Computer Troubleshooters Danbury

Cyber-bullying

2009-03-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

School-aged children quickly learn to make friends, display preferences and establish their own social circles. This interaction used to take place in person, via notes or letters, or via the home telephone. Affordable technology has now provided our children with new methods of communicating, including ‘online’ via various methods on the internet and also through personal cellphone text messages.
Unfortunately, those communication channels can also be used as a channel for harassment or bullying, bringing this childhood threat out from the school playground and into our homes.

Cyber-bullying can range from unwanted negative remarks to threats and disclosure of personal information and can include:

• repeatedly making fun of another person on internet websites;
• repeatedly picking on another person through emails, text messages or instant messages;
• using internet forums and postings messages online intended to harm, damage, humiliate or isolate another person that they don’t like
• posting unflattering photos of someone on a website to embarrass them.

Tips for children:

• Just like in real life, there is a difference between what is right and what is wrong on the internet. If something doesn’t feel right, tell someone that you trust.
• Never give out your real information on the internet (especially your name, school etc) or tell anyone your passwords.
• Create a free email address (like Gmail or Hotmail) and use that for internet websites. If someone uses it to harass you, it’s easy to just delete that address.
• On sites like Facebook and MySpace, keep your profile private.
• Refuse to support cyberbullying – don’t pass on hurtful messages and tell your friends to stop. Treat people with respect, like you want to be treated.

Tips for parents:

• For younger children, keep the computer in a common area where you can watch them.
• Talk to your children about what they are doing online. Learn about the technology that they are using like instant messaging and social websites.
• Tell your children that bullying is not right and it’s not their fault. Encourage them to tell you about anything that is bothering them and reassure them that they won’t be in trouble with you.

More resources:

Cyber-bullying is a popular topic, with many groups, governments and schools providing information through various websites. Here are a few examples:

www.stopcyberbullying.org
www.cyberbullying.org
www.cyberbully411.org
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/family/activities/social.mspx

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about how you can protect your family online.

New Year, New Office Part 2

2009-02-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

This month we continue our advice on technology’s little hassles, with a few more areas that can be easily and inexpensively solved.

Starting from scratch? If you have a document, spreadsheet or presentation to create, see if the topic is used by other businesses too. An online search or a visit to the Microsoft website may uncover a template that you can apply to your situation. Common examples include budget templates, sales presentations and employment forms.

How paperless is your office? Consider these alternatives to printing and posting:

• A fax card can be inexpensively installed into your computer, connecting to your phone line and allowing you to send documents directly to a fax machine without printing them first. Another option is online fax services, which allow you to upload your faxes to a website to be sent. For documents that need a signature, consider scanning a copy of your signature, which can then be added like a picture to your document before faxing.

• Email is also a great alternative to regular postal mail. Your financial software may even allow you to email invoices directly from it. It you are concerned about document details being changed, you can find free software to ‘print’ your documents electronically into an unchangeable Adobe Acrobat PDF format. This is widely used by airlines for sending flight details and receipts via email.

Morning slowness? If you have time to finish your coffee whilst your computer starts, there could be some easy tweaks which will improve its performance. Review the items in your ‘Startup’ group of programs and look at the icons in your ‘system tray’ by your computer’s clock, to see if you really do need everything to start up at once. Also, check and see if your anti-virus software is set to perform a scan each morning, perhaps changing the schedule to during your lunch break instead. If computer slowness is a constant problem, then a software tune-up or additional memory could improve the performance for less than the cost of a new computer.

Lost your internet connection? Intermittent internet connection faults are very frustrating and can be caused by any number of things between your internet provider and your computer. Keep a log of any drop-outs and call your internet provider to check if there is a fault on your cable or phone line (especially for ADSL). Ensure that all of your telephones and faxes have ADSL filters. And, if you also have wireless access to your internet that is provided by another ‘box’, follow this method to get things up and running again after a drop out:

1) Power off your internet modem and your wireless router.
2) Power on your internet modem.
3) Wait for the ADSL light to be solid (approx. 40 seconds).
4) Power on your wireless router.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about any other little problems – they may be easy and inexpensive to solve!

New Year, New Office

2009-01-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

Often technology’s little problems or hassles are ‘put up with’, instead of being given the attention needed to resolve or improve them. Let’s start the New Year by dealing with a few areas that can be easily and inexpensively solved. Watch out for part 2 of this article next month.

Having trouble finding things? If your collection of electronic files continues to grow, think about archiving any historical information. This will remove old files from being listed amongst files that you currently need, but can be done so they are easy to access again if you ever need to refer to them. Archiving can also be applied to historical emails.

Your current files may benefit from some re-organizing too but ensure that all of your team members are aware of the new structure so they don’t wonder where everything went. You will also need to check your backup regime – moving files to a new location may cause the backup to think they are new files, which will increase your backup storage requirements. This can be avoided with some careful planning.

Overloaded with emails? Review any mailing lists or offers that you subscribe to. If you find you are too busy to read them and are just deleting them, considering unsubscribing instead. Use ‘rules’ in your email program to sort incoming messages into folders, moving non-urgent items (like mailing lists) out of your Inbox automatically but still being available to read. If you receive many emails from your team with attachments (e.g. documents for you to review etc), consider using a centralized storage place instead, like a ‘network file share/drive letter’. Saving and sharing files from one place reduces the amount of storage needed, compared to multiple copies of the same file in email Sent folders and Inboxes.

Running out of consumables? Why does it also seem that the printer runs out of paper (or ink!) when you are urgently waiting for a document? Has your cordless mouse battery ever died when you’ve been updating an important PowerPoint presentation? Consider adding a few things to the standard tasks you perform when you open or close your office for the day, such as filling the printer with paper. Placing cordless mice on their charging stands and checking printer ink levels could be done weekly. This reduces the risk of this running out at an inconvenient time.

Could a few extras make life easier? If there is always a queue at the printer, compare the cost of an extra printer to the frustration and the wasted time that you spend waiting. Remember too to invest in components like an extra monitor, keyboard and mouse for staff that use laptops, to reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about how a few small tweaks to your office technology could make the world of difference.

Holiday Greeting or Virus

2008-12-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

If an email arrives in your inbox, claiming to be an electronic greeting card from a friend or family member, would you automatically open it? New research by global internet security company AVG Technologies found that 74 per cent of the people polled said they would automatically open the email.

Criminals misuse our trust in familiar names. They send their security threats with false ‘from’ addresses to get us to think the information has come from a trusted source. Reputable companies are also not immune, with one reported case of emails being sent in the name of the Deputy Director of the USA’s FBI department.

If your computer is up to date with functioning security software, do you need to be concerned? Well, just like you need good driving skills in a car that has many safety features, good email habits can also help to protect your precious information. Sneaky attacks like identity information gathering (known as ‘phishing’) can also be difficult to detect.

Remember these tips for the next greeting card that arrives in your inbox:
1. Check the spelling: Look out for misspelled words, names or website addresses, which are a good sign that the email is not genuine.
2. Read the fine print: Carefully read any terms and conditions that you have to accept before viewing your card, especially if the card site wants to install any software onto your computer. You may actually be agreeing that the site can have access to the details of everyone in your address book.
3. Don’t open attachments: Save any attachments and scan them with your security software before opening them.
4. Avoid clicking on links: Links to websites may look legitimate, but they can hide malicious code that activates once the link is clicked. Instead, most e-card companies allow you to visit their website by typing the site name manually into your web browser and then entering a code to retrieve your card.
5. Phone a friend: If in doubt, delete the email or call the sender to confirm that they really sent it.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter if you are concerned about the contents of an e-card that you have received.

Social Networking

2008-11-01T22:00:00.002-04:00

MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Nexopia, Hi5, Skyrock and Friendster are common examples of online communities or ‘social networking’ websites. They enable you to build connections to people who share your interests and provide communication methods like instant messaging, message boards and status messages.

This kind of electronic group communication is nothing new - in fact local computer bulletin board systems existed in the 1970s. However, today’s social networking sites have become another vital component of online life for many people, sometimes regarded as important as e-mail. This is due to many factors, including:

1) Their ease of access, as computers and high speed Internet are now expected in most homes and businesses;
2) Their integration with other media components such as photos (which can often be uploaded directly from a compatible mobile phone camera) and videos (e.g. YouTube site video links);
3) Their ‘instant’ communication feeds, where you can see the new status messages of all of your friends on one screen.

These technology components have a universal appeal across a wide range of ages – whether you are sharing homework tips with your school friends, keeping in touch about overseas travel adventures or sharing stories about your children or grandchildren.

But unless you have everything set to ‘private’, beware what information you post that other people can view. Apart from obvious sensitive personal information (such as your address or phone number), other things that you say on your profile page can also get you into trouble. Many employers and prospective employers use the Internet as a research tool, so don’t announce that you are looking for a new job if you don’t want that to be made public. Even if your boss can’t see your message, someone else may decide to give your boss a call and let them know. There have also been many examples where disciplinary action has been taken because someone has posted negative comments about a named customer, or has raved about their great day when they had called in sick.

There is a strong debate about whether access to these websites should be allowed ‘on work time’. People naturally want to communicate and build friendships, so banning these sites can be seen as tyrannical. In some industries such as recruitment, a social networking presence is encouraged, as it helps to build a pool of possible candidates. It’s also argued that team works together better (especially teams with members in multiple locations), if the members have an opportunity to learn about others likes, dislikes and interests outside of the workplace. However, work productivity is a concern for employers, so technology measures that restrict or monitor the usage of these sites can be helpful when combined with ‘acceptable usage’ guidelines.

If you would like to learn more about the risks of social networking websites, talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter.

Is Your Laptop Painful?

2008-10-01T21:55:00.003-04:00

In the past, the use of laptop computers was reserved for selected, special people in the corporate world, like executives and travelling sales managers. These large and expensive machines were carried around by ‘road warriors’ who completed their business duties from hotel rooms after a day of meetings.

As portable technology has become faster, lighter and cheaper, laptops have migrated into small businesses, university lecture halls and even our homes. Indeed, if your new laptop is faster than your old computer and can be placed wherever you need it in your home, office, or any other location, then why do you need a traditional ‘desktop’ computer? Most businesses now don’t provide with you with a desktop computer at your office desk if your role warrants having a laptop.

The main downside of this is the increasing number of repetitive strain injury cases. Quite simply, the laptop computer was never designed for long periods of use (especially not a full 8 hour or even 12 hour working day). The main ergonomic design flaw of the screen being attached to the keyboard just does not work in harmony with the optimal positioning of our eyes, head, fingers and wrists. So, the positioning of our laptop ends up being a compromise on both counts – with the keyboard close enough for us to type on, but the screen tilted back so we can read it. Our bodies still end up in a compromised position, with hands navigating a smaller key layout and our necks bent down on an angle, throwing the weight of our heads forward.

If you can’t live without your laptop, here are our tips to help it be nicer to your body:

• Take regular breaks. ‘Micro breaks’ involve looking away from your screen often to something much further away, to let your eyes refocus and rest. Physical movement is important too, including regularly letting your arms drop or even getting up and walking away from your laptop.
• Invest in a separate keyboard and mouse. Laptops have a plug to let them accommodate a full-sized keyboard and mouse, so take advantage of these better ergonomically designed ‘input devices’ if you are going to be using your laptop for hours.
• Raise your laptop so the screen is at the correct height, or invest in a separate monitor. If you sit back in your chair with a slight recline and hold your right arm out horizontally, your middle finger should almost touch the middle of the screen.
• Watch out for heat build-up if the laptop is going to be on your lap for a prolonged period of time. Consider investing in a special pad or tray designed to reduce the heat problem.
• Invest in a quality bag or backpack. If you travel frequently, perhaps a ‘luggage trolley’ type bag with wheels would be a better option, to help prevent shoulder strain. Consider the weight factor when buying a new laptop too, including the weight of any associated laptops parts you may have to carry with you.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about how to stop your laptop being a pain in the neck, wrists, arms, back and shoulders!

Time for a Server?

2008-09-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

When a business consists of more than one person, questions arise about how to share critical business information and technology resources such as printers. Most small businesses start to link computers together with a network and are unaware that the benefits of a ‘server’ computer may actually be within their budget.

Servers are specifically designed to provide file storage, file sharing, resource sharing (like printers) and other services, to multiple computers. They can also help you:

• better find and manage business-critical information in one consolidated location;
• store large chunks of information, enabling individual PCs to perform better;
• access up-to-date customer information quickly;
• share email and calendaring details between your team;
• protect your information by making back-ups easier;
• provide secure access to email & calendars, other files or to your entire office PC, from another Internet-connected computer;
• better manage security features and monitor threats to your computer systems.

Does that all sound like it’s going to be expensive? Well, servers are no longer confined to dedicated rooms, serving large corporations with large I.T. departments. Many of the major manufacturers promote ‘Small Business Server’ bundles, with the hardware and software needed for a business with as little as 5 staff.

Here are some factors that indicate your business may be ready for a server:

• You need to consolidate & arrange your files (you can't always find what you need when you need it).
• You are worried about whether all of your important files are secure and are being backed up.
• You need to share hardware such as printers and fax machines for two or more PCs.
• You have employees who travel, frequently telecommute, or work off-site, and would benefit from accessing what’s back in the office.
• You keep adding more files onto your PCs and running out of disk space.
• You'd like to run accounting software or other line-of-business applications on more than one PC.
• Your business is growing and plans to add new computers and employees or even a second location.

As with any technology purchasing decision, you need to discuss your business needs and plans with your trusted I.T. advisor to see if it’s the right time for a server. You may be looking for aggressive growth, stability or even expense reduction this year, so you’ll want to focus first on the server features that will support your goals. You also need to ensure that you’re not expecting technology to solve a problem that could be resolved with a change in your business processes.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about whether now is the time to make the move and experience the benefits of a server computer in your business.

What's in a name?

2008-08-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

If you have a presence on the Internet (or if you are considering it) then having your own Internet domain name adds to your credibility. It also means your I.T. infrastructure can change behind it, but your customers still have the same website address to visit. Your domain name can also be used within your email addresses (e.g. me@mybusiness.com instead of me@emailforfree.com). This month we look at some of the traps of Internet domain name registration.

Naming Rights

Depending on which country you are in, different rules apply regarding who can register a domain name that has your company name in it. In some cases you may need to provide proof that you own the company name (e.g. a business registration certificate). In most cases, anyone can register ‘generic’ addresses including phrases (e.g. www.fixmywashingmachine.com). If someone else has already registered the name you want, they own it for the period that they have paid for.

Registration & Renewal

Domain names are not permanently ‘owned’ – instead they are registered for a set period of time, usually 1, 2, 3 or 5 years. This is done with a company called a ‘domain name registrar’. When that period of time is up, the owner may be advised that it’s time to renew the registration. The details of the domain name include contact details for both the owner and a technical contact (usually email addresses), so it’s important to ensure that these details are correct if you change email service or technical support companies. If your domain name registration expires, your email and websites can stop functioning and someone may be able to take over the registration and become the new owner!

There are many domain name registrars available on the Internet, handling both international domains (e.g. .com, .net) and national domains (e.g. .co.uk, .com.au).
However, there are also a number of questionable companies that use underhanded tactics to try and convince you to transfer your domain name to them. If you receive postal mail or email regarding the renewal of your domain name, contact your local Computer Troubleshooter to ensure that it is legitimate.

Other Services

A domain name by itself is useless, much like having a street address but no building! To communicate with someone in your ‘building’ you still need a phone number for phone calls to go to and a letter box for postal mail to go into. Likewise, your domain name also contains details for where your website is stored and where your email needs to go.

Passwords

Your domain name registration comes with a password to allow you or your technician to alter the details of your other services mentioned above. It’s only really needed when things do change, which makes it easy to lose! If your domain name has old, incorrect email addresses listed, then getting the password reset can require things like the business owner’s signature on company letterhead paper. This tight security is in place to prevent other people from trying to reset your password and gain control of your domain name. Other security features include locking your domain name so it can’t be transferred to another domain name registrar and hiding your contact details from public view.

Domain names are just one component of the technology that makes your website and emails work. Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter to ensure your registration is current and protected.

Technology Moved

2008-07-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

Moving into a different house or office can be very stressful, though many moving companies offer practical tips for the packing and relocation of your goods. So how can you ensure that everything goes to plan with all of the technology that you rely on? This month we offer 10 tips for moving your technology.

Weeks before:

1. Scheduling – Where possible, schedule the actual move to happen over a weekend, giving you extra valuable hours to sort out any technology problems before the next business day arrives.

2. Internet & phone – Give your Internet provider as much notice as possible (preferably up to 21 days) so they have time to arrange everything that needs to happen behind the scenes. Some Internet connection types work off telephone lines and can be dependent upon confirmation of your new phone connection or phone number. Make sure you’ve notified your phone company too (if they are a different company than your Internet provider).

3. Cable guy - If you need to connect multiple computers at your new location, find a quality, approved cabling installer and again give them as much notice as possible. Usually they can handle both your phone and data requirements, ensuring that you have the correct number of connections.

4. Troubleshooter – Let your local Computer Troubleshooter know of your move date, even if you plan on moving your technology yourself. If things don’t go smoothly and you need expert help, you’d like your Troubleshooter to be there as soon as possible, so advanced notice of a ‘possible call’ can help with their work scheduling.

5. Emergency supplies – Moving can throw in unexpected challenges like equipment not functioning once it has been moved and it can be difficult to source replacement parts at short notice (especially on weekends or after business hours).
Identify what technology hardware is mission critical to your business and discuss with your local Troubleshooter what your options would be should it fail.

6. Worst case scenario – Have a ‘Plan B’ for how your business could operate if nothing was ready at your new location when you expected it. Maybe the meeting rooms/faxing service etc at the local hotel could be an option, or maybe you would survive from home with a laptop and a mobile, wireless Internet service?

Just before:

7. Backup, backup, backup - Ensure that you have a current, valid, tested backup before you move critical equipment like laptops and servers! This may take a bit of extra effort, but now is not right time to find out that your backups have been failing or your backup media is unreadable.

8. Mobile office – If you have laptops, use them as a quick repository for critical business information whilst everything else is in transit or in boxes. This could include copying your accounting information or customer database to them and installing the necessary software applications.

Moving day:

9. Priorities - make your Internet and network connections the first priority of your move, using a laptop to test this before other computers are setup. If you had to put up with boxes or sit on the floor on Monday morning, at least your customers could still email you.

10. Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3 - Test that EVERYTHING works .. phones, email, printer etc. Don’t take it for granted that just because you can browse the Internet, you can send/receive email.

Talk to your local Troubleshooter about your moving plans and good luck!

Give your computer some space

2008-06-01T00:00:00.002-04:00

You can guarantee that technology is always changing and always improving. This is particularly true for computer hard disk drives which provide the long-term storage for your files. Not long ago, disk sizes of 250GB (Gigabytes) and 320GB would have only been needed by businesses (who could have afforded them), but now these sizes are accepted as standard for new home computers.

This increase in storage capacity has come from an improvement in the quality and cost-efficiency of the components and the driving consumer need for more and more storage space. It’s estimated that as much as 98% of all information that exists today was ‘born digital’ i.e. it did not exist before someone created it in a digital format. We’ve become a society that functions on emails, websites and documents and all of that information has to be stored somewhere. And that’s before you’ve mentioned entertainment, with digital photos, videos and music compounding our storage problems. All of this is nicely supported by rising internet speeds, which now make it possibly to email a 10MB attachment without taking 3 days to deliver it.

Unfortunately, your 250GB hard disk doesn’t give you a full 250GB anyway to store your own files. The ‘operating system’ (e.g. Microsoft Windows) takes its share first, then you need to allow some free space for temporary ‘swap’ files and you may also have a portion of space allocated to a ‘recovery partition’ (which contains a backup of specialist files for your particular computer hardware).

So, here are a few tips for keeping your file storage use under control:

1. Clean out temporary files – each time you visit a website, it saves some files (especially pictures) to your computer to make it faster for your next visit to that site.

These and other temporary files aren’t always deleted automatically and can add up to a significant amount of space over time. Install a utility to clean out these temporary storage areas, or learn how to use the inbuilt tools in your computer to do this (e.g. Disk Cleanup).

2. Review your programs – So many free software programs on the internet can seem appealing, but little by little they will start to cut into your free disk space. Review and uninstall software that you don’t need or don’t use.

3. Duplicates – If you’ve ever saved an email attachment to your computer to work on it and you still have the original email, you’ve just doubled the amount of storage needed. Be ruthless with how you handle attachments, especially the ones that also appear in your Sent email folder too.

4. Quality versus quantity – When it comes to media files like pictures, audio and video, the file size is directly related to the quality of the image or recording. Whilst your digital camera may produce amazing quality for high definition printing, you may be able to compress pictures if they are just being emailed or added to a document, therefore also reducing their size and storage requirement.

5. Add more hardware – There is an enormous range of options available if you just really need more space, from replacing your current internal hard disk with a bigger one, to adding external storage via USB hard disk enclosures or even network attached disks.

If your computer is starting to struggle, the disk space is one of the first things we’ll look at, so talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about the best way to handle your digital storage requirements.

5 Tips to a Trouble-Free Computer

2008-05-01T20:00:00.003-04:00

Here are a few simple tips for making your computers Trouble-Free:

1. Old Hardware. “Studies have shown that the likelihood of physical problems with computer equipment goes up significantly after 24 to 36 months,” says Reaves, CEO of Computer Troubleshooters USA. “Consider replacing computer systems every three years – considering how inexpensive computers have become, one major repair bill could easily cost more than purchasing an entire new system.”

2. Power Protection. “Surges and power drops can cause data loss and are always damaging to sensitive components, reducing their lifespan. Most people do use surge protectors, but what many don’t realize is that surge protection wears off over time. For the best protection make sure that the surge protectors for all your computer equipment are replaced every 2 to 3 years. “

3. Firewall and Security. “The Internet is full of hackers who regularly try to access computers for nefarious purposes. If they get in (either directly, or with the help of exploits from malware or viruses) the list of problems they can cause is pretty big; including stealing files or customer records, and deleting important data. It’s important to be sure that all computers in your organization are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft or Apple, and that firewalls are installed and maintained properly.”

4. Backup Data. “It sounds so obvious but most companies fail to keep 100% of their important data backed up 100% of the time – there are often gaps in what’s being backed up which are only discovered when it’s too late. The consequences of lost data can put a company out of business on the spot, and data retrieval is frighteningly expensive.”

5. Spam, Viruses and Spyware. “80% of all Computer Troubleshooters’ service calls worldwide are from people with problems directly linked to these issues. You should consider good virus protection, spam filters and anti-spyware programs as mandatory if you want a trouble-free computer.”

To find out how other companies have benefited from Trouble-Free Computing, call your local Computer Troubleshooter today.

The Secret World of Spam E-Mail

2008-04-01T20:00:00.001-04:00

‘Spam’ (also called unsolicited commercial e-mail) can just seem like an annoyance, but it’s actually a thriving, wealthy industry. How does this industry work and how did you get caught in the middle of it? This month we explore how ‘spammers’ earn a significant income and how you can protect your main e-mail account.

Most spam e-mails contain advertisements for services or products, and a link for obtaining more information or making a purchase. ‘Spammers’ are salesmen earning commission for every sale that is generated through those links, which are coded with their identification name or number. You may wonder who actually buys some of the things that are being advertised, but like anything in sales, it’s just a numbers game for the spammers. For example, if they earn $1 per click and they average a 0.025 percent success rate, then they need to send 2 million e-mails to earn $500. That may not sound like a lot of money, but as it’s extremely fast and easy for them to send that amount of e-mails, they can earn $500 many times over. Some advertisers, such as casinos, will pay up to $400 for each click that provides a new customer for them.

Spam can also be used to transmit viruses or spyware, rather than directly selling something. Strange-looking spam (with no real text or advertising offer) is also often sent to confuse spam filters, as this makes it harder to distinguish what actually really constitutes a spam e-mail and therefore what the filters should block and what they should allow through.

Where do they get your e-mail address from in the first place? Sometimes they harvest it from unsecure systems (e.g. mailing list databases for something legitimate that you’ve registered for). They can also search through websites to find anywhere you publicly list your e-mail address (e.g. your company website, ‘bulletin boards’ or forums and social sites like MySpace and Facebook (if your information is not marked private)). Once they have a valid ‘domain name’ (i.e. the part of your e-mail address after the @ symbol) they will also use software to test commonly used first names and ‘position titles’ like sales@, support@ etc.

To learn how to protect your computers from spam, call your local Computer Troubleshooter today.

5 Tips to Help Reduce Spam

2008-04-01T19:59:00.000-04:00

Here are a few simple steps to help you reduce the chance of being targeted by spammers:

1. Use another e-mail address
When it’s compulsory to enter an e-mail address on a website, avoid using the main e-mail address that you usually send from. Instead, create a free web-based e-mail account (using a provider like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo etc.) and use that address instead, to keep your main account as spam-free as possible.

2. Educate your staff
To save the stress on your company e-mail system and staff productivity, encourage all staff members to also heed the advice in the previous point and not use their company e-mail address on websites.

3. Read the fine print
When you do supply your email address on a website, read the entire page very carefully before clicking any button that will submit your details. Some sites pre-tick boxes that say that you allow your address to be given to third party companies.

4. Don’t unsubscribe
Opening, replying to, or even clicking on bogus unsubscribe links in spam e-mail, only confirms to the spammers that your address is being actively used. This is a great way to stay on their lists. Only reply or unsubscribe to messages from companies that you know, or those which have anti-spam policies in place.

5. Use a spam-filter
Check if your Internet provider offers any spam-protection, or investigate a third-party solution. They range from ‘gateway’-type services (which catch the spam before it gets to your email systems), to software installed on your own computer.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about how good Internet habits and technology solutions can reduce the impact of spam on your Inbox and on your day.

Life Without Your Computer

2008-03-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Many people wait until that fateful day when their computer crashes and then they suffer the consequences. However, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of some common problems occurring, or address minor errors before they turn into major outages or data loss. Many great options exist for ensuring that your computer is maintained, protected and monitored. But why would you pay for that? How reliant are you on technology anyway?

The real test would be to remove a computer or unplug your Internet connection for a few hours on a busy day, and see the impact that this has. Not that we are suggesting you actually do this, but most people underestimate the impact of a technology outage. Then, they need their computer guy to turn up immediately and fix everything as soon as possible. Here are a few questions to help you assess your need for pro-active computer support and maintenance:

1. A fire consumes your premises and your computer too. How concerned are you about your important files (e.g. customer information, financial records or irreplaceable family digital photos)?

A. Not concerned at all. They are regularly backed up and sent off-site and the restoration process was tested successfully last week. At the most you will have a day or two’s worth of records to re-enter.

B. Slightly concerned. Someone in your business is responsible for changing the tape, CD or USB key for your backups and taking it home … but you’re not sure if it is actually being done or when it was last tested.

C. Completely panicked. You either didn’t have a backup process in place, or your tapes, CDs or USB keys were stored next to your computer in a drawer, which was also consumed by the fire.

2. A hardware failure has meant that you may be without one computer for up to 3 days while it is being repaired. This will mean:

A. Some lost productivity for one staff member, however you have other computers and all of the files are on your main, shared server. Or, your teenagers will have to find alternative entertainment to the Internet.

B. Reverting to a paper-based system for invoicing, ordering etc, and relying on faxes. Data entry will be needed when the computer is returned.

C. A complete halt to your business. That computer held your customer ordering system or other critical program, or it was the only computer that your business has. Or, you will need to find another computer to finish your university thesis on, with your deadline in two days (assuming you can get a copy of the Word document to work on).

3. Your Internet access is down and there is no guarantee when it will be restored. The impact is:

A. Minimal. You don’t do a lot on the Internet anyway.

B. Moderate. You will have to find alternatives to the way you normally work (like now visiting the bank in person and phoning your contacts). Most tasks that you perform on the Internet can be done another way or can wait for a while (leaving you with a backlog to catch up on.

C. Severe. This means that your website is down and your staff are without email. You face lost orders and grumpy customers as your business cannot function without the Internet.

So, how did we do?

Mostly A's: You may be able to cope with some technology problems, but you could still benefit from preventing ‘downtime’.

Mostly B's: There are areas that can be addressed now to lessen the impact of technology problems.

Mostly C's: Your business is too important to gamble that your computers will work day after day.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about the real impact of computer problems.

The Password is...

2008-02-01T20:00:00.001-05:00

Passwords are your keys to accessing electronically stored information. In many cases you may not notice until it is too late that important details, regarding your identity or your business, have been used. It is critical to create ‘strong’ passwords and keep them well protected, whilst also being able to remember them.

A strong password is one that appears complex and would be difficult to guess. To achieve this:

Make it lengthy - Each character that you add increases the amount of tries needed to correctly guess the password. Your passwords should be at least 8 or more characters in length and can contain multiple words and sometimes spaces.

Add letters, numbers, and symbols - A greater variety of characters makes your password harder to guess. Punctuation symbols are very valuable for password strength, including those not found on the upper row of the keyboard (e.g. ? { { ] ).

Include words that are easy for you to remember, but difficult for others to guess -The name of your first pet or your mother’s maiden name is easy to remember because it is meaningful to you, but not easy for others to guess.

Avoid sequences or repeated characters - "12345678," "222222," "abcdefg," or adjacent letters on your keyboard are common combinations that hackers will try.

Avoid your name - Any part of your name, birthday or similar information should be avoided, especially if it is displayed on common identification cards which can be lost or stolen (e.g. your driver’s license).

Avoid using only a single dictionary word - Hackers use sophisticated computer software that will attempt to guess passwords using multiple language dictionaries, including words spelled backwards, common misspellings, and substitutions.

Use more than one password - If any one of the computers or systems using a password is compromised, all of your other information protected by that same password may be compromised as well. It is critical to use different passwords for different systems.

Websites often require passwords to access information. You should also use different passwords online, but try not to use too many or you will tend to forget them. Grouping similar or related services can help. For example, use one password for casual websites and a different, more complex one for your bank or credit cards.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about enhancing your computer security with secure passwords.

5 Tips to Managing Your Passwords

2008-02-01T19:59:00.001-05:00

1. Easy way to select and remember a complex password:

- Select a base word that is easy for you to remember. For example, say you once lived in New York.

- Add at least one capital letter and either a number or special character e.g. n3wyorK?

- Add more words and numbers to create a phrase e.g. "n3wyorK?wascoldin‘87", but don't get too crazy or you will tend to forget them. Complex passwords need to be complex for hackers and hacking tools, but not too complex for you to recall easily.

2. Store your password safely - Now you can write down a password hint that reminds you of how your password is constructed. E.g. c1tY? in winter in the eighties will remind you to substitute the 3 and K! in the city name, then add the wascold in ’87. This would remind you of your password while revealing nothing to any roaming eyes.

3. Keep your passwords secret - Treat your passwords with as much care as the information that they protect. Keep your passwords to yourself. Never provide your password via e-mail or based on an e-mail request. Change your passwords regularly, so as a hacker progresses with guessing your password, they have to start their process all over again when you change it.

4. Be careful on shared computers - Computers such as those in Internet cafés and airport lounges should not be used for anything requiring your password, including checking sensitive e-mails or bank transactions. These computers may contain devices or software that can capture your passwords.

5. Monitor all password-protected information - such as your bank statements and online shopping accounts. If you notice any suspicious activity, change all of your passwords immediately and notify any relevant authorities.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about other security tips and strategies to protect your valuable information.

Technology Questions

2008-01-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Asking for the price of a new computer is like asking the price of a car. Although all cars have four wheels, a roof and an engine, the similarities stop there. With computers, as well as different brand names available, there are many combinations of different component specifications (e.g. processor speed, amount of memory).

Fortunately, Computer Troubleshooters can help you translate the technical jargon, but there is a large non-computing side of the equation to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money.

So how do you know if the money you are spending on technology is a wise investment? This month we look at some of the questions that drive the IT recommendations we make to our customers.

The current picture

We start by getting an understanding of the way your business currently runs. This includes factors like how many staff you have and what percentage of them rely heavily on a computer to perform their daily tasks. How many locations you have and how transient are your staff between locations or ‘on the road’? How is information currently stored and shared between people, considering both internal staff and the interaction between your customers and your business? Do your business processes rely on faxes or duplicate forms? How are your supply-chain relationships managed?

Any challenges

What frustrates your staff the most about their work? What do you feel is the biggest challenge holding your company back?

It’s important to get a clear picture of any issues so we can determine if a technology solution can help, or if it’s really an underlying business process problem. New technology won’t necessarily help if it’s not supported by a strong business driver, processes and staff education.

Your future plans

What is on the horizon for the next 12 months? 2 years? 5 years? Are you looking to significantly expand or decrease your operations? Are you thinking of selling your products on the Internet? Are there any major changes in your industry that you need to take into account (such as the impact of digital technology on businesses like camera film processing and traditional printing presses)?

At home

A similar process can be undertaken if you are looking at technology for your home. What do you use your computer for now? Would you be happy with email and word processing, or do you have a teenager who would like to play the latest computer games?

This is a very brief overview of some of the puzzle pieces that we take into account when we make a technology recommendation. Once we have a clear picture of your needs, we can sift through the many options available and confidently recommend a solution that will fit your unique situation.

Think about the questions we have raised and talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about the best technology solution for you.

Happy E-Greetings!

2007-12-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

As e-mail is more widely accepted as a communication method for doing business, it is also more commonly being turned to for sending good wishes to friends and family members on special occasions and holidays. Slower, dial-up Internet connections used to limit us to sending a text email as our message, instead of mailing a letter. But now faster, broadband Internet can handle animations, movies and audio too. So, don’t be surprised if you see more cards in your Inbox and less in your letter box.

For most electronic greeting cards (‘e-cards’), you would visit a website, select your card type & design, and enter your message and the recipient’s email address. Some companies are now also offering photo cards, which can incorporate one of your special digital photos in the design. The recipient will receive an email with a link to their card or a link to a website with a unique code to enter. It may also be possible for you to be notified once their card has been read.

Free?

There are many reputable companies offering free e-cards and a Google search for ‘free ecards’ will return 1.5 million results. Unfortunately, some free sites will leave you with more than just a card. One of the top listed pages in our search results instantly generated advertising pop-up windows. Another free site claimed that it contained no spyware or adware, but it did include the MyWebSearch product - which tracks the websites you visit for “the purpose of ensuring that our search partners are appropriately compensating us”. Try websites of companies that you know and trust.

Real?

Malicious software developers like to take advantage of the holiday seasons, using the popularity of e-cards to disguise their dangerous software. If they infiltrate your address book, their message will look like it was actually sent from you, so your friends are more likely to open it. Be wary of the e-mails that you receive and only click on links in messages that you are sure of. It is better to phone your friend and ask if they really sent it, rather than regret it later as you battle advertising pop-ups.

For business use?

Regular electronic newsletters, birthday and holiday cards can be sent safely to your customer base, especially if you take some steps to ensure their safety. Always ask for their permission to be included in your email marketing. Use an email marketing system which easily lets them unsubscribe and fulfills any anti-spam regulations that apply to your country or territory. Also, choose an e-card site that actively working to protect you against e-card email scams (for example, provides details on what to look for in a legitimate e-card message from that site).

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter if you are concerned about the contents of an e-card that you have received, or if you’d like to learn more about communicating regularly with your customers via email.

The Printed Word

2007-11-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the large number of printer models that are available. This month we look at the two main types of printers (inkjet and laser) and what to consider when making your purchasing decision.

Inkjet Printers:

Inkjet (or bubble-jet) printers squirt tiny dots of quick-drying ink onto your paper, one line at a time. All 300-600 jets can fire simultaneously and each dot is tinier than the width of a human hair. Inkjet printers are usually less expensive than laser printers, due to less expensive, fewer mechanical parts. If you are printing graphics, it will use considerably more ink per page than printing text, and ink is more expensive than toner in a laser printer. Also, printed characters generally do not appear as crisp and sharp as those produced from a laser printer, so consider what level of quality you require for your finished documents.

Laser Printers:

Laser printers take advantage of a drum coated with a static electricity charge. A laser “writes” to the drum by changing the static charge where it touches leaving an electrically charged impression of your document on the drum. As the drum turns, toner sticks to the electrically charged parts of the drum. Then, your paper is fed into the printer and charged with a different electrical charge than the drum, so that when it passes by the drum the toner jumps to the paper, transferring your image. It’s like writing with glue then sprinkling sand on top. Finally, the paper passes through heated rollers which fuse the powder to your page, leaving you with a dry, warm and smudge-free document. And whilst laser printers may have a more expensive initial purchase price, their long-term ‘cost per page’ is less.

Ink tanks / toner cartridges:

Laser printers usually have black, yellow, cyan and magenta toner powder cartridges.

Inkjet printers can vary between 2 ink tanks (1 x black and 1 x combined yellow, cyan & magenta) and 8 separate tanks (matte black, photo black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light grey, light cyan & light magenta). With a combined ink tank, if you run out of yellow, you need to replace the whole tank regardless of how much magenta or cyan you have left. With separate tanks, you would just replace the yellow one.

Speed

As paper passes a laser’s drum at speed, the average laser printer can deliver around 26 printed pages per minute.

Inkjets must work one line at a time (around 4 pages per minute), so large volumes of documents will take much longer to print on an inkjet. This might not be a problem if you are printing a few letters at home, but if you are running a busy office then printer speed may be a consideration.

Duplex and paper trays

Some laser printers come with optional extras, like duplex units (for double-sided printing) and additional paper trays (e.g. for your company letterhead paper or envelopes). A duplex feature can literally reduce your ongoing paper costs by up to half.

Multi-Function

Multi-function units can offer features like printing, scanning, copying & faxing all from the one device. This can save you a lot of space. However, consider that if a function like the scanner breaks and needs to be repaired, you may also be without your printer, copier and fax whilst the unit is with the repairer.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about what they would recommend for your specific printing needs.

Onboard the Universal Serial Bus

2007-10-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

Universal Serial Bus (or USB) has rapidly become the standard for connecting devices to your computer. In fact, many computers no longer ship with a floppy disk drive as standard, but will have at least one USB port. USB connectors are used by input devices (mice, keyboards, scanners, digital cameras), output devices (portable CD writers, printers), storage devices (external hard disk drives, flash or USB memory keys/sticks) and even decorations and novelty items such as mobile phone chargers, flashing light snowmen, coffee cup warmers and mini reading lights.

This month we take a look at some of the things to look for in the USB world.

Plugs and cables

Not all USB plugs are created equal. It’s likely that your computer will accept ‘type A’ plugs, but the other end that plugs into your camera or printer may be a ‘type B’, a ‘mini’ or a ‘micro’ USB plug. Ensure that your cable has the correct plugs for your device on both ends. And if your USB cable seems a little short, you can buy extension cables but you may need a special ‘booster’ if you want to go over 5 metres or 15 feet.

Power

Devices can draw a low power current through a 5 volt supply to the USB connection; however this may not be sufficient for high powered devices like external hard drives. Multiple USB devices on one computer can experience performance problems and errors if their combined power requirement is too great. ‘Powered hubs’ are available which provide additional USB connections and an external power source, though some devices may still need their own power supply (e.g. printers).

Storage

After starting out with a capacity of 4 floppy disks, USB storage devices (‘flash’ drives or USB keys) can now hold over 4,000 times that amount, with capacities currently hitting 16 GB. Flash drive designs range from options like lanyard attachments to crystal studded drives that can be worn as jewellery. But if you are worried about transporting your important files on such a small, easily lost device, consider security features like encryption or a fingerprint reader.

Many MP3 players are now the size of a flash drive and provide song file storage through their USB connection, but also have special software installed to allow the song files to be played.

Speed

Like a traditional hard disk drive, flash drive performances can vary so if you are transferring large amounts of data you will want a fast read and write speed. A fast speed also allows you to use your flash drive as extra memory for Windows Vista, speeding up the performance of your PC when you need it. Readyboost won’t work on slower performing flash drives.

Also, make sure your computer and all USB devices adhere to the more recent ‘USB 2.0’ standard, which has a faster transfer rate than the original ‘USB 1.1’ specification.

Contact your local Computer Troubleshooter and find out how to get the best from your USB devices.

The Genuine Article

2007-09-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

The Internet is full of deals for cheap computer software, but you may not receive a unique, genuine software license. Is there any harm in installing copied or pirated software that is a fraction of the normal retail price or borrowed from your friend? How can you tell if it is a genuine, legal software product? This month we explore how pirated software can affect you and how to avoid it.

Consequences

Hidden surprises – In a recent IDG report, 25% of the web sites studied offering pirated Windows software also attempted to install spyware or Trojan software to comprise the security of your systems.

Reduced functionality – Many of the key features in Windows Vista are disabled if a valid license key has not been entered, e.g. the visual Windows Aero interface and the performance-enhancing ReadyBoost USB feature. If a genuine license is not activated, the computer will go into reduced functionality mode, with no desktop, no start menu or task bar and access only to the web browser for 1 hour periods.

No support or upgrades – Product support from the manufacturer and some software upgrades (e.g. Internet Explorer 7) are only available with a genuine license.

Legal action – Companies like Microsoft take this issue very seriously and regularly gather evidence and file legal proceedings against those who infringe on their software copyrights. Without a genuine license, your possession of the software is also counted as a breach of the copyright protection laws.

How to tell

Reputable reseller – Computer Troubleshooters are committed to honest, ethical business practices and will only sell and install genuine, legal software products.

Media – With most software purchases you should receive a CD or DVD. Check any product-specific security features such as holographic labels. If the software was pre-installed on your new computer, you may get a ‘Recovery’ CD branded with your PC manufacturer’s name. Note: Pre-installed Microsoft Office 2007 can now ship with a ‘Medialess License Kit’ with no CD present.

Certificate of Authenticity – Genuine Microsoft software is shipped with a bar code label on the packaging or on your computer. Ensure that it is intact and does not show signs of being tampered with.

Versions – Manufacturers price their products according to their target market, so you may find a cheaper price on ‘Home’ or ‘Student and Teacher’ versions. Make sure you are purchasing the correct version for your intended use and that you comply with any rules in the license agreement, including how many computers your software can be installed on.

If in doubt – check with the manufacturer. They are more than happy to answer your questions to ensure you are getting a genuine product for your money. Their website may also have additional information on what to look for (e.g. www.microsoft.com/howtotell)

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about reviewing your current computer software and ensuring you have sufficient genuine, legal licenses. An internal audit now may save you the heartache of legal action or fines in the future.

Troubleshooting Your Computer

2007-08-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

If you are a regular computer user, you may be very proficient at emailing, surfing the Internet and writing letters, but may not know where to start if your computer has a problem. This month, we’ll let you in on some of the questions we use to find the clues to your technology issues.

Do you have a backup of your important files?

This is the first question because it is the most important. Even if your problem seems minor, it is a good idea to ensure your files are protected, in case things get any worse. At a minimum, burn your photos and accounting files to a CD or DVD and make sure you can then read them. If you are taking regular backups, check them now to make sure you can read the information on them.

Can you reproduce the problem?

Can you get the same result on demand, or is the problem intermittent? When the problem recurs, does it have exactly the same symptoms (e.g. the wording of any error messages)? It’s also important to write down any errors in their entirety – an exact phrase or error code can help us greatly to find the cause.

Does it happen for everyone, or just you?

Don’t take this personally, but if you have multiple computers, does everyone experience the same problem? Or if there is only one computer, does it have multiple ‘user accounts’ (people that can log onto it), and does everyone get the same error? Problems can be isolated to just one computer or even one set of personal, local settings on one computer.

When did it last work?

Has the problem appeared suddenly and just recently, or has it been getting progressively worse over a period of time?

Has anything changed?

A lot of troubleshooting is based on the ‘what’s changed’ game, looking at what is different now compared to when things were working. Has any new software been installed or any new hardware devices added (e.g. printers, digital cameras)? Have there been any changes in the environmental conditions (e.g. a heat wave, cold snap, flooding or power surges)?

Has anyone been downloading free games and music?

A lot of free things on the Internet can contain unexpected, nasty surprises, or these can be bundled in the file sharing software you’ve used to acquire your freebies. Also, if you now have a rather large collection of digital music or photos, you may be running out of space on your hard disk.

Is your scanning software up to date and has it been run recently?

Having an installed set of software tools to protect your computer from infections (like viruses, spyware and adware) is the first step, but they must be kept up-to-date and run on a regular basis. Even if your software is fully automated, check to make sure it is functioning and hasn’t encountered any major problems itself (e.g. expired licenses). Sometimes protection software can report as having eliminated an infection, but the collateral damage may still leave you with a problem.

Does your computer have the latest software updates?

Software manufacturers release patches and updates regularly, as they are made aware of problems. See if your software has a ‘check for updates’ feature, in both your operating system and your applications (e.g. Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader etc).

Collect as much information as you can about the problem, and anything else you think may be related, and talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter. They will be very impressed if you have a diary of your computer’s history as it makes it much easier to diagnose the patient’s illness.

5 Tips to Reduce Recovery Time from a Problem

2007-07-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

There are some things you can do now, to help reduce the time and effort it takes to recover from a computer problem, such as:

1. Keep all of your technology documentation, software CDs and licenses together in a convenient location.

2. Upgrade your technology regularly. Underlying technology components have changed drastically from Windows 95 to Windows XP and Vista, and some problems may have been ‘engineered’ out. Often it can take longer and be more expensive to find a solution to a problem on an older system when compared with upgrading to the latest software version. Many manufacturers (including Microsoft) no longer provide support or fixes for ‘end of life’ older systems and, as they are not as prevalent anymore, troubleshooting information can be hard to source.

3. Make sure you have Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software installed and regularly updated – the majority of preventable problems we see today are related to virus or spyware infections.

4. Backup your data regularly and test that you can read your backups. Recovering data from a ‘crashed’ hard drive is an expensive and uncertain process, whereas replacing a hard drive and restoring your backed up data can be relatively simple and easy.

5. Consider using a proactive monitoring system such as Computer Troubleshooter’s Business Enhanced Support Technology (B.E.S.T), or Home Office Support Technology (H.O.S.T.), to monitor your technology for signs of impending problems. Then your Troubleshooter can be automatically notified and can take action BEFORE problems happen.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about how you can improve your computer recovery options now, before problems occur.

Consumer Reports Survey

2007-06-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

If you have received this newsletter, you may already be a customer of Computer Troubleshooters – and according to the June 2007 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, that makes you a pretty smart person.

Consumer Reports surveyed over 23,000 computer users and created a picture of what computer support is really like today. They asked questions about how effective each computer support provider was at resolving the problem, pricing and general satisfaction.

First up was support from manufacturers, such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Most manufacturers offer some level of free support, at least during the computer’s warranty period. Not surprisingly, the free support was the lowest ranked of all computer support sources – according to the survey, the free support was only able to resolve the problem a mere 53% of the time. Paid manufacturer support, both from “premium” support lines as well as extended warranties, was only slightly better at 62%.

Next Consumer Reports looked at data regarding what they called “independent” services, which included services from large retail chains (such as Geek Squad or Firedog in the US), and also non-affiliated, truly independent providers and franchises like Computer Troubleshooters. Both types of “independents” scored really well when compared to manufacturers. Retail-based services were able to resolve 84% of the problems on Windows-based PCs. Their pricing was fairly high though, often double or triple the rates charged by the non-affiliated service providers.

The non-affiliated provider category included single-location stores, online repair services and franchises like Computer Troubleshooters. Hands down we performed the best, resolving problems more than 93% of the time, and usually being much less expensive than the other paid options.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about how you too can get the best computer service for less.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Part 2)

2007-05-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

Last month we looked at how we could reduce the environmental impact of our technology usage. This month we continue the theme, with suggestions on components that can be re-used or recycled.

Re-use ..

… your current technology: If your computer has slowed down, think about your options before you throw it out the door and rush to by a new one.

Off to the mechanic: A software ‘tune-up’ may help to improve your computer’s performance. Your local Computer Troubleshooter can remove unnecessary temporary files and fine tune settings to help your computer run more efficiently.

Bits and pieces: You may be able to upgrade some of the individual components inside your computer, instead of needing to purchase a new, complete system. Extra memory (RAM) or a faster processor may make a significant difference and be cheaper on your wallet.

Software versus hardware: Software like Microsoft’s “Terminal Services” may allow you to run newer, more intense software programs on older computers, without needing to upgrade them. There are some considerations to this (for example, you will need a Server computer) but it could be worthwhile if you have a significant number of older desktop computers.

One person’s trash: Who else can use your old technology? If you have to replace your hardware to keep up with the latest version of your business software, it might be perfectly suitable for a student who wants to write documents and browse the Internet. See if there are any groups in your area who clean up old computers and redistribute them to people who need them.

… your paper: How many more uses can you find for your waste paper before it ends up in a rubbish bin?

Pack it up: Shredded paper makes great packing material for items being posted or transported in an office move or house move.

Furry friends: Local pet shops can’t get enough shredded paper to ensure a nice, clean stay for their animals.

Note the other side: If your printer can only print on one side, use the reverse, blank side of any unneeded documents to write your grocery list or provide drawing paper for your children. Cut a sheet up into 4 smaller squares and keep by your telephone for writing down any messages.

Recycle ..

… your waste paper: It is good business practice to shred any printed documents containing sensitive information (customer details, financial projections etc). But what happens to your shredded paper? Many companies now offer recycling services for paper and cardboard, if it’s not already part of your standard local waste collection.

… old computer hardware: Before it becomes destined for land fill, see if anyone if your area offers recycling or safe disposal of computer parts.

… ink and toner cartridges:. These components can leak dangerous chemicals and should be disposed of safely. Many recycling programs can separate the inks and plastics, sending the plastics on to be used in objects like road barriers and park benches.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about your options for reusing or recycling your computing technology.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Part 1)

2007-04-01T20:00:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wondered how we are impacting the environment through our growing reliance on technology? Personal computers in our homes have added to our daily personal consumption of paper, electricity and chemicals. Here are the first of our tips for reducing technology’s contribution to global warming, or maybe just reducing your power bill.

Reduce ..

… your power consumption: Whilst your power bill shows the impact of your technology on your wallet, what you can’t see is the environmental impact of producing that power.

Goodbye, screen saver: Screen savers were designed as a moving image to prevent a still picture from being ‘burnt into’ a monitor, after being displayed for too long. Instead, consider setting your computer to turn off your monitor after a period of inactivity.

Standby modes: Most commonly found in printers, some technology components can be set to ‘sleep’ or ‘standby’ when they are not actively being used, using less power.

Power off: Standby modes still consume power however, so physically turn your technology off at the wall at night when you leave the office, if possible.

If your computers run processes like backups after you’ve left, schedule them to shut down automatically later in the evening.

Consider setting up your power boards so devices that can be powered off overnight are on one circuit.

Note: Some computer monitoring and updating processes require your computers to be on at all times. You can turn off the monitor screens, but check with your local Computer Troubleshooter about shutting down your PCs at night.

Energy efficient devices: When purchasing technology, check out the device’s power consumption ratings and power saving modes.

If available, choose a device with an ‘Energy Star’ label. This was introduced in the USA to show consumers that an appliance had met certain energy efficiency standards, and has been licensed for use in other countries including Japan, Australia and the European Union.

LCD monitors have been shown to require approximately half the power of traditional old CRT style monitors. Now you have a great reason to upgrade to a ‘flat’ screen, apart from the fact that they look great.

… your travel: Transportation continues to be a major contributor to carbon emissions around the world. Fortunately, technology now allows you to share files with remote locations and even use audio and video across Internet links. Consider if you can work remotely or participate in a computer-based video conference, rather than booking that plane ticket.

… your paper consumption: Is the ‘paperless’ office really possible? How many documents appear on your computer screen via email, only to be printed out?

Consider generating electronic invoices and emailing them to your customers.

Use a printer with a double-sided (or ‘duplex') feature, to halve your paper consumption by printing on both sides of the sheet.

Use the ‘editing’ or ‘mark-up’ functions in your word processor to highlight and comment within documents on your screen and then email them back to the writer.

Train yourself to read as much as possible on your computer screen. Our natural inclination is to print a large document to read it, as we are used to a paper-based world.

Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter about making your technology more environmentally friendly. Next month, we’ll look at what you can reuse or recycle.

Computer Anatomy 101

2007-03-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever tried to compare the features of two computers? What is more important – a bigger hard disk or a faster processor? Will adding more hard disk space make your computer faster? To answer these questions, you need some understanding of what the components of your computer actually do. Here is a quick guide to the anatomy of your computer.

Processor (CPU – central processing unit) – How fast you can calculate and do things: This is the brain of your computer. If you can quickly work out how much change you would have from $27.50 if you spent $8.96, you have a fast processor. The CPU also interprets the instructions you give your computer and then tells the other components what they need to do to action your request.

Memory (RAM – random access memory) - How fast you can recall recent events and how many you can recall: This provides the short-term storage of information, just like your short-term memory. It knows what you are currently working on. More memory equals better multi-tasking – e.g. talking on the phone whilst emptying the washing machine or displaying an email whilst printing a document. Retrieving information that is being held in the memory is faster than opening something from your hard disk’s long term storage. When you open a document, your computer loads it in the memory so it is faster for you to work on. The downside to this is that the long term storage is only updated with your changes when you save your document. Information in the memory is completely erased when the power goes off or sometimes if your computer ‘crashes’.

Hard disk (or hard drive) - How many older events you can recall: This is the long-term storage for your files and settings. A child’s long-term storage of memories would take up less disk space than an adult’s, as we have more experiences ‘saved on our hard disk’. Your computer’s hard disk is a certain size and can fill up and run out of space if you don’t delete anything.

Browsing websites also saves ‘temporary’ files on your hard disk, which may not be deleted automatically. If you decide to delete some items to free up some disk space, just be careful that they are old report drafts and not critical Windows system files.

Motherboard – How your body parts communicate with your brain: Your ‘central nervous system’ is how your brain tells the muscles in your legs to contract so they move and you walk. This large electrical circuit board in your computer is responsible for sending electrical signals to and from every component. Everything plugs into it, either inside your computer case or through ‘ports’ that stick out of the case but are actually on the motherboard. Problems with your motherboard can cause those signals to get lost or become corrupted, resulting in erratic performance from your computer.

Graphics and sound – Your eyes and voice: The sound from your computer and the display on your screen may be handled directly by your motherboard, or processed by individual ‘cards’ plugged into your motherboard. Cards can be replaced with newer, improved models, which is like getting glasses or taking singing lessons. The graphics card you choose will determine if your screen can only show flat cartoons (2D) or vibrant images which seem to have depth (3D). It will also influence if your computer can keep up with changes to the images on your display (e.g. when playing games or editing videos).

So, a larger hard disk will increase the number of things your computer can remember long-term, but won’t necessarily make it faster to open documents. As technology changes and improves each component, it can be hard to determine what you really need for your particular situation. Talk to your local Computer Troubleshooter who can further translate the latest technology jargon into something meaningful.

5 Tips Why Periodic Tune-Ups are Important

2007-02-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Period maintenance is just as important for your computer as is it for your car. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Disk Clutter: As you perform tasks on your computer (like browsing the Internet), a trail of ‘temporary’ files are left behind, so your computer can access your information faster the second time around. Unfortunately, these are often not cleaned up again and the pile of temporary files grows bigger, taking up valuable space on your hard disk.

2. Disk Fragmentation: How does your paper filing cabinet look? Is everything logically stored and labeled, or it is messy, with documents stuffed in wherever you could find room? You’d agree that it’s much quicker to retrieve documents from a tidy filing cabinet. The physical storage of files on your computer can get messy too, slowing down the time it takes to open them.

3. Critical Updates: We all know how buggy Computer Software can be. It is critical to the health of your computer to keep your software up to date and avoid crashes and security leaks. It is also tricky determining what updates are safe and which ones to avoid. Contact your local Computer Troubleshooter for advice.

4. System files maintenance: Start-up files and the Registry (the hidden boss of Windows) fill up with useless stuff that can slowdown your computer or cause system freezes and other problems.

5. Intermittent or unnoticed hardware issues: These can turn into painful outages if left unattended. All hardware fails, it is just a matter of when, not if. Fortunately, there are ways to detect if a minor problem are lurking and it is important to address these sooner rather than latter. A simple software driver upgrade or a hardware component replacement may be all it takes to prevent a computer crash and extend the life of your computer.

Address little problems before they become big ones. If you notice a minor problem with your computer, call your local Computer Troubleshooter. It can be significantly more cost-effective to fix a minor problem right away, than waiting for it to compound and then require major work. Make a note of the details of any problems, including what you were doing at the time and the exact wording of error messages. This can help speed-up our troubleshooting process, as we follow your trail of ‘clues’ to help us determine the source of the problem.

Call your local Computer Troubleshooter to discuss whether it is time for a tune-up.

Are Your Kids Safe on the Internet?

2007-01-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Over 72% of all Home Computers are Vulnerable to one or more of the following:

Viruses and Spyware – Can impact your PC’s performance and in the worse cases, steal your passwords, credit cards and personal information.

Spammers, Phishers, Pharmers and Scammers – Can make misleading or deceptive claims and con you or your kids into giving out personal or banking information which can result in major $$$ loses.

Hackers, Zombies and Bots – Can gain unauthorized access to you or your kid’s computer and steal personal or banking information or use your computer to send Spam or attack other computers.

Porn – Pornography is the Internet’s #1 business – more profitable than Google, Yahoo and EBay combined. Statistics show that teens are first exposed to internet pornography around age 14; though some say it may be younger. There are many free porn websites that are frequently the source of Spyware and rouge dialers which can make expensive international long distance calls without your knowledge.

Predators – One in three children are sexually solicited online each year. Social networks, chat rooms and IM are frequently the starting point of these dangerous relationships. Myspace, Xanga, Facebook, Flickr, del.icio.us and many others now provide easy access to useful information about potential “targets”.

Identity Theft – Occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. The Internet is often utilized to collect your personal information using many of the tools of the trade listed above. Your privacy is at risk as well.

Call your local Computer Troubleshooter today to see if your computers (and your kids) are safe on the Internet.