by David Hakala
While every computer comes with sound capabilities built into its motherboard, they’re usually of mediocre quality. Discriminating users want more so they buy add-on sound cards. The features you need in a sound card depend on the type of listening that you do most.
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by Gabe Goldberg
Buying a new PC needn’t involve replacing all your older PC devices, no matter what the friendly store salesperson suggests. Though newer PCs often have only USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports, an amazing assortment of adapters are available to connect older sorts of plugs to USB ports.
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Extension: 3g2
What is it? 3GPP2 Multimedia File
Where’s it from? The 3g2 extension applies to both the 3GPP and 3GPP2 worldwide standards for multimedia files delivered over 3rd generation, high-speed wireless networks. These standards are defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project and 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2, respectively. They are based on the MPEG-4 standard which was derived from Apple’s QuickTime.
How do I use it? See your mobile device’s documentation to learn if it supports 3g2 files. Also, Apple Quicktime 6.5 and above supports 3g2 files.
Can I safely delete or move it? Yes.
Can it be dangerous? Yes. Multimedia files are “active content” which can execute embedded malware. 3g2 files should be scanned by antivirus software before use.
–David Hakala
by Tina Gasperson
Yahoo! announced it is discontinuing its free Geocities hosting service later this year. If you’d like to get a jump on transitioning to a new host, here are some ideas for you.
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Extension: tmp
What is it? Temporary File or Folder
Where’s it from? Tmp files are the scratch paper of many programs. Information needed during a program’s installation may be stored in a tmp file, never to be used again. Microsoft Word is famous for creating tmp files and not cleaning them up when you close the program.
How do I use it? There is no use for a tmp file. System maintenance utilities such as Advanced System Care ferret out and delete unnecessary tmp files, freeing up disk space.
Can I safely delete or move it? Yes.
Can it be dangerous? No.
–David Hakala
by Tina Gasperson
A partition is a special separate place on your hard drive that has its own drive letter – if you only have one partition on your hard drive, then it is probably called C:, or the C drive. It’s handy sometimes to make a new partition on your hard drive – especially if you want to install a separate operating system such as Linux, or an older version of Windows. Another reason to partition your hard drive is to keep your data separate from your applications. That way if you need to reinstall your apps or your operating system, you won’t need to do anything with your data, since a partition is seen by the computer as a separate hard drive.
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by David Hakala
Computer security firm Symantec Corp. recently reported that it identified two-and-a-half times more malicious software programs in 2008 than in the previous year: more than 1.6 million different examples of malware that is trying to invade your computer. The most common functions performed by malware are:
1. Remote access software
2. Programs that export user data
3. Keystroke loggers
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Extension: xpi
What is it? Mozilla Installer Package
Where’s it from? Xpi files are what you download to install a Firefox add-on (a. k. a., “extension”). They are compressed archive files designed to work specifically with Firefox on all its operating system platforms. Updates to Firefox are also delivered via xpi files.
How do I use it? You can launch the installation of an xpi file just by dragging and dropping it into a Firefox browser window, or double-clicking on it.
Can I safely delete or move it? Yes
Can it be dangerous? Yes. Use antivirus software
–David Hakala
by Tina Gasperson
Even though the Windows operating system ships with some very nice screensavers, you don’t have to settle for the defaults. You can create your own screensavers from your digital photos, or even from an online live feed.
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by David Hakala
Spam – unsolicited commercial email – accounts for more than half of all email traffic. In any given month, it is not uncommon to receive several hundred offers to buy things you don’t want. This is true even if you are careful to avoid leaving your email address where it will attract spammers. Every email account should be protected against spam. You need a spam blocker.
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