My Tech Gear

The writers at the Lifehacker website (which, I might add, is well worth checking out…every few minutes…just in case there’s something new…not that I’m compulsive about it) have each written an article about all the tech gear they use.  Seemed like a cool idea, so here’s my version.

HARDWARE

My home computer is a Dell Dimension 2400 desktop PC running Windows XP.  I bought it in July of 2003, so it’s ancient, but it does everything I ask of it (Pandora, Facebook, e-mail, iTunes, photo management, and the occasional “yard sale” flyer) without complaint.  I have even used it for simple video editing.  I have made several upgrades, including beefing up the memory (now 1.5 GB), DVD burner, and an external 80 GB hard drive (which gives me a total of 120 GB).  Moving all my media files (music, video, photos) to the extra hard drive did wonders for the speed of the machine.  There is a scanner, deskjet printer, and photo printer on my desktop (it would be nice to have an “all in one” but that won’t happen until something breaks).  I found a used small flatscreen monitor on Craigslist for cheap and since I don’t do games or watch movies on it, it’s quite sufficient.  The keyboard is the original Dell, and the mouse is a standard three-button Logitech.  Both have (gasp!) wires.

At work I have a Macbook Pro laptop (13”), which I love.  It is sleek and portable and non-intrusive when I set it on the table at a meeting.  It is a wonderful presentation tool, automatically detecting whatever projector I plug it into, and came with its own remote.  I like the operating system just fine, but don’t have a strong preference for it over the Windows XP I use at home.  The touchpad is fantastic, and I have probably only learned a third of its capabilities.  At my desk, I plug in an external monitor which allows me to view some windows on the laptop screen, and other windows on the external monitor, shifting them around at will.  Very cool if you’ve never seen it.  I also plug in an external keyboard, and standard PC mouse.

OPERATING SYSTEM

I have pretty extensively tweaked Windows XP on my home PC.  I have, of course, deleted a bunch of the extraneous “crapware” that came with it.  The desktop is organized exactly to my liking, with nary an unnecessary icon.  I downloaded Powertoys for Windows XP from Microsoft, which gives you additional customization options.  The ClearType Tuning download from Microsoft makes the fonts on your screen more crisp.  I run CCleaner occasionally to delete unnecessary files.  I also used CCleaner to clean up my registry files, but there seems to be some debate as to whether that’s really necessary, and there’s also some risk that you’ll screw things up and have to reinstall your operating system.  Regular defrags, file cleanups, and keeping my hard drives at 50 percent capacity or less seems to keep things running smoothly and with adequate speed.  I am very selective about what goes into the system tray (tiny icons on lower right) and startup folder, and absolutely NOTHING is given “quick launch” privileges.

MOBILE DEVICES

I have a 2^nd generation iPod Touch, which does 75 percent of what your smartphone does, with no monthly fee for a data plan.  I get a little shaky if my iPod is more than a few feet away, and use it for numerous critical functions, including storing contacts, lists (to-dos and shopping), reading news, and scheduling (syncs automatically with Google calendar so co-workers are up-to-date).  I also use it for several entertainment functions, including reading (Kindle app), music (both downloaded and Pandora), and videos.

In the truck, I have a basic MP3 player that I keep loaded with my favorite podcasts (plays through stereo with an FM tuner).  I haven’t figured out a good music solution for the truck, but I’m going to try using a second MP3 player loaded with music only (and different than the music on my iPod).

For work, I use a backpack style laptop bag from Walmart, which I love.  It was cheap, but has held up very well.  It carries my laptop, work camera, phone chargers, memory sticks, and a notebook.  Using a backpack instead of a more conventional bag also helps me maintain my "young and hip" image.

DESKTOP SOFTWARE

Very glad I switched to Google Chrome for web browsing, after a long and happy relationship with Mozilla Firefox.  I vaguely remember a troubled time years ago with some other browser (maybe starts with an E??), but maybe things are better now.

For e-mail we use Thunderbird.  Just discovered you can use it to manage multiple addresses, so I’m switching all my on-line accounts and newsletters (e.g. on-line stores, Clark Howard, etc.) to a different address.  I would probably go whole hog with the Gmail interface, but Kate and I share an address and she is comfortable with Thunderbird.

iTunes is my primary media management tool, and I like it just fine.  The writers on Lifehacker seem enamored of Winamp, which I tried, but it kept crashing which I don’t have time for.  So now I’m using Windows Media Player as a secondary tool to manage my non-Apple MP3 players.  I also have VLC Media Player so I can watch DVDs (although I never do), and DVD Flick to burn DVDs (there’s no built-in for tool for either function in XP).

WHAT’S NEXT?

My next project is to find an inexpensive used laptop or PC that I can connect to the TV.  Between Hulu, iTunes, Amazon, and the network websites, there is a ton of free or cheap programming available.  I will also get a kick out of playing with new hardware (VGA converter, remote) and software (maybe XBMC) to make it all work seamlessly.  And my secret agenda is to wean Kate off of satellite, which would save us a few hundred dollars a year.