It is very easy to accumulate a large collection of music on your computer, especially with iTunes.  It’s nice to listen to the music on your PC or Mac, but what if you’d rather play the music on your surround sound stereo?  You can do so by a wireless device that will act as a bridge between your stereo and computer.

For Windows users, you may buy the Linksys WMB54G Wireless-G Music Bridge which may easily integrate with your wireless network.  For Mac users, you may buy and set up the Apple Airport Express mobile base station.

Either option doesn’t require much technical support setup.  You might have to reset the network settings to include the music streaming, but it is overall an easy tech setup.

We have seen many sluggish Windows Vista computers come to our computer shops. Most don’t have the proper RAM and/or processor speeds. Others are weighed down with viruses, spyware, pop-ups, and excessive start-up programs.

We have seen a new breed of slow Windows Vista computers. They are due from the system restore either being corrupted, contain viruses in memory, or store an overabundance of restore points. How do you resolve or clear your system restore?

Right click on My Computer and click Properties. Click on System Restore and Turn off System Restore. This will clean up any issues in the system restore points as well as free up your system resources.

It is customary to implement Microsoft Exchange 2003 Standard Edition for networks.  This software allows companies to share contacts, calendars, e-mail, and set up public folders and other items.  This edition is usually more than adequate for the typical workplace.  However, this version has a capacity of 75GB.  This means that the total size for all of the e-mail accounts cannot be over 75GB.  If it goes over this level, then e-mails will cease to be sent and received.

If you need more than this 75GB database, as some of our New York Computer Help customers require, then you can make the upgrade to Exchange Standard 2003 Enterprise Edition.  This version upgrades the database capacity to 16TB.  This is essentially provides an open cap since 16TB is a smurfload of storage.  Further, it it easy on a technical support level to break up groups, offices, and organizational structures with the Enterprise Edition.

The Enterprise version is a great way to expand with a growing organization.  The cost is approximately $3,750, but is worth it due its one-time fee for unlimited e-mail storage.

If you have trouble opening your picture, you might not have the right software to open it.  If you just had a tech support person transfer your files from an old computer to new computer, you might not be able to open up some files, such as pictures.  This might be because you don’t have the right software installed.  Or maybe you can’t find the same software you had from your old computer.

Irfanview is a free software that can open many image files, such as: jpeg, tiff, bmp, architectural files and dozens of other graphics.  It is a viewer so you cannot edit the pictures.  In some cases, you can use this viewer to open up partially corrupted pictures.  That shows how powerful this software is.  The resolution only is very sharp and clear.  It allows for crisp print-outs. 

Irfanview is definitely a solid application to have in your tech toolchest.

If you’ve waited for Blackberry to finally come out with the iPhone stopper, you might be happy with the newest phone: the Blackberry Storm.  The Storm’s most talked about feature is its interactive keyboard.  The keyboard is on the screen like the iPhone, but it differs in that it is it vibrates after you type the keys.  It also provides a texturized feel to it for knowing you’ve touched the right keys.  Further, you can flip the phone to landscape view to type on a full-length keyboard.  Definitely an improvement from the Apple product although you can call it a bit of the “we can do it better” montre.

The phone has a 3.2 megapixel camera that can also shoots video.  The iPhone’s 2.0 megapixel camera cannot take videos yet.  Also, in contrast to the iPhone, you’ll get turn-by-turn navigation with the new Storm.  Another nice feature is the ability to replace the battery with a spare if you’re running low on juice and away from your charger.  With the iPhone, you better be close to your charger since only Apple support is able to take out the wedged in battery.

The phone, like the iPhone, has a touchscreen.  Unlike the touchscreen, it has removable memory for adding more pictures and other info.  When you take a pic with the iPhone, you can’t IM it to your contacts.  The Storm takes care of that.  Like the iPhone, the web navigation is crisp, clear, and bright.

The price has been given as the launch date should be in the next couple of weeks.  This phone will only be offered by Verizon at first.  Sounds similar to the att alliance iPhone had at first?  There are definitely many similarities between the iPhone and Storm, but the Storm’s specs improve upon Apple’s phone.  Based on the specs, we can see a lot of iPhone users making the reverse switch to the Blackberry, and lot of company PC and Mac users, going with the Storm especially if the keyboard is comfortable to work with.  Many iPhone users’ biggest gripe is the glass keyboard providing unsuccessful results for their big fingers.  The Storm keyboard might convert these unhappy iPhone campers. 

The iPhone 2.1 update is supposed to resolve many issues and shortcomings.  The important improvements are better reception, longer battery life, faster backups, fewer dropped calls, and less crashes.  The update has come through with most of these improvements except for the jury still being out on the longer battery life.

A couple of bugs have been reported from our New York Computer Help customers.  The biggest computer issue is not being able to send or receive e-mails after the update.  We have contacted Apple and ATT, and they had no resolution or further tech support to provide.  After resetting the iPhone, the problem still existed.  The only resolution is to replace the phone!  Another bug is not being able to work with iTunes after.  A quick install of Quicktime usually solves this.

We would advise on not installing the 2.1 patch now unless your emails are not critical.  We are awaiting for a patch or more improved update from Apple to come out.

Now, when you get a new Dell desktop, you can also get an integrated webcam.  Like the iMac, now the Dell Flat Panel monitors make a 22″ model that has an integrated webcam at the top.  Keep in mind though that only the Dell Inspiron desktop series comes with the webcam, or you can buy the monitor separately with any computer. 

It is a new innovation - to have an integrated webcam in a stand-alone monitor.  Usually, an integrated webcam is part of an all-in-one Mac, computer, or laptop.  This ground-breaking technology is a great feature for new desktops, and can probably be used with any other computer as well. 

It is definitely a nice toy to have, but the technical maintenance on it is yet to be seen.

American Airplanes, among other carriers, are hosting free wi-fi access on the plane.  So, while you’re in the friendly skies, you can surf the Internet wirelessly.  Definitely a nice feature if you’re bored; need to finish homework; or want to prepare for a business meeting.

However, the wi-fi access has been a liberal free zone up until recently.  Lately, passengers have been going on porn sites.  This might not seem harmful, but it is when a nearby passenger is at elbow’s length and an eyeshot away.  It could be disruptive and make others feel uneasy.  American Airlines is starting to ban porn and illicit sites within its wi-fi zones.  This way, they can filter out these porn seekers.

This new filter of porn has been a big topic of debate.  Does this infringe on the Internet’s laissez-fare attitude on regulating the Internet?  Some may argue it does.  We feel that if you’re getting free Internet access, you shouldn’t be picky with what you get!  Plus, you’ll probably save money by not getting viruses or spyware from these naughty sites!

The newest iPod, the 4G Nano, has been released.  Its notabale upgrades are increasing the storage size to 8GB and 16GB and having a curved sleek feel to it.  The display is the same size although the overall Nano is thinner and easier to navigate. 

The “wow” features are being able to shift the view from landscape to vertical like the iPhoe.  And check this out: if  you shake the Nano, it will automatically shuffle to a random song!  Don’t worry, if your device is off or on standby, no shuffling will occur.

Offered in 9 different colors, this portable mp3 player now comes with only a USB port to make it universally compatible with all computers.  A good device to have.  The only drawback is the sharp edges.  It can slice tomatoes or your hand if placed at the wrong angle.

If you’re looking for an ultra-cheap laptop solution, you may now consider Dell’s Inspiron Mini 9.  This 8.9″ glossy, portable laptop starts at $399 with Windows XP Home Edition only, 512MB RAM, 8GB solid-state hard drive, and may be bought in black or white.  This laptop is probably the cheapest, newest one you can find.  It is great for kids just learning to use a computer, or if you’d like a quick and cheap option.

The good: It’s ridiculously cheap! You can add an integrated webcam and bluetooth as well as upgrade up to 1GB of RAM.

The ugly: You’re stuck with Windows XP Home Edition unless you enlist an NYC tech support company to upgrade it to Windows XP Professional.  Don’t even think of going to Vista being that your speed is only at 512MB or 1GB of RAM.  Also, your hard drive, albeit a rugged, shock-free solid-state drive, can only be upgraded from 8GB of space to 16GB of space. 

This laptop is great for you if you don’t mind storing your files online or if you just want to cheaply get on the Internet and use your computer.   And if you’re looking for an ultra-portable and light laptop to travel, this is the one to go with.