Unthinkability

Scott Fletcher – Saying unthinkable and sundry things.

Archive for June, 2010

Jun
18

Should I run updates even if my computers are working?

Posted under Blog Posts, Healthcare I.T., Software Design

Had a great question from one of our customers:

Should I update my tablet computers even though they seem to be running OK?” 

It sounds simple on the surface but, as usual, there are some nuances that deserve attention.

There are four kinds of updates:

  1. "Windows Update" updates,
  2. Software Vendor application updates,
  3. hardware manufacturer updates,
  4. BIOS updates

Here is the rundown and rules for each:

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Jun
01

You’re pre-wiring a new addition in your home…

Posted under A Geek Dad's Life, Blog Posts, Quitting Cable

And now it’s time to answer our viewer mail:

Hi Scott,

I was wondering if I could get some A/V system advice from you?  We are putting an addition on our house and will have some walls and ceilings opened up so I was looking at upgrading/adding to our system while it has easier access. 

The big question I have is what wiring to run so we are set up for a number of years in the future.  Do I want to run coax, cat5 and HDMI everywhere or is that overkill?  My ultimate goal would be to set up a distribution system to share signals through most of the house. 

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.  If you need more details let me know.

Hi [name withheld],

Ask for advice, and you shall receive it until you cry for mercy.

Yes, you should do a "home run" distribution, whereby each/all of your cables run back to a common point.  Fancier configurations (i.e. trunk & branch, loop-through, etc.) are only required for large facilities and long distances, or for people in small facilities who enjoy making things ridiculously over-complicated.  "Home Run" distributions offer greater flexibility and are easy to troubleshoot. 

(MUCH more advice after the jump…)

Read the rest of this entry »

Jun
01

Quitting Cable: Day 130 = $250 in our pockets

Posted under A Geek Dad's Life, Blog Posts, Quitting Cable

All systems green.  TV is in summer re-runs.  Still not missing cable TV.  Looking for our next TV series on DVD or Netflix Streaming to consume; perhaps Dollhouse.  You have been updated.  That is all.