The Desert Computer Tutor

Tag: tips

  • 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.

  • Does Your Internet Seem Slow?

    Does Your Internet Seem Slow?

    Based on an article by Fiona Syrett at http://digitalunite.com/

    Here is a simple way to check your speed and some tips for speeding it up.

    When you sign up for broadband, your internet provider (ISP) tells you the maximum speed you can expect. However, the reality can be quite different.

    It’s very easy to find out what speed you’re actually getting.

    Follow these step-by-step instructions to find out your internet speed

    Step 1: Open your web browser – for example, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. (I don’t recommend using Internet Explorer.)

    Step 2: Click in the address bar at the top and type in www.speedtest.net

    Be sure you use “.net” and not “.com.”
    Note: If you have WOT (Web of Trust) installed on your web browser and you were to accidentally go to “speedtest.com,” instead of “speedtest.net;” you would see this somewhat scary, but very helpful, warning message and you would click on “Go Back.”
    Wot warning

    Step 3: Now, with www.speedtest.net entered in the address bar, press the “Enter” key on the keyboard. This will take you to the website that will check your internet speed.

    Speedtestnet

    Step 4: When the page has loaded click “Begin Test.”

    The results will show you two speeds:

    • The download speed is how long it takes for pages to appear on your screen and to download files such as music files from the internet to your computer.
    • The upload speed is the opposite – for instance, how long it takes to upload photographs from your computer to an online photo album.

    My speed test

    Internet speeds can vary considerably at different times of the day, so you should check yours more than once.

    If your internet speeds are slower than you think they should be:

    Step 1: Find out what speed you’re paying your internet provider (ISP) for. You may have to phone them to get the answer to this. If you’ve had your broadband for some time, it may be time to upgrade.

    Step 2: Check what speed is achievable in your area. You can click on the “Net Index” tab at www.speedtest.net and enter the name of your city in the search box.  Here is a screenshot for Palm Desert:

    net index palm desert

    You can also see “Top ISP Speeds:

    Tops isp

    Step 4: Now that you know what speed you’re paying for and what your hardware is capable of producing, there are a number of things you can do that are likely to make your internet run faster:

    • Check that you haven’t exceeded your monthly download allowance. Some ISPs cap internet speeds as a penalty for doing this.
    • If possible, always use the master telephone socket for your broadband router.
    • Don’t use a telephone extension lead with your router. If it’s unavoidable, use the shortest one you can.
    • Make sure that all other telephone sockets in use are fitted with microfilters.  Not doing this can result in loss of internet speed and interference on the line.
    • Make sure your computer isn’t running any unnecessary applications in the background. This can slow things down considerably.  Finding out if it’s happening can be a bit complicated. It might be best to ask an expert for help.
    • Make sure your antivirus software is kept up to date. Viruses and adware can slow down your computer and the internet a lot.
    • If you’re using WiFi (wireless internet), make sure it’s password protected. Otherwise you could be providing your neighbors with free WiFi!
    • If you’re using a laptop with a wireless connection, try using it in a different room or consider using a network cable to connect to the router instead.

    I hope these tips enhance the peace and joy in your techie life.

    Thoughts or comments about this topic?
    Please comment below.

    If you would like to receive my weekly tips via email, you can subscribe here.​

  • 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.

  • OpenOffice.org

    Sometimes I Feel Stupid Too!  Computer User Feeling Stupid

     

    One of the biggest challenges for me in my work is that so many of my clients say they feel so stupid.  No one is stupid!  One of my goals in my work is to help my clients feel better about themselves.

     

    No one is born with all the information they need in order to navigate life.   We either educate ourselves or we “wing it” based on what we are told by others (who may or may not have the best information).

     

    Even those of us who take the time to do research, study and practice, will make mistakes. It’s part of the learning process.

     

    My goal is for you to benefit from my mistakes and those of my clients.

     

    Here are some really useful tips based on my work in the field this past week.

     

    Great Money Saving Tip

    OpenOffice.org

    There is a great free office suite called Open Office that looks very much like the apps in Microsoft Office and has many of the same tools.  You don’t need to pay for Microsoft Office suite.

     

    The Pitfalls

    The address for Open Office is www.openoffice.org not “.com”  There is another site, http://www.openoffice.us.com that looks reputable but will download a bunch of malware programs on your computer.

    firefox-os_logo-wordmark_RGB-vertical-300dpiThe Solution    Google Chrome

    You should be using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

     

    If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer as your web browser, you are at risk of getting add pop ups installed on it and having your home page changed to something you don’t want.  This is called “hijacking your web browser”.

    Norton Internet Security

     

    If you have installed the W.O.T (Web of Trust) extension on your web browser or if you are using Norton with Internet Security, you will see a notification that http://www.openoffice.us.com  is not safe.
    (Buy Norton from Dom at Desert Cow Computers and save $20.) www.mydesertcow.com

     

     

     

    Do a Google search for reviews of any app you are considering downloading before you proceed.

    The Rules In Review

    • Use the right web browser and search engine
    • Have safety extensions on your browser
    • Do your research
    • Be sure you are going to the reputable site

     

    If none of his makes sense to you, just call for an appointment.

    The promise of successEverything will be OK.   We’ll do it together.

     

    Hope this helps you “make peace with the ups and downs of modern technology.”

     

  • Critical Safety Tips

    I learned some Important tips this week from my friend and technical specialist, Dominique Fruchtman of Desert Cow Computers.  She is the one I refer for cleaning up the mess when clients get those nasty viruses.
    First, be aware that delivery services like UPS and Fed Ex will not send you emails saying there is a package you have not picked up.  If you receive emails like this that have a link to click, don’t do it.  They contain dangerous virus installation programs.
    Secondly, there is an important distinction between your computer slowing down gradually or slowing down suddenly.  

    If your computer is suddenly running slow, that’s a sign that you might have a virus.  Do not wait!  Call Dominique right away for a diagnosis.  If you wait, you run the risk of having your files stolen and held hostage for ransom.  Seriously!  One of her business clients was told they needed to wire $500 within an hour to get their files back or the ransom would go up to $1000.

    On the other hand, if your computer has been getting slow gradually, you may just need a tune up.  Dominique and her husband Mark can do that for you too.

    Owning techie gadgets is like owning cars, they require maintenance and repairs from time to time.  It’s not wise to wait when you hear funny noises or experience reduced performance.

    Please don’t get upset or stressed about all this.  There are always solutions. Dom and I are here to help you.  The advantages of owning these devices, far out weigh the occasional inconvenience or expense.

    If you, or someone you care about, have questions or frustrations that are clouding the full enjoyment of computers or gadgets, call me for an appointment now.  With a little instruction, everyone can get past the storm and experience the joy. I promise!

  • Protect Your Printer Ink From Drying Up

    Have you had issues with your printer ink dying up while you were on vacation or just because it’s so hot?

    Recently, several of my clients have had issues with their printers not printing clearly because the ink has dried up so I thought it would be helpful to give you some tips on how to prevent this.

    Storing and Handling Ink Cartridges

    • TrioKeep ink cartridges sealed in the original package until they are installed. Store at temperatures between -15 and 35 degrees Celsius (5 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

    If you don’t print very often, run a test page or print a page of coloured print once in a while to keep the print head clear and the ink running.  

    To keep cartridges from drying out while you are on vacation, always turn the printer off using the power button, and wait until the power light goes out before you pull the plug or turn off a power strip. This allows the printer to move the cartridges to a capped position.

    If you remove a cartridge from the printer for any reason, try to replace it again as soon as possible. Outside of the printer, if unprotected, cartridges begin to dry out. If the printer uses separate ink cartridges and printhead, the printhead can be damaged if cartridges are not installed.

    If you must store opened cartridges for any reason:

    • place them (nozzles up) in a plastic tub with an airtight lid.

      Image: Plastic tub with an airtight lid

    • Some cartridges have an orange cap that is twisted off to open. If these supplies have been opened, replace the orange cap before it is stored.

    • Place a damp cloth or paper in the tub.  Do not use plastic bags. Do not allow anything to touch the cartridge nozzles.

  • FYI for Current Users of Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod

    FYI:  For Current Owners of Apple Gadgets:

    Ipad And Iphone

    The iOS 8 update is available now for users of iPhone 4 and later, iPad 2 and later, iPad mini and later, and iPod touch (fifth generation).

    You may have to delete some things in order to have enough memory to install the update.  It can take quite a bit of time to look at your apps’ usage and decide what to delete.  (Go to Settings > General > Usage)

    I had to dump 2 GB on my iPhone 4s.  I chose to keep my music for my workouts and dump a lot of photos. I also dumped a bunch of apps I wasn’t using very often.  I didn’t care about them anyway so it was a good incentive for me to do some clean up. I will run the update and report back in next week’s Techie Tip.

  • iPhone VS Android — “The Boys Slug It Out For Another Round”

    iPhone Vs Android
    “The Boys” Slug It Out For Another Round

    Apple and Google went for another round in the competition for market dominance this week as Apple launched it’s larger iPhone 6 models and its iOS 8 operating system for all its gadgets.

    iOS 8 has has some very cool new features and I noticed that many of them are features that Android phones have had for a long time.  (I have used both and currently use an iPhone.)  My son, Jason, who is convinced Android is far better than iPhone and hated to see me switch, sent me this hilarious joke about the news.

    Reaction to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus has been lukewarm. Many have accused Apple of playing catch up with rivals such as Samsung, rather than leading the way. An image titled 'Dear iPhone 6 users: Welcome to 2012' has gone viral, (pictured) which lists new Apple features that have existed on Android phones for years

    I asked Jason if he thought I should wait to install the update until the bugs are worked out and the app developers have more time to fix their apps to work with it, and he said,

    Jason Griswold's profile photo

    “Nah, that’s for normal people, we are in tech…we live to have our world turned upside down.”

    He’s so funny!  But it’s true.  I love the challenge, the adventure and being able to make your transitions easier by sharing my experience.

    Who do you know that…

    • Is trying to decide whether to buy an Android gadget or an Apple gadget
    • Needs help with updating to iOS 8
    • Wants a tutorial on the changes and new features or
    • Wants to learn more about their Android phone

    Please let me know so I can help them “make peace with the ups and downs of computer technology.” 

  • Avoid Printer Drama

    Do Moon Phases Affect Printers?

     

    Do the phases of the moon affect techie gadgets?  This past week was so full of printer drama that I had to wonder…

    Here are some tips that will help you maintain peace in your techie world:

    1. If you need to move your printer, be sure to turn it off first.  Shut it down with the off button rather than just unplugging it.  Printers are are actually computers and they need to file everything in it’s proper place before shutting down.  If you just unplug them, they may wake up very confused and not be able to connect to your wifi again.

    Note: your printer may look like it’s off, but only be sleeping.  If there is a light on anywhere, it is just asleep.  Use the on/off button to turn it off.

    1.  Sometimes there are minor power surges or mysterious techie hiccups that confuse our machines.  The first line of defense is always to reboot them. (turn them off and then back on)  If your printer loses its wifi connection, turn it off, wait a minute or two, and then turn it back on.  Hopefully, it will find the router and reconnect on its own.  If not, you will have to go through the setup process again.

    Note:  I’m not a certified Technician, I’m an Instructor and Peace Maker.  For technical issues and installations, I refer you to my friends at Desert Cow Computers.

    1. Hp is offering an “Instant Ink” service with some of its new printers.  These printers connect directly with HP, let them know when you need new ink cartridges, and HP mails you ink cartridges automatically.  You pay a flat monthly fee, depending on how many pages you print each month.  Unused pages roll over to the next month.  HP description of program   It looks like this service is less expensive than buying ink at the store.  Review I have one client who is on the program.  We’ll let you know how it goes.  If you are using this service, I would love to hear from you.

    Chromebook Update: I am not happy about printing from my Google Chromebook without a “cloud-enabled” printer.  I didn’t buy a cloud-enabled printer because I had just bought a new printer last year and thought it would be a good idea to test the alternative method offered by Google.

    My Chromebook has to print via my old computer which is connected to my printer via my WiFi network.  Therefore, my old computer has to be on in order for my Chromebook to print. I find this very inconvenient.

    Fortunately, I can access docs from my Chromebook and smartphone, so I don’t need to print very often.  Have me show you how to do this.  It’s great!

    If you buy a Chromebook, you may want to buy a cloud-enabled printer for it.  If your current printer is connected directly to your computer and is not on a wifi network, you will definitely need to buy a cloud-enabled printer.  Fortunately, you can get one for less than $100.

    By the way…I’m really enjoying my Chromebook in all other respects.  It’s a great solution for a lot of people and I highly recommend it.  I carry it with me during the day and can get a lot more accomplished between appointments than working from my smartphone.  I’ll be delighted to share it with you at our next appointment.