It's not always easy to tell if your system needs more memory, or if it's just slow. In this article, I will present an easy method for even a computer novice to know whether he has enough memory on his Mac! Virtual Memory and Page Outs Most people are aware that computers contain at least two different kinds of memory: Main system RAM is used by running programs Disks … [Read more...] about How To Tell If Your Mac Needs More Memory
Ask a Pack Rat
What’s the Difference Between a Jailbroken and an Unlocked Phone?
If you've traveled much, you've probably run across “unlocked” mobile phones and devices. If you own an Android or iPhone smart phone, you probably also heard about “jailbreaking”. It seems like lots of people are confused about these two things, so I decided to write down a quick post explaining them. Carrier Locks and Unlocked Phones Most mobile phones in the United States, … [Read more...] about What’s the Difference Between a Jailbroken and an Unlocked Phone?
Teaching Science with Wi-Fi (Thanks, Ruckus and MetaGeek!)
As a parent, especially a techie one, you never know when a teachable moment is going to appear. Last night, I mentioned that I was testing a new Ruckus access point and enthused about how fast it was. My 12-year-old asked, “why is it so fast?” This led to a wonderful discussion about radio waves, congestion and propagation, and spectrum licensing. Yeah, I'm that kind of … [Read more...] about Teaching Science with Wi-Fi (Thanks, Ruckus and MetaGeek!)
Twitter Zen: My Tips For Newbies
Twitter is here to stay, and has become a potent communication tool in many industries. I recently received a request for advice on how better to use Twitter, and thought I would share some of the lessons I've learned over the years as an avid IT industry tweeter. Twitter Zen: A Global Conversation like No Other The most important concept to grasp is the fundamental nature … [Read more...] about Twitter Zen: My Tips For Newbies
Why Buy a NEX-7? Why Sony NEX At All?
I got a great question via email this week. So good that it demanded a long, detailed answer worth sharing! Your tweets about your NEX have intrigued me a bit...I get tired of lugging my Nikon D90 around with my kids, yet I find the quality of most point-and-shoot cameras terrible...so the NEX seems like an interesting compromise. I'm trying to decide between the NEX-5N, … [Read more...] about Why Buy a NEX-7? Why Sony NEX At All?