Bits & Bytes;
An occasional newsletter from MCS
May, 2006
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In this issue:
Answering to a new number
How to help your CDs hold
their value
Laws for legislators to
brag about -- that are good for nothing else
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"One ringy-dingy..." --
Ernestine the Operator
In answer to some questions
about our recent move to a new phone number (change is so
hard for some people ;-) , the main reason we switched is
quite simple: our old number was not memorable; our new
number is. Very. In other words, it's about making things
easier for you.
Needless to say, our phone
number is the only thing that's changed. We're still
delivering onsite computer services; still providing the
highest quality hardware and software at the lowest prices
anywhere... and still doing it all with a smile!
So call anytime. 975-1111.
(Now isn't that easy to
remember! ;-)
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They may not earn
interest, but your CDs still have value
Whether they contain
programs, music, business records or last year's vacation
photos, compact disks can have enormous value to you. And
though they seem rugged, CDs are actually pretty fragile.
Without proper care, their contents can easily be lost. Here
are a few tips on how to keep your disks and your data in
good condition
> Scratches are the enemy.
Too many or too deep and they can render a disk unreadable.
So always handle CDs with care.
> Your CD-ROM uses a...
"laser" ...to read information on the disk. Due respect to
Dr. Evil, but it can't be used knock foreign satellites out
of the sky. In fact, the beam in that device is so weak that
it can't penetrate fingerprints, hand lotion, peanut butter
or most anything else that can end up on the surface of a
disk. For that reason, always pick up CDs by their edges.
If your computer has trouble
reading a disk and you can see a lot of smudges on the
surface, wash it in lukewarm, mildly soapy water with a very
gentle touch, then rinse thoroughly and pat it completely
dry with a soft cloth. Easy does it.
> Every CD you ever bought
came in a case of some kind -- probably a hard plastic
"jewel case". Manufacturers pack them that way for a reason,
so take the hint and keep disks in their cases when not in
use.
> Make copies of your
important CDs and keep them in a safe place. Depending on
their value to you, anywhere from your sock drawer to a safe
deposit box might be a good choice. Some software (games in
particular) require that a disk be placed in the drive
before the program will run. In that case, make a copy of
the disk for that purpose. If it ever gets scratched from
use, just toss it in the trash and make another copy from
the original. A little time and trouble can save a lot of
money in replacement costs or a lot of anguish over lost
data.
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Need a CD writer so you
can make backups and copies? Give us a call! 975-1111
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Nonsense in the News
You may have noticed a recent
news article about a bill being submitted to the Tennessee
state legislature, the purpose of which is to ban spyware --
programs that get onto your PC through underhanded means and
report back to their owners with your online habits or, in
some cases, your personal information. It proposes to do so
by fining those behind the software up to $10,000 per
incident. If you've ever had this particular type of pest on
your PC, you may be thinking that ten grand for the
annoyance factor sounds about right. But don't go looking
for a check just yet. Here's why:
First, the existence of
spyware on your computer does not mean that the people or
businesses responsible for it can be traced. Not
surprisingly, the disseminators of such programs tend to
make themselves very hard to find. They're smart and they
cover their tracks well, so laws like this won't frighten or
stop them.
Second, what about spyware
that originates from places other than Tennessee or, for
that matter, outside the U.S.? In fact, a great deal of the
ugly software we all have to deal with comes from other
continents. To the eternal frustration of politicians,
foreign citizens do not have to listen to them. And the
nefarious programmers who do operate within our borders
could simply move their activities to offshore servers,
possibly making themselves untouchable even by federal laws.
Lastly, this same article -- in
which several of our esteemed representatives patted
themselves on the back for supporting this bill -- also touted
two major companies that are behind them in their noble
effort: Microsoft and Symantec. Microsoft has long been
capable of making Windows much more resistant to things like spyware, but they've shown little inclination to do so.
Perhaps there's no profit in it. On the other hand, Symantec
is possibly the world's largest vendor of anti-spyware
programs ('ever heard of Norton Antivirus?). So raise your
hand if you think that any law they're behind will have a
noticeable effect on their mega-million dollar business.
If you're a Tennessee state
legislator, put your hand down.
Most spyware gets loaded onto
your PC when you visit the wrong websites, and the best way
to avoid it is to just stay away from those sites. Sounds
simple, doesn't it. Unfortunately, we can't tell you which
specific places to stay away from, only the genres.
Free music sharing sites have
always been notorious for distributing adware and spyware.
Some porn sites have been known to indulge in this practice
(among their other indulgences), as well as a number of
sites designed to attract kids. In that regard, the big
names are of course safe: The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon;
most of the well known companies. But if you Google "SpongeBob",
for example, some of the sites you'll find are unknown
quantities and may be a bit risky.
Don't worry about it though.
If you find that your computer is running slow, throwing pop-up windows
on your screen or displaying any unusual behavior, give us a
call. It may be obnoxious, but most spyware is pretty
harmless and can be removed quickly and easily.
If only the same could be
said for clueless politicians. ;-)
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'Have comments or
questions about any of the above? Give us a shout. We're
always glad to hear from you!
Like this newsletter?
Forward it to a friend!
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Protect your valuable
data! Ask about our custom BACKUP solutions for your home or
office!
Call today -- 975-1111
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