A List to Look At Before Buying a Dehumidifier

Posted: February 2011 in Gadgets,Go Green - Tags: ,
21
Tech tipsComputer Tricks

Image via Wikipedia

A dehumidifier is a device I use everyday after we bath. Four people bathing one after the another and in the end the bathroom is flooded with water that comes from the ceiling and from the walls. With the use of the dehumidifier the bathroom becomes dry and less difficult to clean and keep molds away.

Here is a list of a few things you should take into consideration when buying a dehumidifier:

  • Energy savings – remember: Go Green is the Key!
  • Easy-to-read, easy-to-set controls.
  • The right size
  • Easy maintenance
  • The right model for your climate

By following this list, you will have the perfect dehumidifier for your home.

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By: Laura

Personal Storage

Posted: January 2011 in Gadgets - Tags: , ,
14
Tech tipsComputer Tricks
USB flash drive

Image via Wikipedia

Have you made photo backups lately? Be aware that hard drives don’t last forever. I decided to buy several 8Gb USB flash drives to store my photos. Although there are higher capacity drivers, if it get damaged I will lose more information if the one I have on a 8GB one.

What kind of storage device do you use for your personal backups? A DVD, flash drive?

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By: Laura

I Bought Extra Speed for my Laptop

18
Tech tipsComputer Tricks

Image via Wikipedia

Finally I was able to buy an extra module of RAM memory for my laptop. I use two browsers at the same time as well as multiple tabs and things were starting to be a little tough. The laptop crashed a lot, the programs stopped working and were idled all the time.

I bought 2 GB more and now I have 3 GB of RAM system memory. Now the computer works faster, there are no “stop working” messages and I’m really glad I did it.

No I have to find a system to write my articles in a faster way. :)

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By: Laura

Going Green: Eco-Friendly Desktop Screen

05
Tech tipsComputer Tricks

Green IdeasGoing Green is a major objective in my life and each time I buy something I think twice.

Our old VGA desktop screen collapsed. After months of having the screen changing color from yellow to green to blue, also the screen area started to shrink it finally stopped working and we had to decide: leave the desktop unused or spend money we don’t have on another screen.

After a few days deliberating we decided that it was better to buy a new screen and give some use to the computer. My first concern was to find a eco-friendly screen and we did. We gave €10 more to buy a 19″ LCD screen with a low energy consumption and excellent power settings. It was worth the €10.

We also bought an accessory set for the desktop. My son wanted a Bluetooth headset but instead we bought a Webcam and regular headphones. For my laptop, which doesn’t have a Webcam incorporated, I bought a Webcam and regular headphones with micro. Both Webcams have incorporated micro, so depending if we are alone or not we can decide if we use or not the headphones.

This shopping was not planned therefore we had to use the credit card. Not something we wanted to do but it was a shame to have a good desktop with no screen.
Creative Commons License photo credit: Micky.!

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By: Laura

What is a Slingbox? Is it useful or not?

Posted: January 2010 in Entertainment,Gadgets - Tags:
12
Tech tipsComputer Tricks
Slingbox T-Shirt
Image by Jeff Hester via Flickr

Well, my husband has been talking about a Slingbox? I had no idea what it was until I read this:

A Slingbox is a high tech device that enables you to take your home television service with you anywhere and watch live TV on a PC Laptop or Desktop Computer. Several models are available including the Slingbox Pro which allows High Definition pictures to be broadcast as well. You can also watch your TV programming on a smartphone such as the Palm Treo, Palm Centro, Blackberry, Windows CE Phones, and soon the Apple iPhone.

The Slingbox works by taking the output of your cable box, satellite box, or DVD player and digitizing the content to be streamed over the internet. Besides owning the Slingbox, you will have to have a fairly good Internet connection with a upstream speed of 256k. The higher the upstream speed, the better the picture quality on the other end. A minimum of 1.5Mb upstream is required for High Definition streaming because of the extra data associated with High Definition picture quality. The SlingBox allows you to control your cable box or satellite receiver remotely, so you can change channels, bring up the guide or even access your DVR or TIVo.

Great if you forget to set up a timer to record an important event. with the growing presence of Wi-Fi is it possible to watch your home programing almost anywhere, even out of the country. Sitting in an airport with a long layover? Use your laptop or iPhone to watch that TV program you missed on your DVR. The Slingbox even provides Stereo Audio and sounds great through headphones or powered PC speakers. I have been using slingbox for 2 years now and I love it! You pay good money for your cable or satellite service, why not take it with you where ever you go!

Do you use a Slingbox? What do you think about it?

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By: Laura
Comments Off

Noisy Desktop

Posted: November 2009 in Gadgets - Tags: ,
11
Tech tipsComputer Tricks
New Computer desk

Image by karindalziel via Flickr

Usually I blog about ways to have a better life but sometimes I face same problems I can’t resolve.

Why do desktop computers are so noisy, at least mine is. The desktop is in the dressing room next to my room and I can hear i working downstairs. I’ve changed the processor, the fan, the energy feeding, what can I do more? At night it’s impossible to have it turned on and watching TV…so annoying.

Anyone experiencing the same problem? A noisy desktop? What can I do more?

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By: Laura

I bought a Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat

Posted: April 2009 in Gadgets,Health - Tags: , , ,
20
Tech tipsComputer Tricks

I bought it!! I bought a Massage Cushion.

I got really fed up with all my back pain and I decided to give it a try. I tried to import it from Amazon.com but I couldn’t  because I’m in Europe, than I tried to buy it in England and again Portugal was not an authorized destination so I bought it in Portugal for almost the double of the price.

The model is almost the same of the Homedics QRM-400H Therapist Select Quad-Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat from Amazon.com. There aren’t many models available here so, there were not many choices.

My massage cushion has three functions, massage, kneading and heat. The massage is done on the base and has two intensities (normal and high) and two modes (normal and pulse). The kneading is done through 4 rollers that go up and down our spine, from the neck to the lower back.  The heats works on the sides of the back. All 3 functions work separately and can be all combined, I can have all three at the same time or only one if I wish. The only option not available is the Shiatsu function (circular kneading function).

The great feature of the Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat
is that I can use it in almost every chair and couch I have at home and I can take advantage of the massage no matter I am in my pajama, breeches or underwear. It works no matter what I dress.

I only started using it last Thursday so I don’t see much results yet but I really believe it will help me with my back pain, if not I have to return to physiotherapy.

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By: Laura