Byte by Bite

Computers compared, PC calculators, WiFi spots

by Marv Dealy

Merritt argues that his decision to get the top performer means that his computer won’t be obsolete as fast as a bottom of the line model, and there might be some merit to that argument.

CNET.com has assembled a whole passel of reviews grouping new computers into five categories: budget, mainstream, media center, performance and business PCs. Let’s go with Merritt’s argument that a performance PC will outlast a budget PC in terms of the years you get out of your investment.

Dan Ackerman, senior associate editor for CNET.com, lists the Dell XPS 700 at the top of his heap (http://reviews.cnet.com/4323-6526_7-6509035.html?tag=nl.e404) and priced at over $4,000 it better dang well better be an over the top gaming machine. Ackerman’s review says it is, by the way, but read it yourself if that’s the computer you need to play shoot ‘em up games on. Also on the performance computer list were the Falcon Northwest Mach V, ABS Ultimate M6 Sniper, Polywell Poly, Cyberpower Gamer Ultra, and the Velocity Micro Gamers edge and I’m sure we’re all well acquainted with those companies.

The mainstream PCs are reviewed by Rich Brown, senior associate editor at CNET.com and include a bunch of computers ranging up to $1775 from Dell and a bunch of other companies that again, you might not be familiar with. Read the reviews by clicking on the “performance” tab in the page listed above. You’ll see the links there as well to the budget PCs which includes the Apple Mac Mini Core Duo at around $800. Business PCs includes computers priced below that of the budget listings, which I found odd.

Not listed anywhere were computers from manufacturers that you’re familiar with, saving for Dell. No IBMs, no Acers, no HPs and only one Lenovo, one Apple and one Gateway.

How about another, perhaps startling, computer to computer comparison? Dan Frakes says in a review for Macworld (http://www.macworld.com/2006/08/features/macproprice/index.php) that while his earlier attempts to compare Windows and Apple computers haven’t been entirely successful, since a “regularly” equipped Apple often could only be compared to a “stripper” Windows PC.

Frakes decided to compare Apple’s Mac Pro and Dell’s Precision 690, their ultimate workstation. Read the review at length for yourself, but here’s the deal—similarly equipped the Apple is nearly $1,000 cheaper. Ah ha! If that doesn’t make you do a spit-take with your morning milk, I give up. Oh yes, the Apple is the only one that can run both Windows and Mac OS.

Calculators

I recently passed along faithful reader #17 Jim Tuite’s suggestion about the free Microsoft conversion calculator and reader Dan Buckman wrote in to say that’s great, but how about one that shows a visual “tape” just like an old calculator with a roll of paper you can review.

Jim wrote back to tell us about another Friday Freebie, a calculator with a tape called “Calcute” and available for download at http://calcute.com. He also passed along another “replacement for your old desktop calculator, the Auditor Calculator” available at http://www.auditor2000.co.il/aucalcdl.htm

Both of the calculators enable you to see your transactions just as you would on a strip of paper that your old desktop calculator printed out. At first glance, I think Jim’s second offering might be the Friday Freebie that Dan was looking for. In the meantime, Dan wrote back to say he’d found the Moffsoft Free Calculator (http://www.moffsoft.com/freecalc.htm) which looks pretty much like the Auditor Calculator. I calculate that’s about enough of this subject.

Free WiFi Hotspots

Jim Tuite also wrote to update us on two free hotspots. “An update on the “Hava Java” hotspot at the Fuel depot gas station. Motherlode Internet has changed their service at this location from “pay-per-use” to FREE. Couches, beverages and snacks abound.”

“Also, I don't recall whether you previously mentioned the Sonora main library branch on Greenley Road as a free hotspot. The WiFi router has sufficient signal strength to reach your laptop anywhere inside the air conditioned building (again couches and easy chairs, but limited numbers) and outside the building into a shady picnic area with tables and benches. Think I'll wait until cooler weather to try that.”

I can add to that list—pretty much anywhere in Sutter Creek you can pick up as many as five networks broadcasting, but a couple are secured (mine, for example) and another seems to be sending out a signal but no DNS information so my laptop never hooks up to it. Quite annoying. The Caffe Via d’Oro does have a signal you’re welcome to use, although the food is so spectacular I can’t imagine working through a meal there. Sitting at the bar—now that’s a possibility.

Windows XP adjustments

Mike Ayala writes to ask where he can find the article I wrote that mentioned adjustments that could be made to Windows XP so that it could run a little faster—thanks to Chris Emanuel we finally have my articles caught up on our website, and you’ll find the one you look for posted at this link, Mike: http://throck.com/articles/UD_June_2_06.html

I see that Chris doesn’t have the links hooked up, so you’ll have to copy/paste the address into your browser. Perhaps one day we can get the links to work, too.

Mike also asked about getting his DSL to work even faster—Mike, you should be ashamed. Half the county can’t even get DSL and you want faster DSL. But that’s OK, I’ve been working with AT&T to get my DSL at the shop to first, stay working (that appears to be a problem) and second, to work faster.

Of my two DSL lines, the one with the static IP address that we use to serve web sites with works about as reliably as my former T1 line, which is to say we’re lucky to go a whole morning without a number of drops. Yes, they’re working on it, whatever that is supposed to mean, and many conversations and telephone calls with well meaning people result in the expected comments such as “I can’t believe the mess I found; the last person who worked on this must have been a Cyclops.”

Well, no one actually said that but the inference that it was the last repair person’s fault seems to be a common thread. In any event, my DSLs were both running near 6MB at one point, then they were turned down and down to about 3MB in an attempt to keep them from dropping off. Actually, the second DSL never provides any problems, so I’m not sure why it had to be turned down, too.

Recently, we were assured that the problem had been fixed and that after a few weeks of observation we’d be able to request the speed be turned back up, but alas, our primary DSL still acts like it’s the son of Mexican jumping bean and a pole-vaulter.

The bottom line, Mike—call AT&T and tell them that you want your DSL turned up. They probably installed a basic package, and if you complain loudly enough, eventually you’ll find someone willing to give you more speed. Unfortunate, but that’s the way it seems to work.