How to Set up Your New Computer

computer set up

If you have just barely purchased a new computer and are unfamiliar with exactly how they work, then you may run into some issues involved with it. Almost every new user will run into these problems as they go.

First off, setting up the computer is sometimes frustrating to those who do not have experience with it. Luckily, it has gotten considerably simpler over the last few years, so it is a straightforward process.

Your computer as a basic model is going to be made up of these distinct parts- the monitor, the computer itself, the keyboard, the mouse, and the cords. You will want to place the connect the relevant power cords to the CPU and the monitor, and then use the VGA cable to connect the computer to the monitor.

The VGA cable is noteworthy because of the way it features little screw ends for better attachment. Simply match the shape of the VGA cable into the relevant slots and gently screw it in until secure. At this point, you should have the power cords inserted into the CPU and monitor and have them plugged in, and have them connected to each other via the VGA cable.

Last of all, we are going to plug in the mouse and keyboard. These will plug into the back of the computer. If they have colored ends, then match the colors to the same colored slots on the back of the computer. If they have USB ports, then plug them in gently to the right slots.

Now your computer will be ready to use! Turn it on and follow the instructions on the screen.

By following these basic steps, we have set up the standard computer that most of us have. Time to start using it!

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Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Smartphone

Woman with smartphoneAs technology continues to become a larger part of our everyday lives, it can be hard to keep up with all of the technology that is available to us.  From HD TVs to smart phones, it seems like everything technological is quickly improving.

Many people have yet to upgrade to a smartphone. Whether you have chosen to stick with your old phone because you are worried about learning the interface or if you just don’t know what a smartphone can do for you, these top 5 reasons to purchase a smartphone may help you decide if a smartphone is really for you.

  1. A smartphone will store your music and play music from the internet or even the radio. With the majority of smartphones you will be able to purchase songs and store them right on your phone. You can listen with your headphones, just listen to the phone’s speakers or plug the phone into your car and listen while you are driving.
  2. A smartphone will help you stay on track with a GPS system. Having a GPS with you wherever you go and can provide you with directions, addresses or simply your location when you need it. It can help you avoid dangerous situations of getting lost and minimize your travel time from one point to another.
  3. A smartphone can help you read reviews on restaurants or entertainment. Read through reviews on the internet to find something to do in the area and then read what other people have to say about the restaurant or the entertainment.
  4. You will always have the internet with you, when you have a smartphone. This means that you can check e-mails, look up movie times and order tickets, find a gas station, browse during your down time or look up recipes while at the store.  You can get answers to your questions and be able to find out the information that will best help you.
  5. Playing games has never been easier! There are hundreds of games that you can choose to play on your phone. You can also play games on the internet against people from all around the world.

A smartphone may be the next piece of technology you choose to bring into your life.

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Windows 8 Consumer Preview Review

windows 8 preview event

Consumers are anxiously awaiting the release of Windows 8. The Windows 8 consumer Preview was made available to some technology companies to take for a test run. Before you consider upgrading to Windows 8, you will want to know what is being said about the operating system.

  • Microsoft is working towards eventually having every single device of theirs running the same operating system. This will make the transition from one gadget to the next very easy for users and may be a very beneficial move on Microsoft’s part.
  • Because you use your computer differently than you use your tablet, Microsoft has had to account for the differences to ensure that users can still use the operating system successfully.
    • One prime example of this is that when you want to bring up your ‘Settings’ menu with your finger, you just slide in from the edge of the screen. But, when you have a mouse you just aim your mouse for the corner.
    • Unfortunately, when you hover over the bottom left of the screen to find the start screen, the icon appears but as you hover over the icon it disappears. This is frustrating as computer users have been taught to hover over icons to get more information.
    • There have been reports that there are many other kinks that make Windows 8 unintuitive.
    • Metro is the interface that is used in Windows 8 and throughout Metro there are inconsistencies with the way things are started.
    • Some of the functionality of Metro is lost when using a mouse. For example, when using a mouse consumers cannot use the top and bottom edges of their screen to do anything, although you can do this via touch.
    • Microsoft has introduced many keyboard shortcuts to ensure that the keyboard is functional to use.
    • Windows 8 has introduced Sharing, from any app.  This feature is powerful and makes other operating systems look unsuccessful in their attempt to do the same.

If you are thinking about trying Windows 8, you have to understand that installing it on your computer is going to wipe out all of your Windows 7 settings that you have saved.  If you have Windows XP, upgrading to this new interface is probably not the best idea.

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My Computer is Running Slow- How Do I Fix It?

Computer Running SlowlyOne of the most common concerns that people have about their computers comes up when they start running slow. It is a fairly natural occurrence, and it has happened to all of us at some point in time!

There are many different ways that a computer can start to slow down- the important thing is finding out what is causing it, and take steps to correct it. Here are some of the many recommendations we can give those who have slowing computers:

1-      Always reboot and restart before trying anything else. Some of the issues which come up are temporary bugs which will be knocked out immediately.

2-      Make sure that there is at least 200- 500 MB of free hard drive space. Clear out anything that you don’t need and free up the space.

3-      Defrag the hard drive. Defragging the drive is a simple task- just go to the control panel and find the right process.

4-      If there are background programs which are slowing things down, you can turn them off either temporarily or permanently by accessing the task manager (Control Alt Delete). You can manage a lot of your CPU speed from here.

5-      Scan for viruses and malware, and if they are found- remove them.

6-      Update Windows and your browser when you can in order to stay current and ensure that everything will work together.

By doing these steps, you should be able to make it so that your computer is able to perform at its best!

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The New iPad: Is it Worth it? (Part 2 of 2)

Apple The New iPad

http://images.apple.com/ipad/home/images/overview_bucket_retina.jpg

All right! Last time we went into the new iPad release, and whether it would be worth it for you to buy it. After going over some basic, we answered with a decisive and brave “maybe”, since it will depend on your situation.

The new iPad is an amazing device. There is so much that is cool about it that we could write for the next month about nothing but the improvements. There’s a lot to this tablet. The improvements in processing speed, graphical clarity, and camera all are reason enough to be amazed.

That being said, the new iPad is not going to be for everyone. There are two types of people that will need to get this- those who don’t have a tablet and those who have the burning desire to buy each new Apple release.

If you already have an iPad, then simply upgrading a perfectly functional and elegant device for 500 bucks may not seem that desirable. Indeed, that may be the best way to sum up the new iPad. If you have to have it because of brand loyalty or you haven’t bought a tablet yet (gasp!), then the new iPad is completely worth it.

If you already have an iPad, then the offer may be less tempting. There is nothing so earth shatteringly innovative about it that demands an upgrade. It will be up to you, but our verdict is this: Buy it if you don’t have a tablet, or if you are an Apple junkie. Maybe wait for a price drop if you already have an iPad.

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The New iPad: Is it Worth it? (Part 1 of 2)

The new iPad

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As the new iPad launches, a lot of people are going to want to know whether or not they want to buy it. Don’t get us wrong- the iPad is going to offer pretty much the best overall tablet experience, as it always has. That being said, the new iPad is going to run you 500 dollars, and that is the basic model.

For a lot of us, that is a bit of a pricey sum, especially if we already own a tablet. So, we have to ask- is the new iPad going to be worth it?

When it all comes down to it, the answer is a definite maybe. Apple has implemented a lot of changes in this model, leading to a sleeker and quicker product that is upgraded in just about every way. That being said, it is going to function the same as any other iPad, albeit at a quicker rate.

The improvements made in this model are just that- improvements. There is nothing so unique about this new model that you cannot survive without it. It is a better model for sure, but it is not reinventing the wheel.

So, the decision to get the new iPad is going to be up to the individual. There are a lot of perks to this new model, and it is a fun toy to have. During our next post we will offer our options on why you will definitely want to buy the new iPad, and why some of you will be passing on it. Check back for out final verdict later this week!

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How to Change your Home Page in all Browsers

home button

The Home Button :: http://gvc1020.gvc10.virtualclassroom.org/technology/assets/house.png

When you are working with your internet browser, you should be sure that you know how to set your home page. When you set your home page you will be able to ensure that every time you open your browser it will automatically go to the pages that you would open first.

If you are using Internet Explorer you should…

1. Start Internet Explorer.

2. On the tools meno, click Internet Options.

3. Click the General tab.

4. In the Address box, type the Web page address that you want for your home page.

a. Note: If you want the page that you are currently viewing in Internet Explorer                      to be your home page, click Use Current

5. Click OK

 

If you are using Google Chrome you will want to…

1. Click the wrench icon on the browser toolbar.

2. Select Options (Preferences on Mac and linux; Settings on a Chromebook).

3. Click the Basics tab.

a. Set your home page

i. Pick the page you’d like to be your home page in the “Home page” section. You can select to use the New Tab page as your home page. To use another page, select “Open this page” and enter the web address of the page you’d like to use.

b. Add the home button to the browser toolbar

i. Want a button on the browser toolbar that you can click to open you rhome page? Select “Show Home button” checkbox in the “Toolbar” section.

c. Set your home page as your startup page

i. To see your homepage whenever you open Google Chrome, go to the “On startup” section and select “Open the home page”.

 

If you are using Firefox you will want to…

1. Open the web site you want to set as your home page. If you want a blank home page, open a new tab.

2. Click the icon to the left of the web address; drag it to the Home button, and release.

3. Click “Yes” to set this as your home page.

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How to Clear Your Browser Cache- and Why

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Clearing the browser cache is a maintenance measure which is performed on computers every day. Going through your cache and clearing it out is a fairly simple process, and it is one that is important in nature.

While there are several different browsers used by people based on preference and computer type, the process of clearing a cache is roughly the same with each one. While there will be menu and semantic differences with each browser, they all share common design features which makes the process applicable.

1- Go to the “Tools” Menu. With most major browsers, this menu will be located in the top right corner of the screen, or will be found with the toolbar on top.

2- Select the “Settings” option in such menu.

3- Locate the button to “Clear Browsing History”.

4- Make sure to add the option to delete cookies and passwords it it is not automatically enabled.

5- Confirm that you want to clear your history, and your cache.

The reasons why you might want to clear out your cache are going to be extensive in nature. For some, it will be a matter of privacy. The cache of a browser will store information about websites visited and passwords used, which some people will not want others accessing.

Likewise, people also use this function to increase the security of their computer, as it eliminates tracking cookies which websites use to monitor users. Put simply, it is a good thing to periodically do to get a fresh slate and ensure best working performance.

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How To Choose a Smartphone

http://www4.images.coolspotters.com/photos/105847/apple-iphone-profile.png

A few years ago smartphones with big screens and flashy graphics were rare and expensive, but they’re becoming increasingly more commonplace and affordable, and are quickly replacing the old-fashioned cell phone for many users. But with all the competition it can be hard to know what to buy to get the best experience. Here are a few pointers:

1. iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows phone- Which is best and what’s the difference?

Blackberry is  the granddaddy of smartphones, and is still popular in business due to its powerful email and messaging programs, but it’s losing market share to newer competitors and Blackberry phones usually don’t get the latest and greatest hardware.

The iPhone was the first easy to use smartphone, and is a good choice for people who want a smooth and consistent experience. Apple also builds the high-quality hardware itself, and the iPhone often gets the most popular apps before its competitors. But it comes at a price – the iPhone is expensive and Apple doesn’t offer many discounts.

Android, unlike the iPhone, isn’t locked-down to one company, so there are a lot of phones that run it. You can find inexpensive, lower-quality Android phones and top-of-the line phones with enormous screens. Its interface is similar to the iPhone but with a lot of advanced customization for tinkerers. It can take a little more effort to learn , but Android is perfect for both budget-conscious buyers and power users.

Finally, the Windows 7 phone is the newest smartphone entry and it’s very different from the Windows you see on computers. It’s got an attractive, easy to use interface and can do just about everything the others can. It’s a good choice for the adventurous user, but time will tell whether it catches on.

2. Find out what your carrier has.

Smartphone makers sign exclusive deals with cell phone carriers, and not every carrier has every phone. If you already  have a phone in mind be sure your carrier provides it!

3. Try before you buy!

Wireless stores everywhere offer model phones to try, and many people have friends who own smartphones, so try out a few different ones while making a decision. Decide how big you want the screen, what you can afford, what apps or games you like, and make sure you can do the tasks you need, like calling and texting!

Buying a smartphone can be intimidating with all the different options out there, but with a little time and patience you might get hooked like so many others as you discover how much you can accomplish with a tiny computer you hold in your hand.

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Giving the Gift of iTok to Someone

iTOK logo

iTOK. Whoo!

As we go into the new year, why not give the gift of iTok to someone that you care about. If there has been one defining aspect of the web and security this last year, it has been that systems can be compromised drastically through online threats, and being secure is essential.

With time comes an ever growing number of threats that are leveled against computers. Put simply, the longer that you are online, the more likely you are to be exposed to these issues. By giving the gift of iTok to someone else, you will be helping to secure their computers and ensuring that they will be able to perform up to standard.

The features that come with our comprehensive support package should make it so that even the most difficult of issues is quickly mitigated and that your systems can run at their optimal capacity. Basically, you’ll be gifting peace of mind with our secure services.

With the new year comes the ability to start fresh and improve on life, and there is no reason why this cannot extend to computer systems as well! Our dedicated staff of experts are there to make sure that everything is up to standard and is performing the best that it possibly can.

We know what our clients need in order to be satisfied with their machines, and we always are working to make the experience better! Gift our services to someone and get their new year started right, with a fresh clean start!

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