If you are experiencing slow startup on your Mac, below is a checklist of how to get back in the fast lane:

1. Reset or replace PRAM battery.  A reset is as easy as starting up your Mac while holding the Command, Option, P, and R keys.  You’ll hear the startup chime twice and then you have to release the keys.
2. Replace all peripherals besides your keyboard and mouse
3. Ensure all cables are connected tightly
4. Disconnect network cables.
5. Remove startup issues.  This may be found in the “Accounts” pane in System Preferences and the go to “Login Items” to remove any problematic startup items.
6. Check for permissions issues

Making the Switch is easy nowadays.  But, is it for you? 

Here are the top 3 pros and cons for making the switch.

Pros: 
1.  Word & Excel will work fine with AppleWorks or by installing Microsoft Office for Mac
2.  Digital cameras may use iPhoto software
3.  Pictures will be recognized flawlessly

Cons:
1.  Getting used to the single-button mouse.  That means no left or right-click button. Solution: Buy a third-party two-button mouse.

2.  Outlook & Outlook Express are tricky to transfer over without utilities. 
Solution:  Use a $10 software utility from Little Machines to move your e-mail over.

3.  Built-in firewall is not activated by default like Windows. 
Solution:  Use Mac Help in the finder for instructions on how to activate the firewall.

1. Don’t spray any liquid directly on your computer or keyboard.  Spray onto cloth first.
2. Don’t vacuum inside of your desktop case since it causes static electricity.  Use a towel.
3. Don’t leave computer on while cleaning.  Turn it off and unplug the power cable.
4. Don’t eat or drink around computer.
5. Don’t smoke excessively around computer.

Microsoft’s Zune is out in the market.  So, can it match up to the iPod?

Below are the pros and cons in determining if the Zune is iPod-worthy.

Pros:

-Big screen that works in portrait or landscape 
-Built-in FM tuner
-Displays pictures and videos
-Share music wirelessly with other Zune users
-Transfer Xbox content to your Zune

Cons:

-Not compatible with Macs and Windows 98 / 2000
-Only 30GB is your storage capacity – no other options
-Dull color choices of black, brown, and white
-Does not support iTunes software
-Currently not compatible with Windows Vista although software updates will likely be available in the future

At $249.99 like the iPod, the reviews still point to the iPod as the superior product.  However, the larger screen and built-in FM tuner makes this Zune a potential force if improved upon.

Pocket PCs are recommended for those who heavily work with Microsoft Office products and want the ability to call and e-mail. 

There are three phones  to compare for those steering clear from the Blackberry & Treo craze.   

Verizon XV6700
Benefits:  up to 300 minutes talking time and 200 minutes standby; easy to use retractable keyboard
Cons:  a tad bulkier & heavier than the others; also $100 more
 
Samsung SCH-i730 
Benefits:  Smallest phone that includes an MP3 player
Cons:  shortest talk and standby times at 150 and 130
 
Motorola Q
Benefits:  Lightest one at 4.1 ounces & readily accessible keyboard
Cons:  Not the prettiest of the bunch.

Our favorite is the Verizon phone due to its long talk/standby time and easily useable keyboard for typing.  However, the Motorola Q was a close second due to its portability.

Printer ink cartridges are getting more expensive these days.  There is an easy 5-step approach to optimizing your ink.  Here’s how:

1.  Set printer to draft mode.  Although it sets printing to gray text, this is usually perfectly acceptable and readable.

2.  Turn off color printing.  Usually, only black ink is needed for word documents and color cartridges cost more than black ink.

3.  Avoid wasting ink from printing excessive test pages or re-calibration of the cartridges.

4.  Use multi-purpose page instead of glossy or heavy paper to optimize ink levels.

5.  Buy your ink online via the printer manufacturer or Staples store generic brand.

The above options vary per printer, but should be discovered with a couple of clicks.

Googling someone has been a great way to find out more info about a friend, date, or potential employee.  Now, Google has enhanced this search by adding Phonebook Results.  Phonebook Results displays the phone number and address with a map. So, if you forgot somebody’s phone number or want an easy route to their home, Google’s Phonebook Results helps you out.

For accurate results, it is best to type quotes around the name (i.e. “John Smith”).  Also, you should type the state so that the full search query is “John Smith” ny. 

To not be searchable by others, you may decide to remove your name from the Google Phonebook results. 

It is fun to take pics on the fly with your phone.  But, how do you share them with friends and family?  Camera phones may allow you to e-mail pics to other camera phone friends, but you are not able to organize or share your phone pics from a website. 

These new products below go the extra mile to share your phone pics on websites plus some other cool tricks.

Vizrea lets you automatically transmit phone pictures wirelessly via your phone network or Bluetooth, and organize them on a website.

Sharpcast is about keeping photos (and ultimately other applications) in sync, whether they reside on multiple computers, cellphones or PDAs. So if you snap a picture on a mobile phone, it will be dispatched to your desktop computer and the Web. If you rotate an image on a phone or computer, it will similarly be instantly rotated on every other platform it resides on. Major benefit: With all your images online, you have an automatic backup. Sharpcast will open up its free beta in the spring.

If you have a Java-enabled phone, you may send and receive e-mails via Gmail for free.  All you have to do is go to Gmail on your phone’s web browser.  This feature was available last year, but was not accessible, taking 10+ clicks to navigate within e-mails.  Now, you can access e-mails with just one click.

Here are the benefits of this revamped mobile Gmail:

• It is FREE! (but your wireless plan still might charge)
• You may view attachments (i.e. pics and documents)
• Gmail contacts are available on your phone
• Optimized interface

Do your eyes feel strained due to looking at the computer all day?

There is a way to soften the monitor’s glare and brightness.  You may follow the below steps to give your eyes immediate relief: 

Changing to the Classic Start Menu
1. Right click over the Start button and choose Properties.
2. Under the Start Menu tab, select the Classic Start menu option.
3. Click OK.

Changing Appearance of Windows XP to Windows Classic
1. Find an empty space on your Desktop (not on the shortcuts) and right click and choose Properties.
2. In the Display Properties window, go to the Themes tab and choose Windows Classic from the theme list.
Next, go to the Appearance tab and click the Advanced button.
3. In the Advance Appearance window, click on the text of Active Window.
-Active Title Bar: Size - change to 21
-Color 1 and Color 2: Choose the colors that shade your eyes, preventing glare.
-Font type: Select Tahoma (it’s easy to read). Size - select 12 (if it’s still small for you, just enlarge it and vice versa). Color - choose black.

Then, click on the text of Normal.
-Menu: Size - change to 21. Color 1 - choose gray.
-Font type: Select Arial (it’s easy to be read too). Size - select 12. Color - choose black.

Next, click on the text of Message Text.
-Change the size of the menu to 21.
-Font: Arial. Size - 12.

Finally, click on the text of Windows Text.
-Color 1: Click Other. For background color, I prefer the light yellow to shade my eyes, but choose what is best for you.  Click OK.

Once you’re done, return to the Themes tab, click the Save As button and then click the Save button.  Lastly, Click Apply and OK.

Your eyes will now encounter a softer viewing experience.