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iPad - Apple's Newest Thang
Will it Really Save the World?

"The Last time there was this much excitement about a tablet, it had some commandments written on it." ~The Wall Street Journal

  At 0.5-inches thin, weighing in at just 1.5 pounds and with a 9.7-inch display, Apple CEO Steve Jobs revealed the much-anticipated iPad today, Wednesday, January 27.

Said to run on the iPhone operating system, the new iPad is positioned, if not to actually

save the world, to quite possibly become your new best friend. Think of all iPhone applications now working on your own mobile computer system. Think personal computer, mini netbook, Kindle, iPod, TV/video/DVD watching device, universal remote control, gaming device, (and more - and no, we didn't forget to mention "camera" or "phone" because they apparently aren't there) all rolled into one.

However, the actual functionality of all mentioned is yet to be seen. Many will say they have an iPhone and a Laptop, is an iPad really necessary? The big challenge Apple faces is to thread the needle in terms of pricing.

With Windows laptops selling for as little as $500 and Kindles retailing for about $250, Apple will have a fine line to walk in order to make the iPad attractive in today's economy.

  

The big question Apple faces is whether or not the iPad will be yet just another gadget to carry around or will it actually consolidate and simply technological life. Many of us suffer from device fatigue and want convergence.

Connectivity will be another issue to face. The iPad is said to run on 3G and have WiFi access. However, will that mean adding yet another data-related package fee to the budget?

  The additional bad news is the iPad connectivity, like the iPhone, is apparently only offered through the AT&T network. So, those not happy with AT&T coverage in the Santa Barbara area may want to forego the venture all-together.

Criticisms aside, the iPad appears to be the same type of extremely user-friendly device for which Apple is famous. It is a glorified netbook with tons of functionality, which will most certainly only expand as it evolves.

Technical Specs to Consider
 1 GHz Apple A4 chip, 16GB-64GB Flash Storage, WiFi 802.11n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Accelerometer & Compass, Speaker, Microphone, 30-pin connect.

Battery life: supposedly 10-hour.

Wi-Fi Only Models:
Rumored Pricing: $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB) and $699 (64GB)

AT&T/3G Models:
Rumored Pricing: $629 (16GB), $729 (32GB) and $829 (64GB)

In US, exclusively tied to AT&T 3G network.  Back to top.
Is Your Network "Still" Secure?
Keep In Mind: Power Outages Reset Routers

When it rains in Santa Barbara, the power tends to go on and off. When there is wind and lighting on top of it, the power often does go off. It is important to know power outages are the number one reason for router resets.

What is a Router Reset?
This is when all of the specific settings in you router get reset back to the factory default settings.

Why is This a Problem?
When routers reset, all of your security settings are deleted. You may have a working internet connection but you also have an “open network.” This means anyone that can see your wireless network with their computer or phone can log on and use your network.

No big deal except for the fact unwanted visitors may use it to look inside your computers (hacking) or to download pornography and/or copyrighted music or films via your IP Address. This means you may get a nasty note from your internet service provider, sometimes threatening legal action if the downloads are considered illegal. Of course, this is the extreme example but at the very least, most of us don't like the idea of someone having free access to all our financial data.

How Can You Tell?
If your wireless network just says the brand name of your router (i.e. Linksys, D-Link, Netgear) you quite possibly have an open network.

What to Do?
Call us to come out and get your router setup properly and talk about what you can do to protect your computer, data and network in the event of future power outages. 
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Battery Back-Ups
A Really Good Investment

A battery back-up is a device that can serve to protect your hardware by supplying power in the event of a power outage or "brown-out" (momentary fluxuation in power). Battery back-ups can be installed and connected to various types of hardware such as computers, printers, modems and routers. Once installed they work much like a generator, switching on when electric power is absent.

Battery back-ups serve many important purposes, such as:

  • Protecting your hardware from power spikes and surges
  • Prevent your hardware from shutting down during brief black-outs
  • Protecting your hardware during brown-outs
  • Giving you time to save work when the power goes out

We have many customers who have battery backups on their routers and as a result, have much less trouble with their internet connections. Another word for battery back-up is "Uninterruptible Power supply," otherwise referred to as a UPS (not to be confused with the mail delivery service!)

A company named APC makes many reliable battery back-ups. APC Back-UPS are available though the Mr. Pink Product Boutique, Staples, OfficeMax and Best Buy.

A very small battery back-up (UPS) is fine for modems and routers. If you are planning on using one on your computer, consider a larger unit costing closer to $100 so when power goes off you will have ample time to get to your computer, save work and shut down properly. Back to top.

New Hijacking Virus breaking Windows
   Keep Your System Protected!

In the last few weeks we have seen a wave of PC’s that have been “hijacked.”

This means either the browser or the desktop is being controlled by software the user doesn't want on their computer. This usually comes in the form of a screen saying your system is infected. Often this prompt will ask if you would like to scan, enable or purchase a product to clean your system. If this screen does not belong to your current anti-virus or anti-malware program then your are dealing with a hijacker.

Under normal conditions, this requires a standard virus/malware clean-up. However, lately we've witnessed a rash of these hijackers actually breaking the Windows operating software to the point where operating system software, other applications and data all have to be re-installed. This is a time consuming and costly process.

Please be sure your antivirus software is up to date (i.e. AVG, TrendMicro, McAffee) and working properly. Right now we recommend checking for updates on a daily basis, as all the antivirus software companies are scrambling to come up with fixes and releasing them as soon as developed. Also, make sure your anti adware/spyware utilities are up to date as well (i.e. Ad-Aware, Spybot).

If you think your system has been hijacked, contact us immediately.  Back to top.

Some Handy Definitions                    
 What's difference between Malware. Spyware & Virus Anyway?

Malware is what's referred to as malicious or unwanted software. It gets installed on your system without your knowledge when you simply visit a website that is either infected or running the malicious software. It is a common misperception that only pornography-related or music pirating websites can infect a user's computer. This, however, is far from the truth. Many benign websites these days can often be the host for malicious software.

Malicious software can include items with names such as: viruses, worms, trojan horses, rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware and crimeware to name a few.

When malware is on your system, it is operating in the background, again without your knowledge, and can slow down and break your computer. Unfortunately, and because it is constantly running in the background while you go about your normal computing, it can even cause hardware damage. If your hardware is constantly churning and running, eventually it will wear down. Malware only serves to speed up this process and is a very important reason why you need protection and regular updates.

Spyware is a type of malware that is installed on computers and collects information about users without their knowledge. This can be simple web usage information, passwords or credit card and bank account numbers.

Some spyware is created by marketing companies to gather web usage data on people who have installed a certain product. Malicious spyware is created by criminals trying to collect information off of your computer that will allow them access to your credit cards, stocks, bank accounts, etc.

Adware is advertising-supported software, or any software package which automatically installs, plays, displays, or downloads advertisements on your computer. Some types of adware are also spyware and can be classified as "privacy-invasive software." Adware is created by companies as a marketing tool. If they install themselves on 100,000 computers and only one person buys the product, they have easily made their investment worth it.

A computer Virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer. Viruses commonly get into computers through infected websites, email attachments, thumb drives and other removable media.

It is believed that most malicious viruses are written by disgruntled employees who program them then release them at their prospective workplaces. The viruses morph when the get out into the world and other wannabe programmers capture and modify them just to see what they can do.

 A Firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. Firewalls are there to prevent hackers and automated hacking programs from getting access to your computer. Firewalls are built into most home routers. Windows and Mac OS come with built-in software firewalls. Many anti-virus suites include firewalls.  Back to top.

To Pirate or Not to Pirate?
Truly a Question Posed in Biopic Tale about
Apple & Microsoft

The Pirates of Silicon Valley, based on the book “Valley of Fire” by Paul Frieberger, is an engrossing dramatization telling the tangled history of Apple Computer and tech giant Microsoft. Watch a five-minute preview  here and follow the entwined destinies of Apple's hip founder, Steve Jobs (Noah Wyle), and Microsoft's geeky genius, Bill Gates (Anthony Michael Hall), as they make history. Addressing the film's viewers are the Steve Ballmer and Steve Wozniak characters, who become a kind of Greek chorus commenting on the action.

 
Watch Pirates of Silicon Valley FULL MOVIE in Drama  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

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In This Issue:

Credit Where
Credit is Due

Mr. Pink now accepts payment via all major credit cards! We can accept credit card payment on the spot at the time of your service call, or offer you a Pay Now by credit card link on your emailed invoice. Just ask and we're happy to oblige.

Haiti ReWired

Haiti ReWired, started by tech magazine Wired, is a new social networking site, a collaborative community, focused on tech and infrastructure solutions for Haiti.

The problem solving going on here is amazing and could easily serve as a model for other disaster-stricken communities.

One of our favorites - street vendors who have figured out how to charge cell phones from car batteries. To check it out or to join the dialogue, visit Haiti ReWired.

Local Focus

In light of Deano's Pizzarama closing on the Mesa after 50 years in business, as well as a multitude of "For Lease" signs now decorating our town, we've decided to shine the light on some of our favorite local operations.

This month, we're show-casing Solutions in Parenting, an awesome parent consulting business run by Santa Barbara native, Kristi Miller. Check out SIP's website and sign-up for their terrific newsletter at: solutionsinparentng.com

Free Stuff:
Recession-Friendly Terminology

If you don't already, check out these two web-based portals that not only offer FREE STUFF, but promote the reduction of our ecological footprint by recycling and re-using.

Apple & Microsoft:
Technology's
Pirating Pioneers?

Looks like the competition between Steve Jobs and Bill gates, or at least their respective companies, is still going strong.  Windows 7 sailed Microsoft through the '09 holiday season and along with it, boosted hardware and software sales across the industry. Apple, on the other hand, just finished out their most profitable quarter on record and is following this up with the release of their much-anticipated iPad.

The rise of these two giants is well documented in the novel "Fire in the Valley," written by Paul Freiberger and Michael Swaine (check it out on here on Amazon).

As well, the movie "Pirates of Silicon Valley," (five-minute preview available here on Veoh) starring Noah Wyle as Jobs and Anthony Michael Hall as Gates, does a great job of telling the story cinematically.

Your Two Cents

If there’s a subject you’d like included in our newsletter, just let us know and we’re happy to comply. CLICK HERE to email us your ideas.

Less Acne
More Experience

We’ve been working with computers for nearly 30 years.  Call us at:
(805) 966-2966 if you'd like to ask us anything under the sun. :-)

Mom & Pop
Know Best

Mr. Pink Computer Shrink is a home-based and locally-owned business.

This means competitive & reasonable rates for you!

CLICK HERE to check out our fees & services.
 

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