Sometimes the fastest method for me to get to everyone is through the email list.

You can go to this address and sign up for the email list - http://www.mac-pc-assist.com/maillist/mail.cgi and the archives are located there as well.

I send messages about once a month or so and sometimes more if there are issues that have come up with a piece of software or hardware.

On another note, some folks have reported that Buy.com is selling a three license pack of Kaspersky for under $40.00.

During the past few years a faster wireless standard is being implemeted in laptops, some netbooks and all Apple wireless products.

Wireless N, or “draft N”, reaches speeds up to 6 times that of wireless g. When the wireless systems were first introduced wireless a at 11mbps was considered reaonably fast for the emerging technology.

Wireless g brought the speed up to 56mbps. At that time the amount of data flowing was not nearly what it is today.

The Draft N speeds are up to 300mbps.

Most computers bought in the past two to three years, especially laptops and the new netbooks can br configured for N. Apple portable products are already configured with this technogy.

Now it’s time to replace a router or get one for the first time. Some issues my clients have faced revolve around having two technologies present such as G on the older machines and N on the newer models.

On some routers they require operating on the slower speed for all
computers in a mixed environment for compatibility or just N leaving the older computers unable to use the router.

Some manufacturers have advertised their routers as dual band, but they are not running simultaneously.

In order for each band -G or N- to work, the router must be capable of simultaneously sending both signals so that each user can pick up the highest speed signal.

So, if you are in the market to replace a router in a mixed G or N environment, make sure that the router will broadcast both bands simultaneously.

The past weeks have seen some interesting software that got installed on computers that started to interfere with previously installed anti-virus/security software.

“How did it get in? I don’t remember downloading anything.”

Recently i started a re-install of adobe reader, adobe flash and their shockwave products. During the installation I found that these products also had pre-checked by default, installations for Mcafee and Norton scans.

Google Apps actually had another full antivirus package pre-checked by default for installation during installation of other Google products. The installation of this antivirus package actually brought down the previously installed BitDefender suite. The Vista computer was subsequently infected with 25 different infections after this point – the computer was not even operable when It came into the shop.

What I am advising clients is to CAREFULLY read the screens as you install software from the net. UNCHECK all “free scan” software that may be included with other software as this will interfere with your existing security software.

In the case of anti-virus/intenet security software, more IS NOT better. ONE good suite/package will work better than two, three, or four. Once more than one package is installed, they start working against each other and actually leave holes wide open for attackers to gain control, load their viruses in and render your data vulnerable and eventually your computer inoperable.

Currenlty I have been using Kaspersky Internet Security Suite on all of my in-house computer. It has stopped all things evil and trust me, I work hard to infect my computers to ensure that the products work as advertised.

Kaspersky can be found at buy.com for about $35.00 shipped for three licenses.

If you have questions, please leave a comment or send me an email.

Scott

Welcome to my new blog about computers, gadgets, software, and other issues.