A start-up web publisher can buy a single powerful computer to handle your writing, coding and designing needs, so you won’t need to manage several computers.
PCs and Macs
We’d like to avoid getting into a Mac vs. PC argument here, but it does bear consideration.
In many ways, Macs and PCs are similar these days. They use many of the same accessories. They have similar user interfaces and run many of the same programs. Apple’s Macintosh has taken significant steps to make sure its programs work well with its PC counterparts. If you have a PC network, a Mac can share files, use printers, connect to e-mail, open PC word-processing files and more.
Macs cost a bit more but come with more software, so the real costs are similar. Without getting into a specific model comparison (you should do that for yourself), Macs usually ship with more components of higher quality and appear to be more expensive until you figure in the total cost of outfitting an identical PC. FireWire ports (to connect fast hard drives, scanners or video cameras) and iLife software (for creating and editing music, videos, photos, CDs and DVDs) come standard with most new Macs. Adding those features or their equivalents to a PC would cost hundreds of dollars more.
Web-based software has made the decision of an operating system less important. You can use the same tools as everyone else on any computer with web access: Google’s Gmail service for e-mail, Firefox and other new web browsers, blog software and more.
If you decide on a PC, be aware that Microsoft Windows 7 comes in many different varieties. While it is often included with your purchase, it is important to know which version is best suited to your needs. Microsoft will let you compare the various systems on its website.
Wireless Internet
The standard technology for wireless Internet access is officially known as 802.11 (named by the engineers who created it). It’s more popularly known as WiFi; Apple calls it AirPort. All new laptop computers come with this capability standard. But you have to have a wireless network for it to work. You can create one at your home or office by simply plugging in a wireless network hub. Another alternative, if you want Internet access in multiple locations, is a WiMax service like Clearwire or a broadband USB connection from a major provider like Verizon or Comcast.
Different Users, Different Needs
Let’s assume you need the following four types of work stations. We’ll leave it up to you to decide how many of each you actually need to purchase:
- An author’s computer.
- An editor’s computer.
- A designer’s computer.
- A videographer’s computer.
Author’s computer
We recommend an inexpensive, portable laptop for basic word processing, e-mail and web surfing.
Editor’s computer
This person will spend hours sitting in front of a computer. A large, high-quality screen is critical to reduce eyestrain. The editor could use some simple collaboration tools, such as instant messaging, video or audio chat, to coordinate work with other team members. The editor will also generate a significant amount of content that needs to be archived and may do some simple photo editing as well.
Designer’s computer
Your designer will need a large screen to view photos, work with files and run multiple programs at once. Bigger screens often have better color calibration as well. If your designer is going to be producing both printed and online materials, this is critical. Design programs require more RAM than e-mail and text editing, so don’t skimp on that. Designers often need better computers than programmers.
Videographer’s computer
Working with video demands lots of hard-drive space and a fast processor. You may not need the fastest chip on the market – the second most powerful might be a much better deal for your dollar. A videographer will also need a significant amount of screen space. On Windows machines, a good sound card is critical as well; Macs ship with high-quality sound capabilities built in.
A videographer will need to access large files quickly. Rather than rely upon individual hard drives, many videographers use a storage technology called RAID, which allows multiple hard drives to work together as one big drive. It’s a faster way to store and access information.
One processor or two?
A processor is a chip that handles the most important tasks on the average computer. Some high-end computers offer the option to install two processors instead of one, boosting the computer’s speed and power. Two processors are best for activities that require high amounts of computing power: video editing, extensive graphic design or computer animation, for example. If you don’t anticipate needing this much power on a daily basis, a single-processor computer should serve you well.
General Notes
Any computer connected to the Internet should go through a hardware firewall. A firewall blocks unwanted intruders from using the ports by which your computer connects to the Internet and other computers. Hardware firewalls provide protection for all computers whether or not they have software firewalls installed or activated. If you’re interested in having a wireless network, consider purchasing a wireless router that has built-in firewall capabilities.
Be sure to secure your wireless network. Outsiders can tap into wireless networks without physical access to a socket. Someone near your office or home might be able to snoop on your wireless transmissions unless you have properly secured them. Here are some tips on how to do so:
- Enable encryption to protect the information flowing over your network. Older wireless routers use a system called WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy); newer equipment offers the safer and more effective WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) standard.
- Change the default name, or SSID (Service Set Identifier), of the wireless network. Knowing your network’s SSID makes it easier for outsiders to get in. Most routers ship with the same default SSID from the factory. For instance, all Linksys brand routers have the SSID “linksys,” and most people don’t bother to change that name.
- Use MAC (Media Access Control) to tell your network which wireless cards belong to your network. MAC will then block access by any wireless device it doesn’t recognize.
- Limit the signal strength of the base station to only that which you need to cover your physical office space. Unless you plan to do a lot of wireless web surfing while sitting on the curb outside your home or office, there’s no need to broadcast your wireless internet signal that far.
Different wireless Internet systems provide different ways to enable these options. Check the manual for your wireless router or base station for more information. For additional wireless security tips, check out About.com’s article.