Computer Repair Tech

Do not run the Easy Grade Pro data/class file (this is the .EGP file) directly from the server—that has shown to corrupt the gradebook file. Always run the one from YOUR hard disk and then COPY that file to the server.

Please perform the following steps to update and protect your Windows PC (98, 2000, XP Pro) against security vulnerabilities that are discovered in the operating system and programs:

What could possibly be documented about computer keyboards? Not much, except cleaning them! Ever think what little bits are living in the keyboard? Yummm...

TIP

Use a sticky note (AKA Post-It) and slide it sticky side down along each row of keys. Try to get under the key caps and get all the way to the end of each row. Remove the sticky note and revel at what you've removed from the keyboard! Dustbunnies, skin bits, food chunks - the makings of quite a feast, eh?

Plural is? Mice, Meese, mouses? Moose? [hehehe]

There's nothing worse than trying to use a modern computer with a mouse that jumps and skips all over the computer desktop or simply moves in the opposite direction of where you want it to go! (This doesn't apply if you're using Linux without a graphical interface, console mode! Who needs a mouse then!?!) So, here's a start for tips on using and cleaning the computer mouse.

Here's a really cheap, easy fix to keep teachers and students from accidentally ripping out the cable TV coax connector out of the back of the classroom TV. Claudio and I were brainstorming on how to keep the TV's coax connector mangled and ripped out of the back of the TVs. Claudio mentioned that there is an adapter that might solve the problem. He brought me a few to put on some of the campus TVs and what a difference!

I'm all about trying to use as much of the existing, on-hand technology that we have on campus. Of course, you can use an Apple iPod with an optional microphone attachment, but that can get pretty expensive. (A 30 GB iPod is coming down in price ($249) and you can find these cheaper on eBay, hopefully not somebody's stolen iPod.) You can try to use a cheap-o desktop boom microphone, but the recorded quality leaves a lot to be desired.

Identity theft is not just a buzz-phrase you here about on your local Fox affiliate! Identity theft is a really, big deal. Mindi McDowell from CERT has published this article about how to protect your privacy. Good read and helpful suggestions!

I think the idea, mentioned in the article, of having one credit card used for all online purchases of products and services, is excellent.

Your computer goes on the Internet and you visit web pages -- sounds simple, right? Well, there is a lot going on behind the scene. Let's explore some background information and some terminology:

What's a "port"? Your PC has hardware ports that let you connect a printer, a modem, a mouse and keyboard, a video monitor. Your computer also has logical (or defined in software) ports that are set up to prepare for network traffic from different services:

Another necessary evil for any computer that is online is to have updated anti-spyware software running on your PC. All of the programs mentioned below have an option to update the program and the spyware information "definition" files. Do this on a regular basis because fighting spyware must be done all the time, especially on a Windows-based PC.

If your name is anywhere on our CDO or district web pages, then your name will be harvested by spammers. They will also go through and send email to ASTONE, BSTONE, CSTONE, etc. and the mail server will respond, "Sorry, no ASTONE here." "Yes, there is a CSTONE, I'll send the message thru."