(Note to MAC users – even though I am NOT a MAC user
and know very little about them (except that those that use
them swear BY their computers; while PC users swear AT their
computers). Many of the web sites, the software info,
the hardware info, and the other information I give
out to you each issue are applicable to MAC users as well.
So please don’t bypass this article just because it
says PC in the title)
Here’s a great hint:
Did you know that Outlook can retrieve actual Maps of addresses
(well some anyway) in your address book? Here’s
how:
1. Connect to the internet
2. Go to your Contacts folder and open a contact
3. Click in the address (home, business, etc)
you want a map for
4. Click on Actions/Display Map Address (in Outlook
2002) or
5. Click View Map button.
For an address in Tabanan it showed me only Tabanan, but for
an address in Bangkok, it showed me the actual address.
Works the very best for US & Europe addresses right now.
(See Favorite LINK below for more Outlook plug-ins)
Computer accessories - wireless keyboards & flat screen
monitors & DVD burners
I just HATE having tons of cables on my desk (much less under
it). The solution: a wireless keyboard and mouse (they
are available here as well – check RIMO - Bali Computer
Center or Ubud’s Mega Systems). The best rated,
but a little bit pricey is the DiNovo Media Desktop.
It is the ultimate desktop set for media fanatics, but its
sky-high price tag is hard to swallow. Bluetooth enabled;
easy setup; excellent keyboard and mouse; innovative MediaPad;
stylish. http://www.pricescan.com has it for US$149.
Recently I also purchased a flat-panel monitor. These
things have come WAY down in price; have much better screens
now and have a wider viewing angle. These three things
were reasons NOT to buy a flat panel in the past. But
now they are really worth it. Plus, they take up such
a small amount of space on my desk! Some even have built-in
television tuners, come in wide-screen format, and support
both analog and digital PC graphics controllers which make
them a good choice for movie buffs. The high rated SyncMaster
172X is a 17 inch and delivers high style, for a high price,
to users who want an LCD optimized for work and play.
Using www.pricescan.com I found the latest prices to be: 15
inch flat-panels should be US$270+; 17 inch should be US$280+;
and the huge 19+ inch are US$444+.
DVD burners. These are HOT right now. Why?
Because they can be used to backup HUGE amounts of data –
4.7GB (GIGA bytes). One of the fastest DVD-rewritable
drives on the market, Plextor’s groundbreaking PX-708A
delivers an all-around top-notch performance.. (about US$100!!!!!!!!)
Favorite LINK: http://www.wugnet.com/shareware/spow.asp?ID=466.
If you use Microsoft Outlook for your email, calendar
data and/or email addresses, then OutBack Plus is ideal for
you. OutBack Plus is an easy to use data backup and a restore
utility. It will insulate you from an unexpected a hardware
failure, new virus, or an accidental deletion.
Some good HINTS from our readers:
1. Unplug power & phone cables
that go into your PC when the weather is bad. Great
idea Alex. (For folks without UPS or voltage regulators
– this is the temporary solution to protect your valuable
equipment.)
2. I found a shop that sells dry batteries
for UPS or similar products, in case someone’s looking
for it. It is “Sentral Aki” at Jl. Mayjen
Sutoyo, a few houses before Tiara Dewata Supermarket in Denpasar.
