tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post5861386739538369525..comments2024-03-07T23:20:49.790-07:00Comments on Genealogy's Star: Genealogist's Viewpoint -- selecting a computerJames Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02989059644120454647noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-62643812076695789902011-01-21T01:03:50.120-07:002011-01-21T01:03:50.120-07:00Firstly, every time I see the word "expert,&q...Firstly, every time I see the word "expert," I think of my father-in-law's definition of it: "Ex" is a has-been, and a "spurt" is a drip under pressure.<br /><br />That said, my computer expert does not play any computer games except solitaire. But he did program and install and do lots of other stuff with computers for the U.S. Government for 23 years, and also achieved the CISSP certification.<br /><br />His -- and my -- advice when we're asked by not-so-computer-literate friends on what to look for in a computer is simple: Decide what you want to do. Find the software that will do it best. Then find the machine that runs that software. I think Jennifer's advice on getting the most memory and best processor one can afford is also sound.<br /><br />I use my computer in my genealogy. I also play games, use the internet, write my books, and do my college homework and papers and even exams on it. So any computer I have needs to be able to do all those things, not just one.Karen Packard Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641711434283636830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-68715566813136623542011-01-16T13:37:12.413-07:002011-01-16T13:37:12.413-07:00As a programmer and genealogist, I always advise p...As a programmer and genealogist, I always advise people to buy the most memory and process speed they can afford. Upgrade those by at least one level better. And, upgrade the video card. You often spend a lot of time with pictures and web pages. View them in their best possible resolution.<br /><br />I have a laptop for the portability but when at home, I hook it up to my 22" monitor, full-size keyboard, and full size mouse. I can view both the external screen and the laptop at the same time. That really helps view web pages and my genealogy program at the same time! This is a huge advantage - 2 monitors and I don't have to transfer files from laptop to desktop.Jennifer Wilhelmi, The Erudite Genealogisthttp://erudicegenealogy.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1527613590529958801.post-85082413010283869402011-01-14T14:46:33.879-07:002011-01-14T14:46:33.879-07:00I bought my first lap top in 2004, and it is still...I bought my first lap top in 2004, and it is still running. I use it mostly for storage of photos and some genealogy information. It is slow and does not have much memory. But it works well for a back up.<br /><br />For genealogy I have a netbook, I transferred the above information and I can take it when I do research.<br /><br />My newer computer is four years old and is working great. I would like to get a faster one with more memory but I can not justify because the ones I have are working fine.<br /><br />YOu just have to keep your security up tp date, clean and scan the disk, check for errors and do an occasional defrag.Claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02714440790407126206noreply@blogger.com