Have you ever been told that you need a piece of software, went to the store to buy it, and found that it was ridiculously expensive? Yes, there are benefits to using that over-priced software, but for the most part there is often a freeware version available. Whether it be audio editing or a word processor, they are out there and easier to find then you think. [Read more…]
Everything you wanted to know about the computer virus, but were afraid to ask – Part 3
As the old cliche goes; “An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure.” Learning how to avoid becoming infected and spreading virus infections, not only makes the internet safer for you, but for everyone else you connect and share with. [Read more…]
Don’t be left bihind
With technology advancing at nearly the speed of light these days, it can sometimes be hard to keep up. It seems that just as soon as you become fairly proficient at using an OS (Operating System), program, or application the developers stop making code for it, then suddenly drop support. This year we have a couple of oldies that are getting ready to be sent to the archives of what once was. [Read more…]
5 Easy ways to “spring clean” your computer
Spring is in the air. At least here in the Grand Valley it is. The early spring gives us a chance to get an early jump on that spring cleaning list. What better place to start than on your “lifeline to the world”, your computer. [Read more…]
Keeping it cool (Part 2)
Last week we talked about how to keep your laptop cool. This week we’ll take a look at the “elephant in the room”; cooling that monstrous desktop computer. [Read more…]
Keeping it cool (Part 1)
Imagine it: Late one night, while you’re chilling on the couch with your laptop in your lap – where, given the name “laptop” you would think it belongs – watching the latest season of “Supernatural” and you begin to think to yourself that the special effects in this episode are more realistic than normal, because just as the Winchester Brothers light up the latest corpse it seems that you can actually feel the heat on your legs. [Read more…]
Coming up with a secure password is easy!
“It is time to change your password”
What is it about these words that cause you to draw a blank every time? The brain almost shuts down, since your current password seems to be the only “good” password that you can think of. You need something hard to hack or crack, yet easy for you to remember, but you’ve already used “Love”, “Password1234”, your child’s name, your pet’s name, you neighbor’s pets name; this list goes on and on as to what you cannot and should not use. Fortunately, with a little creativity, you can face this “emergency” like a pro. [Read more…]
Uh oh, I spilled something on my laptop.
UH OH!
No matter how careful we like to think we are, this can happen to any of us. It only takes a split second to make this catastrophe happen. SPLASH! That mug of coffee, cup of water, or glass of wine is all over your beloved laptop. [Read more…]
SSD vs HDD, which should you choose?
Eeny meeny miny moe. Pick a Hardrive by the… Toe?
Ladies and gentlemen, a new era in storage drives has arrived: The Solid-State drive (SSD). Is it time to upgrade, or can we stay with our favorite sixty-year-old technology? Should we even upgrade our storage? Let’s take a look at these different types of drives to see if we can answer those questions: [Read more…]
Buying a used computer
‘Tis the season to buy presents. Fa la la la la…
Sometimes buying a new computer for a loved one, or even yourself, can be financially out of reach. That’s okay, there are plenty of used computers on the market that can fit your needs just fine. [Read more…]