BidenPC's I.T. Blog » Entertainment

Windows Vista Needs More RAM

Tim — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:17:34 +0000

I have an appointment to install RAM (also called memory) in a client’s computer. It has Windows Vista Home Basic with only 512 MB of RAM and he wonders why it is so slow. I don’t care if it is ONLY Windows Vista Home Basic. it still needs 1 gig (1 gigabyte) or RAM. And any other version of Windows Vista needs 2 gigs because it is just too hardware intensive to run well on anything less, no matter what Microsoft says.

So if you have Windows Vista and you keep thinking “Why is my computer so slow” don’t hesitate to put more RAM in it. Your computer will thank you.

And if you are not comfortable installing the RAM, Biden PC is your local computer technician and we’re here to help.

Happy Computing,

Tim

Biden PC is a Computer Network Consulting Company.

Joe Biden for Vice President

Tim — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:01:00 +0000

This is NOT an endorsement for Joe Biden or Barack Obama.

I know, this post doesn’t have anything to do with a computer but it is all about my last name and the name of my business.

So having the same last name as a man who is running for Vice President of the country is a bit odd. It used to be that I would hear “Are you related to the politician” about 3 times a year. I thought it was odd that those people didn’t even know his name or where he was from. Now I hear “Are you related to our next vice president” all the time. At this point knowing who he is can’t be avoided. My honest reply is “I don’t know. But at least people will start pronouncing my last name right.”

Politics aren’t my thing and since Mike Huckabee dropped out, I’m really not sure who to vote for. I’m not a fan of either of the two current presidential candidates.

But Joe, I do want to say thank you! You are single-handedly improving my life by accepting the VP nomination. I don’t like being called Mr. Bidden or Mr. Biddle. Where in the world do people get the “L” from anyway? I don’t have a single “L” in any of my 3 names.

Thanks Joe!

Tim

Biden PC is a Computer Network Consulting Company.

Google Needs SEO Help

Tim — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:23:00 +0000

Google, yes Google, could use a bit of Search Engine Optimization help. Part of SEO is making sure that your links are valid. I guess they think that’s a bit tough…

Click on the image to see it full size.

At their Google Webmaster Help Center they have a link to another page. This tells about their input on improving your page’s Google Page Rank.

This is what happens if you click on that link…

Click on the image to see it full size.

I just thought you might find that interesting… I did. =)

Happy Computing,
Tim

Biden PC is a Computer Network Consulting Company.

Editing Sony DVD Videos

Tim — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:12:00 +0000

Yesterday my wife needed to create and edit some videos for her class (she’s an art teacher) on how to work with water-color paints. We have a Sony DCR-DVD 105 camcorder that records to the mini DVDs. It doesn’t have a Firewire or USB connection on it so this presents a bit of a problem… How do you get the video onto your computer? Here’s what I do.

First you’ll need a bit of inexpensive software (sorry, not free this time) called AVS Video Converter. It is only $39.95 right now and it does a great job of converting the DVD files to almost any video format you would like. I usually choose .wmv, but the choice is up to you.

So here are the steps to converting the DVD video to any format you would like so you can edit your videos.

When you’re finished recording video, finalize the DVD.
After it is finalized, put the DVD into your computer’s DVD drive.
go to “My Computer” and Right-Click on the DVD drive.
Choose “Explore”.
A new window will be opened and you will see some files.
Copy the files that end in “.vob” to your desktop because AVS Video Converter can’t read directly from the DVD.
Start AVS Video Converter and choose the file format that you want to convert the DVD files to.
Click “Browse” to choose your .vob file.
Look under “Output File name” and you will see “… Profile” click on the box there to choose your exact output method within your video type.
Now you are almost finished. click on “Convert Now” and it will start it’s magic. Obviously the software will take longer to convert larger files but it will do it.

When the program is finished, you’ll be able to watch your video on your computer or edit it any way you want.

Happy video editing,
Tim

Biden PC is a Computer Network Consulting Company.

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IBM is Now Using Apple Computers

Tim — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 04:27:00 +0000

Irony as defined by webster.com: incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result

As ironic as it may seem, IBM, the creator of the personal computer, has started giving Apple laptops to its employees.

What? You think I’m joking? Ok, so they started with a roll-out of only 24 laptops… Still, check this link. 22 of the 24 people responded to a questionnaire and 19 wanted to keep the Apple laptops. Only 3 out of 22 wanted to go back to Windows. They’ll soon start a new roll-out of 50 laptops and in the second half of 2008 add another 50 laptops to the test.

Comments on the questionnaire include: “I have been a true PC stalwart for 2+ decades, but after trying Vista, I’m ready for a change,” and “It has been easier learning the Mac than learning Vista.” What a smack in the face to Microsoft!

Even though the numbers aren’t large, this must be exciting for Apple. I wish I had some Apple stock. =)

Happy Computing,
Tim

Biden PC is a Computer Network Consulting Company.

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I Ache Everywhere and it Feels Good

Tim — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:30:00 +0000

This is obviously not a computer-centered blog post. I still hope you enjoy it.I went out to Joshua Tree National Par k on Saturday and had a blast. It is something that my wife’s family loves to do and I’ve since fallen in love with the place.

Admittedly, when you get to Joshua Tree, your first thought will probably be “So… What’s the big deal?” Yes, it’s in the middle of the desert and there are these huge, strangely placed rock formations. Those huge, strangely placed rock formations (links here and here) are exactly what make Joshua Tree so great. You can climb all over them and just act like a kid. It’s a blast trying to figure out your way to the top and then, once you’re at the top, figure out a different way down. Only once have we had to take the same way down that we went up.

So, on to the part about aching everywhere… I’m not 16 years old anymore. It is now Tuesday morning and we went to Joshua Tree on Saturday. That gives me a whole 36 hours since I stopped climbing and I feel worse today than yesterday. I tried a hot tub, massage, stretching. I just have that ache that says “I worked hard at having fun.”

Growing up, I had no idea that you were actually allowed to go off the path at a park. I thought parks were just like an art gallery where we are supposed to look but not touch. How wrong I was. Admittedly, if I wasn’t allowed to climb around on the rocks, I’d probably never go back to Joshua Tree. But I am allowed so I go back as often as I can. I’m glad that someone in the government had enough foresight to know that such an arid stretch of land should be preserved for future generations.

Tim

Biden PC is a Computer Network Consulting Company.

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