that has a set-top box attached to the TV (See what Cablevision is attempting to do for a new concept that may change this…or may not if the content providers have their way). I could not live with this. I want to reduce the amount of hardware I have, not increase it. So, I upgraded my computer in my office from Windows XP Home Edition to Windows XP Media Center Edition. You could also buy one of thousands of PCs already installed with the necessary hardware and software. I choose to do it myself instead of getting a whole new machine replacing the one the functions perfectly fine. You could also use software such as MythTV and piecemeal the components together. However, I prefer the easy to use TV interface Media Center provides and also the compatibility between software and hardware is seamless.

Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) is a dream come true. I have all the same features the cable and satellite providers offer with their DVR, but for FREE and with additional features. Yes free, no subscription costs whatsoever. The only investment was the initial setup cost, that’s it. Now I can sit at my TV and record, rewind, play slow-mo, and I can even access digital pictures stored on my computer, digital videos stored, and so much more.

My Setup:

• Home built PC installed with Windows XP MCE and a TV tuner card (to connect my cable line);


• Broadband Internet connection (to get automatic updates for the TV guide);


• Media Center Extender (in my case Xbox 360)

Significant Benefit:
All the television shows I record are stored on my computers hard drive. From there I can choose to leave them and/or archive to DVD.

There is so much more I can tell you about this, but figure it is best to stop now before I get to deep. Just remember, no need to pay for a monthly or yearly service plan, when you can get it free.

One Flaw:
Windows XP MCE does not support HDTV over the cable or satellite line, yet. It only supports HDTV over the air (See HDTV and your Media Center PC for more details.

• Digital video recorder

Recent experience with Voice over IP (VoIP)

VoIP has been around for a number of years now, but more recently it has been hitting the homes of American citizens. I left behind the days of regular telephone service and now enjoy reduced taxed telephone service over my broadband Internet connection (right now states have no jurisdiction over telephone calls made using VoIP.) I am with the same carrier since I started using VoIP and have found they made positive changes to lessen the burden on their subscribers.

For instance, take 911 service. It seems that most VoIP providers are not connecting their customers directly with a 911-dispatch center or even able to tell where you are calling from (when the call is made and you are not able to speak. My provider definitely knows where I am calling from based on the address stored in their database of where my telephone adapter is connected. They even verify that I have not moved the adapter each time the power is disconnected by asking me to respond to a message the first time a call is made after power is restored. (I have the option to move the adapter to a different location. I just need to let them know the new address in case of an emergency.)

Also, the online services are a nice to have such as call forwarding to my cell phone or being able to check voice messages from any Internet accessible computer with sound.

Power Failure:
If it is important to you to have telephone service during a power failure, then be sure to get setup with a battery backup. Some VoIP service providers include this feature (Comcast, Verizon, and more.) Otherwise, you can invest in one yourself and easily set it up to support more than just the phone, such as you computer(s). You should be aware that you will also need to have you Internet connection (modem, router, etc.) on battery backup for you phone to work.

Other important tips:
You do not have to have the same Internet provider as VoIP provider. Both are interchangeable. Don't be tricked into false advertising or pushy technicians. If you find you do not like you Internet or VoIP service you do not need to change both.

Tell me your experiences.

So it begins...

02-Jun-2006

I wish I had started this years ago because I have so much to share.

The idea behind this blog is to allow folks to get information, ask questions, and find answers for simple to complex tasks having to do with technology. I just hope that the information can be easily organized and retrieved from this site and that it doesn't get unruly.

Although I do not have all the time in the world, I will try my best to keep up with this site adding new information whenever possible.

There are a lot of areas to cover, but the main reason for this site is to help folks understand that technology for their personal or professional life does not need to be difficult or expensive. For instance, home services, such as choosing the right Internet access provider, can be confusing and overwhelming. It doesn’t need to be. Also, have you thought about Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – [See http://www.fcc.gov/voip/ for more information.]? I have found that some folks become victims of aggressive marketing campaigns that promise more than what is delivered.

Besides, sharing technology how to’s and don’ts, I will share experiences that have allowed me to understand when not to purchase technology and when to.

Disclaimer:
My sole intention on this blog is to provide honest, real life experiences and the knowledge learned from those moments. I do not have an objective to give negative slander to those involved with this blog. All information is provided to give those out there reading it information they need to be armed in case they ever have to live the same good or painful moment(s).

OK, so that is out of the way, let’s get started.

Ps. My residency is in the U.S., so some information may not be of interest to global readers.