How to Recycle your Old Computer System

Computers offer a world of possibilities to people from all over the world. They help to educate, bring people together, and much more. But with that being said, when computers become obsolete it is important that they are recycled in the proper manner. If computers and related accessories are simply thrown in the trash, they will have a negative impact on the world and the environment for years to come.

CRT computer monitors can contain large amounts of lead. When thrown into a landfill and covered, lead can make its way into the environment and eventually cause a number of different issues.

Printers can be recycled and refurbished in the same way as computers. Printers are commonly disposed of by both individuals and businesses. If not taken to a company that specializes in recycling, printers will also end up harming the environment in the long run.

Desktop computers are very common, and always will be. When somebody updates to a new unit, they generally dispose of their old one. This should be done with care in order to ensure that it is put to good use in the future without harming anybody in the process.

Like desktops, laptop computers are quite common. Unfortunately, when they become obsolete the user immediately wants to upgrade. This is fine as long as the laptop is either recycled or refurbished by a company that specializes in this industry.

Common computer accessories such as keyboards and modems should also be recycled. They can be stripped for parts, or refurbished for use in schools, charities, and third world countries.

Computers and all the accessories that go along with them have a lot to offer. But when it is time to upgrade, proper care must be taken during the disposal process.

Over the next five years, millions of computers are going to be replaced by more modern systems. Anybody who is going to upgrade should take their computer and accessories to a recycling or refurbishing company in their area. The environment will be much better off with these old systems staying out of the landfills.

Cool Accessories for Laptops

If you are on the go a lot with your laptop, these laptop travel accessories will make life a whole lot easier!

Do you ever find yourself typing on a late night flight and the light above just doesn't seem to cover the keypad, your book of notes and the screen?! And it is either too bright or not bright enough? The Kensington Flylight 2.0 Notebook Light is your perfect travel companion. It has ultra-bright LEDs that are mounted atop a flexible gooseneck that's easy to position. It has a built-in dimmer control so it is also easier to control brightness. Plus its energy-efficient LEDs draw minimal power, lasting up to 100,000 hours of continuous use.

Another handy accessory for laptops is the Tripp Lite Direct Plug In Surge Suppressor. It offers complete AC and Ethernet or phone line surge suppression for laptops. It has two total outlets and even has a diagnostic LED to warn of problems and damage to the suppressor. Plus it weighs less than 4 ounces so it fits compactly into any laptop travel bag. Don't lose all your precious work because power surges, lightning or other power dips fried your computer. This handy and affordable surge suppressor acts as a buffer between your computer and the electric line.

If you travel a lot for work and type a lot as well, than you know that the little keyboards on the laptop itself greatly slows you down and can be uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. If you type a lot you might want to consider the Logitech Alto Cordless Keyboard. It is a portable notebook stand with built-in keyboard. The adjustable stand places your notebook screen at a more comfortable viewing height and the full-sized keyboard lets you type much faster...comfortably. It also folds down to a compact size and has one-touch media keys that give you quick access to digital music and your favorite applications.

These are just a few accessories I personally find handy when I am on the go with my laptop.

What accessories for laptops do you find handy?

UPS Systems - Do You Know?

They're everywhere, especially in businesses. They sit quietly, somewhere near a workstation, humming in a reassuring fashion, the little light on the front glows with a comforting light. And that's probably the extent of most people's concern with the UPS that stands behind the computer systems in their office. These ingenious devices are all over the place, in applications from retail to business offices, from restaurants to bookstores. Any business can benefit from a UPS, that's common knowledge. They kick in when the power goes out, to keep your computer running for a few minutes, right? Well, sort of.

A UPS is far more than just an emergency power supply. When most people think of them, if they do at all, it's just to make sure the power is on to the device. That's what they're designed for; trouble free operation that you don't have to think about. But what do they do, besides providing power? Lots of things.

Choosing the right power supply for your business is as important as the computer systems themselves. In addition to their well known power providing function, UPS devices also act as a sort of buffer between your computers and the nasty things that live in your electric lines. Things like power surges, brown outs, black outs, lightning, power dips and more. A UPS will provide a line of smooth clean power to keep your business' computers running problem free. Power issues lead to damaged computer components, using a UPS takes that out of the equation and keeps your computers up and running.

How to Set Up a Wireless Network

If you are thinking about setting up a wireless home network, it is not as difficult as you may think. Follow these easy steps and you will have your wireless network set up in no time.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have all the right equipment. What you need:

• Wireless 802.11g or 802.11n Router
• A Desktop or Laptop with wireless capabilities (Or a wireless network adapter if your computer doesn’t have built in wireless connectivity)
• High Speed Internet Connection (cable, DSL or other working broadband modem)

Before you purchase anything, double check to make sure your computer has a built in wireless networking support or has a wireless network adapter. If not, you will need to purchase a wireless adapter. There are different wireless networking technologies, but you are better off with an 802.11n, the latest and fastest version, or the 802.11g, which is compatible with all other current networking technologies and still pretty fast. If you need to buy an adapter as well, make sure the router and adapter are the same technology (its best if they are the same brand too).

Don’t forget that you need a broadband Internet connection. Broadband is the most popular type of connection and your local cable or telephone company can set you up if you don’t already have it.

1.) The first step to setting up your wireless router is choosing a convenient location. You will want to set it up near your high-speed internet equipment and desktop computer.
2.) Locate your cable or DSL modem. Unplug the Ethernet or USB cable from your internet modem and plug it into your router’s “WAN” port using the supplied cable. Turn the modem off and then back on so it recognizes the router.
3.) Next, connect the wireless router to your computer using Ethernet cables to your router’s LAN ports. Even if the router is “wireless” you need to temporarily connect them to ensure maximum performance of the router.
4.) The majority of wireless routers will work out of the box, however they are not secure. Therefore, next, you need to configure your wireless router. Open your Web browser on your computer and type in the router’s address to configure the router. Make sure that you are following the instructions in your routers documentation to determine the address. Log in to the router and follow its administration tool (they vary slightly by model). It may give you a password to type in at this point. The default settings will be shown by the program. Most of them are default settings and you shouldn’t have to do anything with them. You will want to change the passwords, but do this after setup is complete to avoid any complications. At some point the tool will require you to enter your internet connection information (PPPoE username and password if using DSL). Just follow the admin tool.
5.) The next thing you need to do is change the wireless network name. Make sure you choose something that your neighbors will not be able to pick up on. Don’t use your last name or something obvious. You want it to be protected.
6.) Then you will need to encrypt your wireless router. You can do this by providing a pass phrase. Make sure it is long enough that others can’t break the code. Finally, you will need to provide an administrative password. This should not be a real word. Combine letters and numbers together, but make sure that you memorize it. It will be used in case you need to change your router’s settings.
7.) Lastly, verify the connection is working and connect any additional computers to the router. Remember that your router will send the information to your computer when you turn it on.

After you have completed these steps, you will be ready to run your wireless network!

Popular Routers:

Linksys WRT600N 4-Port Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router

D-Link Xtreme N Gigabit Wireless Router

For a Network Business Solution, call our Account Managers today at (800) 814-5410 to get the best solution for your business.

Windows Vista Tips

If you are like many people that have a new computer and are in desperate need of help, do not worry, there are many folks in your situation. Your new Windows Vista Program can be very confusing if you have never had any experience with it before, but all you need is a few Windows Vista pointers. Once you get used to the system, you will be able to maneuver through it quickly and without any problems.

When you buy your computer you will have a default theme. If you do not like this, there is a simple way to change it. All you have to do is go to start, select control panels and then high light themes. You will have your choice of themes to choose from. You can also change the settings of the default folders that are on your computer. It is easy. Go to start and then select the control panel and the folders options. Select the view tab and then check and uncheck the options under the advanced settings. When you are done, click ok.

If you are a multi-tasker and do a lot of work at once, then you probably have a quite a few windows open at once. If you are in the habit of having to walk away from your computer and do not want to shut it down all the time, then you can hibernate your computer. Putting it in this mode will allow you to leave the applications open and not worry about having to reboot your computer. This takes quite a bit of time.

If you have been looking for the Windows messenger on your Windows Vista, it is not there. It is not installed by default like other programs. You will have to install it your self by finding a link to the download page at the Microsoft in the Start Menu.

If you are looking to increase available disc space on your computer it is very easy. All you have to do is go to start. You will see an instant search text box. Simply type “disc clean up” in the box. Then you will need to open the disk cleanup tool and select the option titled: Files from all users on this computer. Select the drive that you would like to clean up and select the “more options” tab. Then you will click the option titled: Clean Up under System Restore and shadow copies. Then in the confirmation screen you will click delete. It is just that simple. More disc space frees you to download more pictures and do other things on your computer. It will also help your computer to run a little quicker. Windows Vista is easier than you think. Keep working and every day it will be a little easier.

More tips to come!

What Can a Laser Printer do for me?

Businesses can be judged by many things. One thing that you do not want to be judged for is having poor quality business reports or marketing collateral. When you take the time to write a report and then print it out for the company, you do not want your boss putting it back on your desk because it looks like it is three weeks old; you just took it off the printer, but there are lines through it and some of the words are faded.

Solve these problems and get yourself a good laser printer. Laser printers may cost a little more than inkjet, but the quality is also better. [Our most popular brand of laser printers is HP Printers]. Laser printers can print very quickly. If you need a hundred copies of the latest business report, then the laser printer will have them out within minutes. They can also print double sided so the color charts and graphs that you added to the report will come out beautifully. You will be amazed at the color and the vibrant images of the color laser printer.

Make sure that if you are going to be printing out pictures or graphs with your laser printer that you get one that has a high enough resolution. This is usually one that has 1200 x 1200 resolutions. If you are using this for work purposes and need those reports quickly, then you need a laser printer that has a higher ppm. This is the page per minute that it can print. You may not need a high ppm if you are at home, but if you plan on printing quickly a work then a good laser printer is the one you need to shop for.

Laser printers usually come with built in networking features. If you plan on letting quite a few people in the office share the printer, then make sure that it is set up this way. It should also have a lot of memory to keep track of all the work that is being sent to it.

A laser printer’s strength is that it is built for heavy, daily use. Laser printers are a better deal if you print a lot since they use less ink than other types of printers, which saves you money in the long run. Laser printers use toner, which is replaced less often than inkjet cartridges are, therefore they have a lower cost of ownership for the long haul. Overall, if you running a small business, then laser printers are the best printers for you. It will save you money and give you high quality images and text.

How to Recycle your Computer Accessories

Even though you may not buy a new computer very often, there is a good chance that you change accessories from time to time. The fact of the matter is that computer accessories are always getting swapped out for new ones for a couple of different reasons. First and foremost, accessories have the tendency to wear out over time; especially when subjected to extended use. Additionally, computer accessories do not cost nearly as much money as the computer itself. But when you are thinking of getting rid of computer accessories, you also need to keep recycling in mind. After all, you do not want to do anything that is going to harm the environment when swapping your old accessories for new ones.

You need to first know what computer accessories you use, as well as which ones you get rid of from time to time. Some of the most common computer accessories include: modem, keyboard, and a mouse. All three of these items are commonly used by most people who have a computer. This holds true in a business setting as well.

There are a couple of ways that you can properly recycle computer accessories. Neither one of them consist of putting the items in the garbage and waiting for the trash company to pick them up. If you do this, the computer accessories will end up in a landfill somewhere. In turn, they will be taking up valuable space while also releasing harmful materials into the soil, water, etc.

The best way to recycle your computer accessories is to take them to a company that specializes in this area. In most cases, the companies that recycle computers will be more than happy to take your accessories as well. They will either break them down to use them for parts, or
refurbish them to working order.

Additionally, there are also companies that specialize in computer and computer accessory refurbishing. They do not strip the accessories down for parts, but instead ensure they are working and then pass them along to charities, schools, or other organizations. Remember, just because you purchased a new item does not mean that the old one is totally useless. Leave it up to a refurbishing company to get the accessories back in working order.

The best way to recycle computer accessories is to take them to a recycling or refurbishing company. Just remember, putting the accessories in the trash is not going to help anybody or the environment.

Examples of Environmentally Friendly Computer Accessories:

Labtec 2.4 GHz Wireless Notebook Mouse
(Shuts off power automatically to extend battery life)

Western Digital Caviar GP 750 GB SATA 300 Internal Hard Drive
(Provides the right balance of system performance, ensured reliability and energy conservation)

Why Document Management Is So Important

Do you feel organized? Are you using up-to-date methods to manage your office documents OR does the concept of document management sound foreign and you keep storage closets filled to the brim with boxes of files?

Document management is an overall business strategy based on digitizing information so you can store, manage and share business information efficiently.

A well-designed document management system can help streamline everyday business processes in a number of ways. Document management can help reduce filing costs and reduce distribution costs such as printing, shipping, and postage charges when you e-mail a document rather than fax it. Document management can also protect information since you can control access to digital files and maintain a history of who reads the document. It also improves access to information because groups of employees can share digital files more easily than they can paper. Furthermore, document management can help your business comply with government regulations regarding information security.

Manage your documents

A combination of hardware, software and business rules can help you capture, manage and share your electronic files, saving you time, space, and money.

CAPTURE

You can capture existing paper documents into an electronic version using scanners, multifunction printers (MFP's) or digital senders.

MANAGE

Once your documents are in a consistent format, you can store and manage them on server and storage equipment in order to secure, store and backup your important electronic records.

SHARE

There are a number of ways you can share your electronic files such as through email (i.e. Microsoft Outlook), printing, file sharing (i.e. using a Public Drive within your company's computer network), and numerous other ways.

Your document management solution will depend on the size of your business and the amount of information you need to store and manage. Regardless, digitizing information saves you money and improves operational efficiencies across many areas of your business.

Building Your Own Document Management Solution:

Call your Super Warehouse Account Manager today to find the best document management system for your business. You can contact our knowledgeable Account Managers at (800) 814-5410. International customers please call (858) 764-8900.

Get organized in 2008!!!

How to Setup Dual Monitors

More and more people are running dual monitors on their computers today. There are even some professionals and gamers who connect three or more monitors to their computers. One of the main reasons to consider running multiple monitors is that it is a tremendous time savior. Dual monitors increases productivity for anyone that opens multiple windows and applications simultaneously. This is especially true for designers who work with various graphics programs; you can code on one monitor and view results on another. Contrast to using a single monitor, you do not have to worry about constantly maximizing and minimizing screens when working with two or more monitors.

In order to set up dual monitors, you will first need to make sure that you have everything you need. Requirements for doing this include two monitors, a computer, Windows 2000 or XP and two monitor connections on your video card. The video card is the part of your computer that sticks out from the back. Before you get started, you need to look and make sure that you have either two VGA connections, two DVI connections or one of each. In most computers produced in the last few years that is not a problem. In the rare event that you do not have more than one connector, you have two options. One option is to add a second video card and the other option is to replace the video adapter with a card that offers dual monitor support. There are many different video adapters from which to choose; varying in terms of performance and price. You can usually find one; however, that will support even a small budget. It is a good idea to keep in mind that in the event you work with a lot of graphics, you should make an attempt to obtain a card that supports Video Ram or VRAM.

To find out whether you have everything you need, take a look at the back of the computer and look for two VGA connectors, two DVI connectors, or one of each. If you only have a single DVI or single VGA connector then you will need to either replace your existing video adapter with one that has two connections or install a video adapter.

Once you have two of the right connectors, you can connect your second monitor to the computer by plugging the second monitor into the port. Then restart the computer. This will give it a chance to detect the second monitor.

You will then need to adjust the display settings by clicking on the Start menu and then on the Control Panel. Next, click on monitor icon labeled Display. From there, click on the Settings tab in the Display Properties box. (A faster way to get here is to right click anywhere on the desktop, click on properties, and then click the Settings tab.) Now, click the monitor icon that is labeled ‘2’. Next, select ‘Extend my Windows Desktop onto this Monitor.’ There should be a checkbox next to that option.

This will allow you to extend the desktop onto both monitors rather than having it just on one. It may take a moment for your computer to start running on both monitors. In fact, your screens may go black or freeze up for a few seconds. Do not worry as this is normal. Your computer needs a few seconds to ‘talk’ to the new monitor. Within a few seconds the screen should come back to life and you should be able to see your desktop on the screen. Now, enjoy!