You could use the touch screen, if your device is equipped with one. Even so, you may find some applications don’t work quite the way you want when using the touch screen.

The answer is to connect a regular mouse! On airplanes, where wireless devices are not allowed, you can use a small “travel mouse” that plugs into a USB port. They are inexpensive, and be prepared to try more than one brand until you find one that suits you.

Then, use a regular mouse—wireless is fine—for working in all other locations. My preference, by far, is to get a mouse that runs on any surface. After all, we are talking about your laptop computer. Who knows where you’ll need to use it next? I use the Logitech Wireless Performance Mouse MX for PC and Mac. The mouse works perfectly on every flat surface I’ve encountered so far. Say goodbye to frustration.

It is worth mentioning that, for those of us whose wrists hurt after using a mouse, you may want to consider a “vertical mouse.” They take a little while to get used to, but less time than you think. I’m no ergonomic expert, but I can tell you that my wrist feels better when I use the vertical mouse.

The post Does the Touch Pad on Your Laptop Make You Crazy? appeared first on Foster Institute.

Now, you don’t need a docking station at all. On your desk can sit a single USB cable. When you return to your desk, all you need to do is plug that single USB cable into your laptop computer. All of your other devices will spring to life.

The way this happens is that your single USB cable connects your laptop to a powered USB hub. You can plug one or more monitors into that hub using USB graphics adapters. If you run out of USB ports on the first hub, just cascade to another hub by connecting a USB port on the first hub to a second hub. You can connect all kinds of USB devices including full size keyboards, vertical mice, USB external hard drives, USB DVD drives, USB microphones, USB speakers, printers, scanners, a USB Ethernet or Wi-Fi dongles, a USB connection to your smartphone and tablet, and so on.

Save your money—you don’t ever need a docking station again.

The post Docking Stations are Dead appeared first on Foster Institute.

He surprised me when he said that, once a laptop is 18mm thin, users don’t care about having a computer that is thinner than that. Today’s computers are “fast enough” to run applications (except for big servers—they will always need speed). Many applications “run in the cloud” anyway. Additionally the weight is light enough that other priorities take over.

“So what’s more important than thinness,” I asked. He said there are three things that people want, in this order:

First, and this is the big one, is battery life. Users want to maintain the same “thinness” and same light weight, and they want their computer to work for at least 12 hours without needing a charge. Basically, grab the computer in the morning, use it all day at your desk, around the office, at lunch, on a plane, in the hotel, etc. without ever needing to recharge. This might be working and/or playing. Writing letters, working on email, using the Internet, watching videos, using social media, and perhaps even playing games—that is what users want to do all day.

Second, the next lower priority, users want a better screen. This mimics televisions—people always want higher resolution with more vibrant colors. Sure this helps gamers, people who watch videos, and even business users who need the sharpest screens to reduce eye strain and improve the entire work experience.

Third most important, beneath the other two, is “the radio.” Users want to be able to connect their device to the many different flavors of Wi-Fi, have access 4G, and use other budding technologies in the future such as WiMAX which may be replaced by LTE. In today’s world, “being connected” is what it is all about.

The post You Don’t Care About Thinner Anymore appeared first on Foster Institute.

The Lenovo Yoga (Google it) is on hinges so you can use the device in a “laptop” configuration. When you want to, just fold the Yoga flat and it becomes a tablet. The 11″ model feels more like a tablet when folded. I’m using the 13″ and it isn’t as small or lightweight as my iPad, but there are no “synchronization” or “compatibility” issues to deal with since Apple can be “out of the picture” if you want.

There is no “removable keyboard” to have to keep up with like with other new convertible computers. The keyboard is one of the best ones you will find on a small computer. The engineers at Lenovo made it a priority to ensure the keys on the keyboard have more “travel” up and down than other small keyboards.

It is of course a “touch screen” to make interacting very easy. Yes, it is Windows 8, and keep in mind that Windows (basically) has Windows 7 built in for all of your existing programs to run too.

The machine boots amazingly fast. I thought I’d dislike the “orange” color, but it is a nice “burnt orange” color that almost feels rubbery when you hold it.

The list goes on… To put it simply, the Yoga combined with Windows 8 is the best computing experience I’ve ever had—so far…

What about the new Microsoft Surface Pro? For me, I need an excellent keyboard, and the Surface isn’t going to work—at least not for a full use machine. Would I carry one as a separate tablet? Maybe. Stay tuned…

The post The Best Computer So Far appeared first on Foster Institute.

There are plenty of tools such as Boot Camp, VMware Fusion, Parallels, etc. that allow you to run Windows along with Apple’s OSX operating system.

In case you ever want to convert an Apple to run only Windows, click here to discover the technical steps I use.

Depending on your experience with the nuts and bolts of computer setup, these instructions may be daunting for you; however, they may save your IT professionals a lot of time setting up your computer.

Please post your comments on this blog.

The post Would you use an Air as your next Windows laptop? appeared first on Foster Institute.

In fact, because I arrived early for a meeting and have time, I’m typing this blog entry using the sleek Apple Bluetooth keyboard connected to my iPad. I often find that I use my iPad more than a computer on any given day.

Besides e-mail, I also use OmniFocus extensively. OmniFocus allows a listing of “to do” items based on your whereabouts. This allows me to accomplish ordered tasks in places with the following situations:

• No phone or Internet connection
• No Internet access, but I have phone access
• My laptop’s 4G card has a signal
• Using Wi-Fi or standard Ethernet connection
• I am using a lighting fast fiber connection

My effectiveness skyrocketed with this tool.

As many of you know, I frequently travel five days a week and notes in Evernote track all the reservation details and confirmation numbers for ten flights, four hotels, four rental cars, and the time and address of all the locations I need to visit.

Even though Kindle is an Amazon tool, the Kindle app allows me to carry many technical books without the weight and size of the printed versions.

The travel apps for airlines are very helpful too—especially for people who travel frequently.

The instant-on feature, small size, and ability to easily connect a “real” keyboard are some of the most valuable features to me.

I never see my slate device as replacing my Windows machines; however it is a nice compliment. Of course, if and when all services move to the cloud, then slates may be tools that practically eliminate the need for a laptop.

How do you feel about the iPad or other slate devices? What are the applications you use the most?

Please post your comments on this blog.

The post Why chief executives get an iPad or another slate device appeared first on Foster Institute.

What if there are virus infections on the outsider’s computer? What if those viruses infect your network?

What if the user performs an illegal behavior using the Internet? The police will come to your office looking for the perpetrator.  If you provide an unsecured wireless network, the suspect may have been outside your business in a truck in the middle of the night when he broke the law using your Internet access.

Take steps to control this including:

• Teach everyone in the organization how dangerous it is to connect unauthorized computers to the network – wired or wireless.
• If the executives agree to deny guest computers all together
  • Have a strong written policy that people sign saying that NO computers will ever be connected to the internet without the IT professional’s prior approval
  • Securely encrypt wireless networks (and if your IT professional still thinks WEP encryption is secure, have them search Google for WEPCRACK sometime)
  • Your IT professionals may choose to use other technology solutions that monitor for unauthorized connections and potentially deny them access such as http://www.laneye.com.
  • Encourage your guests to sign up for their own connections such as Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T broadband access. These connections can be used in almost all populated areas.
• If executives feel they must offer access to guest computers during conference meetings and/or other times
  • IT may implement a form of endpoint security that makes sure the connected laptop meets specific requirements (updates, anti-virus, etc) before being allowed to connect
  • IT may implement password security using, for example, RADIUS or Cisco authentication for guest computers.
  • Put any unprotected wireless access points on a hot tub timer so they turn themselves off automatically after an hour or two.

In addition, I see many IT professionals come up with the idea of signing up for a separate broadband connection such as a DSL or Cable link for the exclusive use of guests for Internet access.  Yes, this will help protect our network from the guest’s computer and is similar to connecting the guest computer to a DMZ so they are outside our firewall.  Keep in mind, however, that the risk is that if the guest (or a program on their computer) performs an illegal act, the police will trace the traffic back to your company either way.

The post Are employees or guests connecting unauthorized computers to your network? appeared first on Foster Institute.