Saturday, November 13, 2010

Clean your computer

I think you recognize the symptom:  The older your computer gets, the slow it operates.  So naturally I was attracted to a TV ad promising a product MAXMYPC to clean up your computer and make it run like new.  It was free to download but only the analysis part.  To actually do something, you had to pay $49.99 and download the actual cleaning program.

But before shelling out any cash, I wanted to see some product reviews.  We've found that peer and professional reviews to be very enlightening.  When I googled MAXMYPC I found several entries that were positive but the review by Frank C at http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.ccleaner.com?trk=search was really valuable.  Not only is he not enamored with MAXMYPC, but he recommends CCLEANER a product of Piriform.

CCLEANER is free for home  use although donations are welcomed.  And it has done a marvelous job with my  PC.  Ican't say all I'd like to about CCLEANER without sounding like one of those on-TV admen.

Try it.  I think you'll be impressed.

Friday, November 12, 2010

My Latest Toy<-ol


Since getting my power wheelchair, it has always bothered me that we could only transport  it with our van and only load it with the rear seat stowed, limiting the van to 4 people.  Although I can still handle the ramp comfortably, I'm sure the time will come when I won't be able to.  Already, I get people rushing over to help me when I'm loading or unloading.



Anyway, last week we installed a lift on the back of the Highlander Hybrid using the Class 3 hitch we installed on the rear.  This lengthens the footprint of the Highlander about 18 inches but otherwise is quite unobtrusive.  We haven't had it long enough to know how it affects gas mileage.




One of the nice features about this lift is that it can be swung away, giving total access to the rear door of the Highlander.  Of course given the weight of the power chair, the swing-away feature is only available when the lift is empty.





This is what it looks like with the power chair loaded on the lift and ready for travel.  We have a barbecue cover to protect the chair from weather but we don't keep it on for little trips around town.