Sony has reminded the world why their sound quality is one of the best with their new SRS-DZ10 PC speakers.  It has 2 mini speakers, a compact subwoofer, and a remote control and headset capability.  Not only does this speaker system have excellent quality as is expected by Sony, but it has some pretty good power at 37 watts.  It has a sleek silver design and a blue LED light that looks sharp.

Now for the usage.  You may use this speaker set for a desktop or laptop.  Also, you may hook it up to your iPod or other portable audio device.  You may even connect it to your TV or DVD player if you’d like.  The advantage of this speaker system over other PC / audio speakers is that it gives you the full experience of bass, treble, control, and quality.  At $299, it seems like a good deal.

Yes, the iPod is the craze and more consumers have iPods than other products.  But, is there a better product out there?  We think there is one very worth competitor.  The Archos Gmini 402 Camcorder boasts music playback, FM tuner, camera and video recording, hi-def DVD play back, and voice recording.  At the same price as an iPod, you may even record music from the radio.  The surprising advantage over the iPod is the audio quality is better and has been rated as being the best of mp3 players.  The only downside is that  it weighs an ounce more than the iPod, but the viewing, crisp image makes up for that.

The full suite of Archos products include wireless connectivity, hard drive storage up to $160GB, and full DVD compatibility.

A runner-up is the Creative Zen VisionW which is comparable to the iPod’s audio and visual quality.  It includes an FM tuner, photo, video, and voice recording.  The overall design and color choice matches the iPod.  The big difference is that the viewing screen covers the whole device so you get to view a gorgeous screen for photos and videos.

So, before you join the crowd, you may check out these worthy alternatives to the iPod.  Hey, why not get more out of your audio device?

A funny but relevant question in today’s booming technology gadget craze.  A survey done by Kelton Research, a UK study group, found that Americans spend 65% more time with their computer than their spouse or significant other.  That alarming rate is due to 84% of the respondents feeling much more dependent on computers than 3 years ago.

A couple of psychologists have reviewed the study to add that as computers become more necessary for every day life, we will be developing more meaningful relationships with them similar to humans.  As the computer starts to act up and crash, an argument might soon follow.  If the computer, works well without hitches, the relationship is meant to last!

What is the take-home message here?  Just make sure your boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse is spending as much time on the computer as you are!  That way, the relationship with your personal and mechanical relationships will be everlasting!

The “Storm” worm has been doing major damage or spamming to computers.  Initiated on January 15th, the worm has been named after the recent storm in Europe and the fact that it has sent 6 different waves of hundreds of thousands of spam-like e-mails.

Essentially, the worm congregates in a sample of computers that then sends out spam and malware to many computers.  To avoid infecting your computer, do not open e-mails with the following subject lines: “230 dead as storm batters Europe,” “First nuclear act of terrorism,” “full clip.exe,” and “read more.exe.”

If you are one of the unlucky ones who opens up one of these e-mails, you will receive instant an instant worm.  The worm may lay dormant for a while and then decide to spam others or steal your data.  Not such a friendly worm!  Updating your anti-virus software and running a scan will typically remove this worm.

Anti-virus software does remove viruses, but you can be more proactive with you protection.  Yes, Norton, Mcafee, PCCillin, AVG and others provide automated protection to computers, but they are reactionary in removing viruses after the viruses are found.

You can be more proactive by performing the following:

-Do not open suspicious attachments. 

-Do not open e-mails from unknown senders.

-Do not click on links in e-mails from unknown senders.

-Permanently delete suspect e-mails by holding down the SHIFT key and hitting DELETE.

Purchasing anti-virus software is necessary as is being cautiously smart about your e-mail usage.  The majority of viruses are spread through viruses.  So please be careful when checking your e-mails.

New York Computer Help presents a free technostic specifically designed to diagnose and advise how to resolve tech issues and optimize computers.
 

This complimentary service, called the Free Technostic, is exclusively offered at New York Computer Help’s repair shops on 53 East 34^th Street and 45 West 57^th Street.
 

Today’s quickly changing technology industry sometimes leaves consumers uninformed on how to take care of their computers and precious data.  This unique service empowers consumers how to tune-up, resolve current issues, and prevent future catastrophes.  The Free Technostic, a technical diagnostic, is a same-day service with no obligation that will provide a free computer assessment for a limited time only. 
 

Drop in to see how New York Computer Help’s #1 rated NYC Computer service (Citysearch 2006) is educating computer users, one New Yorker at a time.

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. day, today’s blog includes information pertaining to Dr. King with a technological flavor to it, of course.

Let’s start out with a brief refresher and background by downloading a free lecture describing Dr. King’s quest for freedom.

We know Martin Luther King was a relentless fighter of freedom through non-violent methods, but do you know what his original hometown and roots look like.  Check out King’s birth town virtual tour that displays every room in King’s house as well as a brief view of his neighborhood.

Lastly, we cap of King’s commemoration by leaving you with a few pictures and his cherished words and dreams for a free America.

Do you feel soreness around your neck, or back? If yes, you might have “Tech Neck.”  Tech Neck is a new term used by popular NYC spas, such as Dorit Baxter, that massage key body areas affected by heavy computer and Blackberry usage. 

Normally, massages help the overall body relax by ironing out knots, kinks, and muscle tightness.  The “Tech Neck” massage, as reviewed by Joe Silverman, CEO of New York Computer Help, specifically targets the sore muscles used every day while typing on a computer or blackberry device.

As interviewed by Reuters and MSNBC, Mr. Silverman made note that technology’s booming industry with handhelds, such as the Treos and Blackberry’s, has created an expectation of faster e-mail replies.  This is due to the knowledge that the e-mail is going to somebody who most likely has received his or her e-mail instantaneously via a handheld device.  This expectation is starting to pressure the recipient to reply back quickly, typically while standing and hunched over.  This bad posture, over time, creates aches and pains throughout the fingers, arms, neck, and back area.  For those who have this condition, as many of us do at New York Computer Help, we highly recommend the “Tech Neck” massage at the calming spa of Dorit Baxter. 

This massage is the perfect solution to today’s fast pulse of technology.

Microsoft Vista has the capability to be used as a touch screen.  Instead of using a  mouse, you may use your fingers or a stylus to navigate.  This touch screen capability is first being featured on HP’s TouchSmart PC.  The TouchSmart PC is the ultimate kitchen PC for the busy family.

This computer features a 19″ LCD, doubles as a TV, includes a videocam, microphone, and DVD burner.  The software is showcases includes calendar management software which is perfect for the on-the-go family.  Kids and the soccer Moms may input appointments and leave messages on the calendar or by voice recordings.
We are not big fans of an all-in-one device since if one part dies, usually the whole ship goes down with it.  However, it is the perfect size for the kitchen and fits right in.

iPhone.  Another iProduct is announced by Apple.  iMac, iPod, iTunes, iVideo, and now iPhone.  Although the “i” is getting very repetitive, “I” am very excited about the iPhone.  This product is actually something we, at New York Computer Help, and I’m sure you have been waiting for.  Basically, it is a cell phone that includes an iPod, video, and a camera.  Not bad for a multifunctional device.  Best of all, we can lose some baggage by not having to carry an iPod, camera, and cell phone.  We’ll only need one device!

Don’t throw out your other devices just yet.  Apple has not released information on how much storage the iPhone can hold for music and data.  Also, still yet to be determined is the megapixels of the camera for the resolution or clarity.  So, hold onto your digital cameras and mp3 players until the specifications are available.