Budget Computing

Game Deals on eBay

2005-11-08T17:00:00.000-05:00

I just scored a brand new copy of the much-ballyhood PC game F.E.A.R. for $34 shipped. That's about $10 less than the best price I could find from online merchants. My source? eBay, of course. If you're a price-conscious game shopper, eBay should always be your first stop. I always save at least a few bucks by going the auction route, even when I use Buy It Now.

Best...Firefox Extension...Ever

2005-11-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but I use TinyURL quite a bit. In case you're not familiar with it, this handy Web-based tool turns those long, unwieldy, impossible-to-type URLs into, well, tiny ones. Here's an example: http://tinyurl.com/68b33. The only downside is that you have to manually copy the URL in question, visit the TinyURL Web site, paste in the address, and click "Make TinyURL." That's FOUR steps!

Enter TinyURL Creator, a Firefox extension that adds a TinyURL-creation button right to your toolbar. All it takes is two clicks to copy the current URL to the clipboard, and you never have to leave the site you're viewing. Awesome. Just one more reason I'll be sticking with Firefox over the long haul, regardless of what goodies Microsoft manages to pack into Internet Explorer 7.

Linux: See What All the Fuss is About

2005-10-19T08:38:00.000-05:00

Sure, you've heard of Linux -- the "open-source" (read: free) operating system that promises much better stability and security than Windows -- but you've probably never laid eyes on it, let alone played with it.

Now you can. Knoppix is a bootable, CD-resident version of the Linux OS. Drop it in your computer's CD drive, reboot, and presto: In a few minutes you'll have a fully usable Linux PC, complete with software, hard-drive access, the works. Best of all, Knoppix doesn't make any changes to your computer; once you take the CD out and reboot again, you'll be back to Windows, safe and sound.

The Knoppix download is actually an ISO file; you need to know how to burn that file to a CD and make it bootable. If you have a program like Nero, it can do the job. If not, try something like Magic ISO Maker. Either way, it's well worth the effort. Knoppix is a really cool way to see what Linux is all about, and it doesn't cost a penny.

Replace Your iPod Battery on the Cheap

2005-09-13T07:43:00.000-05:00

It's a well-known fact that iPod batteries tend to wear out (either failing completely or losing much of their capacity) at around the 18-month mark. Sure, you can always upgrade to the latest and greatest model (iPod nano, anyone?), or ship your iPod to Apple and pay them $59 for a battery replacement.

But did you know there are also inexpensive do-it-yourself options? At Laptops for Less, for instance, you'll find battery-replacement kits--complete with installation instructions and the tiny screwdriver you'll need to pry open your iPod's case--selling for $29. Troll eBay and you'll find similar kits selling for as low as $10 (though often without instructions; visit the aforementioned Laptops for Less site and nab their online manual).

We replaced the dead battery in a first-gen iPod with one of these $10 eBay deals; it worked like a charm. The only scary part was prying open that beautiful case...but in the end it was worth the trauma.

Cool Tricks with Your Cell Phone

2005-08-09T18:27:00.000-05:00

Here's a ZIP code worth remembering: 46645. Except it's not really a ZIP code, it's the numbers on your cell phone's dial pad that spell out GOOGL. Send a text message to that number and you can get a boatload of information in return. For instance, if you want to get movie showtimes for your area, text "Movies 48390" (or whatever ZIP code you're in). It also works with city and state. You can use a similar method to get local business listings, stock quotes, word definitions, and other handy info. Best of all, the service doesn't cost a dime (except for airtime and whatever ridiculous sum your carrier charges for text messages). Visit Google's SMS page for more information.

Extend Your VoIP Service to Every Phone Jack in the House

2005-08-01T09:34:00.000-05:00

So you've signed up for SunRocket, Vonage, or some other spiffy new VoIP service, and now you're wondering what to do with the hodge-podge of phones in your house. Answer: Keep them! With a screwdriver, a splitter, a cable modem (sorry, DSL users) and about five minutes to spare, you can create a whole-house VoIP network. In other words, you'll be able to plug any phone into any phone jack and use it for VoIP calls.

WARNING AND DISCLAIMER: If you don't do this properly, or your phone/VoIP configuration differs from what's described here, you could end up with fried equipment, fried wiring, or some other expensive-to-repair catastrophe. Proceed at your own risk.

Step 1: Make sure absolutely everything is working properly with your VoIP service. If you're having your phone number(s) transferred, wait until the process has been completed and you've verified that inbound and outbound calls are status quo.

Step 2: (Once again, this is for cable modem users only. DSL users, stop right here!) Go outside your house and find the junction box where the telco's lines come into your house. Usually there's a "residential access" panel you can open with a screwdriver. Once inside, disconnect any plugs or wires you find there. This effectively severs the connection between the local telco and your house. The result is a "closed network" for the wiring inside your house. (Tip: You may want to cover the outside jacks with electrical tape so no one inadvertently reconnects the lines. At the same time, put in a small note reading: "Lines disconnected intentionally -- do not reconnect!")

Step 3: Plug a two-port splitter (available at any Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc. for about three bucks) into the "phone" jack on the back of your VoIP box. Reconnect whatever phone you originally had plugged into the box. Now run an ordinary phone cord from the second port on the splitter to the nearest wall jack. Presto: Every other jack in the house should give you a dial tone.

One more disclaimer: I have tried this with my SunRocket setup and it works perfectly. And I've seen plenty of reports of similar successes among Vonage users. But your mileage may vary! Rick Broida and Budget Computing are not responsible for any problems you may encounter. Good luck!

Quick Poll: "Windows Vista," Good Name or Bad?

2005-07-25T11:12:00.000-05:00

The next version of Windows is Longhorn no more. Last week, Microsoft revealed its new, final name: Windows Vista. Just curious to know what you think of the name--good, bad, or otherwise. Click the "comments" link below and share your insights with other Budget Computing readers!

And if you feel like it, caption this crazy picture! Here's mine:

"And sitting right over there is Enos, the crazy idiot who came up with the name."

Watch TV on Your PDA or Smartphone

2005-07-25T09:19:00.000-05:00

The best $20 I've spent lately was on MyTV ToGo, a must-have utility for owners of Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs and Pocket PC PDAs and smartphones.

The software converts recorded TV shows to Windows Media Player Mobile format and copies them to your PDA. Actually, it can copy directly to a memory card, which is both convenient and time-saving. What's particularly cool is that MyTV ToGo runs from within MCE, meaning you can operate it with your remote without ever getting off the couch (the ultimate goal of all media-center owners). Plus, it supports HDTV content and VGA PDA screens.

Great, great piece of software. Highly recommended.

Create Your Own PDFs - Free!

2005-07-19T08:46:00.000-05:00

You've probably encountered at least one PDF file in your life, if not dozens or hundreds. Adobe's Portable Document Format is used to electronically distribute newsletters, brochures, instruction manuals (you know, the kind that used to be printed, but now come on a CD with just about every computer product you buy), and other heavily formatted documents.

As you probably know, you need Adobe's free Reader program to view PDFS on your PC, Macintosh, or PDA. But what if you want to actually create your own PDF? Surely that'll cost you.

Not necessarily. Although Adobe and several third-party developers sell PDF-creation software, there's a perfectly good free alternative: CutePDF Writer. Just download and install the program (make sure you also download and install the accompanying converter), then fire up any program that's capable of printing (Word, PageMaker, etc.). Load your document, then head to the print menu and select CutePDF Writer from the list of available printers. Click print, supply a filename as requested, and presto! Your document just became a PDF. Woo!

60-Second Review: Yahoo Music Unlimited

2005-07-15T09:29:00.000-05:00

What It Is: Yahoo Music Unlimited, a subscription service that grants you complete access to its million-plus song library.

What You Can Do with It: Stream or download any song or album.

What Else You Can Do: Copy downloaded songs to any compatible MP3 player. Only about a dozen are supported right now, but the list is growing.

What You Can't Do: Burn songs to CD--unless you buy them first. But subscribers get special pricing: 79 cents per song.

What's the Catch? You're effectively renting the music, and if you cancel your subscription, any songs you've downloaded will no longer play.

What Does Rick Think? Love it, love it, love it. It's like someone giving you the keys to Tower Records and saying, "Go on in, take whatever you want." And the accompanying Yahoo Music Engine program is a surprisingly polished and well-rounded music manager. Even in beta it's less buggy and more user-friendly than Musicmatch.

Okay, How Much? If you pay for a year in advance, it costs a mere $4.99/month. Pay monthly and it's $6.99. Both options represent huge savings over Napster's similar service, which costs $14.99/month.

UPDATE: Okay, a bit of dew came off the lily. I purchased the soundtrack to In Good Company (fair movie, great soundtrack) but only got four of the 14 songs. There's no phone support available for Yahoo Music Unlimited, and just finding the right place to contact customer service is a challenge. Will have to see if I even get a response to this frustrating glitch.

How to Make Bulletproof Backups

2005-07-11T09:10:00.000-05:00

Making backups is one of life's annoying little chores, like flossing and reading Budget Computing. But it's absolutely essential, because you never know when your hard drive is going to flatline. (BTW, a clicking sound means death is imminent. Abandon ship!)

Problem is, most backup solutions are slow, cumbersome, and ineffective. Not mine. I've figured out how to make fast, automated backups of my entire hard drive. If it ever tanks, I should be back in business in a matter of minutes.

Here's what you need:

• A hard drive that's at least as large as the one currently in your PC. You can score a 160GB drive from Best Buy for a mere $39.99 after two rebates.

• "Image" software, which can make an exact copy of your hard drive without compression. I'm extremely fond of Casper XP, an easy-to-use utility that runs in the background. No messy, system-occupying DOS interface like with other imaging programs.

Install the second hard drive (which will effectively become the clone) in your PC, then install and run Casper XP. Set it to copy your main drive on a weekly (or even daily) basis. If the drive drive ever tanks, all you have to do is switch over to the clone and you're back in business.

"I Think I Have a Virus!" No, You Don't!

2005-07-10T15:18:00.000-05:00

Browser acting funny? Pop-up windows littering your desktop? Computer running dog-slow all of a sudden? Many people attribute these behaviors to viruses, when in fact they're the result of spyware. Although viruses remain a real and persistent problem, and your computer may indeed have one, spyware tends to be a lot more widespread. And once it sneaks inside your PC, getting rid of it can be a nightmare.

So before you go running to the computer store in search of anti-virus software you should have been running anyway (and which won't do a thing to clean out the spyware), try downloading one or more of the many available freeware and shareware anti-spyware utilities. Visit Download.com to find plenty of choices.

New Lows for Laser Printers: $49.95 Shipped!

2005-07-04T14:28:00.000-05:00

Raise your hand if you spent more than 50 bucks on your last laser printer. Sucker! Ah, just kidding. It's hard not to gloat after scoring a Samsung ML-1740 monochrome laser printer for the impossibly low price of $49.95 (after a pair of mail-in rebates) shipped to your door.

Ready for the funny/sad part? Replacement toner cartridges sell for $69.99. This is it, people--we've entered the regrettable age of the disposable laser printer. Somewhere, standing next to an overflowing landfill, a Native American is crying.

Should You Take the VoIP Plunge?

2005-07-01T15:52:00.000-05:00

Voice over IP, also known as Making Phone Calls on the Internet, is all the rage right now. And why not? It's significantly cheaper than even the most basic landline service. I should know: I've crunched the numbers. I stand to save more than $300 per year by switching to SunRocket, an upstart VoIP service that's almost too good to be true.

Let me summarize thusly: I expected to hate VoIP, figuring it would be a major pain to set up and sound like a couple of tin cans tied to a string. But having tried SunRocket (and Vonage, the current market leader), I feel quite comfortable about dumping my landline forever. Should you do the same? Consider:

Pros

Cheap, cheap, cheap
Comes with a gazillion services I'm usually too cheap to pay for, like voice mail, Caller ID, Call Forwarding, etc.
Flat rate includes unlimited local and long-distance calling (in the U.S. and Canada). International rates are...wait for it...cheap.
Yes, you can dial 911. In fact, SunRocket supports E911, so the operator knows your location (helpful if you're choking on a walnut).
Damn fine sound quality. A few echos now and then, but I get that on my landline.
No contract, cancellation fee, or any other such nonsense.

Cons

Doesn't work with TiVos, fax machines, and other devices that need a dial tone.
Your sound-quality mileage may vary.

I hear this question a lot: "What if my cable modem goes out?" Well, what if the guys working up the street cut your phone line? That's been known to happen (in my neighborhood, anyway). If you have a problem, reach for your cell phone. For my money, rolling the dice on a few potential hassles is worth keeping more of my money.

Zoto Dishes Up 2GB of Photo Storage - Free!

2005-06-29T13:43:00.000-05:00

No such thing as a free lunch? Tell that to Zoto, a photo hosting/sharing/blogging service that gives you a mammoth helping of storage space (2GB, to be exact) and unlimited bandwidth, absolutely free. For the past few days I've been reviewing the service, which is still in beta, and while it's definitely a bit rough around the edges, you can't argue with 2GB of free storage!

By the way, I used Zoto to publish this blog entry, complete with the photo that I uploaded to my account. Not too shabby!

Score a "Free" TiVo! For Real!

2005-06-29T08:52:00.000-05:00

One thing that has always bugged me about TiVo is the ridiculously disproportionate subscription fee. After scrounging together a couple hundred bucks for the box, you then have to cough up another $299 for lifetime service? (I know, you can pay $12.95/month instead, but that's even worse. TV is expensive enough already.) Personally, I've always wished they would just build the damn subscription fee into the box and be done with it.

Ah, but what if they just gave you the hardware? You've got two weeks (until July 15, that is) to score just such a deal: a 40-hour TiVo Series2 box, absolutely free when you sign up for service.

In this case, "service" means the usual $299 lifetime rate or a 12-month prepaid subscription for $155.40. Heck, they'll even throw in the shipping. Not at all a bad deal for what most people regard as the best DVR ever. (Personally, I'm still happy with my five-year-old (!) Replay, but I won't argue with TiVo's clear victory.)

Don't think you can get by with just 40 hours of recording time? There are myriad ways to upgrade a TiVo with inexpensive, high-capacity hard drives. Here's one example. So if you've been waiting to take the TiVo plunge, this could be the ideal time. It's hard to do better than free.

B.C. Q&A: What Else Can DVD Burners Burn?

2005-06-26T12:20:00.000-05:00

A lot of people seem to get confused when shopping for DVD burners (or looking at new PCs that come with them). It's easy to fall under the misconception that these drives burn DVDs and only DVDs. That's why they call them DVD burners, right? Surprise! They can also burn plain ol' CDs, just like your old CD-RW drive. So, yes, you can still churn out those fabulous music mixes, or just copy big batches of files to cheap CDs for easy transport, backup, etc.

Best Price on Coldplay's "X & Y"

2005-06-13T14:30:00.000-05:00

I'm not what you would call a Coldplay fanatic, but I do like a lot of their tunes, and I'm planning to buy their spankin'-new album, "X & Y." Of course, I don't plan to spend one penny more than necessary, so I did a little online shoppin' for the absolute cheapest price:

• BuyMusic - $10.69 (download)
• iTunes - $11.99 (download)
• MSN - $10.89 (download)
• Musicmatch - Unknown (uninstalled 4-ever)
• Napster - $11.95 (download)
• Wal-Mart - $9.44 (download)
• Wal-Mart - $9.72 (CD)
• Yahoo! Music - Not Available

And the winner is...Wal-Mart! Hard to believe the CD version costs just 28 cents more than the download. Think I'll go that route so I can rip the tunes at whatever bit rate I want and not have to contend with Draconian DRM nonsense...

Don't Buy an LCD Without DVI

2005-06-09T13:41:00.000-05:00

Flat-panel monitor deals are coming fast and furious these days. I've seen more than a few name-brand 19-inch LCDs selling for below $300—some as low as $250. However, most of these bargain-basement screens lack one important feature: a DVI interface. (Yes, I know DVI stands for Digital Video Interface, meaning I just said "Digital Video Interface interface." I also say "ATM machine." Sue me.)

Why should you insist on DVI over a traditional analog-VGA connection? Simple: the digital interface eliminates the "ghosting," softness, and other image-crappening effects common to analog LCDs. You'll usually pay a premium—upwards of $50, I've found—for a monitor with a DVI interface, but it's well worth it.

Oh, make sure your video card has a DVI connector, too. Most of them do nowadays, but you'll want to check...

1GB SD Card: $49

2005-06-08T11:48:00.000-05:00

It wasn't very long ago that a 1GB SD card would set you back at least $200. Now you can get a Lexar 1GB card for a mere $49 (after a $25 mail-in rebate) from eCost. Shipping is a mere $1.99. Considering that the same outlet has other 1GB SD cards selling for upwards of $90, this deal is hard to pass up. Now, who do I talk to about grossly overpaying for memory cards last year?

GPS on the Cheap

2005-06-06T16:17:00.000-05:00

Sure, you could spend big bucks on one of those self-contained GPS systems, like the $900 TomTom Go. Or you could do what I do: pair a Bluetooth-enabled PDA with an inexpensive Bluetooth GPS receiver. Here's a great setup that you can score for as low as $275:

• HP iPAQ RX3115 A full-featured Windows Mobile PDA with a roomy screen and built-in Bluetooth (and Wi-Fi!). You can pick up a new one on eBay for around $175; used, they're selling for as low as $125.

• Bluetooth GPS receiver There are several outfits on eBay selling these for $80-90.

• Mapping software The deal to beat is Delorme's Street Atlas USA 2005 Handheld, which retails for $39.95. It offers real-time door-to-door navigation, voice prompts, and all that other good stuff.

• Car mount Safety first! When you're using any GPS, it should be mounted as close to eye level as possible. That means you'll need a car mount for your PDA. Check out the Arkon Universal PDA Windshield Mount, which will set you back $30.

Did I mention you're also getting a pretty rockin' PDA out of the deal? Let's see that big ol' TomTom fit in your pocket!

Photo Prints Down to 12 Cents

2005-05-27T08:24:00.000-05:00

Last week I wrote about finding the best deals on photo prints. Well, Snapfish just blew everybody out of the water by dropping their price to 12 cents/print. They also have a neat option to store (and then print, share, etc.) the photos you snap on your cell phone. You just send them to a specific e-mail address and they'll be waiting for you the next time you sign on.

Is this the first volley in the Great Photo-Print Price War of '05? Time will tell, but in the meantime...12-cent prints! Woo!

Aurora and Nail: Kill This Spyware Dead

2005-05-26T08:51:00.000-05:00

For a few weeks now I've been battling the worst spyware epidemic I've ever seen. Aurora, Nail.exe, BetterInternet...my anti-spyware programs keep finding and (supposedly) removing these and other infections, but minutes later, bam!, there they are again.

Believe it or not, the companies behind these advertising-oriented nasties have actually owned up to them. Now, this is a family Web site, so I can't properly express my rage. Needless to say, there's a special place in hell for ABI Network, DirectRevenue, and ABetterInternet (ha! There's an ironic choice of names).

Although it's plenty natural to be suspicious of MyPCTuneUp, the adware uninstaller provided by these companies, I can attest that it works. In fact, it's just about the only thing that works; I've tried pretty much everything else.

One word of advice: the program says to disable your firewall, but I left mine running (I'm not that gullible), and it still worked. Good luck!

What-Is-It Wednesday: Routers

2005-05-25T08:53:00.000-05:00

I really wanted to call it "Novice Wednesday," but that's not as alluringly alliterative. A router, in case you're new to the term (and scratching your head after yesterday's print-server post), is essentially a splitter for your cable or DSL modem. Instead of plugging the modem directly into your computer's Ethernet port, you plug it into the router. Most consumer routers have four ports, meaning you can plug in up to four computers.

Of course, in most home environments, the computers are spread out. That's where wireless routers come in. These not only split your broadband Internet connection among wired PCs, they make it available to wireless PCs as well.

What constitutes a "wireless PC"? Pretty much any system (notebook, desktop, PDA, etc.) with a built-in or add-on 802.11 (a.k.a. Wi-Fi) adapter.

You can buy an 802.11b Wi-Fi router for around $20 these days—$40 if you opt for an 802.11g model (which I highly recommend, as the "g" variant gives you better range and faster performance).

Tip Tuesday: Share Your Printer

2005-05-24T13:29:00.000-05:00

Raise your hand if you've got multiple PCs in the house and only one printer. That's the scene in the Budget Computing skyrise, and let me tell you, it's downright inconvenient. Although printer sharing is fairly easy to set up in Windows, it requires your primary PC to stay on 24/7.

What you need is a print server, a little box that enables your printer to operate independently of your PC--meaning any computer on the network can use it. (You do have a home network, right? They're practically giving routers away, people!)

Print servers tend to be a little pricey, but Overstock.com has the NetGear PS101 Mini Network Print Server for a mere $25.95 (plus $2 for shipping if you order this month). Just plug the little gizmo into your printer, then connect the cable to your router, and presto: instant print server!

Free Friday: FastStone Image Viewer

2005-05-20T11:42:00.000-05:00

For a couple years now, I've been a huge fan and avid user of IrfanView, a freeware utility for viewing, converting, and making minor edits to image files. But I have to profess newfound love for FastStone Image Viewer, which is great for things like batch conversions, red-eye removal, and (natch) image viewing. Plus, it has a much spiffier interface:

Just a great, great freebie. Available for Windows 98 and later.

Best Deals on Photo Prints

2005-05-17T15:21:00.000-05:00

Time was, the only ways to get digital prints from your digital camera were to make them yourself or upload photos to a site like Snapfish. Now, of course, you can take the memory card from your camera to just about any drugstore in town. Which begs the question: Who has the best prices on digital prints? I did a little research:

• Costco: 18 cents per 4x6-inch print
• Best Buy: 19 cents (until June 4)
• Dotphoto.com and Snapfish: 19 cents
• Wal-Mart: 24 cents
• CVS, Ofoto.com, Shutterfly.com, Walgreens: 29 cents

It's worth noting that many of the online sites offer discount deals--and sometimes even free prints--for new customers, so shop around.

Last Chance for Free Frostys!

2005-05-15T07:41:00.000-05:00

I know, it has nothing to do with computing, but who can pass up a free Wendy's Frosty? Today's the last day to score one. Just head to your local square-burger emporium and say, "Free Frosty, please." (The promo literature says the "please" is optional, but not in my book. Neither is "thank you." Manners, people!)

While we're on the subject, anyone know the correct plural of Frosty? "Frosties" just doesn't look right.

The $62.98 Laser Printer

2005-05-10T12:55:00.000-05:00

A laser printer for $62.98?! That's the deal of the day at Buy.com, to which I can only say: Oh...My...God. I can remember when my dad plunked down something like $900 on one of the early LaserJets. The printer in question is Samsung's ML-1740, which is widely regarded as being a fine entry-level laser. The $62.98 price is after a $70 mail-in rebate, but shipping is free!

Gotta mention one other thing about Buy.com: Apparently they now accept PayPal, which is huge for those of us who like to sell things on eBay, build up big PayPal balances, and buy other things.

Finally, a Discounted iPod!

2005-05-10T12:44:00.000-05:00

It's rare to find deals on iPods--Apple seems to control the purse strings pretty tightly. But Apple's own outlet "mall" currently has refurbished 4GB iPod Minis on sale for $169--shipped! That's pretty tempting. Get 'em while you can...at that price they definitely won't last long.

46 Freeware Utilities

2005-04-27T11:04:00.000-05:00

It's rare to find a "best" list that includes hands-on appraisals of the winning programs, but that's exactly what you'll find at The 46 Best-ever Freeware Utilities--as comprehensive a list as I've seen on the subject. The author, Gizmo Richard, includes several of my favorites, such as Picasa (pictured), Windows AntiSpyware and Yahoo Desktop Search. Favorites not included: image editor IrfanView; remote-access utility MyWebEx PC, and audio dynamo Audacity.

Inside Dell's $379 Desktop

2005-04-21T11:19:00.000-05:00

Although I'm a power user who requires a relatively high-end PC, I find it hard to ignore those Dell ads for ultra-cheap systems--like the latest one, which touts a Dimension 3000 desktop with a 15-inch LCD monitor and free shipping for $379.

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal...but obviously Dell is cutting a few corners, right? When you buy a $379 PC, what exactly are you getting--and what are you giving up? Let's take a look at the key components and see if this system is really all it's cracked up to be.

• Processor I'm surprised to find a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 in this system--I expected a Celeron. But it's a happy surprise, as that's a pretty robust processor, and more than adequate for mainstream computing tasks.

• RAM With just 256MB of "shared" RAM (meaning some of it gets used by the graphics processor), the Dimension will feel pretty sluggish. If you upgrade nothing else, make it the RAM. You can bump up to 512MB for $50.

• Graphics The integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 2 chip is fine for word processing, Web browsing, and the like, but don't try to play high-end games like Half-Life 2. Older games should run okay. What we don't know is whether the system has an AGP slot for installing a faster graphics card down the road. I'd check with Dell before ordering--unless games absolutely aren't part of the picture for you, in which case the integrated hardware is fine.

• Hard Drive A 40GB hard drive is pretty small, especially if you plan to use the system for games, music, and other multimedia. You can pay $30 up front to get an 80GB hard drive, or just wait and see if you outgrow the 40GB drive, at which time it's fairly easy and inexpensive to add a second drive.

• CD-ROM Drive Personally, I wouldn't touch a PC that didn't have a CD burner. That's because I like to make my own audio CDs and back up my data files. The Dimension's 48X drive will read CDs, but it won't write to them. The logical upgrade is a CD-RW/DVD combo drive, which will let you burn CDs and watch movies--but it adds another $60 to the price.

• The Rest Dell's E153FP 15-inch LCD is an analog monitor, meaning it won't produce ultra-sharp images, but you should find it acceptable for basic work. And I'll take a low-end LCD over a tube any day. As for software, Dell supplies WordPerfect; I recommend downloading the excellent OpenOffice.org suite instead, which is free and offers total compatibility with Microsoft Office. The Dimension's 90-day warranty gives me pause, but I guess that's to be expected from a $379 PC.

So, what's the lesson here? As you've probably guessed, the Dimension 3000 is a helluva deal--provided you can live with low-end performance and the most basic of features. By spending about $140 extra, you can add some much-needed upgrades--at which point you should probably start looking at $600 systems instead. At that price point, you're likely to get a few more bells and whistles.

What's your take on Dell's bargain-basement PCs? Let's hear from you!

Secrets of Spyware Removal

2005-04-15T09:38:00.000-05:00

Last night at around 9, my neighbor called to ask if I knew anything about viruses. Seems his Web browser was all messed up. I immediately suspected spyware, and after a quick house-call (that's just the kind of good neighbor I am), I was proved correct. His system had spyware by the truckload: GAIN, CoolWebSearch, Claria, and lots more. His browser was so hijacked, we couldn't use it download any spyware removal tools (big surprise).

So I dashed home and burned a couple utilities to a CD: Ad-Aware SE Personal and Microsoft's Windows Antispyware beta. We installed the latter first--it's a polished and robust tool, especially for a beta--and let it loose.

After about 10 minutes, the software revealed over 5,000 bits of spyware code. Wow. We put it to work removing and/or quarantining all this gunk--only to find that the browser was still hijacked. At this point I needed to head home for the night, so we resolved to pick up again in the morning.

Today my neighbor told me that he'd run Windows Antispyware several more times. Each time it found fewer and fewer spyware strains. Eventually, the system was purged (and protected, thanks to the software's real-time monitoring). His browser is now fully functional (though I urged him to download and use Firefox, which is much more spyware-resistant).

The moral of the story? Well, there are several, but the key one for today is that you may have to run your spyware-removal utility more than once to fully eradicate the bad code. It may not catch everything on its first, second, or even third pass.

My Favorite Media Center

2005-04-11T14:48:00.000-05:00

I've tested more than a few media-center PCs in recent months, including my beloved Gateway 610 (I even bought one), and my new favorite by a longshot is the WinBook PowerSpec MCE 410.

As you can see, it looks like a sexy stereo component, which automatically gives it an advantage over media-center PCs that look like, well, PCs. Even better, it's priced at just $999 (after a $200 mail-in rebate). Admittedly, it's not the most powerful system of its kind--it has only one TV tuner and it doesn't support HD--but it's still up to the task of replacing your VCR, DVD player, stereo components, and so on.

Better yet, pair it with WinBook's 30-inch LCD, which does support HDTV and also sells for $999 after rebate. It's a fairly entry-level LCD, but fine for most users and definitely a bargain. I am seriously tempted to put these two components in my family room, as they'd eliminate a ton of cable clutter and take a lot less space than my current hodge-podge of home-theater hardware.

Plus, and I can't believe I'm saying this, I really like Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.

Add Autofill to Firefox

2005-04-11T09:12:00.000-05:00

Like a few gazillion other users, I made the switch to the Mozilla Firefox Web browser a few months ago and haven't looked back. One of the first extras I installed was the Googlebar, which added the Google toolbar I had so grown to love in Internet Explorer. But one feature it lacked was autofill, a must-have for filling out those endless online forms.

Thankfully, there's now a similar plug-in for Firefox called, simply enough, Autofill. Just remember that after you download and install it, you have to add it to one of your toolbars--accomplished by clicking View | Toolbars | Customize. When that's done, you'll see the little yellow Autofill pencil:

Let's hear it for this open-source (read: free) Firefox add-on! Woo!

Indulge Your Inner Gunslinger

2005-04-07T07:50:00.000-05:00

Calling all Pocket PC owners! ClickGamer just introduced a free game, High Noon Drifter: Dead Man's Gulch. I haven't tried it yet (still clinging to Palm OS PDAs for the moment), but it looks pretty cool. And you can't beat the price!

World's Best (and Cheapest) Upgrade

2005-04-07T07:19:00.000-05:00

What's the single best way to upgrade your computer? If you said add more RAM or a bigger hard drive--BUZZZZZ! The best upgrade isn't really an upgrade at all, though it'll feel like one when you're done. I'm talking about reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling Windows.

This is not for the faint of heart. You need to make a list of all your installed applications; offload all your vital data to, say, CDs or an external hard drive; make sure you have access to all necessary drivers (for your video card, printer, etc.); and then do the actual drive wipe/Windows reinstall. When you're done, you'll have to reinstall your programs, restore your data, etc. Plan on devoting at least a full afternoon to the project--perhaps even the better part of a weekend.

Trust me, it's well worth the effort. A fresh install of Windows returns your computer to factory-new condition, meaning it'll run as fast as the day you unpacked it (and trust me, you've forgotten how fast that is). Your hard drive will be devoid of file clutter, spyware, viruses, and other performance-choking detritus.

Best of all, this won't cost you anything but time. Step 1 is to sift through some online guides detailing the process; before you do anything to your computer, read as much as you can; knowledge is power. PC World has a helpful step-by-step guide that's a great place to start.

CDs or Downloads?

2005-04-06T12:09:00.000-05:00

Over the past couple years I have become an online-music convert, meaning I've stopped buying CDs in favor of music downloads (no, not the illegal kind). I love being able to buy individual tracks for 99 cents apiece, or an entire album for $9.99. Those numbers satisfy my inner cheapskate (though I'm happier still when I'm able to score 79-cent tracks from BuyMusic.com).

The thing is, I'd rather have CDs. For starters, I can rip the songs in whatever format I want at whatever bit rate I want. Plus I have a backup in case of hard-drive failure. And sometimes it's kinda nice to have song lyrics, liner notes, and all that--stuff you don't get from digital downloads.

But inexplicably, CDs still sell for $12-14 on average. Add a couple bucks for shipping (Amazon, for example, charges $2.98 for one CD) and you're looking at upwards of $17. What's that, you say? I could go to a store and save on shipping? Sure, but then I gotta spend money on gas (chuh-ching!), time in the car and at the mall, and more money on sales tax. I'd be willing to do that if CDs sold for five, six bucks--heck, I'd buy 'em by the crate--but for now CDs are still a rip-off.

So, what is to be learned from this little diatribe? Basically, this: music downloads are still the cheapest way to go, even if you end up burning your own CDs (because blanks cost mere pennies). It also saves you travel time, sales tax, and gas money. Oh, you knew that already? Well, chalk it up to Diatribe Wednesday--basically I just wanted to gripe about CDs and why they still haven't come down in price.

Bagels, Coffee, and Wi-Fi

2005-04-05T13:48:00.000-05:00

Still paying 10 bucks per session (or $30 monthly) to use Wi-Fi at Starbucks? Why not walk up the street to Panera Bread instead? In addition to some of the best bagels on the planet (my favorites are Dutch Apple & Raisin and Cinnamon Crunch), Panera offers free Wi-Fi at all stores. Plus, there are a lot more tables than at the typical Starbucks, which makes working a lot easier. I've turned my local Panera into my "office away from office"--a place to get a change of scenery and still get some work done.