Q: Is there a better way to get the latest software updates than opening each application, one by one, and clicking “check for updates?” This approach gets rather tedious with 20 applications from 20 different companies.
A: Many commercial programs include an automatic update feature that can be set to routinely check back with the company's servers for patches, updates and upgrades when you are online. Once the program finds an update, it alerts you that there is something new available and provides a button to get it.
Not all programs offer automatic updates, but check the Settings or Help menu for the options. Common applications like Microsoft Office, iTunes and most anti-virus software have the automatic update feature available.
For example, there is information about how to use the Microsoft Update Service for the company's software at http://www.snipurl.com/7ri87 and at http://www.snipurl.com/7rijg. In iTunes, there is a box for “Check for new software updates automatically” on the General tab in the program's preferences area.
Like Windows, Mac OS X can also look for its own system updates. Go to the System Preferences area from either the Dock or the Apple menu and click on the Software Update icon to have the Mac automatically check for updates on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
MOVIE POWER FOR A LONG HAUL
Q: Is there a way to make my laptop battery last through an entire DVD during a long plane flight, or do I have to get an extended battery?
A: Buying an extended-life battery for your laptop is one way to increase your computer's running time by a few hours. To accommodate the extra power cells for longer life, these types of batteries are usually bigger and heavier than standard batteries.
Extended-life batteries typically start at around $100, depending on the model. They can be purchased from the computer's manufacturer or from an online battery store like laptopbatteryexpress.com or batteriesdirect.com.
If you don't mind packing an extra item in the laptop bag, a gadget like the Portable Power Station at batterygeek.net can add 16 to 30 hours of power to a laptop and can also charge other portable devices like cell phones and music players. Prices start at around $350, and you may need additional cables.
On certain flights, you may be able to just plug in your laptop on the plane – some now come with power outlets built into the seats. You may need to purchase a special power adapter. The SeatGuru site's “Ultimate Guide to In-Seat Power Ports” (http://www.tinyurl.com/6b5kxq) has more information.
A spinning DVD drive consumes a lot of battery juice. Another way to get through a whole movie before the laptop's battery runs dry is to skip the disc and copy a downloaded film from Amazon, Blockbuster, iTunes or other video site to the hard drive.
TIP OF THE WEEK
If you have enough to lug through the airport already, there might be one less thing to keep track of: the boarding pass. Some airlines like American and Continental now offer paperless boarding passes in the form of bar codes that can be sent to a mobile phone. When it comes time to board the plane, just display the bar code on the phone's screen for the security team.
The paperless boarding pass is not available on every flight yet, but look for it when checking in on the airline's Web site. If it's available, there should be an option for “e-mail for use on cell phone or other mobile device” that sends the boarding-pass bar code to the phone. (American Airlines has more information at http://www.snipurl.com/7riud.) And if the phone's battery is running low, there's the option to print out a paper pass at the self-serve kiosk.
