The Tekblog

Information and Observations from the Front lines of Small Business Computer Networking and Support…

Entries for February, 2009

Donating / Recycling old computers…

Often I am asked what people do with their old, unwanted computers and computer equipment. Unfortunately most people just chuck them in the trash can. Computers are filled with lead-based solder that can be harmful to ground water, as well as numerous plastic and silicon parts that aren’t biodegradable. According to the EPA, consumer electronics [...]

Getting serious about privacy…

The Internet began revealing its dangerous side more than a decade ago. As one veteran business analyst remarked, "Personal information on the Internet started turning into asbestos, becoming highly toxic. People started discovering a lot of it around."
Identity theft emerged, of course, and began ruining lives. Now, the analyst notes, "There are more obligations than [...]

Get Microsoft Office Professional on the cheap.

If you are a student, or are the parent of a student and need Microsoft Office, you are able to get it at a 91% discount through a Microsoft program called "The Ultimate Steal". You basically provide some information about your educational institution and Microsoft gives you Word, Excel, Groove, Publisher, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook, InfoPath, [...]

Windows 7 – A light at the end of the tunnel?

For many people, the transition from Windows XP to Windows Vista was a rough one. Others refused to make the move altogether either because of the negative publicity it received  or a software / hardware incompatibility of some kind.
Originally, it was planned that Windows codename "Blackcomb" (a.k.a Windows 7) was to be the successor [...]