New Computer Time
Some “do’s” and some “don’ts
Pro Advice
50 ways to leave your lover?
• Not exactly –
• But Wayne is giving over forty things (more or
less in order) to do on EVERY new computer.
• My program is different information, for both
new and existing computers, and will be
followed (if time permits) with information on
the pending (July-August) upgrade of
Windows 10.
Outline
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Build or buy?
Desktop, Portable, maybe Tablet?
El-cheapo, middle, or top of the pack?
Operating System
RAM and Hard Drive
Useful Software vs. Bloatware
Users and Passwords
Wired or Wireless
Backups
Build or buy?
• In the ancient days or early PC computing,
computers were bought from companies like
IBM if:
• Large corporation or profitable business
• Your last name was Rockefeller, Trump,
Kennedy, or other wealthy family.
• The rest-of-us built them (or got one from a
local shop that built them)
• Because it was much cheaper.
• In 2001, after building 50 or so (cut up hands
to prove it), I BOUGHT a new computer
instead of building. I had the money for fast,
powerful, and top of the line. I compared the
total cost of a new HP XW4100 Workstation
with building one with equal parts – out of a
workstation cost of about $750, there was less
than $50 difference (and there was a threeyear come to my home and fix it warranty).
• I have not built one since (though I modify
purchased ones).
Form Factor
• A first decision is Desktop, Notebook, or
maybe Tablet.
• In the old days, notebooks were way more
expensive than desktops, and were a much
smaller percentage. No longer true.
• Decide based on what and where you plan to
use the machine.
One or more than one
• The last time my family had only one
computer was shortly after I got married in
1989, when home went from one to four.
• If only one is available, more than one will
want to use it at the same time.
• If buying another and the old one still works, it
is sensible to keep it running even as a spare,
unless the operating system is no longer
supported and no longer being patched.
Where in the price point?
• The problems with el-cheapo machines
include lower quality components, bottom of
the pack processors, minimal memory,
minimal drive space, lower quality monitors,
and others.
• Top of the line computers are built better,
high-end processors, much RAM, lots of
storage space, and that fast storage on SSD
• Mid-price computers are (as expected) in the
middle of quality and performance.
• Deciding:
• It may be that funds available makes the
choice.
• You get what you pay for (or sometimes less)
• Buying in the middle or top generally gives
better satisfaction and longer usable life (so
that the cost per year may actually be lower
than the el-cheapo).
• There can be other factors that dictate the choice
(example, you plan to do 36 channel in 8 channel
out audio and High Definition video processing.
The dinky computer doesn’t have a chance, you
must buy the best.
• Even if you have more funds, consider how the
particular device will be used. If this is a spare
machine to be in the guest bedroom so that
guests can surf the web, use web-based email,
and get on FB, Twitter, and Instagram; you don’t
need high end. (or for that matter, if it is the only
machine, although a case there can be made for
going to the middle of the pack).
Operating System
• (OS choices are NOT a political or religious
selection)
• Non-tablet: Three primary choices: Windows,
Apple OS X, Linux.
• Tablet: Two (and a half) primary choices:
Apple IOS, Android, modified Android.
• Like with the hardware, frequently the
“cheapest” is NOT the best.
Windows
• Advantages: Mainstream, may be already familiar
if this is not your first machine, many applications
and accessories available. Can be bought or built.
Many manufacturers. Lower initial cost than
Apple for similar hardware. Easily serviced.
• Drawbacks: Many manufacturers, instability and
incompatibility, significant virus and malware
potential problems. Software typically licensed
for one computer only. Not designed for real-time
control, or low latency audio and video.
Apple (Mac)
• Advantages: All computing hardware from one
company, device compatibility is higher; Unix
based and more resistant to malware;
Audio/Video built in the OS and works better
with much less configuration problem. Apple
apps generally license for up to five
computers. Easily serviced.
• Drawbacks: Higher initial cost for similar
hardware, Malware infection still possible.
Linux
• Advantages: “free” operating system. Many
“free” applications. (Note that there are NONfree versions and apps).
• Drawbacks: Accessories that work with
Windows or OS X may NOT have drivers for
Linux. Many different “flavors” Applications
don’t work just like mainstream apps. Getting
help when there is a problem can be difficult.
Best to become a guru yourself.
Android
• Advantages: Generally lower priced than
Apple devices of similar hardware capability
Some apps that don’t exist on IOS.
• Drawbacks: Multitude of companies take the
OS from Google and modify for their own
specific hardware and desires. No such thing
as universal OS update. Can obtain apps from
sources other than Google, some of which are
malicious.
Apple IOS
• Advantages: All written for Apple’s products. OS
updates generally can be on older models,
although iPad 1 not updatable to modern IOS.
This makes it simpler to write apps. More apps
and more depth in apps, many free apps.
Excellent audio and MIDI support built in (derived
from OS X).
• Drawbacks: Somewhat higher initial cost than
similar Android devices. No slots for adding flash
memory.
You pay your money, and take your
choice
• Operating Systems all have to perform similar
functions – create files, use those files,
perhaps move those files, delete files, possibly
print or transfer those files.
• They all DO the same things, but they use
different names for the tools that are used,
and have different graphical interfaces.
• Don’t be afraid to go to a different OS.
• If you learn one system, transition to another
is relatively easy; since you are really learning
to do the same things with different tools (this
is also true with OS upgrades from the same
company).
• Example: My Macbook Pro has all three, Mac
OS X, Windows 10, and Ubuntu Linux; all on
the SAME computer (this is done through a
marvelous piece of software called Parallels). I
can therefore use this machine in servicing
client systems of all three.
RAM Memory
• Minimum required is NOT a good place to be!
• 2 to 4 makes a HUGE change, 4 to 8 makes a
quite significant change, 8 to 16 makes a
change if one wants multiple apps running at
the same time.
• With most desktop and notebook computers,
it is possible to add RAM after purchase (not
true on tablets or recent Apple products).
Hard Drive/SSD
• Hard drive cheaper, SSD MUCH faster.
• Makes more performance difference is fast
processor and lots of RAM. Not shocksensitive.
• Tablets generally are all SSD.
• How big? (500G or more for
desktop/notebook recommended).
• Possible to change out on most
desktops/notebooks except recent Apple.
Software: Useful vs. Bloated
• As Wayne mentioned, a lot of factory installed
software is “bloatware,” either not very useful or
requiring purchase of an “upgrade” to be useful.
This is not my focus.
• Back in the early days, I usually tried to install ALL
of the apps that I used (or was thinking of using)
on ALL my computers. My reasoning was that I
might have to use a different computer than my
regular computer (or be travelling with a
notebook), and I wanted ALL my apps available.
• I have changed this pattern of building. Now:
there are some apps that MUST go on each
machine. These include Anti-Virus and
MalwareBytes.
• There are others that MAY go on each
computer. Most have an Office suite (at
minimum word processing, spreadsheet, and
presentation). Any to use in my business have
my Accounting software and Client Tracking
software. Any business or portable includes
my VPN software.
• There is other software that may well never be on
more than one computer. My “BlueIris” security
camera software is an example. Musical software
including DAW such as Sonar, notation such as
Sibelius, sound generation such as B4 or Pianos
Gold (these are on two PCs, and MainStage is on
the Macs).
• One thing I finally learned: If it has been on an
existing machine and hasn’t been used for a while
– WHY put it on the new machine? EVERY extra
piece of software is one more piece to maintain,
to have updates, and to generally cause trouble
and slowdowns.
Users and Passwords
• EVERY machine should have (at minimum) TWO
Administrative User accounts. One for normal
use, and one that is logged in once (so a profile is
built) and not used. I know from experience that
both Windows and Mac can get a user profile
messed up so the login does not work (Linux
likely also, since the user mechanism in Linus is
the same as the Unix at the core of Mac). When
that happens, the ONLY simple way back into the
machine is if another administrative account has
already been created. Guest accounts or other
non-admin accounts don’t help.
• Additional accounts may be needed (example,
husband and wife, children (non-admin
recommended), multiple users in a business.
• Windows 8 and 10 can have Microsoft accounts
or Local accounts. Only Microsoft accounts have
any sync between computers, and a Microsoft
account is necessary to obtain apps from the
Microsoft store.
• An Apple account (an iCloud account) is
necessary on a Mac for getting apps from the
Apple store, and for sync between machines
using iCloud. Other accounts can be local.
Passwords
• ALWAYS use secure passwords, that cannot be
easily guessed (including by dictionary attacks).
Use different passwords for each account,
including web sites, especially financial sites
which includes online stores as well as banks.
Also includes any social media sites.
• It should not be possible for you to remember all
your passwords. Therefore, obtain either a free
or paid Password Manager that will work on your
machine, and USE it. That way, you only have to
remember ONE hard-to-remember password.
• Some sites will not allow ideal passwords.
Example: most banks don’t allow use of
symbols.
• DO use a combination of lower case letters,
upper case letters, numbers, and (if usable)
symbols in making a password.
• A search (Google, Bing, etc.) for “how to
create good passwords” will give step-by-step
information on the process.
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Examples of passwords:
Pathetic: 123456 or PASSWORD
Sniveling Weakling: JohnDoe1
Modest: j0hNdOe
Ate my Wheaties: 1303jOhNd03#%*
Military SEAL level: ?rA3rerazure2e=p (this
was created using Norton Password Generator
on the web at:
https://identitysafe.norton.com/passwordgenerator/# You will NEED HELP
remembering this one!
Two-Factor Authentication
• More secure – uses both password and some
other item that user has or knows:
• Second item may be a text to a cell phone of a
number key, which is then used like a second
password.
• May be a hardware device which provides a
number key (synchronized to the device serial
number)
• The idea is to require something that the owner
has besides the password, that would be difficult
for others to obtain.
Wired or Wireless
• I am a firm believer in only using Wireless networking
when NECESSARY. If one has one computer and does
not need wireless for phone or tablet – connect the
modem right to the computer.
• If building a new home, you really should consider
adding network wiring to most of the rooms. While the
home is being built, adding this wiring does not add
much to the overall cost. Remember that the modem
will need to connect to a router, and that a wired
output of that router will need to connect to a switch
that feeds all of the wiring.
• If there are multiple buildings, do NOT
attempt to use copper wiring between them,
as lightning damage can occur. Either use
powerline networking, wireless between
buildings, or have a fiber line installed; or do
not wire but one building.
• Larger homes will likely require more than one
wireless device. One will be a router, the other
can be extenders (which are problematic) or
wired Access Points.
• Modern wireless systems provide both a
regular network and a “guest” network. The
guest network has a different name and
password, and does not allow sharing
between local devices.
• For most of us, with phones and tablets that
we DON’T want always using expensive
cellular data, we need wireless in the home.
Backups
• Two major categories:
• Complete (operating system, programs, and
data – enough to re-do everything if a crash
occurs). These are done using image files.
• Data – Directories and Files only
• If all you have is a data backup – a crash
becomes a major problem. If you have NO
backup – EXTREME major problem.
Data should live in more than one
place!
• Your important files really SHOULD be backed
up. You don’t want to lose all those pictures
that were accumulated over many vacations
and family events.
• This sort of backup really should be in a
separate location (fires, theft, water damage).
• Easiest way for average person is to use a
cloud backup
• You get a certain amount of “free” space in a
cloud with either Windows or Mac – 5 GB.
USE IT.
• If you need more (pictures, videos, etc.) added
space is reasonably priced. Dropbox Pro
(consumer service) can be used on Windows,
OS X, Android, IOS, and Linux.
• One Terabyte of storage maximum – if paid
yearly, cost is only $99, that is $8.25 per
month.
Operating System (Image)
• Windows, OS X, and Linux all provide basic
methods of backup/recovery as a part of the
operating system. You will only need to
purchase a USB external hard drive.
• These basic methods all expect use with the
drive always connected to a single computer
(does not work so well with portables)
Windows Image
• The built-in is located in Control Panel, and is
named Backup & Restore.
• Paid applications like Acronis Home and Macrium
Reflect offer much more versatility (using on
multiple machines, backup of just what one
wants when one wants). Reflect does have a free
version.
• I know that Acronis DOES work, I have had to use
it for restores. Don’t forget to make the boot CD
or USB drive BEFORE a failure.
Mac OS X Image
• Apple has included TimeMachine application as a
basic part of OS X. This works quite well, and can
be setup for automatic or manual. Automatic
makes incremental every hour, then day, then
week. When the drive fills up, the older ones are
removed to make more space.
• TimeMachine can also work across a network into
Apple’s Time Capsule (which is both network
storage and also wireless router) and into many
NAS devices.
• TimeMachine can also be entered and single
files or directories can be recovered from any
of the images that are available.
• If there is a total failure, a Mac can be booted
and recovery initiated using a broad-band
Internet connection – it recovers enough OS
direct from Apple to get into TimeMachine.
• Although Acronis has a Mac version, my
recommendation is to just use TimeMachine.
Linux
• For some Linux builds: Various Backup/Restore
software installed with similar functionality.
• For other Linux builds:
http://www.cyberciti.biz/opensource/awesome-backup-software-for-linuxunix-osx-windows-systems/ Five open source
backup solutions.
• I do not have personal experience with the
above Linux methods.
• My two Linux instances are Virtual Machines
running on the Macs using Parallels. If the
Linux VM is stopped, it exists as a single (large)
file which is backed up using Apple’s
TimeMachine.
Copyright 2016 by James Cason
Windows 10 Summer Refresh
Some of the changes
Preview Builds 14361 and 14366