With all the talk of being green and not doing enough to save the planet these days, it’s about time that computer users put their hands up and admitted they’re sometimes just as bad as their neighbour who still hasn’t applied for a recycling box yet.
No need to feel like a hypocrite any longer, though. Here’s six ways you can counter some of the more harmful things your PC is doing to your environment that won’t break your back doing them.
1. Making IT
The problem. Manufacturing PCs is five times more wasteful than making cars. A 2004 study found that to make one desktop you need 240kg of fossil fuels, 22kg of chemicals and 1,500kg of water. [Source: UN University]
The solution. Check out used/refurbished PCs before buying new.
2. Wasting IT
The problem. Leaving monitors on standby wasted £41 million in 2005, generating 220,000 tonnes of unnecessary CO2. [Source: Energy Saving Trust]
The solution. Switch them off!
3. Breaking IT
The problem. Four per cent of all Europe’s waste is electronic. PCs and peripherals account for 39 per cent of that amount – in the UK, two million PCs end up in landfills every year. [Source: Industry Council for Electronic Equipment Recycling]
The solution Recycle old hardware.
4. Shipping IT
The problem. In 2003, more than 23,000 tonnes of electronic waste ended up in Asia – often illegally. [Source: Greenpeace]
The solution. Stick with reputable recycling programmes such as those run by manufacturers.
5. Printing IT
The problem. Every year 14,000 tonnes of printer cartridges end up in UK landfills [Source: ICER]
The solution. Charities will happily take old toners and inkjet cartridges, and many retailers sell recycled ones or refill kits.
6. Using IT
The problem. Only 15 per cent of us realise that our energy use is a bigger contributor to climate change than cars or factories. Gadget fans generate 4.1 tonnes of CO2 per person per year. [Source: Energy Saving Trust]
The solution. Add energy efficiency to your shopping list when you buy a PC, consider switching to suppliers who use renewable energy sources and use the power options that Windows Vista gives you to make your PC greener.
Gary Marshall is a freelance journalist who writes about technology, the Internet and pop culture. His website can be found at www.bigmouthstrikesagain.com.
2 Comments |
Read more
Download the original article from Windows Vista: The Official Magazine, Issue 2.
(PDF Format, 2650kb)
Requires Adobe Reader.
Alternatively, buy the issue here.
Although buying a new PC is by far the easiest way to get up and running with Windows Vista, it does leave you with the problem of transferring your files and folders over from your old PC. Handily, this is much simpler than you might expect, thanks to Windows Easy Transfer. This is a program that works with the Belkin Easy Transfer Cable for Windows Vista to copy your files from your old PC to your new one. Check out the walkthrough below to see how it’s done.
Useful though this is, it only works for files and program settings – not for programs themselves, which will have to be reinstalled. Unfortunately, this can be more complicated; programs written for Windows XP may not work or install correctly on Windows Vista, and anything written for even older versions of Windows can be extremely troublesome.
The best way around this is to use Microsoft Compatibility Wizard to fool an application into thinking it’s running on a previous version of Windows. You’ll find this in Control Panel – click Programs > Use an older program with this version of Windows. Pick out the application you’re having problems with, and choose a compatibility mode. If you’re having problems with the title bar or menu buttons not appearing, tick Disable visual themes or Disable desktop composition to turn off any Aero glass fanciness.
Some older applications, particularly games, will hiccup when they encounter the new security features in Windows Vista, as they can’t get at certain system files. You can fix this by checking Run this program as an administrator in Compatibility Wizard, which gives it the same access as it would have had in Windows XP.
1. Getting Started
You need the correct software on your old PC. Insert the CD and follow the prompts to install Windows Easy Transfer Wizard and the Belkin drivers.
2. Plug In
Once installed, plug the Belkin Easy Transfer Cable into a USB socket on your old computer. It will ask what you want to do – choose Transfer files and settings.
3. Link The Cable
Connect the other end of the Easy Transfer Cable into your new Windows Vista PC, and again you should choose to Transfer files and settings.
4. Wait To Connect
Windows should automatically detect the connection; wait for the message “A connection to the other computer has been detected”.
5. Choose Your Files
Put the kettle on. After that, select what to copy. Clicking Advanced Options will enable you to choose whatever files, settings and accounts you need.
6. Link Accounts
To match up what should go where, link each old account to any new accounts created. You’ll need the same number of accounts on both systems.
7. Start To Transfer
Click Next again to begin the transfer. If you really did put the kettle on in step five, make yourself a cup of tea and sit back; this step may take a while.
8. Get List
Once the transfer is complete, click Show me everything that was transferred to get a full list of every file, setting and account copied. Click Close to finish.
Add to del.icio.us | 
Digg This Article | 
Add to StumbleUpon
0 Comments |
Read more
If you wanted to transport a horde of kids, you’d use a people carrier or a minibus, but if you wanted a quick runaround for town shopping, you’d probably prefer something more like a Micra or a Smart Car. The same logic applies to PCs – you should buy a system that’s right for the jobs you want it to do.
Gaming is one of the most demanding tasks a PC can undertake, and a good gaming system has to have a high-end graphics card that is capable of running the latest 3D games. Just as the processor determines how fast a PC runs overall, its graphics card determines how fast it can draw complex 3D scenes.
Play your cards right
Most people agree that Nvidia and ATI make the best cards right now, so these are brands you might look out for. Games are written to run well on the current mid-market range of cards, which for Nvidia means the GeForce 7600 and for ATI the Radeon X1600 range. Both ranges have models costing around £100.
You’ll find there are GS cards, GT, Pro and all manner of variations in these ranges. Some will be worse (GS). Some will be better (GT). There are also ranges below and above these two, and they are priced accordingly.
Just to complicate things, both Nvidia and ATI are working on the next generation of cards. Nvidia already has the GeForce 8800 while ATI is expected to launch a new R600 range any time now. They’re top-end parts, so prices are high, but they do offer support for DirectX10.
Both Nvidia and ATI also now offer the option of having two graphics cards in one PC. Nvidia’s SLI system and ATI’s CrossFire only work with specific types of motherboard and graphics cards, but a system branded as one of these will either come with dual cards or be capable of having a second card added at a later date for a performance increase.
Our recommendations
Even armed with this knowledge, looking for a computer that is going to ensure games look great and play even better is no small task. To help with this, here’s three machines that we’d recommend for a good gaming experience.
Gamer Infinity SLI KO
Look no further if money is no object. Oozing cutting-edge technology from every pore, the Cyber power system has the very latest Nvidia GeForce 8800GTX, a Quad Core Intel X6700 processor and 2GB of memory.
The package also comes loaded with peripherals: a 19-inch display, Logitech Optical Gaming Mouse and a full 7.1 surround system. For hardcore gamers, the KO incorporates illuminated blue fans – no, not just one, but four side-mounted beauties, keeping things cool during the most frantic of fire-fights.
Mesh Elite E6600 Express HX
Scoring a Windows Experience Index of 5.0 proves that this affordable system has the power to run the latest games. With a tasty selection of peripherals including a Creative Labs Inspire 7.1 surround system, 19-inch Sony LCD display and internal memory card reader, this system is ready to go out of the box.
The system itself contains 2GB of memory, a Core2 Duo E6600 processor, an Nvidia 7950GT graphics card and a Sound Blaster XFi Xtreme sound card – everything needed in a desirable gaming system that won’t break the bank.
Evesham Technology Solar VX
The Solar VX is packed with 2GB of memory, a speedy Core Duo E6600 processor and a sizzling NVidia 8800GTS graphics card, so it will play the latest DirectX 10 games in eye-popping detail. Best of all, the package comes with a 22-inch widescreen monitor.
An extra £300 will get you the Solar VX Plus with Core Duo E6700 processor and an upgrade to the NVidia 8800GTX – trust me, that letter on the end makes all the difference.
Neil is a long-time PC user, having had the pleasure of installing, troubleshooting and using PCs for over a decade. He regularly contributes to Windows Vista: The Official Magazine
Add to del.icio.us | Digg This Article | Add to StumbleUpon
0 Comments |
Read more
Back in the day, when I bought my first PC, I was just about to complete my degree. Terrified by the size of the repayments, and amazed someone had been foolish enough to lend me that amount of money, I turned to a tech-savvy friend and asked him if he had an ideas about how I could use my new kit to make myself some cash. “Sell it,” he replied, cynically.
But how wrong he was. There are plenty of inventive and clever ways to make and save money by using your trusty home computer. Here’s a lesson in how you can recoup the price of a £1,000+ PC in just one year – and with very little hassle.
In March – Book your holiday early
We all know that last-minute holidays are the cheapest way to go abroad, but they’re also the riskiest, and not always practical if you have a family. The average family holiday abroad costs £2,725. By making an early booking online you can attract discounts of up to 15 per cent off the brochure price. This will not only save you hundreds of pounds, it also means you’re less likely to be disappointed with where you end up than if you make a last-minute deal.
Saving made £408
Total to date £408
In April – Manage your budget
April is the start of the new tax year, so it’s worth remembering that, on average, we somehow spend £110 for ever y £100 in our take-home pay. And a fair chunk of it disappears without a trace into the financial black hole of ‘stuff ’. Just by keeping track of what you actually spend money on, I reckon everyone can save £10 a month, and that’s £120 over a year. There’s an online budget planner at www.justbudget.com, but a simple spreadsheet.
Saving made £120
Total to date £528
In May – Join M:Metrics
Here’s just one of many ways to make money for nothing – take part in a market research survey. If you’re a privacy nut, you may not be interested, but for everyone else who connects a Windows, Palm or Symbianbased smartphone, M:Metrics will pay you £15 for downloading its monitoring software and synching to your phone. Then, the company will pay you £5 a month for every month that it remains installed. For more info, go to www.mobilepanel.com.
Saving made £75
Total to date £603
In June – Become a web affiliate
Another way of earning (rather than saving) money, and still without doing anything, is to add an affiliation to one or more retail sites on your blog or homepage. It’s unobtrusive and can be highly profitable – when people click on the banner and buy something, you get a cut. One colleague says he earns £120 a year from Amazon affiliation alone, but we’ll set a more modest target of £60. Try affiliateseeking.com for the best banners to add to your site.
Saving made £60
Total to date £663
In July – Change your credit card
The typical UK credit card debt is £2,200. If that sounds familiar, remember you can pay it off much faster by switching to another card with 0 per cent interest for 12 months, saving yourself £328 in charges. There’s an excellent guide to choosing the right card for you, as well as online application forms, at www.moneysupermarket.co.uk. You’ll also find ways to save on electricity, gas and mortgage payments by switching to new providers. Of course, if you pay it off completely, you’ll save even more.
Saving made £328
Total to date £991
In August – Create a masterpiece
Your new Windows Vista PC is perfect for unleashing your creative conscience; a simple word processor and the inspiration of the changing seasons is all you need to write your first blockbuster novel. Then, you can bypass traditional agents by publishing it yourself for free through www.cafepress.co.uk. If words aren’t your forte, you can design mugs, T-shirts and comics to sell through an online shop there too, all using your new computer.
Saving made £10-millions
Total to date £1,001
In September – Buy school uniforms online
Buying school uniforms for the kids costs us all a fortune, especially when they grow so quickly. It’s a conservative estimate, but we reckon you can save at least £50 on school clothing for a year by kitting your clan out at an online specialist such as www.schoolwearhouse.co.uk. Even better, you’ll save your fingertips too, because they will throw in 36 iron-on name tags for free, which means no sewing wounds this year.
Saving made £56
Total to date £1057
In October – Work from home
According to Sulzer Infra CBX, over 50 per cent of us will spend some time working from home every week by 2010. If you could do this for just two days a week, you’d save at least £10 a month in travel costs – and also save the environment. Leigh-Anne Winter set-up a franchise of Cash It In For Me (cashitinforme.co.uk) and now works from home full time, using her PC. “My business allows me to work when it suits me – while my kids are in bed or out at playgroup,” she tells us.
Saving made £120
Total to date £1177
In October – Christmas shop online
There are plenty of reasons why the high street is losing out to the internet for Christmas shopping, and saving loads of cash is only one of them. Try adding a shopping gadget to your Sidebar for the most convenient way ever of finding the best prices for your gifts. Check out gallery.microsoft.com.
Saving made £150
Total to date £1327
In December – Send virtual cards
No one loves receiving a Christmas card more than the staff of Windows Vista Magazine, but even if you’re buying them from a charity shop, the cost to the planet in paper and transport is a heavy burden. Send a free e-card by visiting Care2.com instead. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but the ad revenue from the site all goes to good causes too. That’s the spirit of Christmas – rather than yet another bad comedy Santa card.
Saving made £25
Total to date £1352
In January – Sell unwanted gifts
Christmas is over and the house is full of tat. We all know you can clear out naff presents or second-hand items by selling them on eBay, but there are so many techniques for getting top dollar for an item, you may want to get professional help. Sales expert Leigh-Anne Winter of cashitinforme.co.uk says that “pu
tting something in the wrong category at the wrong time means that you won’t achieve the best price”.
Saving made £50
Total to date £1402
In February – Review your security
Your PC is one year old! This probably also means that your anti-virus software licence is now up for costly renewal. Alternatively, though, you could sign up for one of the free anti-virus programs, such as the excellent AVG Free from free.grisoft.com. Free packages tend not to protect you against spyware, identity theft, spam or hackers, though. You don’t get 24/7 technical support, and they are for non-commercial use only. So review your needs carefully before taking the plunge.
Saving made £25
Total to date £1427
Adam Oxford contributes to Windows Vista: The Official Magazine, and is a veteran technology journalist.
Add to del.icio.us | Digg This Article | 
Add to StumbleUpon
3 Comments |
Read more
