FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 042 (21/01/97)

PENSIONABLE PCS?

In replying to the query about the reader with a 386 PC, worried about the date problem on PCs in the year 2000, (FFF 14/1/97), you say that it is unlikely he'll still be using a computer that’s seven or eight years old.  This smacks of an attitude, all too common within the computer industry, namely that we poor punters have unlimited amounts of money to pour into the coffers of the likes of Intel and Microsoft. Please remember that there are many of us who are quite happy with our old 286s running DOS, sometimes getting better performance than fancy Pentiums stumbling along with the weight of Windoze 95 on their shoulders.

M. F.

A

We’re certainly not suggesting anyone should replace their PC, simply because of its age. However, for a lot of users there’s often no choice. Various mechanical and electronic components in a PC -- including disc drives, power supplies, switches, connectors and so on --  wear out and can be expected to fail within that sort of time-span. Repairs can be costly or uneconomic on older machines, especially models that use non-standard components, or where spares may no longer be obtainable. Your PC has beaten the odds, and you’re still happy with the performance and software, so there’s compulsion to change. Just remember, most 286’s and 386’s still in regular use by the year 2000 will be living on borrowed time, with a greatly increased risk of loosing or corrupting data. The year 2000 changeover may be the least of your worries.

MAC ZAPPED?

I’ll be travelling in the USA later this year and I’m concerned about allowing my Mac Powerbook to pass through airport X-ray machines. Could this affect files and data stored on the hard disc?

S.R.L.

A

The radiation and magnetic fields emitted by modern micro-dose X-ray scanners and airport metal detectors are at a very low level. They’re a tiny fraction of what’s needed to wipe or corrupt data on magnetic discs, so your machine and its files should be safe. If you’re really concerned, ask to have it hand-searched, security staff will normally oblige, if you ask nicely. Incidentally, there are several fast-start and power-down utilities, that can save battery power, when you’re asked for the obligatory demo at an airport security check. You can find Airport Quickstart and Scouts Honour freeware files on various Apple sites on the web and in MacPlanet on CompuServe.

PHOTOCOPY OR PRINT?

Following on from the question of PC running costs (Green PC, FFF 15/10/96), what are the comparative costs of printing, against photocopying an A4 sized newsletter, containing fairly dense type? At what volume does the more expensive method become viable?

P.M.K., Norwich

A

It all depends... Assuming that your newsletter is in black and white, and you’re producing fewer than 100 copies, then there’s really not a lot to choose between a desktop photocopier and laser printing, in terms of cost and speed. On most models, selling for under £500, the cost per page works out at between 2 and 4 pence. Inkjet printing is normally dearer, though a lot depends on the type of printer and whether or not it uses refillable ink cartridges, in which case the cost comes down significantly, close to that of photocopying and laser printing.

If your newsletter is in colour, and you need a lot of copies,  your best is to get a quote from a print shop or copy bureau. Colour photocopiers and laser printers are still very expensive but colour inkjet printers are relatively cheap, several models sell for less than £150. However, the cost of consumables varies enormously, working out at less than 10 pence to over 40 pence a page! Moreover they can be painfully slow, taking up to a minute to complete each A4 sized page, so they’re really only suitable for short print runs. On the plus side print performance can be very good -- approaching photographic quality on some models -- though the best results may depend on specially coated paper, which increases the cost.