Mouse Clix

By: Hobie Lunin

Are you happy with your computer?

If you have had your computer a year or two, you may
be thinking it could stand some improvement.  Most
people complain about the speed of their machine and
so first thought on your mind might be to speed things
up, especially on the Internet.  My suggestion is to
go wide band.  My first pick would be cable if it is
available in your area.  There will be no speed
improvement more noticeable than that change.  It
certainly amazed me and I am convinced that I could
never be happy without it.

Yes, it costs a little more, maybe $15.00 a month
more.  This is $180 year.  A new computer would be say
$1000 and be worth keeping 4 years.  At $250 a year,
the cost of the Cable is less than that and would be
more noticeable than any speedier computer using a
dial-up. 

My opinion is that DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) will
cost more and probably not be as fast as cable
depending upon your location.  It is a next best
choice, though, if you cannot get cable.  Last choice
will be a dish (Starcast.net).  Better than dialup but
slower than cable or DSL.  It is, however, available
in more remote locations than other broadband options.
 I recommend a trip to the library to try one of their
computers that are on cable and do a little high-speed
surfing.  It will knock your socks off.  Remember it
will speed your upload as well as download if you are
sending large amounts of text or frequently
downloading software.

Another way to improve your speed will be by
increasing your RAM.  If you are at 64MB, go for 128MB
and if you are already there consider going to 256MB,
you will notice the difference. This will speed up
loading and saving your files.  The cost of memory
these days is reasonable, in my opinion.

How about your sound?  Cheap bundled speakers that
came with your computer may be a real turnoff with the
tinny highs and no bass.  Your music deserves better.
It may be time for a new set of speakers, something
else that you will be able to move to a new computer
when the time comes.

 A CD-R/CD-RW is also a great edition allowing you to
copy CDs and back up files easily.  This is also
another option you can move to another computer
whether you have an internal or external one.

Another upgrade would be a wireless mouse.  You can
lean back in your chair and surf with the mouse on
your knee, the scroll wheel will really improve your
surfing as you can avoid searching for that scroll bar
arrow head.   These are in the less than $50 range
these days, are easy to install and will make your
computing experience much more fun.

If you are still using a 15" monitor, what a treat it
will be to have a 17" or even a 19" (my favorite).
And remember you can always use that monitor if you
end up getting a new computer later.  Of course, a LCD
display (one of those skinny lightweight monitors)
will surely look cool and also give you a great
picture.

Talk about pictures.  With the price of scanners so
low these days, get yourself one and send copies of
your favorite photos to family and friends and also
have the convenience of copying documents (if you
don't have a copier).

If you are into games, a faster frame rate with a new
video card might make you feel like you bought a new
computer all by itself. Adding a video cam on your
computer and one on a friend's will really increase
your fun when instant messaging.  These have come down
in price in recent months.

How about springing for a better printer or even one
of those combination scanner-copier- printers.  Your
output may be a whole lot faster if you have been
using an older printer.

Although I am in favor if upgrading your present
computer, let me make it clear that I do not suggest
that you spend any money on a really old computer
(like a 486).    If your Processor is less than
200MHz, it might be best to think about getting a new
computer.  The reason I say this is that changing
processors can be expensive and upgrading a
motherboard would be out of the question.  If you get
that far in your thinking, you will want to try and
build your own computer from scratch and then use all
the peripherals I have mentioned above.  This is not
out of the question if you are handy.  There are
plenty of books available on how to do it
step-by-step.  And if you are the curious type, it's a
great way to learn what makes your computer tick.  For
ideas where to get your components and some
suggestions, e-mail me at the address below and I will
give you the name of a shop where you can buy all the
parts.  This particular tech regularly builds his own
computers and sells them at reasonable prices
including, monitor keyboard, speakers etc. (if you
want them). 

While you are in the mood to upgrade your computer,
think about upgrading your workspace as well.  If you
don't have your keyboard on a slideout drawer at a
comfortable height, treat yourself to some improvement
in that department.  A high back swivel chair will
keep you comfortable while surfing yourself into
oblivion.


Remember though that most of my suggestions made here
can be used
on your new computer when you get one. So if you
really can't afford to spring for a brand new computer
right now, These upgrades will be useful now, as well
as later.

Hobie Lunin is a Computer Instructor and Consultant.
He can be reached at mouseclix2@yahoo.com.  Previous
articles can be seen at http://mouseclix.tripod.com