Tech Myths

1. Two same sized SD cards will perform the same.

   False. For example, a “Class 2″ SD card will be much less usable in a digital HD video recorder compared to a “Class 10″ card. Basically, the class rating relates to the speed at which the card can write files to the card. All SD cards are not alike when it comes to speed. SD [...]

2. My New Passport Can Be Read Wirelessly.

   True. Starting in 2006, passports in the United States started including RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) devices that transmit all of the personal information in the passport as well as a digital photo. Early wireless passports could even be read from up to 33 feet away! Since then, the government has added features and security measures [...]

3. Computer batteries can explode.

   True In 2006, for example, a large number of Sony Lithium-Ion batteries had manufacturing defects, which spurred a massive recall. With serious overheating or physical damage, there is the possibility that a battery can explode and catch fire. Lithium-ion batteries in laptop computers store a large amount of energy, so they have the possibility of [...]

4. All LCD Screens Are The Same.

   False, there are a currently a few manufacturing techniques that produce different results. If you see two panels with the same screen size, but vary in cost a few hundred dollars, chances are one panel was manufactured with a technique that has higher contrast, viewing angles, and better color reproduction. Based on what is currently [...]

5. Shutting Down My Computer Is Bad For it.

   False, current computers should have no issues being shut off and on frequently. The culprit in the past, not necessarily based on fact, was that the computer’s disk drive would wear out faster if you started and stopped it frequently (it has a spinning disk with read/write heads that are very close to the surface [...]

6. Mega-Pixels Are Most Important In A Camera

   False, while more mega-pixels can be a good thing in some cases, the physical size of the sensor that records the pictures in your camera is the most important part. If you visit an electronics store and see a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera, the large cameras with exchangeable lenses), their mega-pixel counts are [...]

7. I’m Completely Safe With My Antivirus.

   False, Anti-virus software can only detect threats that are known to it. That’s why it’s so important to update your anti-virus software frequently. Make sure you choose a program that is well known with regular updates. You will be safest by just being careful what you look at and download on the Internet.

8. Deleting Files Doesn’t Actually Delete.

   True, In operating systems like Windows, deleting a file and removing it from the recycling bin does not actually remove the data of that file from the disk. What happens is that the reference to the file’s data is removed from a large table of information that the computer uses to track files on the [...]

9. A 64-bit System is A Lot Faster Than 32-Bit

   False, however the 64-bit system will be able to handle more memory and be slightly faster in most benchmarks.

10. X Amount of Memory is Enough?

    False A classic quote I’m referring to here is when Bill Gates said “640K ought to be enough for everyone.” I’m sure he was taken out of context, but it doesn’t seem true at any point. As computer hardware improves, software will continue to consume more and more memory (and processing power). This is partly [...]