Your Tech Life – Radio Show #4 (19 November 2009)

Thanks to everyone who listened, and to all the callers.

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Show Notes and Caller Notes

Telstra Launches High Speed Internet in Melbourne, along with the new T-Box Personal Media Centre

Telstra today announced an upgrade to their cable network in Melbourne which will take cable speeds in Melbourne to 100Mbps download and 2Mbps upload available to around 1 million people from December 1.

At the same time, official details of the new T-Box PVR from Telstra were released, which will allow people to get not only a Dual Tuner Digital TV reception (record one and watch another live) Personal Video Recorder, as well as using the new megafast Cable Broadband to download Bigpond Movies and watch Bigpond TV.

Caller: John

Downloaded CA Security to his computer, (CA is Computer Associates), Says it needs to be Authorised, files need scanning, and generally seems very slow and is not doing his computer any Favours.

John has had CA in the past – but this one seems to have stopped him getting Emails.

I suggested John Turn OFF his Windows Firewall, helping confirm if there is a conflict.

Next, I suggest John turns off parts of the CA software to see if that helps, and then turn each element on bit by bit to then eliminate parts of the software as the problem.

Caller: Patty
Digital Televisions – Patty is looking for an Panasonic Viera Full HD Plasma, the other is a Samsung LEDLCD TV.

LED is a brighter picture, its the new technology.

In the end, buying a TV comes down to confirming the units are comparable where possible.  Such as confirming both have FULL High Definition integrated tuners and similar features like number of inputs.  So for Patty, recommend the Plasma.

Live Read Commercial for new Sponsor Dial-A-Tech – Call them on 1300 669 202 or visit their website www.dialatech.net.au

Caller: Neil
Regarding the Earlier caller John, confirming CA is Computer Associates, therefor confirming that software is legitimate.  CA is recommended by Microsoft for Vista.  Neil recommends Avast, AVG and other Free solutions, and we also discussed Microsoft Security Essentials which is a free anti-virus available for all versions of Windows.

I recommend everyone using Microsoft Security Essentials, but also go one step further and invest in additional technology such as Norton Internet Security, PC Tools, AVG etc.

Discussion: Personal Security – Protecting your identity.

Protecting your identity is the most important thing you should be considering right now. Ensure you clamp down on your private data online, such as your Date of Birth (don’t display this publicly on Facebook).  Also, be very aware of Phishing scams, which are scams that fool you into replying with personal details or entering person details.

It’s hard to protect, but consider making sure you take yourself to banking sites and such rather than clicking links in any email.

Winner announcement: OXX Digital Radio
The winner of the online competition to win a $299 OXX Classic Digital Radio is: Tony who wrote
The doc from back to the future took my current radio, and told me to listen to Your Tech Life to win a Digital Radio
Congratulations Tony!

Caller: Gaylene
Has a problem with her Apple, which seems to have lost all its Music and Photos after having synced her iPhone photos onto the computer.

It’s a difficult one over the phone, so I have put Apple directly in touch with Gaylene so one of their ‘Geniuses’ can help her out.

Caller: John
John does a lot of travelling, has just purchased a new laptop.  Wondering if he should change to Windows 7.  However he’s concerned 7 is not compatible with Bigpond Wireless.

I run Windows 7, and Bigpond, so am confident this will work for John.  it may have been an issue with earlier versions.

Caller: David
David is a tour operator, and received a request from Hong Kong.  He is concerned this is a scam, having being asked to charge a large sum, and following that, transfer some of that cost to another operator.  This is classic Scam material and David has done well to pick up on this one, and let it be a warning to many.

Live Read Commercial for new Sponsor Dial-A-Tech – encouraging Small Businesses to contact Dial-A-Tech on 1300 669 202 and the first five small businesses will receive a FREE ONE HOUR FACE TO FACE consultation with Alan, the boss of Dial-A-Tech

Emailer: Greg from Wollongong
Asking if he should get a PDA/iPhone/Blackberry or notebook.

Tough one without full details, but for me, a business person on the road who needs to keep in touch with emails and such, the Blackberry is very hard to beat.

Caller: Luke
Has really bad radio reception in Narrabeen.  While Digital Radio MIGHT make things better, the Northern Beaches of Sydney also suffer from Blackspots for Digital Radio.

I suggest Luke find a retailer who will allow the product to be returned if there is no reception.

Caller: Peter
Wants to know if he should choose 32 or 64 bit windows.  Peter does run some complex applications which have 64 bit versions, however I recommend he check all the current software he has before getting 64bit.

Caller: Tom
Wants to know will his Blackberry work overseas?

Yes.  Global Roaming is all you need.

Be careful the ‘web surfing’ you do might not be covered by your normal plans.

Review: Apple Macbook and iMac
Listen for my thoughts on the Apple Macbook and iMac computers.

Caller: Josh (14 years) confirmed that 64 and 32 bit Windows are interoperable

Final Caller: Jake
Has poor AM reception on one side of the bed, but works fine on the other side.

In the end, this is a very difficult problem, which will most likely relate to interference in the room or area.  So check for other electrical appliances in the area, computers, TV’s and such, to try and first eliminate the problem.Digital Televisions – Patty is looking for an Panasonic Viera Full HD Plasma, the other is a Samsung LEDLCD TV.

LED is a brighter picture, its the new technology.

In the end, buying a TV comes down to confirming the units are comparable where possible. Such as confirming both have FULL High Definition integrated tuners and similar features like number of inputs. So for Patty, recommend the Plasma.

Live Read Commercial for new Sponsor Dial-A-Tech – Call them on 1300 669 202 or visit their website www.dialatech.net.au