Back online at my main PC. Still shaky from the whole experience. What we had to do (Paul is my hero) is repair Windows. In doing so (thanks to Scotty), we learned that Netscape and Firefox hijacked some of the DLL files. Why is this happening?

We also learned that SyncToy and Carbonite don’t like each other. SyncToy backs up my data to the network drive while Carbonite backs up online. I’m going to look for another online backup system as I’m not comfortable with Carbonite because:

* It runs all the time (hence, SyncToy not liking it)

* The restore process was shaky

What I mean by a shaky restore process is that when I went to check to see what files had been restored on my laptop, nothing was “there.” I’m assuming that I can’t access the files until the store is completed. I might be wrong — but it just didn’t work for me. Besides, I need an app where I can schedule online backup at a different time from SyncToy so they play nice together. It’s important to backup to both a separate network drive and online.

SyncToy can’t backup to an online server unless it’s on the network. Besides, I don’t have a server big enough to hold my files. I plan to look at Mozy per Peter’s suggestion.

The most disconcerting thing is the Firefox and Netscape (Mozilla apps) theft of the DLL files.

BTW, the network drive had one problem. I couldn’t access it from my laptop. Gotta figure this one out.

Looks like the hard drive died. I don’t know what happened as when I got on the computer, the login screen appeared in low-resolution. After fiddling with it and watching the PC freeze — I had no choice but to turn it off.

What’s really annoying is that my network hard drive was off for the past few days. I wasn’t aware — so it didn’t get to back up any work I’ve done since … I don’t know when. I hope I can get to the data as I’ve written a few articles. Needless to say, this isn’t a good day.

It’s frustrating to finally get a backup system in place — even trying out Carbonite for online backup — and this situation doesn’t allow for a quick recovery. I started using Carbonite within the past week, and I don’t know how much of my data made it to its servers.

This problem comes and goes. When it comes, however, the problem happens a few times a day. I can’t find the pattern except maybe Internet Explorer. The programs slow to a crawl and I close each one as soon as the PC lets me. I tried to find the Microsoft Knowledgebase (kb) article that sounded much like the problem I’m having, but can’t relocate it.

I’ve studied the KB articles and the problems don’t apply to my situation. I have Windows XP SP 2, I don’t have the speech app running, and a few other things. There’s not enough information to narrow down the search. Strange situation considering the problem stops for a while and then starts again, and does it repeatedly.

Wish I could narrow down the problem and have more information. This is too broad to find the right information.

The target market for this phone is kids ages 8 to 12, although I recommend it more for the younger half of the group. 6 and 7-year-olds might be able to use it depending on the child.

We know how kids are reckless about making and receiving too many phone calls. Firefly lets parents control who they call. The phone comes with a PIN so parents can program the phone and kids can’t change it unless they figure out the PIN. The female button is typically the button for calling mom. The other one for calling dad. I programmed it so the female calls home and male calls Dad’s cell phone.

The address book only shows phone numbers for the people that the parents entered into the phone. The child also can’t view his phone number, so it’s possible to make it a one-way phone (calling out). I am comfortable with technology and I couldn’t figure out how to program it without reading the instructions and this is a rarity for me.

But it’s easy to do once you get it figured out… a little tedious as there are no numbers on the phone. But that keeps it very lightweight. Besides, once you’ve entered the acceptable phone numbers — you won’t need to deal with entering phone numbers again except to add someone new.

It might be a good phone for my 6.5-year-old because it would let him get in touch with us should anything happen. For my 11-year-old, I far prefer her sidekick since she can type to me (I’m hearing impaired) and besides — it’s better letting her get calls from friends on her own phone so she doesn’t take up our phone line.

This comes in multiple colors. I read some kid reviews who said it was an ugly phone. I think the male / female icons should be something else. But it’s a simple phone — how can it be ugly? When I was in the paging business, jellybean pagers (similar to the Firefly phone — oval, different colors) were a hit with kids. So I can’t imagine the issues with the looks.

It also has a useless, but cute and fun feature where you push a button and it does fireworks — the phone lights up, makes music, and shows a cartoon in the screen. It will probably get old fast even though there are about five different choices. You can also program the keys to have different colors in the screen. Kids like that stuff.

All in all… it’s a good starter for the younger set. Nothing fancy. Give it about 3 to 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Price: USD$99.00

Colors: USD$12.99 except white glow-in-the-dark is $9.99 (bubblegum pink green limeade clear x-ray white glow-in-the-dark skin)

My cordless keyboard is dying a slow death (Actually, it died. I plugged it back in to try something and it would not spill out any letters or numbers.). I changed the batteries and everything… reset the keyboard and its charging base. The keyboard still tunes in and out as its pleases causing me t tpe stff lke ths. Right now I am on a keyboard with a cord and I am still using the cordless mouse as it works fine.

I would like to replace it with a keyboard and mouse set, but with an ergonomic mouse. I don’t like the ergo keyboards. I tried one (Paul loves it), and my hands became finger-tied. I researched through Google and Consumer Reports, but came up empty. Even the big computer magazines don’t have much of a comparison of keyboard / mouse combos.

I also use rechargeable batteries in the mouse. Funny, I use regular batteries for the keyboard and it lasts for months, but not for the mouse.

So I went to Lockergnome readers for input. I asked if they have had a good experience with a combo that also has a ergo mouse? Or a bad one that I absolutely should avoid? I’ve gathered a few opinions so now I am publishing them so others who are searching for quality cordless desktops have something to help make a decision.

I’ve been using Logitech’s keyboard and mouse set. Not sure what model as the back of all three accessories don’t indicate it. I’ve used it for a long time and have been happy with it. The only thing I didn’t like was the plastic wrist rest. I’d like to replace it with a softer one.

I am not much into customizing the buttons. So it’s not an important feature. A scrolling wheel is a must. If I can’t get an ergo mouse, that’s OK.

Read on for reader responses…

Paul (not my husband) writes:

You couldn’t GIVE me a mouse after using a trackball. The only things I have to move are my fingers, not my wrist, arm, etc. I agree that a scroll wheel is a big advantage and the Logitech TrackMan Wheel that I have moves the ball to the thumb in order to provide it. I’m not just as accurate with my thumb, though. However, there are other trackballs that provide the best of both worlds — a middle button option to pop-up a scroller onscreen.

But mice vs trackballs? Fageddaboudit!

And wired, not wireless…

Nikolas says:

I to use the Logitech Cordless Mx Duo and I love it.. I’ve had it for almost 3 yrs and no problems at all ..it also beats out all the other brands by far…I love it

From Joan:

I haven’t used a wireless keyboard and now use my laptop most of the time, but I am a mouse hater and love touchpads and use an Adesso keyboard with built in touchpad on my desktop. I see they are coming out with a wireless version but also have wireless keyboards with mice. Here are their products.

Ed writes:

Stick to your (the most simple) Logitech keyboard and rechargeble mouse. Works fine with me.

Ricardo says:

Logitech is the best, I used genius and some other brands, all have disadvantages. Logitech may not be the beautifull one, sure, but it runs smootly for years, I used both ball and optical mouse, and it is perfect. The only problem is with batteries as the optical mouse needs a replacement every one to two months, ball mouse about every year. If it doesn’t bug you, then go with Logitech.

Uncle Bob (not my New York uncle) advises:

I’m using a Logitech combo unit, have two as a matter of fact. I, too, thought my keyboard was dying only to discover that the location of the sending/receiving unit was the problem.

The main unit, which is located maybe 24 inches above the mouse and
keyboard, will stop working by being one inch or more back from its normal location. Apparently line of sight is a big thing.

The second unit, which is located on a portable work bench next to my desk seems to work when it wants to. But by moving it maybe an inch in any direction all is well. This unit will work five or six feet from the base as long as it is in line of sight.

Hope that helps. Both are Logitech mx700 sets. And the keyboards lose
the signal before the mouse on both.

I did try moving the base closer. It still won’t play nice.

John shares a lot of great information:

I can appreciate the quandary you’re in. We just don’t think about keyboard and mice until they don’t work or cause problems. Personally I just don’t care for wireless keyboards or mice, but then there are times that I boot my computer with an old DOS boot disk, too, because I want access to true DOS and not the newer version of virtual DOS in newer OSes like Win 2K or XP.

Over the years I’ve tried many keyboards thinking, “Heck a keyboard is a keyboard, right?” Not so. Those $10 keyboards last about a year or less until keys start sticking or getting stiff. The spendier keyboard like IBM are better, but their design is limited as are the features. Now we have the more spendier ones like Logitech which I didn’t care for.

I bit the bullet and tried a keyboard from the Evil Empire in Redmond. I love it so much that I bought a second one to take to work where I did tech support and did a lot of typing while I was talking. These things are just about bulletproof and there are no software conflicts like with some other brands. I use the no longer available Internet Keyboard Pro and probably will until either me or it die.

Microsoft Digital Media Pro keyboard

…I recommend this highly. It’s got programmable buttons but you can ignore them. The keyboard is just one rugged, good feeling piece of equipment and it looks good with its modern black color scheme. The durability of Microsoft’s keyboard is tops in my book as I’ve put ‘em through years of hard use because I’m more of a hunt-and-pecker than a typist.

My MS keyboard has survived several years of smoke and slops especially at work where it’s a open environment with three shifts of people using that keyboard 24/7 we can’t smoke, but I’ve gotten baloney out from between the keys at times. Dependable and good feeling is all I can say about the better MS keyboards.

I can’t offer very much input regarding mice though other than the same software issues for non MS mice as I use a Microsoft four button Intellimouse Trackball Explorer and I know you’re not a button person and a trackball is a highly personal preference thing. The best thing I can offer there is play with the mice in the store. I recommend the optical type without the ball, again preferably Microsoft.

What usually fails on cheaper mice are the microswitches for the buttons that might require repeated clicking to get them to work or the real killer where you get a double click instead of a single click, that’s something that really drives me nuts and kills productivity big time. The key is to find a mouse you like the feel of in your hand as you work with it and how easy it is to operate the buttons without looking. A good pointing device should be almost intuitive take a look at…

The basic Microsoft® IntelliMouse® 3.0 or The more advanced Microsoft® Wheel Mouse Optical 1.1.

I think the feel, dependability and longevity of these products will be what you need and make your life easier. Hopefully my suggestions help pave the way for you to improve your computing experience and minimize problems.

Got a comment? Still open for opinions, but not for comment spam.

I always go to sleep before Paul does and he stays up watching TV and computes on his laptop. I’m sensitive to light, so I have creative ways to ensuring the light doesn’t bother me while I’m trying to fall asleep. Along comes the Nite Key Lite to make things a little easier.

The light plugs into the USB port, so it’s easy to use it on any laptop. Sharing is a breeze, which makes for a happier marriage. The cord is 18″ long and flexible so you can adjust it to your needs. It has two LED lights for lighting up the keyboard work area.

The lite comes on when it’s plugged into the USB, but light on / off depends on the laptop. On my laptop, it goes off when I close it. On Paul’s, it’s on the minute it’s plugged in and doesn’t go off until it’s unplugged. His computer is not too bright. I like how it works on mine that way I can keep it plugged in and turn it off when the laptop is not in use by shutting it.

It only comes in one color: purple, which was my favorite color… when I was a teenager. Silver, clear, or blue would be cool.

You can use it with your desktop computer if the cord is long enough and you work in the dark, which I do once in a while when I get up too early. The accessory is meant for laptops.

I’ve been sleeping better since Paul has been using it. Although Paul and I can type without looking at the keyboard, we type better when there is light otherwise there’s something about the inability to see the keyboard from the corner of your eyes. He says his type is better with the light and it doesn’t drain his laptop battery any faster than without it.

The Nite Key Lite is an excellent accessory. It’s lightweight, portable, and flexible. Available from Lapworks. The Lite alone is $19.95. It’s also available for purchase as part of a Laptop Desk ensemble.

It’s done! The process of adding USB 2.0 ports took no time and the backup system is mighty fast. If you add USB 2.0 ports with a PCI port card, then you’ll still have your USB 1.1 ports, so whatever is plugged into those can stay.

Rob Foster from the UK sent me a port PCI USB card since he had a few extras. Thanks again, Rob. When installing hardware or devices, most situations require loading the software FIRST before doing anything else. This one didn’t – so be sure to check this out before attempting to put the card in. Before starting the process, be sure you have an open PCI slot, a standard slot that has one big connector with a small one behind it.

Turn off the computer, if it is not already. Take off the CPU case. How this is done depends on the CPU. If you lost or misplaced the manual, I’m sure your computer manufacturer has info online. Google it, if needed. Slide the PCI card into the open PCI slot.

At this point, you can cover up the CPU, but some people leave it off until turning on the computer and checking all is OK. When turning on this little feller, it found the new card right away and worked. I didn’t even have to run the software. The card came with four USB ports, one of which holds the backup system. It took under two hours to back up the computer (get size), faster and easier than the tape back up.

Well, it only took a year or so to get around to adding the USB 2.0 ports as that’s about how long the back up system has been sitting here taunting me.

One less item on the to do list and <mumbles> to go.