The Mouse That Roared

Anyone who works in an office or is otherwise shackled to a computer all day should demand three accommodations from his or her employer: a good chair, a good monitor, and a good mouse. The first two can get very expensive very quickly, and short of a doctor's note – this works, by the way! – do not always meet with a stingy manager's approval.

But mouse devices are relatively inexpensive, and well worth the investment. (A good mouse is cheaper than a good carpal tunnel surgeon.)

But not all mice are created equal. If the choice is between a Logitech mouse and sawing off my own hand, my only real decision is Craftsman or Black and Decker.

Microsoft is the undisputed king of mouse technology. The Redmond company pioneered ergonomic design. They mainstreamed optical tracking (ridding the world of the lint magnet that was the mechanical ball mouse).

They introduced arguably the most impressive leap in human-computer interaction since the keyboard – the clickable scroll wheel. And most recently, they pioneered Blue Track technology, allowing their mice to be used on virtually any surface, from carpet to cardboard.

Whether one is a gamer or a spreadsheet jockey, Microsoft makes a mouse for you. Prices vary with features. The standard wireless workhorse – the Optical Mouse 3000 – can be found for as little as $15, a real bargain. Its collapsible (and gorgeously designed) Arc Mouse, for those frequently on the go, runs $30. And its flagship device, the Blue Track Explorer, runs $69.

Each mouse is compatible with both PC and Mac systems, and included software enables complete customization and button assignment. Microsoft has left little to chance, and with a bit of research (there are demonstration models in stores everywhere), the right model can be found for users of every type.

Apple, on the other hand, hasn't made a good mouse since 1984, when they popularized the peripheral with the original Macintosh computer. (The notorious technology curmudgeon John Dvorak guaranteed its popularity by declaring that nobody would ever want to use such things.)

Since then, however, it's been one failure after another, most notably the appalling "puck" mouse, released in conjunction with the otherwise game-changing iMac in 1998. (This is not even to mention the execrable Mighty Mouse in 2005.)

Last week, Steve Jobs unveiled the Magic Mouse, a device with a name only Billy Mays could love, but with features that may well turn the industry upside-down.

The Magic Mouse has no buttons. It has no scroll wheel or trackball or wires. And yet it may well be the most ambitious input device on the market. The entire mouse is a "multitouch" device. Users of the Apple iPhone will recognize that word – it's the feature that allows photos and websites to be enlarged and reduced. It enables swiping through contact lists and across music libraries. It fosters imaginative video games and facilitates touchscreen interaction.
And now it's come to the mouse.

The entire surface of the Magic Mouse is a button. The entire surface of the mouse is a scroll wheel for navigation both horizontal and vertical. It detects two-finger navigation and enables screen zooming and iTunes navigation. It supports right-clicking, and allows for ambidextrous customization. Its laser, while not so advanced as Microsoft's Blue Track, supports a broad array of surface tracking.

The Magic Mouse is powered by AA-batteries, and communicates with Macs and MacBooks by way of a Bluetooth connection, no USB dongles or base stations required. As of right now, it does not support PCs (though intrepid developers will no doubt remedy this oversight) and runs $69.

In the end, whether one settles on the sleek Apple device or the proven Microsoft brand, a well-chosen mouse can make computer work a little less frustrating, and maybe a little more enjoyable. But if the only choice is a Logitech, always go with a sharp blade, and find a leather strap to bite on. Better to go without a hand than to place a frustration in one.

Snow Leopard

Earlier this month, Apple released Snow Leopard, the newest version of its Macintosh Operating System. For those who actually got dates in high school, an operating system is the software middleman between the computer and user.

If you've got a PC, you're probably running Microsoft Windows XP, or, if you did something particularly nasty in a past life, Windows Vista.

If that is the case, Snow Leopard might feel foreign to you. Maybe it's the speed. Maybe it's the lack of viruses and spyware. Maybe it's the absence of blue screens and access boxes asking if you're really, really sure you want to do something. On Snow Leopard, you don't click the "Start" button to stop your computer.

Purchasing Snow Leopard is easy. Walk into an electronics store, and pick up the box labeled "Snow Leopard." This may seem like a refreshing glass of water to a computer user in Windows hell, where there are no less than eight versions of Vista, to include Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, Vista Enterprise, and Vista Ultimate. Which one is best for you? I suggest a Magic 8-Ball, and $320 dollars, which is the going rate for Ultimate.

Snow Leopard runs $29.

Just for the record, things will improve with the upcoming Microsoft Windows 7. They've streamlined things, and will bless the serfs with a choice of six arbitrarily defined versions. (Do you need Branch Cache? BitLocker? These questions will determine which version you need. Best of luck! I expect to get a year's worth of columns out of that alone.)

Most of Snow Leopard's improvements are under the hood. Upon installation, users will notice more space available on their computers. (I gained an astonishing 14 gigabytes, which amounts to around 3500 songs, or 10,000 pictures.) This is because Apple scrapped years of legacy code that had bogged the system down.

The upshot is a faster, tighter, more optimized operating environment, at the expense of older, PowerPC-based systems, which are no longer supported. By focusing on contemporary computers, Snow Leopard is able to fully leverage its 64-bit architecture. This is a significant step in personal computing, enhancing performance and allowing for considerably more system memory. In automotive terms, it's like going from a 4-cylinder engine to a Warp Drive.

The MacOS Finder has been rewritten from the ground up. (Finder is the Mac equivalent of Windows Explorer – the file manager, not the web browser.) In addition to a newfound snappiness, files can now be read and videos previewed on the spot without loading external programs such as QuickTime.

QuickTime itself is vastly improved. Long the hallmark of quality digital media, it's been given a contemporary, minimalist interface for video playback, and now natively supports high-resolution video recording and compression. (This had previously been available only with a pricey add-on.) The result is video immediately available for playback on iPhones and iPods, and transferrable directly to YouTube and other such sites.

Other enhancements, to include a redesigned Exposé and scrollable Stacks (windowing services both), as well as integrated support for Microsoft Exchange make the $29 investment a bargain at twice the price. (Or ten times the price, by Microsoft standards.)

There is a downside. While "big name" programs survive the transition intact, some standalone software will require upgrades to work in the Snow Leopard environment. Safari, Apple's own web browser, runs faster than ever, but the superior Firefox seems to have taken a performance hit. Also, printer support is weak at best. Be sure to consult with the compatibility chart on Apple's web site before upgrading.

The bottom line, however, is the bottom line. Thirty bucks for a shiny new operating system is a phenomenal deal, especially coming from Apple, a company not known for basement pricing. Also available is a $59 "Family Pack," which can be installed on up to five computers.

Unless you are running mission critical applications for the space program, there's no reason not to take the leap. Snow Leopard is a fine addition to the Apple software lineup, and a worthy upgrade for any Intel-based Mac or MacBook.

Snow Leopard: http://apple.com/snowleopard

They’re Out To Get You: Preventing Spyware, Viruses On Your Computer

by D.B. Grady


You're not paranoid. They're out to get you.

You probably have spyware on your computer. There's a good chance you've got a virus or two. Your personal files are likely insecure, and your hard drive might be shared for the entire world to see. In real world terms, you've not only left your car unlocked, you've left the windows down, the doors open, the engine running, and a sign on the dashboard reading FREE CAR.

If you are infected, you will probably need to visit a local computer repair shop. Malicious software is notoriously difficult to remove, and the wrong combination of deleted files can often result in a computer that doubles as a boat anchor, doorstop, or shooting range target. If your computer is in proper working order, however, there are a few practices you can implement that will keep you both protected and secure.

Windows Update (sometimes, in its more expansive mode, called Microsoft Update) is a utility built into Windows that keeps your computer up to date. As bugs and security vulnerabilities are discovered, and new features are added, Microsoft releases patches and service packs free for download. Windows Update automates the installation process, checking the files of your operating system against a central repository at Microsoft, and applying the newest versions.

This may be the most critical part of your computer housekeeping routine, as an out-of-date operating system is as secure as an ATM card with its password written on it. Windows Update can be found under the Start menu, in the Programs folder, or oftentimes in the system tray (bottom-right of the screen, next to the clock) as a yellow shield pleading with you to "click here to install updates."

Every Windows-based computer needs antivirus software. Popular programs include McAfee Total Protection ($34.98/year), Norton Antivirus ($39.99/year), and Trend Micro Antivirus ($39.95/year). Free alternatives include AVG Free and Avast Home Edition. Upon installation, allow the antivirus to download and apply the most current virus definitions, and run a full system scan.

Once your computer is protected, like Windows Update, make it a priority to update your antivirus software regularly. (Note that virus protection software can often be acquired for free though public libraries, colleges, government agencies, and the military. Check their websites for more information.)

Spyware is often the easiest malicious software to install and the hardest to delete. It often appears in friendly, apparently helpful website popup ads warning that, "Antivirus 2009 has detected 32 threats on your computer! Would you like to remove them?" Clicking either yes or no results in the same thing: an infected computer. Unless you are computer savvy, the safest course of action when faced with such prompts is to exit your web browser entirely.

Two of the most effective and anti-spyware utilities on the market are Spybot and Windows Defender. Both programs are free, and in both cases, the installation and maintenance procedures are similar to those of antivirus software. Upon setup, allow the programs to update, and run a full system scan. Update the spyware definitions regularly.

While an updated operating system, strong virus-protection, and a spyware monitor are crucial to safe computing, they will not do the job on their own. It is up to you to adopt smart practices to keep your computer secure. This means never opening email attachments from people you don't know. It means carefully reading the screen whenever an unexpected window is prompted. (Blindly clicking "Next" is a recipe for disaster.)

It also means avoiding the more unsavory areas of the Internet—most notably file-sharing sites such as Kazaa and Limewire. In addition to the legal ramifications of downloading copyrighted music and software, every illicit file runs the risk of bringing with it malicious software.

It's a dangerous web out there. If it seems like "they" are out to get you, it's because they are. Thankfully, safe computing doesn’t require an advanced degree. All it takes is a little discipline and a couple of free programs.

Software referenced in this article:
McAfee Total Protection: http://www.mcafee.com ($34.98/year)
Norton Antivirus: http://www.symantec.com/norton ($39.99/year)
Trend Micro Antivirus: http://us.trendmicro.com/us/home/home-user ($39.95/year)
AVG Free: http://free.avg.com (Free for personal use)
Avast Home Edition: http://www.avast.com (Free for personal use)
Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org (Free)
Windows Defender: http://www.microsoft.com/defender (Free)

Which Computer Should I Buy?

By D.B. Grady



"I'm thinking of buying a laptop computer. Which one do you recommend?" None. Seriously, think of the headaches that come with a computer. Viruses. Spyware. Twitter. Do you really want to do that to yourself? Wouldn't you rather spend a thousand bucks on a nice cruise to the Bahamas? I've never seen a spiral notebook crash or one of those big, green ledger-books blue-screen just after adding an entire quarter of sales figures.

But if you're absolutely determined to get a computer—think hard about those sandy beaches and umbrella drinks, though—there are fewer factors in choosing a system than you might think. While this may be the opposite of what you've heard from others, don't worry about RAM or CPUs or hard drives or anything else measured in bytes or hertz.

There are only three questions you should be concerned with:
1. Mac or PC?
2. Is the computer "comfortable?"
3. How much can I afford?

Buying a Mac used to be a big deal, akin to changing religions or moving to Canada. There were separate stores, separate software, separate peripheral supports, separate user paradigms—the decision was nontrivial, and unless one worked in video or graphics design (where the Mac has always excelled) it was rare that the hassle warranted the investment.

The Internet and Apple's remarkable marketing and engineering efforts have changed this. The Internet is the Internet, whether one owns a bottom-shelf eMachine or a top-of-the-line MacBook Pro. Email is email.

The web is the web. Macs have the benefit of being impervious to viruses or spyware, which is a bonus, but a well-protected PC is just as safe. As for program availability, all of the major players in the software business support both platforms, including Microsoft Office, Firefox, Adobe Photoshop, Acrobat, iTunes, Skype, and Picasa, to name a few.

Because Macs use Intel processors, they also have the luxury of supporting Windows XP, Windows Vista, and the upcoming Windows 7 by way of dual booting—that is, selecting on startup whether to boot into Mac OS or Windows—or through free emulation software such as VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org). With regard to peripherals, from printers to external hard drives, if it works on a PC, it works on a Mac.

The real question, though, is "How does it feel?" Unless one purchases an extraordinarily expensive system in the thousands of dollars, or a second-hand pawnshop special, there is little difference from one computer to the next. A thousand dollar Dell, a thousand dollar HP, and a thousand dollar Mac have the pretty much the same horsepower under the hood. (In the case of Dell and HP, they even have the same outsourced telephone technical support staffs that employ so many in Third World countries.)

The best way to choose a computer is to visit an electronics store and play with the demo models. Is the screen bright enough, or is it too bright? How does the keyboard feel? Are the keys awkwardly placed? Is the track pad well positioned? Is the computer too small for aging eyes, or too large to lug to class every day?

Hold the computer to gauge its weight and test its durability. One doesn't need an advanced degree in electrical engineering to know whether a computer feels cheap or not.

Just as the average mid-sized sedan buyer isn't particularly concerned with torque or engine liter displacement, neither should the average computer buyer worry much about whether the central processing unit runs at 2.2GHz or 2.4GHz. Faster is always better, but in the context of playing Freecell and chatting with Aunt Thelma in Des Moines, the difference is negligible.

Indeed, that very reasoning has led to a new variety of portable computer known as the netbook. Purchased for as little as $200, netbooks are designed primarily for online use. As general computer activity moves from the desktop to the Internet, many users find there is little reason to invest in "big iron" computers at all.

The exception to this is gaming, of course. Some high school students might sooner die than accept anything less than a computer that dims the lights when it's powered on. But with the money saved by purchasing a less expensive system, one can buy an XBox 360 and enjoy hassle-free gaming.

In the end, it all comes down to price. Buy the most comfortable computer you can afford, and buy locally, if possible. The least expensive MacBook is $999, and worth every penny. But if the thousand-dollar HP is more to your liking, get it.

Whether you've budgeted two thousand dollars or two hundred dollars, there is something out there for you. Oftentimes, local mom-and-pop computer shops have staggering bargains on second-hand laptops, and personal support that doesn't require an interpreter or a passport.

No longer the intimidating beasts they once were, purchasing a computer should not be a worrisome experience requiring years of expertise. Go with your gut and a handle on your checkbook, and you'll do just fine.
But really, think about taking that vacation. On the islands, the only blue screens you'll see are in the sky and on the sea.