Sledgehammer or SteadyState?

Ever think your computer is suicidal and the only reason it is running so slow is because it wants you to kill it? Viruses, bugs, spyware and overloading are some of the reasons we have these thoughts about our computers. We try to weed out unused files, defragment hard drives and protect our systems with anti-virus or anti-spyware programs. But, somehow, it isn’t enough. Our computers still seem determined to freeze up or die completely at the worst possible moment: the night before the big project is due. Fortunately, there are lots of hopeful solutions and suggestions on hand.

“I don’t even bother with anti-virus programs anymore. The only time I have ever come across a virus it is on a computer that has virus protection!” Lincoln Newell, Adjunct Professor for the Boise State Department of Continuing Studies, and computer specialist, said. “I put SteadyState on my computer, then my kids can use it or students can use it and I don’t have to worry about them losing my settings or downloading a virus. SteadyState dumps all of that every time I shut down my computer.”

SteadyState, a free Microsoft program, is designed for use on computers that are shared between multiple users. Microsoft recommends SteadyState for use in libraries, schools and even homes where adults share computers with their children. Like the computers BSU students use in the Albertsons Library and the computer labs across the campus, SteadyState does not allow anyone to save information to the hard drive without permission from the system administrator. When you put SteadyState on your computer you are the system administrator and you get to say what gets saved and what gets dumped.

Whenever the computer is shut down, SteadyState will offer a list of new files and ask if they should be saved. Only the files the administrator has approved will be saved. Anyone who is not a system administrator will be able to save his or her files on some form of external storage. All bugs, viruses and spyware that might have attached itself to the computer will be flushed away by SteadyState during the shut down period.

To download SteadyState, simply go to Microsoft.com and search for SteadyState, or type “SteadyState Microsoft” into your browser and follow the links. There will be a short introductory video demonstrating the usefulness of the SteadyState program and lots of ready information explaining more about it.

Once you have learned more about the program you might want to prepare your computer before downloading SteadyState. You should make sure you have room for the program and that your computer is as clean as possible before adding this protection. To do this, you will probably want to save data to external hard drives, CDs or other digital storage devices.

“I keep reams of information on flash drives and CDs,” Newell said. “Since I never completely delete any of the thousands of photos I have taken, I also keep a lot of 1 and 2GB memory cards around.”

If you keep an eye out, bargains on storage are plentiful this time of year. After Christmas sales are advertising 1GB and 2GB flash drives or memory cards selling for under $30 at Staples, Wal-Mart and other area stores.

Card-readers are a recent development that makes it possible to use a memory card without either a camera or searching for just the right card to work with your computer. In December Geeks.com had a memory card reader capable of adapting to 23 different styles of memory cards on sale for $3.99. Wal-Mart has an inexpensive 25-style card reader for sale. These card-readers attach to computers using a USB cable, making them as adaptable as flash drives, though they are slightly bulkier.

Other storage options exist which don’t involve you carrying around any more memory than what you already have in your head. Numerous online photo and video storage options have become available and many of these are free. For little more than the time it takes to give registration information and choose a password, sites like PhotoBucket, ShutterBug, Flickr and Snapfish offer storage for photos to members. Most photo storage sites also offer printing and sharing options.

Online mailboxes, groups, and blog spaces offer storage capacity, which can be accessed by a simple password. Yahoo and MySpace are popular examples of this. Both allow members to download photos, files and maintain contact with friends. Yahoo has recently upgraded and claims to allow members unlimited storage and options to send files up to 20MB in size through its e-mail accounts. Blackboard also offers students storage space for files associated with classes using the program.

Saving project data, papers, notes and correspondence online can give you ready access to your information whenever you are near a computer.

Using portable storage and programs like SteadyState on a regular basis can delete potential headaches if your regular computer ever becomes suicidal.

LUCINDA SUTHERLAND
BizTech Writer

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