Answers to Common Computer Questions #1

So here it is, the first question/answer post. I get asked "Why is my computer so slow?" all the time. The answer really isn't that simple.

There could be several things that are causing this.

It could be that you need more memory or a faster processor. With software and the internet evolving as fast as they are, computer resources need to evolve as well. You should ask yourself "How old is my computer?" If the answer is older then 3 or 4 years, you should really think about an upgrade.

There are some software related things you can do to help speed up your computer. I use the following tools to keep mine performing as best as it can.

1. Eusing Free Registry Cleaner (http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm)
This will help you find any files in the registry that no longer need to be there. The more orphaned files you have, the slower your computer will run. If you have installed and unistalled software, then there is a good chance you have orphaned files in the registry.

2. Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html)
This program will search out and spyware you have living on your computer. If you have never ran a program like this, trust me when I say, you have spyware running on your computer.

3. Adaware (http://www.lavasoft.com)
This is the same kind of program as Search and Destroy. I run them both because it doesn't hurt and one usually finds something the other missed.

4. Defrag your hard drive.
There is no good software solution for this, plus Microsoft Windows has a tool built in. It can usually be found by going to Start >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Disk Defragment. Your hard drive becomes fragmented because files are not saved as a whole. They are saved in pieces where ever your system can find space. Defragging your hard drive will reassemble these files and therefore your system doesn't have to work as hard to find all the pieces.

So that is what I usually do. These should be done on a regular basis. I wouldn't go more then a month with out doing these things.

Stay tuned for the next question/answer post.

Weeks in Review and Direction

So here it is....another couple of weeks and I haven't posted to my blog, so here goes.

Some significant things have happened since my last post.

The most significant thing being the passing of my grandmother. We recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She was my last living grandparent. Below is the obituary.

"Eleanor McGrath, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, 100 Eleanor McGrath, 100, of Tinton Falls passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Madison Center, Old Bridge. A private cremation is being held for Eleanor. Arrangements are under the direction of the Waitt-Nelms Funeral Home, 501 Highway 79, Morganville. Eleanor was born in Newark and lived in Point Pleasant and Sparta before moving to Tinton Falls six years ago. She was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Joseph McGrath, in 1976. She is survived by her two sons, Donald McGrath of Pensacola, Fla., and Douglas McGrath of Long Branch; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and David Stone of Hertford, N.C.; 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. "

On March 22nd of this year, in honor of her 100th birthday, the city of Tinton Falls, NJ named that day after her.

Another significant thing that happened was we won our first softball game of the season. Hopefully we will be able to rack up a few more wins.

I have been thinking about what direction to take this blog and I think I have an idea. Because I work in the I.T. industry, people come up to me all the time with questions. When asked, these questions seem like common issues to me. However, to the average user, the problems they have seem huge.

So, in that light, I am going to start posting the questions I get asked as well as the solutions in terms the average user can use.

Look for the first one soon.

And remember, it's going to be a good day tater!

What's up...

So it's been a little while since I have posted anything here. That is due to two primary reasons. The first being I am a huge procrastinator and the second being I am addicted to twitter which allows me to add really short posts.

But fear not, I am back with a post today!

A lot has been going on lately. It seems like we never slow down anymore. Someone needs to put the brakes on this crazy merry-go-round called life. I am ready to get off and rest for a little while.

Softball season is in full swing (no pun intended). We haven't won a game yet, but last nights game was the best game we played so far this season. We came back from a huge deficit to lose by only one. Everyone played awesome. And I have to say we have the best fans out there. We have a few loyal fans that are at every game. My beautiful wife is one of them and my biggest fan. I love that she gets excited during the games and yells at the umpires.

This past weekend the company I work for was involved in the "Relay for Life". It's a 24 hour walk-a-thon to benefit cancer research. My wife and I volunteered to man the booth for 4 hours where we were supposed to sell wings, ribs, corn on the cob and drinks. By the time we got there at 8:30pm, the only thing really left was corn on the cob and drinks. So we did more hanging out then selling. Still it was for a great cause and we had a good time.

My daughter's kindergarten graduation is in 11 days. I honestly can't believe she is going to be in the 1st grade next year. The time has sure flown by. She is going awesome in kindergarten. One of the reasons is she has the best teacher anyone could ask for (we home school her, so I am sweet on her teacher).

Work is busy these days. I have 6 projects going right now. So things are starting to get crazy, but so far I have been able to keep an eye on everything. The biggest problem I have is I don't know how to say no to a project.

Speaking of work, I need to get back to it and spare you anymore of my rambling. Until next time... stay away from the yellow snow...