Computer Support Blog

The tech sector – and business interests who do not want to see the world dominated by Apple Computers’ products – is abuzz with renewed enthusiasm over tablet computers.  Out of the tablet computer manufacturing business for the boom time of the device, Microsoft is once again producing tablet computers!  Intended to compete head-to-head with the Apple iPad, Microsoft’s new tablet computer will arrive in the marketplace later in 2012.  It called the Microsoft Surface.  Read more »

Research and development is, arguably, one of the most exciting aspects of the tech sector.  Technology firms that have diverse interests invest quite a bit of money in research into emerging technologies or fantastic ideas and development of new products.  While a Chief Technology Officer of a firm that specializes exclusively in creating niche products through an extensive research and design department might seem like an incredible job that would satisfy the tinkerer’s urge so many engineers and scientists have, it is hardly a mindset that makes for running a company with the bottom line in mind.  Such companies require management that fosters such a creative CTO, while still focusing on business interests enough to keep the company profitable.  For Raytheon BBN Technologies, the parent company of radical gadget-maker Digital Force Technologies, the executive who effectively straddles the fence between economics and pure science is Ed Campbell. Read more »

The Internet has gone from being a convenient communications tool to being virtually indispensible to many computer users.  No longer only a source of information or communications, the Internet is now a growing form of expression (through social networking) and entertainment (through Cloud-based media).  That makes it more and more important to be able to stay connected to the Internet.  One device that can help people who travel frequently access the Internet easier is the ZyXEL USB Powered Travel Router. Read more »

Computer programmers are essential to the tech sector, which is why many tech companies try to recruit talented programmers right out of college and many tech companies provide their programmers with uncommon perks (the legendary Google cafeteria, for example).  The life of a software programmer can be a series of odd contradictions: long solitary hours of working alone on coding paired with massive collaborative efforts where a single programmer’s work is buried, without credit, within a larger project.  Most programmers seem to accept that as the reality of the job, joining large firms for the job stability and regular paycheck, content with the tradeoff that their names are unlikely ever to be recognized, even in the software programming community.  That, however, is not the path that Thomas Tempelmann took! Read more »

With the sheer volume of people who use the Internet to get their media – movies, music, television programs, etc. – it is unsurprising that various computer manufacturers are now designing PCs for interaction with your home theater.  These new computer models are stripped down, prioritize processing abilities that optimize rendering visual data, and connect to your high definition television and home theater sound system.  One of the premium models of computer for this purpose is the Shuttle XPC Barebone XS35GT V2. Read more »

Water is a resource many people take for granted.  After all, it is the exception to the rule when you turn the faucet on and nothing comes out.  Some of the neatest gadgets on the market – for scientific, municipal, and personal, use – pertain to monitoring various aspects of water.  From high tech gadgets like the YSI ProODO Dissolved Oxygen Sensor to the low-tech water filters many people use, water has inspired many useful products.  One of the neatest water-related products is the PR-32 Pressure Recorder. Read more »

It is hard not to look at the advancement of recent technology and wonder just what the science fiction model coming out of the current generation will be.  From Star Trek to now, science fiction media has posited a future where technological leaps free humanity from the shackles of capitalism, consumerism, and want.  Indeed, one of the iconic moments of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was when James T. Kirk had to admit that he did not have any money – and that was set during the “greed is good” 1980s!  With so much of today’s technology geared toward simply getting consumers to spend more money, buy more products, consume more, it is a dismal time to consider not only the future of science fiction, but the actual future. Read more »

Have you ever wondered just what it might take to make the leap from being an amateur photographer to being a professional?  With cameras on smartphones and other mobile devices, it seems almost everyone thinks they have what it takes to be a great photographer.  But, in addition to training – your eyes, muscles, and with your camera settings – what you really need is your own equipment.  One of the most important pieces of equipment for a professional photographer is the printer.  A serious, professional-level printer for photographers is the Epson SureColor S30670 Production Edition Printer. Read more »

Every good idea has its time and what is groundbreaking at one point in time soon becomes the standard.  Just as having a tape deck in an automobile was once considered audacious, yet is now tragically out-of-date, with the announcement and demonstration of the new Apple iOS 6 operating system, it is possible GPS systems are about to go the way of the audio cassette. Read more »

For most computer users, the webcam is something of a luxury.  Webcams are an often-convenient device that is hardly considered essential for most computer users.  Even so, many laptop computers now feature webcams for telecommunications purposes.  Businesses even use webcams for video conferences in order to save money; instead of transporting a Board of Directors from around the world to a central location, you can now patch in a video feed.  For high-quality results, the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 is a great webcam. Read more »