Motorola Droid Review

I'll be posting a review of this excellent competitor in the smartphone market in the next few days. I'm currently writing this entry via my new Droid @ a local favorite restaurant; )

Firefox, Internet Explorer and Skype Woes

Hey all you Firefox browser users! We've come across a few snags that are bound to be an issue for some of you out there that also use Skype.

Skype comes with some plugins for FireFox and Internet Explorer, as well as some other installed applications. Most work great, but beware the browser plugins. Skype's browser plugins are designed to provide quick access to Skype calling features when you come across a phone number within a web page. That would be a great boon IF IT WORKED. However sad, the plugin currently causes memory issues, as well as conflicts with many of the features that come with Firefox and its interoperability with webpages and web 2.0 calls.

One clear loser is Google Reader. If you like to get to the news online that fits your mood, Google reader is a must have webpage in your bookmarks! This wonderful website WILL NOT WORK if you have the Skype plugin (as of Sep 09) running. There are other sites that use web 2.0 asynch data requests that will also have failings, but Google reader is a clear dead toolsite.

So, disable Skypes plugins within the plugin section of your Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers. When it does work fully, we'll post it here!

Windows 7 is Coming!

Many manufacturers are providing a coupon for a free Windows 7 upgrade, so if you REALLY need a PC now, make sure that you get this coupon.

Now, for those of you getting the PC for a business environment, ensure that the Windows 7 coupon gets you the business version of Windows 7. Securing your desktop is still a priority, even with Windows 7.

Your new PC should have a minimum of 3GB of ram, but since you're there and spending the money, go for a 64bit, 6GB ram setup. Ram has become incredibly cheap lately, and this combination makes Vista fly (And so Windows 7 will SCREAM LIKE A COMET! )

Get em now!

Windows 7 - October 22!

Good news! Windows 7 has been announced available as of October 22nd, 2009. Those of you that have been waiting out the Vista nightmare will likely have a way out to a new PC!

Update on tips and tricks to stay out of PC HELL

Are you the one that installed that free regcleaner software? Did you play that cool free online game that works on Internet Explorer only? Are you now checking out some porn you found via google/yahoo/enter your favorite search engine here?

Ya, you know you do it. Impulse computer use. We've seen it many times.

It's more frustrating when people install free cleanup tools. It's like lifting the hood on your Honda and inserting a new component you know nothing about into your engine you know nothing about, and expecting everything to be ok because the box says so...

One of the issues we come across is where someone believes their PC is working more slowly than it used to. MANY times the PC has a number of applications installed as service applications (for instance printer monitors, Yahoo and AIM toolbars, etc...) that over time have become overloaded. Even FIREFOX needs to be completely un-installed and re-installed to cleanse the performance issues accompanying FireFox.

In any event, this user will, instead of asking for professional help, will install one of the various free-from-the-internet Spyware toosl, registry cleaners, etc...

These so called "free" tools are a no-no... NEVER use these tools. This is a mantra in our blog, internal training and MANY professional IT support services and tech journals around the globe. These tools, short of a few we have vetted out, have proven again and again to be more damaging than the problem you started with. We have yet to see an automated solution that truly cleans out a PC's real issues and leaves you working correctly with no speed impacts.

So... DONT install stuff willy-nilly. IF things get slow or whacky, call US or another qualified service to review your problem - sometimes this is a problem that is resolved remotely for very little cost!

It will save money- every time!

Windows 7 Feature Update

Well, just about the time we thought we had it figured out! Microsoft announced that Windows XP programs that would not run on Vista will likely run on Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate (other versions will exclude XP support).

These programs will run under a new process similiar to dos support back in XP, providing a secured memory space that will allow you to run XP programs without the possibility of the application crashing Windows 7.

This is a HUGE issue for Vista users who have been marooned on "it doesnt work anymore and they dont make a Vista version!" island.

Windows 7 is looking more and more like a winner.

Want Windows 7 for FREE?! NOW?!?!

Until July, Microsoft will be giving away Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 for all of you die-hard Windows Early Adopters. Not only that, but this version of Windows will run for up to 13 months! June 1 2010 is the expiration date on this puppy.

For those that are considering thing due to issues with Vista - Yes, Win7RC1 DOES Eliminate alot of issues you are experiencing with Vista. Win7RC1 DOES NOT:

• Alleviate the problem of old programs that don't run on Vista - This will still very likely be a hurdle to be dealt with. Our services can help you with this in some cases.
• Make your OLD PC a viable platform to run Win7. Sorry but if your PC is 3 years or more old its unlikely that Win7 is for you.
  
• Run Trouble Free. Our testing so far in-house indicate that Windows 7 is a very strong platform and will run very well for you on even low memory base conditions (we tested with a limited video card profile and only 900mb of ram - still ran fine. Vista would have puked.) HOWEVER! Win7RC1 is just that - Release Candidate! That means theres always a possibility that there is a bug, and that Microsoft will not fix it...
  

All this aside, I think theres a good option here to be had for quite a few enthusiasts as well as those trying to save some money and their minds from Vista issues. A full clean install is required for Windows 7, so don't expect to have a quick turnaround and be prepared to re-install EVERYTHIN, from Quicken to Photoshop, theres no reasonable way to move any installed-type programs from XP,Vista or whatever you have to Windows 7.

As of today Nvidia, our favorite video card manufacturer, has released a new video driver for Windows 7 to support the Release Candidate. This makes the new Win7RC1 a clear trial OS for those seriously in need of replacing Vista.

For more information visit the Windows 7 website.

IEPCHELP Can help you in this trial move, as well as do consulting on the business end of using this software. Contact us for more information!