Tech Questions.
DeGeeked Answers.

What is the best way to back up my files?

A disk image backup is the best type of backup, as opposed to file backup. An image backup basically takes a picture of your entire hard drive and then copies it onto a second external drive. If your disk drive crashes, you replace the bad primary drive and use the backup to restore your computer to the original state.

For you Windows users, Norton Ghost and Norton Save and Restore provide image backups, while the built in back-up option in Windows only backs up select files you're interested in (Vista Ultimate is the only Windows version with image back-up).

If you have a Mac and use the latest version of their Mac OS X software, you already have a powerful and easy to use backup application at your fingertips. Time Machine is built in to OS X 10.5, otherwise known as Leopard, and will handle all your back up needs with ease. If you don't have Leopard, do yourself a favor and upgrade. You'll still need an external hard drive to back up all your data, though.

How many megapixels do I need in a digital camera?

The answer really depends on what you plan to do with the photos, but in general, most modern point-and-shoot cameras offer more megapixels than you will ever need. For example, a 6 megapixel camera (which is pretty standard these days) will allow for high quality prints up to 14x19 inches, which for most users is more than will ever be done.

When choosing a digital camera a more important feature may actually be the optical zoom. If you have to choose between a higher zoom capability or a slightly higher megapixel value, most often the zoom will be your best bet. (And just ignore the digital zoom number completely. Using this feature results in very low quality images.)

Image stabilization (or IS) is also being offered on many digital point-and-shoot cameras now and should be a part of your decision-making process. This feature, which automatically removes blur caused by shaky hands, usually ups the price of a camera by about $75, but can be well worth the extra expense if it helps you capture that decisive moment with a nice, crisp shot.

Other important ways to judge a camera have little to do with technology and are more practical. It is important to consider size, weight, and durability (whether it's made of plastic or metal) when choosing a digital camera.

All that said, here are few DGpicks:

• Canon PowerShot SD750 w/ 3x Optical Zoom
  
• Canon PowerShot SD850 w/ Image Stabilization and 3x Optical Zoom
  
• Canon PowerShot G9 w/ Image Stabilization and 6x Optical Zoom

What’s the deal with all TV being digital in 2009? Do I need a new TV?

This issue is not nearly as complicated as it is made out to be. If you receive your TV signal through a cable or satellite box you will not need to take any action. However, if you plug your cable directly into your TV or if you still receive your stations via an antenna or "rabbit ears," you may need to purchase a converter or a newer TV before 2009. DeGeeked recommmends making the jump to a new TV rather than dropping money on a convertor.

Perhaps the biggest misconception is that this transition is related to HDTV, when in fact the two are unrelated. That said, if you purchase a new HDTV, it will not need a converter. Here are a few very affordable sets that DeGeeked recommends:

• Samsung 26-inch LCD HDTV
• Sony Bravia 32-inch LCD HDTV
  
• Panasonic 42-inch Plasma HDTV
  

To find out more check out the official government site for informative FAQs on the topic.

What is Kayak.com?

Kayak.com is a search engine for flights, hotels and rental cars. What makes Kayak different than Orbitz or Cheaptickets.com is that Kayak does not actually sell tickets. They act as a search engine for all the travel sites on the web allowing you to find the cheapest tickets no matter who is offering them.

Kayak is a DGpick for its simplicity, speed, and many advanced (but easy to use) search features.

Kayak will allow you to search in a number of unique ways to get the best deal. For example, click the "my dates are flexible" box, and Kayak will let you see how much you would save if you shifted, shortened, or extended your trip by a day or two.

Feel like getting away for the weekend? Click on "buzz" in the top navigation, plug in your local airport, and hit "upcoming weekends". This will show you the cheapest flights from your area to any number of locations.

Kayak.com should definitely be the first step on your next journey.

What is an electronic book reader?

An electronic book reader (or e-book reader) is a portable device that allows you to read electronic copies of books. That is, it's the digital replacement for the normal, printed book.

Today's electronic book readers are leaps and bounds above where they were even just a couple years ago. Modern electronic book readers can hold thousands of titles and can download new books, articles, and periodicals wirelessly over the internet. More importantly, the reading experience and screen quality have dramatically improved.

When looking for a reader, storage space, screen quality, and ease of use the most imporatant features.

If you're in the market for such a device, DeGeeked recommends Amazon's Kindle for its easy access to a library of over 120,000 pubilications. Perhaps the Kindle's best feature is its use of the EVDO wireless network. In DeGeeked terms, that means that the Kindle connects to the same network that your cell phone does, so anywhere you get cellular service the Kindle can connect and download new titles. Kindle's screen has also been widely praised as being easy to read and look at for long periods of time, which is obviously an important aspect.

Where can I buy a domain name?

You can buy a domain name from any accredited domain name registrar. Network Solutions and Register.com are ones you may have heard of, but GoDaddy is the DeGeeked pick. While the checkout process can be confusing (just keep looking for and clicking the "No thanks, take me to checkout" links and you'll be fine), the domains are inexpensive ($7.95 or less, compared to over $30 at Network Solutions!).

But what if you want a domain name that someone else already owns? If you find that the domain name that you wanted is already taken, go to www-whois.internic.net/cgi/whois to find the owner. Perhaps he/she is willing to transfer the name to you. Transferring ownership is simple. It may not be cheap.

Some people buy hundreds of domain names on a speculative basis, hoping to sell them at a profit. Expect to pay a premium if you approach a speculator. Depending on the name's perceived value, you may have to pay hundreds, even thousands for it. However, if an individual owner has just lost interest or decided not to use the name, you can probably get it for very little or nothing.

You can also investigate some relatively new services that allow you to immediately register a domain name if the owner doesn't renew it:

SnapNames allows you to "back order" a particular domain name. This service automatically registers the domain in your name as soon as it becomes available for a fee. NameWinner works on an auction model. You bid on particular domain names and only pay if you get the name. ExpireFish uses a different model where you place money in your account to cover names you'd like to purchase and then the ExpireFish service goes "fishing" for the names.

What is the best case for the iPhone or iPhone 3G?

The best case for your iPhone depends on what kind of protection you're looking for, but as always, we'll make it easy for you.

If you're looking for protection against scratches in the sleekest possible package, DeGeeked recommends the invisibleShield iPhone protector. This ingenious product is simply a piece of clear, super-tough (we're talking military-grade) plastic that wraps around your entire iPhone. The platic film is only .2mm thick, so you (and everyone else) will hardly know there is even a cover on your fancy iPhone at all, but don't worry about it's durability. The material they make these out of was originally used to protect helicopter blades and comes with a lifetime warranty. Check out this Youtube video, if you don't believe us. The invisibleShield is available for the original iPhone, iPhone 3G, and many other electronic gadgets.

Now, if you're more worried about dropping your iPhone or other such high-impact trauma, you're going to want a bulkier case. In this case (pun intended, sorry), DeGeeked recommends the Marware Sport Grip. Available for both the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G (also available in white), this rubber-like case slips around the iPhone covering the sides, edges, and back, thus protecting it from the full impact of a fall. (Please keep in mind that no case can guarantee your iPhone won't break if dropped, however.) The included screen protector offers protection against scratches, and the non-slip silicone material keeps you from dropping it in the first place.

Which wireless mouse should I buy?

There are hundreds of wireless mice (mouses?) to choose from, but they all do essentially the same thing.

Home office and desktop computer users who want a wireless mouse to replace their existing desktop mouse can go ahead and make the jump to a wireless mouse and keyboard combo. This combo from Microsoft is a DGpick.

Laptop users who need a wireless mouse that is both portable and small should go for Microsoft's Slate Mouse.

What’s the difference between the original iPhone and the iPhone 3G?

There are two main differences between the original iPhone, released in June of 2007, and the iPhone 3G, released in July of 2008.

The most notable difference is that the iPhone 3G, as the name suggests, is capable of using the faster 3G network to access the internet at higher speeds than the original iPhone, which is only capable of using the older, slower EDGE network. This speed increase, on paper at least, amounts to being able to surf the web almost twice as fast with the iPhone 3G.

The other main new feature in the iPhone 3G is its built in GPS chip, which allows the iPhone 3G to know where you are at all times and gives applications the ability to use that information, such as pinpointing your location on a map or offering restaurant recommendations based on your location.

There is one more thing worth mentioning about the release of the iPhone 3G, however. Along with its release, Apple also released the App Store. Think of this as the iTunes for applications that can run on the iPhone. (In fact, you access the App Store right in iTunes.) The App Store allows anyone with an iPhone to download applications built by developers around the world - some for free, and most for under $10. The good news is that the AppStore works with both the original iPhone and the newer iPhone 3G, as long as you have upgraded to the 2.0 version of the iPhone software.