The Desert Computer Tutor

Category: Computers

  • See Your Computer on “The Big Screen”

    Have you ever wished you could see your computer screen on a TV?  Would you like to see emails, web pages, photos slideshows, YouTube videos and movies on a big screen or display presentations for your business?

    Well you can….and it can be pretty simple and inexpensive to set up.

    The simplest method is Chromecast because you don’t have to know about ports and screen resolution settings.

    chromeCast

    A $35 Chromecast plugs into the TV and connects it to your Wi-Fi network. Then you can see video, images and pages from the Chrome web browser from any computer, smartphone or tablet that’s also on the network.  This is a very inexpensive solution and very easy to set up.  You can use Chromecast with a Mac too.  You will just need to use the chrome browser instead of Safari when connected to the TV.

    If you want to see everything on your computer rather than just what’s shown in Google Chrome, you can do a direct connection.

    DIRECT CONNECTION

    There are four kinds of ports for direct connections.  HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI and VGA.

    All newer TVs have HDMI, and that’s the one you ideally want to use because it supports HD (high definition).

    Unfortunately, many computers don’t support HDMI

    Computers that don’t have HDMI, will have either DVI or DisplayPort. If your computer has one of these, you can get an adapter to connect it to the HDMI port on your TV.

    Inexpensive computers might have only VGA and it cannot do HD (high definition) images so you might want to use a better computer if you plan to stream movies online.

    GETTING THE RESOLUTION RIGHT

    Modern computers should be smart enough to figure out the right resolution, when you plug into a TV, especially if you’re using the HDMI port.

    However, if you’re using an adapter or an older version of Windows, it might have to adjust the resolution.

    Right-click on the computer desktop and select “Screen Resolution.” Select the TV and change the Resolution to 1920×1080 (unless you’re using a smaller or older TV, in which case it might be 1280×720).

    You might be tempted to push the resolution higher, but don’t. Not only will it look terrible but a higher resolution actually makes everything on the screen look smaller.

    video calls

    PICKING A TV SIZE 

    If you’re going to use a TV in a larger room, you want to make sure it’s easy to see. This handy chart will give you an idea of the size you’ll want based on the room length.

    Distance Minimum size Maximum size
    6 feet 24-inch screen 36-inch screen
    8 feet 32-inch screen 48-inch screen
    10 feet 40-inch screen 60-inch screen
    12 feet 48-inch screen 72-inch screen

    Even with a large TV, you might still have a hard time seeing smaller computer text from a distance. You can use CTRL + + (plus sign) in most programs to zoom in text and images. CTRL + – (minus sign) zooms back out, and CTRL + 0 (zero) resets the zoom. This is a great trick for watching on your regular computer monitor as well.

    CONTROLLING THE COMPUTER

    You can use a wired mouse and keyboard, but it’s more convenient to use a wireless mouse and keyboard so you can pass it around or give it to whomever is running a meeting in your office.

    Be sure everyone knows how to turn off the mouse when it isn’t in use so you don’t waste the batteries. For business use, you might keep several on hand so you don’t have to interrupt a meeting to change batteries.

    If you need help doing any of this, just call me for an appointment.  760-348-8867

    If you have found this information helpful, please share it with others and encourage them to contact me to receive my Techie Tips on a regular basis.

    Enjoy!

    Mardi

  • Best Way To Backup Your Computer and Mobile Devices

    Cloud Computing Diagram

    Do you have a backup strategy for your computer and mobile devices in the event of a catastrophe?  Are you wondering about the easiest and least expensive way to do it?

    I recently received an email from a client with questions like these and I thought you would like to know my recommendations….

    “Is iDrive the best cloud storage company?  The cost is $45/year and it says it’s for all devices.  Is there a cloud storage system that automatically updates my iPhone and PC?  I pay Apple for extra storage and it still is not enough….and I have an external hard drive for my PC back-up.”

    External hard drives can fail just like internal hard drives and won’t do you any good if burned in a fire or stolen.  You still need to have a cloud backup.

    IDrive Online BackupI like iDrive the best.  The $45/yr. includes 1T (terabyte) of storage, which is more than enough for most people, and it includes backups of mobile devices.

    Carbonite is also good but doesn’t include mobile devices.  It’s 59.99 for unlimited backup.  So if you need lots of storage and don’t have a smartphone or tablet to back up, this would be the best option.

    It’s gets a little more complicated when you are using devices from two different companies, like an Apple phone and a Microsoft PC.  An iPhone backs up to iCloud but a PC doesn’t.

    If you have an Apple computer and an iPhone and/or iPad, everything backs up to iCloud.  Apple offers some inexpensive plans but if you need a lot of storage, it can get expensive.

    20 GB: $0.99/mo, 200 GB: $3.99/mo, 500 GB: $9.99/mo, 1 TB: $19.99/mo ($239.40/year)iCloud

    Many of my clients are complaining having to upgrade to more expensive iCloud storage plans.  This is usually because of their photos/videos or music collections.

    You can save money on iCloud storage by moving files to your PC and deleting them from iCloud but be sure have a backup plan for your your PC.

    If you aren’t making changes to photos or docs and you just want to archive them, you can slide them onto a flash drive and save money on cloud storage.  Be sure you have more than one copy.  Flash drives can get damaged or lost.  You might store copies with friends or relatives or in a safe deposit box.

    If you have an Android phone, Google has your back…almost.Android Phone

    Google will save app data and all of your phone’s settings including Wi-Fi passwords to your Google account. When you sign in using this Google account on another phone, all of your preferences, photos (via Google+), and contacts will be imported automatically.  Be sure all the options are turned on in “Accounts & sync” in “Settings.”

    This does not include your text messages, you’ll have to back them up yourself.  Or or you can save your text messages and call logs to your Gmail account by using an app called SMS Backup+.

    To save the music, movies and other media you’ve saved on your phone’s memory card, you need to connect your phone to a PC and copy everything that’s in the micro SD card. This is a manual process so you’ll need to establish a routine for doing this.

    When it’s all said and done, it’s simpler, easier and safer to just pay for iDrive cloud storage.  Think of it like paying for insurance for your house and renting mini storage for your extra stuff.

    I hope you have found this information helpful and that you will get your files protected.  It’s really sad when computers crash and mobile devices get lost, but at least they can be replaced.  Your files cannot.  Having good backups will preserve your files and make it easy to restore them when you get new devices.

    Please share this information with your family and friends so they will be protected too.

    Enjoy!

    Mardi

  • Have you heard about Telikin?

    Have you heard about Telikin?

    A client asked me this recently so I looked in to it and I am impressed!  Telikin is a super easy to use touch screen computer.  It will be a great solution for many of my clients and I thought you might be interested in it for yourself or for someone you love.

    My Mother saw it in the AARP magazine a few years ago and I didn’t pay much attention because she already knew a little bit about how to use a PC laptop and I didn’t think a Telikin would be the best choice for the price.  Now that she is 93 and having some vision problems, I think the Telikin would be better for her.  Even though she is my “poster child” for what “tech resistant” elders can do, (she has hearing aids that connect to her TV and iPod with bluetooth) I think she would enjoy her computer more and use it more if she had a Telikin.  They have easy payment plans so I just may be getting her one soon.

    This week, I had an online meeting with Nancy Allegrezza, Director of Sales and wife of the inventor of Telikin.  Nancy is also a nurse, and her passion for helping seniors and providing excellent customer service is truly inspiring.

    Nancy and her husband got involved because they had aging parents with disabilities, and wanted to help them stay connected via email, photos and video chat.  There weren’t any easy computer solutions.  The Telikin computer, its apps and customer service are all designed to make everything fun and easy.  

    In my experience with clients to date, the best solution has been the iPad.  However, the screen is very small and the the apps have commands that are hard to see and sometimes hard to find.  I keep wondering why someone doesn’t come up with a better solution.
    http://telekin.com/
    Telikin may be the answer.  Everything is in large letters and the navigation buttons are clearly visible and well labeled.  There is nothing to open or close, you just touch the big buttons on the screen and you are where you want to be!  The price is just about right, too – $699 isn’t a lot to pay vs. a $599 for a Mac Mini without a monitor.  

    You can try a Telikin for two months and get your money back if you don’t like it.  They provide VIP tech support (including remote access) to ensure that you have a good experience right from the beginning.  And it has a “tech buddie” feature so a trusted friend or relative, anywhere, can access your computer remotely and help whenever you want.

    I’d love to know what you think about it.  Do you think you might be interested in getting one?  Do you know someone who might like one?

    Click here to see a video and learn more about the features and benefits and let me know what you think.

    Looking forward to hearing from you!

    In joy,

    Mardi
    “Helping people enjoy the many benefits of modern technology is my passion”

    P.S.  Feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested.

  • Are you wondering if you should upgrade your OS?

    There are major changes happening with computer and mobile gadget operating systems and it’s my mission to make it easy for you to keep up and enjoy the many benefits.

    One of my clients received an email from Microsoft offering a free upgrade to Windows 10 and she wanted to know if I thought it would be better or worse than her Windows 8.1.
    windows 10

    I told her, that it’s too soon to tell.  I recommend that people wait until it has been on the market for at least a year to give them a chance to correct any problems.  There are always bugs and fixes that need to be done with any new software.

    There are many improvements and some neat new features, but we’ll shall see….

    If you are interested in knowing about the new features of Windows 10, Click here.

     Yosemite

    Apple also has a new operating system for it’s computers. It’s been available for quite some time and Apple has issued several important updates.  It’s called OS X Yosemite and it has a lot of cool new features.  If you want to learn more about it click here.

    Chromebook

    I’m still really enjoying my Chromebook.  A Chromebook is a laptop of a different breed. Instead of Windows or Mac OS, Chromebooks run Google’s Chrome OS. These machines are designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet, with most applications and documents living in the cloud and they are much less expensive than other computers.

    If you are thinking about buying a new computer, smart phone or tablet, you might want to consult with me first. In my tutoring, I have the opportunity to play with many kinds of devices so I can give you some good information about their advantages and disadvantages.  I’m proud to say that many of my clients have saved a lot of money and avoided a lot of frustration by consulting with me before they purchased.
    If you buy a new device, have me give you an orientation so you can get up and running quickly and easily. I read the owners manuals and take online classes so you don’t have to.  (“It’s a tough job but somebody has to do it.”  LOL)

    If you found this information helpful, please share it.  

     

    Enjoy!

    Mardi

  • Crapware

    Crapware:

    Why manufacturers install it, what you can do about it, and why it’s not going to go away   Based on an article by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes  http://www.zdnet.com/

    Crapware, also know as “bloatware” or “junkware,” are apps that hardware companies install onto their devices on top of the operating system (OS).  It’s a bunch of free trials and demos that nag you to buy the full version. Most annoying to me, is when you start using the app, not realizing that it’s a free trial, and then find out that you have to pay in order to continue accessing the work you’ve done.
    snailThe worst consequence is that crapware can dramatically slow down system performance or even compromise your system’s security. I frequently see relatively new computers running slow because of the weight of the crapware that has been installed on them. They run great once all the junk is removed. One has to wonder about the number of people who spend hard-earned money on a PC only to end up getting a third-rate experience because of crapware.
    Furthermore, many of these dissatisfied PC owners may end up blaming “Microsoft” or “Windows” for the performance issues, when the real problem is that the manufacturing company took money from third-parties to fill their computers with junk.
    Microsoft is well-aware of this.  It’s now offering Signature which is free from the clutter that “can slow down your computer and junk up your Start screen or desktop.”  See it here
    Screenshot 2015-03-07 at 1.35.12 PMScreenshot 2015-03-07 at 1.36.27 PM

    If you ask the hardware makers why they install this stuff, they’ll tell you they are offering you extra value. That’s a lie.  They do it because they make money for doing it. Except for Apple products, computer profits are very thin. Hardware makers are happy to install junk onto new systems in exchange for a few extra dollars.

    Photo courtesy of www.kitguru.net
    photo.apple_.windows.crapware (1)

     

    Eradicating crapware from Windows PCs isn’t easy, and when it comes Android smartphones and tablets it can be almost impossible.  There are tools out there for the PC such as PC Decrapifier and CCleaner that do a reasonable job of cleaning a system, but they’re far from perfect.

     

    The purveyors of crapware have become wise to these tools and take deliberate steps to make it difficult. It’s best to call my friends at Desert Cow Computers. www.mydesertcow.com

    desert cow computers

    Hardware manufacturers operate in a cutthroat business environment and crapware can make the difference between almost no profit and a little profit, especially on budget systems.  Perhaps you will decide to stay away from budget systems now.
    Microsoft offers the Signature range of PCs and Google sells Nexus-branded devices, These products are free from crapware. If you’re looking for a pure Windows or Android experience, then this might be worth investigating.  Another option is to switch to Apple or Chromebook.

    nexus

    If more people complain or vote with their feet by purchasing crapware-free products, perhaps equipment manufacturers will be persuaded to make crapware easier to remove.

     
    Thoughts or comments about this topic?  Please comment below.  Thanks!

  • Passwords Can Be Simple and Safe

    Passwords Can Be Simple and Safe

    I know you hate having to use so many passwords.  It’s a big pain to keep track of them.  You might even be using the same password for multiple sites and allowing your web browser to save them so you don’t have to login every time.

    A recent article by Kim Komando, inspired me to encourage you to take the bull by the horns, do some house cleaning and start using a password manager. This will make your online life so much simpler and safer.
    Here are some great tips based on her article, One secret about online accounts every computer user needs to know

    You may have created dozens of accounts that have only been used once. Just think of how many times you’ve created a username and password just to read an article, play a game or download something.  This can be dangerous because your information is floating around on dozens or hundreds of websites that may or may not be secure.  Even worse, if you have used the same username and password for every site, every account you have is in danger.  A hacker who gets your account information from one site can use it to get access to your other accounts as well.

    The solution is to hunt down and close any accounts you are not using and then change the passwords to your existing accounts so that each one is unique.

    A simple browser trick

    1) When you create a new online account or log in to an old one, your browser stores the username and password. This makes it easy to log back in later.  It also means you can go now and see what accounts you’ve created.

    2) After you locate your accounts, you can close down the accounts you are not using and create unique passwords for the sites you are keeping.

    3) Then turn off “password storing” and erase the existing passwords in your browser. The option to erase the passwords is in the same place you view the saved passwords.  (The Instructions are below.)

    Use A Password Manager

    LastPass, The last password you will ever need

     

     

     

     

     

    I know this seems like a lot of work but you only have to do it once.  Then, If you start using a password manager like LastPass all your unique passwords will be stored in a vault and you will only need to remember one master password.  The password manager will even generate secure passwords for you so you don’t have to think them up. You will love it!

    If you need help to clean things up or to learn how to use a password manager like LastPass, I’m always here for you. Just call for an appointment.

    Invite some friends to a Play Shop in your home, community room or office.  A play shop is a really fun way to learn and only costs $25 hr. per person.

    Forward this tip to your friends so they will be safe and happier too.
    Thoughts or comments about this topic? Please share in the comment section below.

    Instructions for web browser applications:

    FIREFOX

    To see your login information in Firefox, go to the Firefox menu – it’s the icon on the right with three horizontal lines – and click Options.

    Under the Security tab, click the “Saved Passwords” button.

    Then click the “Show Passwords” button and click “Yes.”

    CHROME

    In Chrome, click the icon with three horizontal lines in the upper right and choose “Settings.”

    Choose “Settings” on the left, and then click the “Show advanced settings” link at the bottom of the screen.

    Scroll down to “Passwords and forms” and click the “Manage saved passwords” link.

    If you want to log back into your old account, but don’t remember the password, then you can click on a password and click the Show button next to it.

    To see the password, you will have to enter your Windows account password, which does make it harder for casual snoops to get in.

    INTERNET EXPLORER

    You can’t view saved usernames and passwords directly in IE. You would need a third-party program like IE PassView.  However, I recommend that you don’t use Internet Explorer anyway.  It is easily invaded by spyware. I use Google Chrome but Firefox is good also.

    SAFARI

    In Safari, go to Safari>>Preferences>>Auto-fill. Click the Edit button to view the saved passwords.

    Need Help?

    If you need help to clean things up or to learn how to use a password manager like LastPass,  I’m always here for you. Just call for an appointment.

    Invite some friends to a Play Shop in your home, community room or office.  A play shop is a really fun way to learn and only costs $25 hr. per person.

    Forward this tip to your friends so they will be safe and happier too.

  • Great Apps for Computers and

    Apps are not just for smartphones and tablets. Many apps are web based and accessed through your web browser. You don’t have to have a smart phone or tablet to use some of the most popular apps.

    However, when people buy smartphones or tablets, they often ask me what apps they should know about.  I’m always happy to make suggestions based on antheir lifestyle and interests.

    Since you may have received a gadget as a holiday gift, I thought it would be a good time to tell you about a few of my favorites apps and programs. You may already be using some of these but you may discover some new ones to try. Enjoy!

    Entertainment and Media:   

    NetflixNetflix let’s you watch an unlimited number movies and television shows online for only $8.95 mo. You can train it to make suggestions for you based on the movies you watch and how you rate them.  You can even set up separate profiles for individual family members!  And, there are no commercials!!!

    You can connect your gadget to your TV and watch movies on it too.

    chromeCast

     

    Chromecast from Google $35


    roku

    Roku Streaming Stick $50

     

    appleTvApple TV $99


    spotify

     

    Spotify let’s you listen to music for free.  It even has playlists by subject or genre. The variety is astounding and there are no commercials!!!

     

    YouTube

     

    YouTube is a must for doing research on any topic that can be best explained with a video.  Think recipes, repairing things, movie previews, songs, lyrics, instructional videos, and answers to absolutely any question under the sun.

    shazam

    Shazam listens to songs on the radio, TV or movies. It identifies the song title, shows you the performer, album, lyrics and links you to sites where you can purchase.

     

     

    Productivity:

    dropboxDropbox is a great app for cloud storage and sharing.  When you put files in there, you can access them from anygadget or computer.  I use the phone app to play audio files of lectures and seminars. It’s super easy to learn and you get 2GB of storage for free.  By referring your friends to Dropbox, you can earn up to 16GB of additional space.  Sign up here

     

    office 365

    One of the most popular productivity tools for home and business is Microsoft Office. Unfortunately, Office documents don’t always play nice with third-party apps. Now Microsoft has released the Microsoft Office Mobile app.   It lets you open, create and perform basic editing on Word, Excel and PowerPoint files no matter where you are.

     

    mintMint.com and its app  (Free, and available for Android and iOS) links to your all your bank accounts, credit card accounts and loans so you always know just how much money you have and how you are spending it. You can set up spending categories and create a budget for each category. I love it for keeping track of my income and expenses for paying my taxes.

     

    The weather channelThe Weather Channel app and weather.com show you the current temperature, the hourly forecast and the next 10 days of weather.  Also you get a customizable radar map, video clips, severe weather alerts and beach conditions. It’s better than your gadget’s built-in weather app.

     

     

    free wifi finder

    You don’t want to burn through your cellular data plan when you are out and about or on a trip, so you need to useWi-Fi whenever possible. You can find free Wi-Fi locations with the Free Wi-Fi Finder app.

     

    Dating:

    match

     

    Match.com app has earned the top spot in dating apps and is my favorite.

     

     

    pof-logo

     

    POF.com (Plenty of Fish) is very popular here in the desert and is free.

     

    google mapsNavigation:

    Google Maps is my favorite navigation app.  I especially appreciate that it invites you to submit corrections.  Youget an email thanking you for your help and then a follow up email when the corrections have been made.

    uberUber is an app-based transportation network that uses a smartphone application to receive ride requests, and then sends these trip requests to their drivers. Customers love using the app to request rides and to track their reserved vehicle’s location.  Uber’s drivers use their own cars and there is a variety of types of vehicles available, from Town Cars to SUVs and more.  One of my friends is a driver for Uber and just loves it.  It’s a win-win for everybody.

    Other Popular Apps

    Here are some other popular apps that I don’t find the time to use very often, but you might enjoy.

    Save Money  

    RetailmenotThe RetailMeNot app helps you find promo codes and coupons for more than 50,000 physical and online stores, including grocery stores. You can save and store coupons for later, and share the savings with your friends through social media.

     

     

    Photo EditingSnapseed-icon-medium

    Snapseed is the top app for photo-editing and VSCO Cam is gaining ground in popularity.

    Social and Sharing

    Pinterest

     

    Pinterest, WhatsApp and Snapchat are the top apps in messaging and texting.

     

    instagram

     

    Instagram and Facebook are considered the must-haves for social sharing. The Facebook app got me interestedin using Facebook more often because it is so easy to use.

    Sports

    watchESPN

     

    WatchESPN.com is the most popular app for sports fans.

     

     

     

    Fitness

    MyFitnessPal is the top fitness app.my fitness pal

     

     

     

     

    Do you have any favorite apps to share?

    There are thousands of apps and recommendations from friends is the best way to sort through the maze.  Do you have some favorite apps not mentioned here?  Post your comments below so everyone can benefit from your ideas.

  • Convenient & Affordable New Service for You!

    Convenient & Affordable
    New Service for You!join.me

    From time to time, clients have said they wished they could have me on a “retainer” to answer a quick question or get them out of a jam.  We have discussed a subscription service where people would pay a monthly fee, but most people wouldn’t need help every month. This week, the subject came up again and my clients said they would love to be able to “pay as needed”  They suggested that I charge $60 hr. (to keep the math simple) and bill in 15 min increments (to make it worth my time).  I thought it was a great idea and a real win-win solution. I’m excited to be offering this this as a new service.

    I will be happy to answer your questions on the phone, by remote access into your computer, or by email. This is a great option for people who need some help, but don’t need a whole one-hour appointment in their home.  Bring me all those niggling questions and frustrations and let’s get you back to full enjoyment of your techie tools.  Call me today for an appointment!

  • Do You Reboot?

    Do You Reboot?

    Network Neurons 1

    Your Techie Tip for this week is to turn your computer completely off at least once a week.  The reason this is important is that its memory gets too full and it’s likely to slow down or get confused.
    (Just like us!)

    During the shutdown process, it files everything away where it belongs and dumps extraneous stuff from the memory.  Kind of like we do when we get a good nights sleep.  Then, when it restarts (reboots), it checks all its systems, corrects any errors, and installs updates.  The installation of the updates is critically important because there are security fixes (patches) in them.

    Asleep 3Your computer is set to go to sleep after a certain period of non-use, and the screen may go dark, but that is not the same as shutting down.  So please choose one night a week to give your machine a complete break and an opportunity for a fresh start in the morning.

    This applies to your tablets, smartphones and other gadgets too.  

  • Change Your Web Browser

    Please Change Your Web Browser ASAP!internet explorer

    So many of my appointments involve problems with Microsoft Internet Explorer!  Internet Explorer is frequently hacked and hijacked and it’s very disconcerting to have your home page suddenly switched to something you never authorized and you cant find your familiar Google search box.     firefox-os_logo-wordmark_RGB-vertical-300dpi

    Please use the Google Chrome or Firefox internet browser instead. I prefer Google Chrome because I use a myriad of awesome free Google products. Ask me about them next time we get together.

     

     

     

    chrome

    According to a report by the cybersecurity firm Bromium, the latest version of Internet Explorer is still the number one target for hackers.

    For the first half of 2014, the report found that Google Chrome has actually had no publicly known security flaws, making it safe from malware attacks.

    Other important facts in the report:

    1. Microsoft Internet Explorer set a record high for reported vulnerabilities in the first half of 2014.
    2. Internet Explorer also leads in publicly reported exploits.
    3. Web browser release cycles are becoming more frequent – as are initial security patches.
    4. Adobe Flash is the primary browser plugin being targeted by attacks this year.

    Microsoft quickly schedules updates that Internet Explorer uses to patch its holes but it’s still one of the most commonly-attacked browsers by far, and I know that many of my clients ignore the updates. It’s a huge problem!

     

    Keeping your Adobe Flash player up to date is also very important. Always update your Flash player to avoid security flaws like this. Apple won’t even let you play a video if you don’t have the latest version of Flash.

    I hope these Techie Tips will ensure that you are protected and enable you to take advantages of all great things technology can do for you.

    As always, if you, and your friends and relatives, need help with any of these things, just call me to set up an appointment.

    In Joy,

    Mardi Boettcher

    “Helping you make peace with the ups and downs of technology.”