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Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
"Danger! Danger! Will Robinson"
We've written before about various e-mail scams to get to 'click here' and make you wish you hadn't... Most of us know that there are "Ethiopian" money scams. But the latest and nastiest are:
Both of these viral scams have had a variety of results ... None of them pleasant. It's really a shame that a growing amount of my business is undoing these avoidable scams for nice people. Be warned, and be careful about clicking ANYTHING in e-mails you weren't expecting to get. Your bank, your brokerage firm, shipping companies and your friends don't operate this way, so be careful out there.
- CraigsList Verifier - The way this one works is to LOOK as if it's from the CraigsList people, asking you to verify your 'membership' and click here to avoid a scam. Devious, but effective. Tens of thousands have clicked the link.
- Shipping Company Delivery - From 'FedEX' or the like...Hey, you WANT to get your delivery, right? Even though you can't remember having ordered anything? Well, just click the link and...and you're screwed! Sorry, but there's no nice way to put it. This was NOT a note from a shipping company.
Both of these viral scams have had a variety of results ... None of them pleasant. It's really a shame that a growing amount of my business is undoing these avoidable scams for nice people. Be warned, and be careful about clicking ANYTHING in e-mails you weren't expecting to get. Your bank, your brokerage firm, shipping companies and your friends don't operate this way, so be careful out there.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Another bite of the APPLE? The IPad
What IS this thing called IPad? A keyboard-less Netbook on steroids? A two-handed IPod? Something more? Something....less?
Though the jury is out and it's much too soon to pass definite judgment on Apple's latest release it IS noteworthy, if for no other reason than Apple has never put this much power for sale at such a competitive price.
The biggest shake up is the lack of a keyboard, or rather the use of an on-screen touch keyboard. Apple is certainly king of touch experience though Sony gave that market a shake last year with its Vaio offerings. But all the touch features that made the IPhone so cool are present in the IPad.
I suspect anyone who takes a trip to an Apple store to check these babies out will love them or hate them, but the tablet market is still in search of a customer base and the IPad may be ahead of its time. Or, perhaps its like caviar...an acquired taste. But if you're a gadget hound like me you just want to PLAY with it....for hours....on...end!
Though the jury is out and it's much too soon to pass definite judgment on Apple's latest release it IS noteworthy, if for no other reason than Apple has never put this much power for sale at such a competitive price.
The biggest shake up is the lack of a keyboard, or rather the use of an on-screen touch keyboard. Apple is certainly king of touch experience though Sony gave that market a shake last year with its Vaio offerings. But all the touch features that made the IPhone so cool are present in the IPad.
I suspect anyone who takes a trip to an Apple store to check these babies out will love them or hate them, but the tablet market is still in search of a customer base and the IPad may be ahead of its time. Or, perhaps its like caviar...an acquired taste. But if you're a gadget hound like me you just want to PLAY with it....for hours....on...end!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Hurry Up!
One of the most common complaints by PC users, right after "I think I have a virus!", is "My computer has become soooo slow". Uh huh. They do that.
But the GOOD news is it's like highly fixable. The first place to start is to know what's loading on your computer every time you start up and then eliminate the ones that you don't absoltively need! It's not difficult, really, but for the non-techno minded you'll probably want to call a tech in for help. Takes about an hour to do a tune up and shouldn't cost more than 65-75$.
The second thing you can do is evaluate the cost of adding more RAM memory. Prices on RAM have been really low in the last 6 months, so less than 100$ can many times double, or even four-ple, your memory greatly speeding up your computer's thought process. Putting in new RAM is only a little tougher than plugging in a light bulb, but again, if you need help we do that, too.
Call or write us (503) 530-6623 markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
But the GOOD news is it's like highly fixable. The first place to start is to know what's loading on your computer every time you start up and then eliminate the ones that you don't absoltively need! It's not difficult, really, but for the non-techno minded you'll probably want to call a tech in for help. Takes about an hour to do a tune up and shouldn't cost more than 65-75$.
The second thing you can do is evaluate the cost of adding more RAM memory. Prices on RAM have been really low in the last 6 months, so less than 100$ can many times double, or even four-ple, your memory greatly speeding up your computer's thought process. Putting in new RAM is only a little tougher than plugging in a light bulb, but again, if you need help we do that, too.
Call or write us (503) 530-6623 markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
Friday, January 15, 2010
What the Heck are you DOING?
What are you doing with your computer? E-Mail, probably. Maybe a letter now and then. Search the internet? Almost for sure you're searching the net...But what ELSE?
Some folks are doing one of these things, too. But add your favorite thing to the list by posting a comment at the bottom:
Some folks are doing one of these things, too. But add your favorite thing to the list by posting a comment at the bottom:
- Finding a Restaurant (Using yelp.com or some such)
- Listening to music streams at Pandora.com
- Using Google for find Hotel accommodations or fun Bed & Breakfast places
- Creating a FREE blog to share their thoughts...Hey, it's easy if you start at Blogspot.com
- Downloading and installing free Picasa to organize and modify pictures on your PC
- And what about Twitter? You don't need a fancy phone to keep up with what's going on...
- Then of course maybe it's time to give Facebook a try. I know you said you wouldn't but...
- Oh...wait...don't know how to DO any of this? Visit Youtube.com and type in 'how do I ...'
- Oh and are you up on the news? New York Times maybe?
- And wouldn't it be nice to know the weather in Timbuktoo?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Desperately seeking.....Computing Nirvana!
Most of my clients (people in YOUR neighborhood) come to me with various technology related issues, but the all have one thing in common. They eventually got tired of having their problems plague them, they just wanted things to WORK and they wanted someone to rescue them.
Hey, we all want to be rescued, don't we? Thank goodness there are experts who can make our pain stop and allow us to get our lives back. And we ask ourselves "Why did we wait so long to call? Was all that suffering necessary?"
Well, I have a theory on that....some say I have a theory on everything. My theory tells me that people need to go through whatever it is they do to bring them to the point of understanding what it is they need to do next. Simply, yes? But folks don't call me till that happens. Some suffer terribly before they get to the point where they reach out to an 'expert'. Once they do, though, they feel liberated! It's freeing to give your problems over to someone who has the skills that you've discovered you lack; someone who can make the frustration go away and make things work again.
That's what I do....make headaches go away...restore functionality and allow people to enjoy their lives again; instead of stumbling over technology once again they become the master and the tools bend to their command.
Oh so it sounds grandiose, eh? Then you, my friend, are not yet at that point. But you will be. I WILL be. We all will need someone to help us through a tough time. But when it's your computing tools, smart phone or software issues making you pull your hair out...call me!
Hey, we all want to be rescued, don't we? Thank goodness there are experts who can make our pain stop and allow us to get our lives back. And we ask ourselves "Why did we wait so long to call? Was all that suffering necessary?"
Well, I have a theory on that....some say I have a theory on everything. My theory tells me that people need to go through whatever it is they do to bring them to the point of understanding what it is they need to do next. Simply, yes? But folks don't call me till that happens. Some suffer terribly before they get to the point where they reach out to an 'expert'. Once they do, though, they feel liberated! It's freeing to give your problems over to someone who has the skills that you've discovered you lack; someone who can make the frustration go away and make things work again.
That's what I do....make headaches go away...restore functionality and allow people to enjoy their lives again; instead of stumbling over technology once again they become the master and the tools bend to their command.
Oh so it sounds grandiose, eh? Then you, my friend, are not yet at that point. But you will be. I WILL be. We all will need someone to help us through a tough time. But when it's your computing tools, smart phone or software issues making you pull your hair out...call me!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Logmein.com Makes PC/Mac repair easy and quick
I have quite a few clients now who when they call me and wish to schedule a repair appointment find that I can help them without having to disrupt THEIR schedules by accessing their computer(s) from my computer or IPhone. Many repairs are very immediate and don't require the client to be available. Nice for you; great for me. And, it brings down the cost of a repair! Now isn't THAT nice?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Blogging without a PC
Oh yes, it's possible, as I just found out when I left home and forgot my laptop power cord. The world doesn't end... It just sort of bends!
So, a quick search of the iPhone app store uncovers several choices for adding to your blogsite on the fly. This article is proof it works... Or WILL be proof after I push send.
Wanna know more on this subject? Drop me a line...
So, a quick search of the iPhone app store uncovers several choices for adding to your blogsite on the fly. This article is proof it works... Or WILL be proof after I push send.
Wanna know more on this subject? Drop me a line...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
NetBooks...I forgot NetBooks!
I said I'd recommend a NetBook and I like totally forgot! So sorry. Here it is...
First a disclaimer...NetBooks are NOT for everyone. They have a more cramped keyboard and a small screen that isn't suited to some folks, and those with failing eyesight (read that as 50 years old or over) may find it a handicap. Having said all this...They ARE the HOT THING for folks that just do word processing and internet/e-mail.
PC World Magazine likes the Asus EeePC 1000HE ($399) and I can see why. Beyond its attractive price, though there are lighter NoteBooks, at 3.2 lbs its no problem to lug around. Battery life is over 7 hours on a full charge, which is 'killer' good to airline travelers. Trust me though, you WON'T want to stare at a 10" screen for 7 hours.
NoteBooks aren't known for speed, but this one moves along at a respectable clip. General design is good.
If you MUST have cheap, small, light, with long battery life and l can recommend this unit.
A second choice might be the Acer Aspire One AOD150 ($349). The unit weighs a little less and as only a slightly shorter battery life.
Either of these two units should make a NetBook shopper happy.
First a disclaimer...NetBooks are NOT for everyone. They have a more cramped keyboard and a small screen that isn't suited to some folks, and those with failing eyesight (read that as 50 years old or over) may find it a handicap. Having said all this...They ARE the HOT THING for folks that just do word processing and internet/e-mail.
PC World Magazine likes the Asus EeePC 1000HE ($399) and I can see why. Beyond its attractive price, though there are lighter NoteBooks, at 3.2 lbs its no problem to lug around. Battery life is over 7 hours on a full charge, which is 'killer' good to airline travelers. Trust me though, you WON'T want to stare at a 10" screen for 7 hours.
NoteBooks aren't known for speed, but this one moves along at a respectable clip. General design is good.
If you MUST have cheap, small, light, with long battery life and l can recommend this unit.
A second choice might be the Acer Aspire One AOD150 ($349). The unit weighs a little less and as only a slightly shorter battery life.
Either of these two units should make a NetBook shopper happy.
Latop Recommendaions for the Average Joe (Or Josephine)
Well picking a laptop for 'Joe Average User' is a bit like kissing one's sister....not the most pleasant to contemplate but every now and then, necessary.
What most of us can buy off the retail shelf these days is greatly limited by the virtual (tongue in cheek) collapse of computer retailers like CompUSA and a host of others. I've ALWAYS preferred to specify my computers from the manufacturers any way; customer service as a selling point at Best Buy or Frys is grossly exaggerated.
Priorities here are for keeping the cost down without buying a computer which will be obsolete in 12 months. (NOTE: Software, such as the rather critical Microsoft Office Home/Student was NOT included and would add another 125-150 of cost. No additional warranties were added as they run a lot, but are worth a lot to be honest, if one is forward thinking. So many things can go wrong with a laptop).
So quick to the point, two systems I'd recommend for people I actually LIKE and hope to see again sometime would be:
Dell Latitude E5500 $808
Intel Core duo T7250 Processor (2 GHz, 2M L2 Cache, 800 MHz)
15.4 Inch Screen (I like the smaller 14", but the Average Joe often has failing eyesight!)
Operating System Software: Windows Vista Business SP1 (This was my upgrade preference)
RAM Memory 3 GHz DDR2 2 DIIMS ... Folks this is NO place to scrimp!
250 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (I like the 7200 RPM better, but $$$ rules it out)
Optical Drive 8X DVD+/-RW This will do anything I can think of
Wireless Card Dell 1510 802.11 a/g/n (Yeah, its an upgrade but its current technology)
Integrated web cam
6 Cell Battery (Again, a 9 Cell would be better, but money, money, money...)
OR you could get and its almost as good...
Lenovo (IBM) ThinkPad SL500 $659
Intel Core Duo T6570 Processor (2.1 GHz 800 MHz, @MBL2)
Operating System Software: Windows Vista Home Basic (Used Vista Business on system above)
15.4 Inch Screen (I like the smaller 14", as I said above)
RAM Memory 3 GHz DDR2 2 DIIMS ... Folks, I say again, this is NO place to scrimp!
160 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (the 250 GB above is probably overkill)
Optical Drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Not as good as the Dell system; good enough for most
Wireless Card Intel WIMax/WiFi 5150 802.11 a/g/n (again, upgrade; performance is worth it)
Integrated web cam
6 Cell Battery
So would I go for the cheaper system for a customer? Probably yes. There's nothing in the Dell that would be missed that much in the Lenovo. Maybe I'd add Vista business which would get them closer together in price. But remember, you're STILL gonna be out 150 for MS Office software.
Happy computing!
What most of us can buy off the retail shelf these days is greatly limited by the virtual (tongue in cheek) collapse of computer retailers like CompUSA and a host of others. I've ALWAYS preferred to specify my computers from the manufacturers any way; customer service as a selling point at Best Buy or Frys is grossly exaggerated.
Priorities here are for keeping the cost down without buying a computer which will be obsolete in 12 months. (NOTE: Software, such as the rather critical Microsoft Office Home/Student was NOT included and would add another 125-150 of cost. No additional warranties were added as they run a lot, but are worth a lot to be honest, if one is forward thinking. So many things can go wrong with a laptop).
So quick to the point, two systems I'd recommend for people I actually LIKE and hope to see again sometime would be:
Dell Latitude E5500 $808
Intel Core duo T7250 Processor (2 GHz, 2M L2 Cache, 800 MHz)
15.4 Inch Screen (I like the smaller 14", but the Average Joe often has failing eyesight!)
Operating System Software: Windows Vista Business SP1 (This was my upgrade preference)
RAM Memory 3 GHz DDR2 2 DIIMS ... Folks this is NO place to scrimp!
250 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (I like the 7200 RPM better, but $$$ rules it out)
Optical Drive 8X DVD+/-RW This will do anything I can think of
Wireless Card Dell 1510 802.11 a/g/n (Yeah, its an upgrade but its current technology)
Integrated web cam
6 Cell Battery (Again, a 9 Cell would be better, but money, money, money...)
OR you could get and its almost as good...
Lenovo (IBM) ThinkPad SL500 $659
Intel Core Duo T6570 Processor (2.1 GHz 800 MHz, @MBL2)
Operating System Software: Windows Vista Home Basic (Used Vista Business on system above)
15.4 Inch Screen (I like the smaller 14", as I said above)
RAM Memory 3 GHz DDR2 2 DIIMS ... Folks, I say again, this is NO place to scrimp!
160 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (the 250 GB above is probably overkill)
Optical Drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Not as good as the Dell system; good enough for most
Wireless Card Intel WIMax/WiFi 5150 802.11 a/g/n (again, upgrade; performance is worth it)
Integrated web cam
6 Cell Battery
So would I go for the cheaper system for a customer? Probably yes. There's nothing in the Dell that would be missed that much in the Lenovo. Maybe I'd add Vista business which would get them closer together in price. But remember, you're STILL gonna be out 150 for MS Office software.
Happy computing!
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