Tech Tidbits

Open Source Software
Submitted by Jamie Kramer
UNIX Systems Admin
ESU 10

Do you like free stuff? Usually when people think of open source software
they think "free." While it is true that there is not a cost associated
with obtaining open source software (other than your Internet connection),
the word free is also used in another sense. Free also means you can view
the source code, redistribute the software, and redesign or improve the
software. Open source software does not usually come with restrictive
licenses, which stands in high contrast to the costly licenses of
commercial software.

If you have ever heard of or used the Firefox web browser, Open Office,
Linux, or the Apache web server, then you have experienced open source
software. Often there are open source alternatives to commercial software
applications. Considering its free nature, open source software may be a
good fit for education.

Links:

Firefox web browser: www.getfirefox.com
Open Office office suite: www.openoffice.org
A Linux distribution focusing on education: www.edubuntu.org
List of some open source programs for Mac computers: www.opensourcemac.org
List of some open source programs for Windows: www.opensourcewindows.org

Apple Announcements
Submitted by Jason Everett
Technology Trainer
ESU 10

Every year in January, Apple, Inc's Steve Jobs gives a keynote speech at
MacWorld on new technologies the company is coming out with. The
announcements are kept under a veil of secrecy and there is always lots of
buzz and rumors floating around before the conference. This year was no
different. Apple had several product announcements up their sleeve. Although
the conference mostly targets the home consumer, educators will see many
benefits of the new technology.

This year we saw the announcement of the new MacBook Air, the thinnest
notebook in the industry. We also saw iTunes movie rentals and an updated
Apple TV. A new product, Time Capsule, was introduced. And lastly, updates
to the iPod Touch and the iPhone.

For more on how educators might be affected by these announcements and a
short video review of the keynote, visit my blog.
(http://edTechTrainer.esu10.org/)

PC “Toppings”
Submitted by Brian Garey
Network Specialist
ESU 10

As promised, this month we will deliver some information on the recommended “toppings” to choose when you pick various “flavors” of Windows Vista.  Of course, when we say toppings we are meaning the hardware, peripheral, and support choices available when you go to purchase a new laptop or desktop computer.  The list can be long but can be navigated with persistence and a little bit of prior knowledge.  As you read last month, the recommended purchase for home is Home Premium so that is the version we will refer to with a few exceptions.

First, let’s talk about hardware that is inside the machine.  Many sites
(i.e. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/capable.mspx ) give some hardware requirements and recommendations for Vista.  However, please understand that these mean you CAN run Vista and they can advertise a lower price.  BUT… some Vista features may not be available and it doesn’t necessarily mean the user experience will be that great.  For this reason, we’ll only talk about what you should probably look at getting on a new machine that you will be using for the next 3-5 years (or longer?). 

• PROCESSOR:  This is how fast the computer can take care of business so go with 2 GHz or higher dual-core 32-bit (x86) for a desktop machine and  1.8 Ghz or more for a laptop.  Stay away from Celerons as they are lower end and you’ll wish you had gotten more later and it isn’t something you upgrade very easily or cheaply.
• MEMORY:  Consider this the size of your desktop/working space; bigger is better for you and the machine.  No less than 2 GB of RAM (system memory).
• VIDEO CARD:  High end is more for serious gamers though you do want to be able to get all the benefits of Aero Glass features in Vista (transparent windows which do look pretty cool).  I’d recommend making sure you have one that says it supports Aero with 128 MB of graphics memory.  One with more than 128 MB will give you a little better performance on moving graphics but unless you are into gaming, you won’t notice much difference so wouldn’t be worth the money.
• HARD DISK:  Men think garage space, women think closet space.  This is the room to store all your stuff.  Go with a Serial ATA drive of no less than 120 GB with preference going to one that is 250 Gb or bigger for desktops, and at least 80 Gb drives for laptops with more always being better.  Some of the multimedia features in Vista Home Premium will make you want to have plenty of storage space for pictures, videos, projects, etc.
• AUDIO:  Unless you are a real maestro who will be attaching high quality speaker systems up to the computer, the Integrated Audio is quite sufficient.
• REMOVABLE STORAGE:  Nothing less than a CD/DVD-RW Drive so you can write things to cd’s and dvd’s.  This capability is built into Vista as well as DVD authoring and movie making in High Def and the price of upgrading from a regular CDRW-DVD-ROM is about $30; you won’t regret this upgrade.
• KEYBOARD & MOUSE:  Any USB Keyboard and USB Optical Mouse will work fine.
• BLUETOOTH:  If you have any Bluetooth devices (i.e. newer cell phones, PDA’s, etc.) you may decide to add in the lower priced Blue Tooth controller or hub.  Some of these included a Media Reader which will read your memory cards from digital cameras.  You can also purchase a MEDIA READER as an option on most laptops and desktops. 
• WIRELESS:  We now live in a wireless world so for those of you purchasing a laptop, make sure you get an 802.11g wireless card.  802.11a and .11n are great if there isn’t much price difference.
• MONITOR (for desktops):  You won’t remember the last time you had so much space on your computer desk when you get a flat panel to replace the big CRT (TV like monitor) you’ve had.  A 17” or 19” LCD flat panel will do the trick nicely.  Some choose to get a monitor with embedded speakers, some would rather get separate speakers; monitor speakers are a little lesser in sound quality but save more desk space.
• SERVICE/SUPPORT:  Dell’s CompleteCare and similar programs from other vendors are insurance against anything.  These are pretty pricey and usually aren’t worth the money as the odds of running over it with your car or dropping it off your 2nd floor balcony are minimal.  The Parts & Labor Limited Warranty however is something you should probably get for at least 3 years.  In the case of Dell, they send someone to your house to fix it for you if something goes bad during your warranty period.  Most other “services” are probably not relevant nor recommended.

There are plenty of other peripherals and software choices we could talk about but that will have to be saved for another article.  Next month we’ll talk about some other new software from Microsoft; Windows Server 2008, XP Service Pack 3, Vista Service Pack 1, and others.

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