Save those Puppies!

And music and pictures and videos and documents...

Are you backing up your stuff? Your computer can hold many gigabytes(GB) of data. Some folks just keep downloading and creating, but never save their stuff so if their computer gets a bad virus or just crashes, they lose it all.

Save yourself the headaches and buy an external hard drive to copy your music and "goodies" to.

Seagate makes a good product. I have had varying experiences with Verbatim and Maxtor. I cannot speak to other manufacturers. Check ZDnet or Cnet for reviews. Not to mention Amazon.com.

You can get a good 500GB external hard drive at Office Depot for between $80 and $100, depending on the sales at the time.

These days you only need to get one that connects by USB 2.0. They will charge you more for one that connects with USB 3.0. It won't hurt to use 3.0 on your computer. You just won't get any faster speeds.

Save yourself the sadness of losing your huge and expensive iTunes collection, not to mention all of those pictures. We had a student who had shot over 40GB of school pictures, including the big Air Show and she lost most of it when her computer was set down on a magnet. Yup, it is just that easy to lose it all!

Can't say I didn't warn you...

Macbook Pro Hints FAQ

This is where I (and you) will post helpful tips to assist those folks new to Mac's.

I'll start:

If a program hangs in Windows, we can CTRL+ALT+Del and pull up Task Manager to end the process.

On the Mac, go to Utilities, then Activity Monitor to show processes and end if required. That saves rebooting the entire computer!

Evil WiFi Button

On the lower left front edge of your computer (Black Fujitsus) is a switch that moves left to right. This is the RADIO button. If you can’t talk to our wireless network, FIRST make sure the button is pushed to the RIGHT!!! That will turn on the radio so it can “see” our network.

If you have a silver Fujitsu, the button is closer to the right side of that front edge!

Mac vs. PC?

Here’s what Mr. V thinks:

1.Macs are more expensive.

2.You will not get an accidental damage warranty with the Mac unless you spend an EXTRA $299 with SquareTrade for an extended warranty. The Applecare Protection plan WILL NOT fix dropped, scratched, cracked or otherwise damaged Macs.

3.Mr. V is not authorized by Apple to work on Macs without voiding your warranty(s). All repair work is between you and The Core and SquareTrade.

4.If you have sent your Mac off to be repaired, TA does not currently have any computers to be loaned or rented to students.

5.Teachers have developed lesson plans and assignments based on Windows computers. If your Mac is unable to handle a class or home work assignment, the responsibility is ENTIRELY on the student. It will be the student’s responsibility to figure out how to complete their work.

6.Tuscaloosa Academy’s computer curriculum is based on Windows-based computer systems, because, as of May 2011, 86% of businesses use Windows computers. As a school, we are training students to work with the systems they are most likely to encounter in the World.

That means, if you have troubles operating your Macbook computer, we are not currently able to assist you.

So the Bottom Line is:

Make your choice carefully, because the purpose of this machine is to help you do your school work.

Any other tasks you ask of it, will be extracurricular!

Welcome to the new TA Tech Forum

This will be the place for me to post and you to find helpful hints about your computing world at Tuscaloosa Academy.

If you have your own helpful hints and searing insights, feel free to comment!