Part I: Are Your Personal Devices Protected...?

One of the biggest headaches of working in technology, is having to repair an affected computer. Depending on what library department that computer is associated with, it could take a day and a half - just focusing on that one machine - to "wipe it out and restore it" to suitable working conditions. Needless to say, its very frustrating and very time-consuming on my part. But for some of you, when this involves your home computer, it can be a very crippling feeling, especially if that computer is the only computer in your entire household.

So to continue our discussion on free and paid software to help you save time and money, I want to tell you about ways to protect the data on your personal laptops, home computers, smartphones, and tablets by gaining an understanding of why ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAMS are important and how you can download/install one of these programs onto your personal devices for FREE.

ANTI-VIRUS EXPLAINED:

Dummies.com defines anti-virus as "a utility used to spot and erase [computer] viruses from a system." As Princeton.edu points: a "true virus cannot spread [to another computer] without human interaction" in that a virus is "a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer." Therefore, EVERY DEVICE you own (and use) that connects to the Internet, from your home computer to even your smartphone, should have an anti-virus program installed on it.

Those who create viruses are getting clever and clever. Just like them, we too have to be just as clever in finding ways to safeguard our equipment. Therefore, installing an anti-virus program and forgetting about it, simply isn't enough. You need to make sure it stays up-to-date with the latest virus definitions. Now, virus definitions (or threat signatures) are databases that keep up with the latest viruses along with strategies to help your anti-virus program "get rid of it." So, why is all of this important?

According to an October 2011 report by Kaspersky Labs, makers of Kaspersky Anti-Virus, there are at least 70,000 new viruses introduced EVERYDAY. So whenever your anti-virus program notifies you that it is out-dated, needs to be updated, or has a new update to download/install, you should PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION!

It means that the anti-virus software really needs to connect back to its "home base" to obtain the latest updates. Why? - because today's viruses are brutal. Once your device is infected, the virus is likely designed to block your ability to get on the Internet thereby blocking your ability to update your anti-virus software. By then, its too late!

Here are two popular free antivirus programs.


(1) PANDA CLOUD ANTI-VIRUS FREE

• Unlike AVG, Panda Cloud is currently only available for computers and laptops. 

• Yet unlike any existing anti-virus program - paid or free, Panda Cloud is the first cloud-based anti-virus program on the market. Cloud-based means its a service available through the Internet. So you can only buy/download it via the Internet only, and not in stores.

• In a January/February 2012 performance test conducted by AV-Test.org, Panda Cloud was ranked #1, while AVG ranked third and Microsoft Security Essentials ranked lowest. In April 2012, PCWorld stated that Panda Cloud "...outperformed AVG in a malware [detection] test." Just so your know, malware is another name for a type of [computer] virus and it means "malicious software".

• To download Panda Cloud for FREE:
• Visit http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/forHome/ and click on the Download Free button.
• Their FREE version offers protection against real-time anti-virus and anti-spyware protection, along with automatic, behind-the-scenes updates. In case you're wondering, spyware is a type of malware that monitors your actions as you're using your device and reports your actions back to someone else, likely a hacker.

(2) AVG ANTI-VIRUS FREE

• In April 2012, PCWorld named AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition as their top pick in "Free Anti-Virus  You Can Trust".

• Unlike Panda Cloud, AVG offers protection for your mobile devices as well as year-round telephone support for the FREE version installed on your personal computers and laptops.

• To download AVG for FREE:
• For Android-based devices, such as smartphones and tablets: 
• Visit the Google Play Store and search for "Antivirus Free" by AVG Mobilization. 
• Be sure to check the box to "Allow automatic updating" either before or after install.
• Like most anti-virus programs for mobile devices, it will scan every new app that you install, perform scheduled scans on your existing apps, emails, text messages, etc., along with performing automatic updates - if you have the "Allow automatic updating" button checked.
• For personal computers and laptops:  
• Visit http://free.avg.com/us-en/free-downloads and find the Install button for the latest FREE version.
• Their FREE 2012 version offers basic protection against viruses and spyware and don't forget about the year-round free telephone support.

Here are a few other FREE anti-virus programs:

• Avast
• Avira
• Bitdefender
• Microsoft Security Essentials

PLEASE NOTE: Not all anti-virus programs "get along", so you only want to have ONE anti-virus (AV) program on your computer at any given time. Multiple AV programs on the same device could cause a "tug-of-war" whenever a virus is detected. So if you already have an anti-virus program installed, consider uninstalling it prior to installing something else. If you are unfamiliar with whether your current program is working for you, then seek out expert advice by visiting your local computer store like Best Buy, Office Depot, or Staples.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

I personally used Panda Cloud on my personal laptop and AVG on my Android-based smartphone, so what do you use? Perhaps you use an anti-virus that is different from those mentioned here. If so, feel free to share your preferred AV program with us in the comments section below.

In Part Two, the discussion continues as I focus on how to protect and backup your smartphone data.

Taskos: A To-Do List App for Android Users

For the month of August, we'll be discussing free and paid software to help you save time and money.

MY STORY:

One would think that since I work in the field of technology, that I'd utilize software installed on my computer that would help me manage my time. Ha Ha - not so! At work, I have Microsoft Outlook, but that's about it.

On a personal note, I spent more time with my Android-based smartphone then anytime else. Therefore, when I needed a way to track my to-do items for work or play, I decided to visit the Google Marketplace - now known as the Google Play store - in search of an app.

For the past year or so, I've been using a free app called TaskOS (http://www.taskos.com).

Learn more at http://www.taskos.com/ 

ABOUT TaskOS:

TaskOS is a free to-do list, which allows its user you to:

• Create your own to-do list categories. My categories are Work, Home, and Business.
• Set color-coded, priorities list for each task - high (red), normal (yellow), or low (green).
• Set a deadline to indicate when this task needs to be completed.
• Share a to-do list item with one of your contacts, which helps in keeping you accountable for completing that task.
• Adds notes - type a note or use the speaker icon to record notes for a particular task.
• Set a alert. The alert settings are off, one-time, or recurring.

You can even add a widget to one of your screens. There it will display at least one of your current to-do list item. Once you have completed a task, open the app, click the box next to that item, and the app literally crosses it off of your to-do list.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you're a TaskOS user, tell us about your experience with this app. Or if you're a iPhone or Blackberry user, tell us about a free or paid app that you have found helpful in better managing your time.

In our next article, we'll discuss both free and paid software for maintaining the health and functionality of your Windows-based PC. Thanks for you tuning in!

War of the iPhones: Is AT&T's better or is Verizon's better?

Today, we are going to compare the AT&T iPhone4 to the Verizon Wireless iPhone4. As we all know the iPhone craze started back in 2007. The first iPhone was released on June 29 of that year (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphone). Since 2007, Apple has released an upgraded model of the iPhone in 2008, 2009, and 2010. There is some talk of the iPhone 5 (possibly the iPhone 4GS) to be released in 2011, but nothing has been confirmed by Apple.

So since Apple makes the iPhone 4 for both AT&T and Verizon, the phones are the same right? Wrong! There are a number of differences between the AT&T version and Verizon version. First let's compare the iPhone from both companies. Both companies carry the 4th generation iPhone (hence the name iPhone 4). In saying that they both have the following: 2 cameras (1 front facing and 1 rear), can be used as an MP3 player, receive email and texts, have the ability to multitask, can record and edit in HD, have GPS abilities, and have access to over 350,000 apps in the Apple App Store.

So what makes them so different? The main difference between the AT&T iPhone compared to the Verizon iPhone if the placement of the internal antenna. When AT&T first released the iPhone 4 in 2010, many people were dropping calls and having horrible connection to their 3G network. The reason for all of this was because the antenna was placed in a bad location; the bottom right side of the phone. Because most people are right handed, this "little issue" suddenly became quiet large. Apple has not fixed the issue, however they have offered free iPhone covers that prevent the signal being interrupted by your hand.

Verizon Wireless was lucky. They did not start selling the iPhone 4 until early 2011. This meant that they were able to look at the issues AT&T customers were having and addressed them before the phone was released on their network. The Verizon iPhone 4 also has the ability to act as a 3G mobile hotspot. This allows 5 devices to connect to Verizon's 3G network via the iPhone (the iPhone acts as a wireless router). According to Cnet.com the Verizon iPhone was faster (See video for testing).

Overall, both the AT&T iPhone 4 and Verizon iPhone 4 are great phones. The iPhone is a popular device and that will not change in the future. I would almost go as far as saying it leads the way in cell phone development. But I am an Android person so I could be a little bias....

Sources/More Information:
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphone
www.attwireless.com
www.verizonwireless.com
Comparison Chart - http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/att_vs_verizon_iphone_-_a_comp.html

5/24/2011: Tech Tuesdays Podcast #3 (51 mins)

TECH TUESDAYS

EPISODE #3

Podcast Topics:

1. Library Tech News: Spring Festival Slideshow | Library Website Upgrade
2. Smartphones vs. Not-So-Smartphones: Budget vs. Smartphones
3. Cell Phone Providers: Major vs. Minor Providers | 3G vs. 4G service
4. Plans & Contracts: Pros & Cons

Resource Links:

• May is Cell Phone Month (read now)
• The Evolution of the Handheld Cell Phone by Jaketha (read now)
• Smartphones vs. Not-So-Smartphones by Charlie (read now)
• My Move from a Feature Phone to a Smartphone by Charlie (read now)
• My Move from a Smartphone to an Even Smarter Phone by Jaketha - Coming 5/25/2011
• The War of the iPhones by Charlie - Coming 5/27/2011

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Thanks for listening to our first Tech Tuesdays podcast on the Digital Lovers Blog (http://bpl-it.blogspot.com/) brought to you by the Information Technology Department of the Bossier Parish Libraries (http://www.bossierlibrary.org/). We would love to hear from you! Feel free to use the online form provided by FormSpring.me to submit a question or comment on today's topic.

My Move from a Feature Phone to a Smartphone: Was it worth it?

My Story

My last article was comparing feature phones and smartphones. Well today I am going to talk about my move from a feature phone to a smartphone and if it was worth it. My cell phone endevors started when I was 16 years old. For Christmas that year I got an old Nokia cell phone (black text only). I was able to call people and towards the end of its existance, I learned how to text. Oh...and I can't forget, I learned how to play the game that revolutionized cell phone games forever, Snake.

"older" Nokia  |  Motorola Razr  |  Motorola Krzr

From the Nokia I went to a more modern looking flip phone. I thought I had a million dollar phone. It was a flip style and it had a color screen (Then... I knew what it was like to go from black and white TV to color). I stayed with the flip phone style for a while, going through the Motorola Razr (razor) and Krzr (krazor). These phones were great and were very tough. I dropped these phones countless times and they still worked. Other than the simplicity of these phones, the contract was the best part of owning a feature phone. Most of the contracts were low cost. I did have to pay extra for text messages and phone protection, but I feel it was worth it.

Blackberry Curve  |  Motorola Droid

When I got married in 2009, my wife and I decided we needed better phones. We joined our contracts and decided to get smart phones. My first smartphone was a silver Blackberry Curve 8330. In the beginning, this was a great phone. It did everything I imagined and more. I couldn't beleive I could surf the web, call/text people, and get my email on one device. My eyes were opened to a new world (A world my wife wishes I had never seen). From the Curve, we upgraded to a Motorola Droid, which I am currently still using. In my opinion, the Motorola Droid is 1000 times better than the Blackberry Curve; more apps, faster phone, and better 3G connection. The only draw back to having a smartphone is the contracts (as I mentioned in my first blog). Since my move to smartphones, I have taken an interest in mobile technology. When something new comes out, I generally head over to Best Buy or do research on the internet. Just like computers, cellphones are contstantly changing.

Was the Move Worth It?

If I base the move off of features, speed, and abilities, then the move to a smartphone was deffinatly worth it. If I base the move from a price stand point, then absolutely a bad move. You need to know that when upgrading to a smartphone, you will pay at least $15-$30 more per phone. The extra fee is for the constant connection your phone has to have with your provider. You can think of it as DSL or Cable internet. You computer is always connected to the internet. In fact, most smartphones will not work at all without this connection. You also need to know that "phone insurance" is more for these devices because they are more valuable than feature phones. For an individual, it can easily cost you $100 per month for a smartphone and the plan that goes with it. Some providers have better deals than others, but we will talk about providers and contracts later this week.

Sources/More Information:
http://www.themobileindian.com/news/806_Moving-from-feature-to-smartphone

Smartphones vs. Not-So-Smart Phones: Which one is better?

As you all know this month is Cell Phone month here on the Digital Lovers Blog. Earlier this week, Jaketha posted an article about the Evolution of Cell Phones. Today, I am going to compare smartphones vs. not-so-smart phones or feature phones. But before I begin, lets look at the definitions of each device.

Feature phone
PhoneScoop defines a feature phone as "Any mobile phone that is not a smartphone. Feature phones have proprietary operating system (OS) firmware." Proprietary operating systems mean that the OS is limited to that device/company only. Often times, feature phones cannot download or access third-party software; commonly called "apps." If so, then they in no way interact with the phone's OS. This means that the phone's hardware or software does not increase the performance of the app. Even thought feature phones have limited or no access to apps, they are still loaded with features. Most feature phones today are "socially" designed. That means that more feature phones are coming with enhanced texting/typing abilities, access to web based email (i.e. Yahoo, AOL, Gmail), updated web browsers, and access to Facebook and Twitter. Of course accessing any type of email or social media will cost. Because feature phones do not require any sort of 3G or 4G connection to work properly, Internet access is cheaper (anywhere from $5 to $15 monthly fee).

Smartphone
PhoneScoop defines a smartphone as "A category of mobile device that provides advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone. Smartphones run complete operating system software that provides a standardized interface and platform for application developers." Smartphone are geared toward the business person; having regular access to the Internet is a must as well as receiving cooperate email or storing multiple email accounts. Smartphone have the ability to download apps via the appropriate "app store" (i.e. Android Marketplace, Apple App Store). Smartphones give the user an enhanced experience surfing the Internet with the ability to view HTML5, Flash, and Java based sites (a.k.a. the fancy stuff). Because smartphones utilize your network's 3G or 4G connection, a GPS feature is always available, up-to-date news and weather can be accessed, and keeping your calendar up-to-date via it's syncronizing feature is available as well. Some smartphones have whats called a GPU or graphical processing unit. This enhances streaming media like YouTube, Netflix, and HDMI videos.

So which phone should you purchase?
My answer to that: Great question!?! :) Feature phones are great for those who don't like change. If all you do is make phone calls and text occasionally, then don't waist your money on a smartphone. If you can't get away from Facebook or Twitter, or you have a constant flow of email, then you probably need to look into a smartphone. I know earlier in the article I mentioned that feature phones are generally cheaper than smart phones, but this is not always the case. Carriers are always changing their plans and costs. You can get a low-end smartphone for FREE when you upgrade your contract or if you catch the right deal. But again, there are more costs associated with the smartphone (monthly data fee, phone insurance, basically anything that isn't considered standard). My wife and I made the switch to smartphones a few years ago and we love our phones. Now if only I can find a way to make the bill cheaper.....

Sources:
PhoneScoop - http://www.phonescoop.com/glossary/
Cnet - http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-10461614-85.html

The Evolution of the Handheld Cell Phone

Just like with any technology, many are not aware that the concept of the cell (or mobile) phones can be traced back to the mid-1800s even though they did not become publicly accessible until 1988.

A. HISTORY:
If we think pass the actual devices, the framework for them started with a chemist named Michael Faraday, who "researched if space could conduct electricity" back in 1843 (see Article #1 below).

Thirty-one years later, a Virginia dentist named Dr. Mahlon Loomis, is believed to have been the first person to send messages wirelessly using the earth's atmosphere.

Dr. Martin Cooper

Then a little over a century after that, Dr. Martin Cooper, an engineer who once worked for Motorola, is coined as being the actual inventor of the cell phone. He not only made the first handheld device but also made the first cell phone call too.

By late-1970, Dr. Cooper's concept was being tested in major cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

Today, according to C.T.I.A., which is the international organization that sets standards for cell phone technology, as of December 2010, in the United States, there were:

• Over 300 million wireless subscribers
• Over 2 trillion cell phone minutes used
• Over 187 billion text messages sent
• Over 26% of  households are without landline phones due to owning a cell phone

B. FEATURES:
Nowadays, cell phones can do more than just make a call. Since 1988, cell phone features have advanced to the point that some types are now referred as "smartphones" due to the addition of features, such as, text messaging, Internet browsing, downloading and listening music, movies, games, and downloading and watching full-length feature films just to name a few.

Via: Cell Phones

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Be sure to checkout these other references:

1. (Article) - Timeline of Cell Phone History - CellPhones.org
2. (Pictorial Article) - The Evolution of the Cell Phone Design Between 1983-2009 - WebDesignDepot.com