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Took Pictures

Here are some pictures of the MSI Wind U210, featuring the netbook in various angles. Click on a thumbnail to see a large-size version of the picture:

Used Ninite

Ninite, if you recall, lets visitors choose the applications they want and download a customized executable to facilitate their installation. Based on my SO’s preferences, and what I thought she’d need, here’s what I ticked off:

• Chrome
• Skype
• Yahoo Messenger
• iTunes
• VLC
• Picasa
• Microsoft Office (Trial Version)
• Adobe Reader
• AVG Free Anti-Virus 9.0
• Flash Installer for Other Browsers
• Java Runtime Environment Update 18
• uTorrent
• WinRAR

All in all, it took about an hour-and-a-half for everything to download and install. Since Ninite did everything in the background, I was able to get some work done while waiting.

Wrote down My First Impressions

The MSI Wind U210 was very responsive, running Windows 7 smoothly. Keep in mind however that I was using a brand-new gadget, with barely anything on it, so let’s see what happens after a few months of use. The unit itself is very light and compact, but the keyboard is still near full-size, and proved easy to type on with my relatively large fingers.

While the keyboard is snappy enough to facilitate touch-typing, it’s build quality was a bit suspect, with the entire key assembly depressing a bit whenever I’d press U, I, J, K. The rest of unit felt sturdy though, and the finish is shiny plastic, the kind that doesn’t seem like it will wear out or discolor after months of constant contact with the human hand.

By far the best feature of the MSI Wind U210—at least the one I got—is the 9-cell battery, which promises a long life away from the wall socket. After two and a half hours of installing the programs above and working—with WiFi on and the screen at full brightness—Windows 7 promised over 4 hours of operation. The longer battery life comes at a cost of less portability though, with the extra cells bulging out from underneath the unit.

Considered Buying One for Myself

To make a long story short, I’m actually very tempted to buy this netbook for myself. I’m now at a point where I value portability, a good keyboard, and long battery life, and the MSI Wind U210 so far delivered on these. The only issues I have are the lack of Bluetooth, and I’m wondering if I can get a variant that has the 3G SIM slot enabled. Still, a mini Bluetooth dongle shouldn’t cost more than $5 nowadays, and tethering the Wind U210 to my phone for 3G access isn’t that difficult anyway.

Other than that, MSI has managed to cram a good mix of features into a small yet usable form factor. The MSI Wind U210 is light, speedy, and lasts long on a single charge. I’m simply trying to justify not getting this netbook, given the price for what you get.

You can buy the MSI Wind U210 (6-cell version) from NewEgg here: MSI Wind U210-008US Black/Gray 12.1″ WXGA Netbook ($430)

Post from: The Gadget Blog

For starters, there are quite a few different factors that can have an impact on PC performance, including hardware limitations, memory intensive programs, viruses, and other things. Of course, the most common problem with average computer users is spyware. Basically, spyware is a category of programs that usually are installed on your computer without your knowledge in order to gain information about your web browsing habits. This information usually gets collected by companies that want to market to you. A great way to prevent this from happening is to download a tool that can help eliminate spyware from infiltrating your machine, and remove those bits of junk that manage to lodge themselves between the ones and zeros on your hard drive, thus destroying PC performance.

Also, it is important to run a good anti-virus program to keep your system from becoming infected by viruses and worms, both of which can cripple not only your computer, but your entire network. With a bit of searching, you can find some great free anti-virus programs that are available for download. There are also a good number of excellent commercial programs available for purchase. These commercial programs are available in several different configurations, from a basic home user version all the way up to enterprise level.

One note about anti-virus programs and spyware removal tools: there are lots of tools disguised as helpful programs that may actually contain spyware. Be very careful when selecting a product, and try to stick to programs that are well known and reputable.

Another common trick used by computer repair companies (and fixes a major cause of computer slowness) is to fire up ‘msconfig’ and disable programs that are launched on startup that are not necessary to your system. How can you tell which ones are not necessary? Well, most of them are not. If you uncheck it, reboot, and your system isn’t doing what it needs to, you can always go back into ‘msconfig’ and recheck the option. This is one of the best ways to see an immediate boost in PC performance.

One other option (and this is probably the best one in addition to the other options) would be to add some extra RAM to your system. Doing this is very fast and easy (just put the RAM chip into an empty slot) and generally inexpensive (depending on the type of system you are running).

It is actually quite a bit easier than it is commonly thought to keep your PC performance up. Just follow these simple steps and you will most likely see a boost in your speed.

“If you are only relying on free antivirus to offer you protection in this modern age, you are not getting the protection you need to be able to stay clean and have a reasonable chance of avoiding identity theft,” he said.

Hall also dismissed Microsoft’s Microsoft Security Essentials offering (which is currently in Beta) as an incomplete solution.

“Microsoft’s free product is basically a stripped down version of the OneCare product Microsoft pulled from retail shelves,” he said.

“Consumers don’t need less protection, they need more.”

According to Hall, there is a widening gap between people’s understanding of what protection they need and the threats they’re actually facing.

“People tell me, oh well look I use free antivirus because it is free and it protects me from everything in those areas, but when you compare that with what’s really going on in the threat landscape, there is a very, very big gap between what antivirus does and the threats that are being delivered today.”

Unfortunately, it seems Hall failed to do some market research. The source article was hit by criticisms of Hall’s stance—raising a point I agree with: Why buy Norton products then if they’re so damn slow, especially if AVG Free has proven useful over the years?

My only experience with Norton was with their Antivirus (NAV). It came preinstalled on my mom’s old IBM (before they sold their PC business to Lenovo) ThinkPad, and the only memorable thing about it was how it bogged down the laptop. Eventually, I discovered AVG Free, found that it did everything Norton did (keep my system free of viruses) more efficiently through a more straightforward interface. From that point on, I never looked back.

Several years later, I still rely on AVG Free. Subsequent experiences with NAV, as early as last year, only reinforced my impression of it as bloatware. I know Norton is aware of this perception, having run ads on popular tech sites like Gizmodo touting the speed of the company’s 2009 internet protection suite. Maybe David Hall should’ve waited for the marketing to work its magic first, before making such a bold statement that challenges the market’s preconceived notions?

Source

Post from: The Gadget Blog

By Chris Scott Barr

Unless you’re running a Mac (yes, I went there), it’s almost a necessity to be running some sort of anti-virus on your machine. There are plenty to choose from, most of which cost a decent bit of money for a yearly subscription. Free ones also exist, but they always seem to be lacking a few important features. Well it seems that there will soon be another company tossing its hat into the ring of free anti-virus providers.

Microsoft is currently gearing up for a closed-beta of their new free anti-virus service, code-named Morro. It is described as a stripped-down version of their Live OneCare service. It’s hard to say a lot of bad things about a free anti-virus, so provided that Microsoft doesn’t find some way to royally screw things up, it should likely appeal to those that wouldn’t otherwise bother installing such software. No word on when they are planning to officially launch Morro.

[ Reuters ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]

“Oh, FFS!” That’s what the likes of Norton and Symantec can be heard saying today with the news that Microsoft plans to release free anti-virus software, code-named Morro. (That’s the name of a beach in São Paulo, and is pronounced “MO hoo. Tell your friends.) A beta is expected “soon,” but Microsoft hasn’t said when the final version will be available.

Morro is being described as a stripped-down version of Live OneCare, the company’s rubbish commercial anti-virus application it released a few years ago.

Will Morro be as feature rich as something from Norton and Symantec? Maybe not, no, but for the Average Joe out there, for someone who might not even bother with an anti-virus as it is, it might be perfect.

Consumers should also be aware that there are plenty of other free options available to them for their computer security. AVG and Avast are big names in terms of free anti-virus protection and there are plenty of others out there. Spend a little while researching – you’re sure to find a perfect option to suit your own circumstances. Also, before you splash out for a commercial option check with your bank to see if you can get free protection through them. Many online banking sites will provide their customers with a link to get free protection with a service that they’d usually have to pay for. For example, Barclays has a deal with Kaspersky and HSBC offers McAfee for free. It pays to be safe but why pay for something when you don’t have to?

Microsoft is prepping a beta release of their free anti-virus software, Morro. There’s no fixed date as yet but with the full version set for launch by the end of the year The Soft has hinted that we’re looking at a matter of weeks/days. The move comes as one hell of a pain for the likes of McAfee, Symatnec et al who’ve responded with the usual scaremongery about their experience in the field and superior levels protection and blah, blah, blah but their share prices have dropped by a per cent or nonetheless. Morro appears to be a stripped down version of Microsoft’s failed $40-a-year Live OneCare suite, which was a commercial disaster, and is set to be pulled in November. Doubtless, it’ll have a significantly better uptake now that you don’t have to pay for it and I’ll be interested to see whether the likes of Dell still offer trials for subscription anti-virus. Looking forward to the waves.

We’ve talked a lot around here about Internet security. Spyware and viruses can infect your computer without you even knowing about it. Today we look at some Free tools to help solve your internet security problems.

Surfing the web is getting more unsafe than ever before. With all the viruses, spyware, adware, and thieves who want your identity, doing anything on the Internet can be frightening.

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All these are a great reason why computer Internet security is a must for any computer. Who wants to be victimized by criminals or people who want to destroy your computer with viruses?

Not protecting your computer from these things is like leaving your keys for anyone to just enter your home, install cameras, and spy on everything you do. You computer is the same. Don’t let people invade your computer and spy on you!

Many people do everything on the Internet but there are some who also do malicious things on the Internet that affects you. Installing Internet security on your computer is a must to prevent these people from attacking your computer.

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There are many choices when it comes to software to secure you on the Internet but many come with a price tag. You’ll also find free security software you can install but they usually only consist of a demo version or a trial that will expire.

You’ll also find free software security that doesn’t have a trial or demo but unfortunately they’re limited on their features. They give you minimal protection and may not protect you from new viruses.

Free Internet security software is helpful though as a temporary protection while looking for one that works for you. If you currently don’t have Internet security on your computer, download a free version so you can still surf the Internet and know you are protected.

Don’t leave the free security software installed as a permanent option. Make sure to only use the free version as a temporary fix while you find the right full version of Internet security software that works for you. You’ll then be assured you’re protected from the latest threats on the Internet

While you are scanning the Internet for great security software, you know you can still be protected on the Internet with a free version. It’s still a great choice.

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Source: Computers and Technology