Netbook

Today, I want to share with you one of my personal experiences dealing with Microsoft's Vista operating system. Vista in general is OK as an operating system. It's nothing spectacular, but it has a few nice bells and whistles. Basically, as long as an operating system does what I need it to do, it's doable. That being said, all versions of Vista are not created equal. One must do research and know what is needed before purchasing a version of Vista. Microsoft created six different versions ,so you have plenty of options available to you. You may recall I was the chosen one to be the guinea pig for Vista Business when it was first released.

This is my last column of the year, so I thought it would be time for a year-end technology in 2009 recap. This isn't a month-by-month recap, but more of a top eight most notable list. First up are my beloved netbooks. Netbooks have been the technology game changers since they first debuted. They have caused a chain of reaction that has led to cheaper computing options such as full-sized laptops for less then $300. Windows XP's life was extended thanks to netbooks much to the delight of Windows users.

A new Peek device is on the horizon called TwitterPeek. The product comes from Peek, best known for its e-mail-only devices. The TwitterPeek basically is Twitter-on-the-go in a pocket-sized device. It enables users to have instant access to Twitter from anywhere in the U.S. The TwitterPeek basically is a Peek device hardware-wise, that is. It is the software that sets the two products apart. The software on a regular Peek or Peek Pronto provides e-mail and SMS features.

First off, I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your holiday season is filled with great memories. This week, I want to spend some time sharing Web browser basics. I am approached on a regular basis by folks who read my column yet are new to computers. They've asked for some tips to help make their time on the Net more efficient. With those folks in mind, I've rounded up some handy Web browser tips and tricks. Hopefully, this will help those newcomers get more accomplished while they surf the Net on their computers.

This week, I will be addressing a question from my mailbag from J.W. who has a brand new Blackberry Curve via Sprint. He inquired about the possibility of connecting it to his home WiFi network. He also wants to know about how to use the Bluetooth technology on his phone. Sorry, J.W., but the Sprint version of the BlackBerry Curve does not have Wi-Fi. However, the Curve can be used as a modem for laptops and tablet PCs using Bluetooth. There may be an additional cost to use this feature based on your plan level.

This past week was an exciting one where technology met with politics in a very unusual way. It all came together via CodeWeaver's Great American Lame Duck Presidential Challenge. First, let me back up a bit and explain how it all began. Back in July, CodeWeavers initiated a challenge to President Bush to accomplish a major economic or political goal by Jan. 20 before his presidency ended. If a goal was met, CodeWeavers vowed to give away all of its software for free for a day. For those of you who don't know, CodeWeavers is best known for its innovative software that allows its users to use Microsoft software without the need to have Windows operating system.

Peek is a company that provides its users with a device and service that offers unlimited e-mail and texting for a reasonable price. An all-new Peek device recently joined the Peek family line-up: Peek 9. The Peek 9 joins the company’s better-known products, Peek and Peek Pronto — its e-mail-only and e-mail/text-only devices, respectively; and its TwitterPeek — its Twitter-only device. The Peek 9 is a supercharged Peek that has been re-engineered to provide overall speed with a stronger cell reception.

Amazon has launched its own online music storage service called Amazon Cloud Drive. The Cloud Drive can be used like your personal hard drive on the Internet. Learn more about Amazon Cloud Drive at https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/learnmore. Amazon has also launched the Amazon Cloud Player. The player is a free Web and Android application that enables access to the Cloud Drive. Learn more about the Amazon Cloud Player at www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=2658409011. All Cloud Drive users are initially offered 5GB of free Amazon Cloud Drive storage.

Finally, someone is offering a mobile broadband solution for the rest of us. Virgin Mobile - best known for its prepaid phone service - has launched a new prepaid broadband service called Broadband2Go. This service seems ideal for a casual mobile broadband user. There are several great things about the Broadband2Go service. First of all, Broadband2Go's service is available without a contract. The service has no activation fees and users can change plans as needed. The initial cost of the Broadband2Go service will come from the purchase of the Novatel Wireless MC760 dongle, which retails for $150.