PCMech » Podcast http://www.pcmech.com Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On Fri, 16 May 2008 07:32:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en ©PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) drisley@pcmech.com (PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com)) drisley@pcmech.com(PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com)) 1440 computers,technology,internet,software,hardware,blogs Rich Menga discusses various issues in technology. Listen in to the PC Mechanic podcast, from www.pcmech.com. Each week, Rich Menga will discuss a new issue in the world of technology. PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) drisley@pcmech.com No no http://www.pcmech.com/design/pcmech_podcast_small.jpg PCMech http://www.pcmech.com 144 144 2007 Microsoft, Apple Follies, Looking Forward To 2008 (Podcast) http://www.pcmech.com/article/2007-microsoft-apple-follies-looking-forward-to-2008-podcast/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/2007-microsoft-apple-follies-looking-forward-to-2008-podcast/#comments Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:31:45 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/2007-microsoft-apple-follies-looking-forward-to-2008-podcast/ In this podcast I discuss some of the stumbles both Microsoft and Apple had to deal with in ‘07 (not with each other but rather in the decisions each made concerning their respective products) and what we have to look forward to in ‘08 from each.

Personally speaking I think ‘08 is going to be a year of fixes. Microsoft has SP1 for Vista and SP3 for XP right around the corner. Apple is going to do better with firmware 1.1.3 on the iPhone and hopefully loosen the grip (some more) to allow for more 3rd party apps. And is there such a thing as a simple operating system anymore? I don’t think there has been one since Windows XP or Mac OS X. However I think simplified computing will return in the form of embedded devices with the iPhone being a good start.

Listen in for details.

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/2007-microsoft-apple-follies-looking-forward-to-2008-podcast/feed/ 13:38 In this podcast I discuss some of the stumbles both Microsoft and Apple had to deal with in '07 (not with each other but rather ... In this podcast I discuss some of the stumbles both Microsoft and Apple had to deal with in '07 (not with each other but rather in the decisions each made concerning their respective products) and what we have to look forward to in '08 from each. Personally speaking I think '08 is going to be a year of fixes. Microsoft has SP1 for Vista and SP3 for XP right around the corner. Apple is going to do better with firmware 1.1.3 on the iPhone and hopefully loosen the grip (some more) to allow for more 3rd party apps. And is there such a thing as a simple operating system anymore? I don't think there has been one since Windows XP or Mac OS X. However I think simplified computing will return in the form of embedded devices with the iPhone being a good start. Listen in for details. Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Christmas Shopping Tips (Podcast) http://www.pcmech.com/article/christmas-shopping-tips-podcast/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/christmas-shopping-tips-podcast/#comments Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:15:30 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/christmas-shopping-tips-podcast/ In this podcast I give out some Christmas gift shopping tips that include words of wisdom concerning eBay, big-box retail return policies, price comparisons and more. Listen in for the details.

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/christmas-shopping-tips-podcast/feed/ 00:01:01 In this podcast I give out some Christmas gift shopping tips that include words of wisdom concerning eBay, big-box retail return policies, price comparisons and ... In this podcast I give out some Christmas gift shopping tips that include words of wisdom concerning eBay, big-box retail return policies, price comparisons and more. Listen in for the details. Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Gift Certificate Giving (Podcast) http://www.pcmech.com/article/gift-certificate-giving-podcast/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/gift-certificate-giving-podcast/#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:14:50 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/gift-certificate-giving-podcast/ There are gift certificates that suck and ones that don’t. Many of us are going to receive these no-thought-whatsoever gifts and give them ourselves, so if you’re going to do it, at least give one that people can actually use.

My recommendations:

Don’t give fast food certificates.

Don’t give give electronics store certificates (unless at least $200).

Do give Home Depot / Lowe’s certificates.

Do give Blockbuster certificates.

Listen in for why I feel this way about certain certificates.

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/gift-certificate-giving-podcast/feed/ 00:01:01 There are gift certificates that suck and ones that don't. Many of us are going to receive these no-thought-whatsoever gifts and give them ourselves, so ... There are gift certificates that suck and ones that don't. Many of us are going to receive these no-thought-whatsoever gifts and give them ourselves, so if you're going to do it, at least give one that people can actually use. My recommendations: Don't give fast food certificates. Don't give give electronics store certificates (unless at least $200). Do give Home Depot / Lowe's certificates. Do give Blockbuster certificates. Listen in for why I feel this way about certain certificates. Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Top Ten Reasons GPS are Better Than Maps http://www.pcmech.com/article/top-ten-reasons-gps-are-better-than-maps/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/top-ten-reasons-gps-are-better-than-maps/#comments Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:00:20 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/top-ten-reasons-gps-are-better-than-maps/ There are lots of things that GPS can do that maps simply cannot. I posted this podcast because GPS just happens to be one of the top requested electronics gifts for the holiday season. If you wanted some good reasons to own a GPS, here are ten good ones. :D

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/top-ten-reasons-gps-are-better-than-maps/feed/ 00:01:01 There are lots of things that GPS can do that maps simply cannot. I posted this podcast because GPS just happens to be one of ... There are lots of things that GPS can do that maps simply cannot. I posted this podcast because GPS just happens to be one of the top requested electronics gifts for the holiday season. If you wanted some good reasons to own a GPS, here are ten good ones. :D Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Podcast 11-07-2007 : All-In-One PC’s, Are They Worth It? http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-11-07-2007-all-in-one-pcs-are-they-worth-it/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-11-07-2007-all-in-one-pcs-are-they-worth-it/#comments Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:10:03 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-11-07-2007-all-in-one-pcs-are-they-worth-it/ Most people are aware of the all-in-one iMac from Apple, but Gateway is right around the corner with the Gateway One. Dell is also cooking up their own all-in-one with the XPS One. Is having a desktop computer built from laptop parts without it being a laptop really worth it? Listen in and find out.

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-11-07-2007-all-in-one-pcs-are-they-worth-it/feed/ 12:31 Most people are aware of the all-in-one iMac from Apple, but Gateway is right around the corner with the Gateway One. Dell is also cooking ... Most people are aware of the all-in-one iMac from Apple, but Gateway is right around the corner with the Gateway One. Dell is also cooking up their own all-in-one with the XPS One. Is having a desktop computer built from laptop parts without it being a laptop really worth it? Listen in and find out. Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Podcast 10-22-2207 : Is It Worth It To Have 64-bit? http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-22-2207-is-it-worth-it-to-have-64-bit/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-22-2207-is-it-worth-it-to-have-64-bit/#comments Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:28:25 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-22-2207-is-it-worth-it-to-have-64-bit/ Does having a 64-bit processor in your computer really amount to anything if you’re not using server applications? Whether you’re running Windows 64-bit, Mac OS X Tiger or Leopard or a 64-bit Linux, where are the 64-bit apps? What could someone possibly do any better right now with a 64-bit system compared to 32?

Links mentioned in this podcast:

http://www.microsoft.com/servers/64bit/overview.mspx

http://developer.apple.com/macosx/64bit.html

Also mentioned:

If you actually have a 64-bit system (no matter what OS you use,) do you see any advantage by having it at present? Do you use any native 64-bit desktop (i.e. not server based) apps that really show a difference in speed, smoothness, ease-of-use, etc.?

Listen in and give your opinion on 64-bit.

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-22-2207-is-it-worth-it-to-have-64-bit/feed/ 8:50 Does having a 64-bit processor in your computer really amount to anything if you're not using server applications? Whether you're running Windows 64-bit, Mac OS ... Does having a 64-bit processor in your computer really amount to anything if you're not using server applications? Whether you're running Windows 64-bit, Mac OS X Tiger or Leopard or a 64-bit Linux, where are the 64-bit apps? What could someone possibly do any better right now with a 64-bit system compared to 32? Links mentioned in this podcast: http://www.microsoft.com/servers/64bit/overview.mspx http://developer.apple.com/macosx/64bit.html Also mentioned: If you actually have a 64-bit system (no matter what OS you use,) do you see any advantage by having it at present? Do you use any native 64-bit desktop (i.e. not server based) apps that really show a difference in speed, smoothness, ease-of-use, etc.? Listen in and give your opinion on 64-bit. Hardware,,Podcast,,Processors PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Podcast 10-15-2007 : Cheap RAM Upgrades http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-15-2007-online-gaming-addiction/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-15-2007-online-gaming-addiction/#comments Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:49:32 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-15-2007-online-gaming-addiction/ In this podcast I discuss a cheap RAM upgrade anyone can do, and some insight on whether online retail is really cheaper than traditional brick-and-mortar stores.

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-15-2007-online-gaming-addiction/feed/ 6:53 In this podcast I discuss a cheap RAM upgrade anyone can do, and some insight on whether online retail is really cheaper than traditional brick-and-mortar ... In this podcast I discuss a cheap RAM upgrade anyone can do, and some insight on whether online retail is really cheaper than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Podcast 10-08-2007 : A Crash Course In Ergonomics http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-08-2007-a-crash-course-in-ergonomics/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-08-2007-a-crash-course-in-ergonomics/#comments Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:50:39 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-08-2007-a-crash-course-in-ergonomics/ Do you have a proper computer chair?

Is your keyboard at the proper height?

Is your mouse proper for your hand?

The answers to all these questions and more in the most exciting podcast - EVER. Well, not really. But listen to it anyway.

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-08-2007-a-crash-course-in-ergonomics/feed/ 10:15 Do you have a proper computer chair? Is your keyboard at the proper height? Is your mouse proper for your hand? The answers to all these questions and ... Do you have a proper computer chair? Is your keyboard at the proper height? Is your mouse proper for your hand? The answers to all these questions and more in the most exciting podcast - EVER. Well, not really. But listen to it anyway. Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Podcast 10-01-2007 : Mac OS X Leopard http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-01-2007-mac-os-x-leopard/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-01-2007-mac-os-x-leopard/#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:10:17 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-01-2007-mac-os-x-leopard/ Mac OS X Leopard is about a month away from being released. It looks promising, but are there any solid reasons for Tiger users to upgrade?

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-10-01-2007-mac-os-x-leopard/feed/ 16:35 Mac OS X Leopard is about a month away from being released. It looks promising, but are there any solid reasons for Tiger users to ... Mac OS X Leopard is about a month away from being released. It looks promising, but are there any solid reasons for Tiger users to upgrade? Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No Podcast 09-26-2007 : Web Design Readability Primer http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-09-26-2007-web-design-readability-primer/ http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-09-26-2007-web-design-readability-primer/#comments Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:38:12 +0000 Rich Menga http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-09-26-2007-web-design-readability-primer/ Does your web site or blog have enough readability to it? Or is it alienating some of your audience? Listen in and find out.

]]> http://www.pcmech.com/article/podcast-09-26-2007-web-design-readability-primer/feed/ 11:05 Does your web site or blog have enough readability to it? Or is it alienating some of your audience? Listen in and find out. Does your web site or blog have enough readability to it? Or is it alienating some of your audience? Listen in and find out. Podcast PC Mechanic (www.pcmech.com) no No