Feeling like you'd like a fresh start with your technology in the new year? Here are some clean up tips and other things to consider for your life with technology.
Clean up Your PC - download & use these tools
CCleaner - to clean out the junk on your PC
DeCrapifier - to remove bloatware that might have been pre-loaded on your PC
SyncToy - to create backups easily to/from your PC or any flash drive
DriverMax - to update all of the drivers on your PC
Some of these are totally free, some have a nominal charge beyond a trial period, but all of them are worth using periodically to maintain the performance of your PC.
Organize Your Digital Photos
Organize your folders for photos by year, month and event, such as 201412 Xmas, 201404 Spring, etc. so that you can easily find the images you need. Don't leave all of your digital images on the memory card unless you're actively going to use that card to print them at the local WalMart or whatever. You need to copy them onto a PC or into the cloud - it is WAY too easy to lose those tiny memory cards and without a backup somewhere, you are screwed!!
Back up Your PC
You can use an external hard drive or flash drive, depending on the amount of data you have. Tools like SyncToy or Ghost can create backups of selected files or of your entire computer. It's definitely a good idea to have an image copy of your entire PC, just in case your hard drive dies completely. Be sure to include backups of your photos, which may require a large amount of space. You should store your backup drive in a safe place away from your PC if possible. Ideally, keep it in a fireproof safe in a different room of your house, so then you're likely to actually be able to recover from a fire or flood. If you keep your backup and your PC together all of the time, you greatly increase the chances that if a catastrophic event occurs, you'll lose both.
Use a Password Manager
I can't stress it enough - you need to use different passwords on all of your most frequently visited websites, especially any that have your credit card details, your financial information or other sensitive personal information! I know that is a LOT of passwords to remember, but password manager software is the key to keeping your sanity. I recommend RoboForm, which is low cost, easy to use and has several useful features.
Turn on Your Router's WPA2 Password
Keep the bad guys out of your wifi network so they can't steal your data or your bandwidth. Check your router's documentation to find out how to login to the admin function and set this up, and do it now.
Use Firewall and Virus Protection
Everyone should already know about these, but I would be remiss not to include them. If you don't already use both a firewall and a virus protection software package, get them and start using them right away. You are just asking for your identity to be stolen or for your PC to be compromised without these tools.
Friday, February 6, 2015
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Transition to new iPhone
In the end, I liked the larger size of the iPhone 6 better, so that's what I now have to replace my three year old 4s.
The transition from the 4s to the 6 was actually pretty easy. I normally back up to the cloud only, but in preparation to switch to the new phone, I synced with iTunes, downloaded all of my purchases and then did a full backup to my computer. Then I unplugged the 4s, plugged in the 6, and restored it from the backup.
To my amazement, it worked and all of my apps, data, etc. were loaded flawlessly. I had to enter passwords on a couple of apps the first time that I used them (like my gmail), but other than that I didn't have to do any other setup.
My son is now using the 4s as an iPod essentially, since it does everything but make calls as long as it's connected to wifi. In order to get the iMessage (text) function to work, I restored it to factory settings, then set it up as a new device using his apple ID. Then we synced it using iTunes to get all of the apps he wanted (he's already got other apple devices).
It was a surprisingly pain-free transition, so I was very happy with it. So far I'm also very happy with the phone itself. It is much slimmer and larger than my 4s, so it feels very different in my hand. The screen gives me a really beautiful image, very crisp and bright. The battery life is ok so far and it's pretty comparable to when my 4s was new. Of course I've been using it a lot more than normal, so we'll see how it does over the next few months.
Now that I've successfully done this transition, I'll know exactly what to do to prepare for my son's first fully functional phone in the future. At some point he'll get a phone, so at least I know I can backup what he's got on the 4s and restore it to a new device (I'm assuming he'll get an apple since he loves mine so much).
The transition from the 4s to the 6 was actually pretty easy. I normally back up to the cloud only, but in preparation to switch to the new phone, I synced with iTunes, downloaded all of my purchases and then did a full backup to my computer. Then I unplugged the 4s, plugged in the 6, and restored it from the backup.
To my amazement, it worked and all of my apps, data, etc. were loaded flawlessly. I had to enter passwords on a couple of apps the first time that I used them (like my gmail), but other than that I didn't have to do any other setup.
My son is now using the 4s as an iPod essentially, since it does everything but make calls as long as it's connected to wifi. In order to get the iMessage (text) function to work, I restored it to factory settings, then set it up as a new device using his apple ID. Then we synced it using iTunes to get all of the apps he wanted (he's already got other apple devices).
It was a surprisingly pain-free transition, so I was very happy with it. So far I'm also very happy with the phone itself. It is much slimmer and larger than my 4s, so it feels very different in my hand. The screen gives me a really beautiful image, very crisp and bright. The battery life is ok so far and it's pretty comparable to when my 4s was new. Of course I've been using it a lot more than normal, so we'll see how it does over the next few months.
Now that I've successfully done this transition, I'll know exactly what to do to prepare for my son's first fully functional phone in the future. At some point he'll get a phone, so at least I know I can backup what he's got on the 4s and restore it to a new device (I'm assuming he'll get an apple since he loves mine so much).
Friday, September 19, 2014
Small Companies Bought by Huge Companies - the Death of Independence?
Yesterday I saw an announcement that a small video game firm called Mojang has been purchased by Microsoft. My kids both love the game Minecraft, as do many of their friends, and it's a product of Mojang. I had no idea that Mojang was such a lucrative company that they would attract the notice of a Goliath like Microsoft.
The original creator of Minecraft has also announced that he's leaving the firm as part of the Microsoft deal. It's a bit of a sad thing that such a creative guy has to be cut off completely from the product that he created. Of course, when he originally built it, he had no idea how popular it would become. According to his own farewell statement, he's not been working on Minecraft directly for a while, but he's one of the original founders of the company.
When the big fish gobble up little fish like Mojang, it's a bittersweet thing for me. In one sense, the purchase of your company by a larger one is a sign of great success. It shows that you've built something of great value ($2.5 billion in this case). In another sense, it's the end of an era for your company. The culture of the firm will no doubt be absorbed by Microsoft now, especially since several key people are all leaving Mojang, including the Minecraft creator, as part of the deal.
While my own company is unlikely to be acquired by Microsoft, it does make me think about being in that situation. Sometimes it's both good and bad to be as successful as Mojang apparently is/was.
Best of luck to "Notch" and all of the former Mojang folks in their future endeavors.
The original creator of Minecraft has also announced that he's leaving the firm as part of the Microsoft deal. It's a bit of a sad thing that such a creative guy has to be cut off completely from the product that he created. Of course, when he originally built it, he had no idea how popular it would become. According to his own farewell statement, he's not been working on Minecraft directly for a while, but he's one of the original founders of the company.
When the big fish gobble up little fish like Mojang, it's a bittersweet thing for me. In one sense, the purchase of your company by a larger one is a sign of great success. It shows that you've built something of great value ($2.5 billion in this case). In another sense, it's the end of an era for your company. The culture of the firm will no doubt be absorbed by Microsoft now, especially since several key people are all leaving Mojang, including the Minecraft creator, as part of the deal.
While my own company is unlikely to be acquired by Microsoft, it does make me think about being in that situation. Sometimes it's both good and bad to be as successful as Mojang apparently is/was.
Best of luck to "Notch" and all of the former Mojang folks in their future endeavors.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
iPhone 5 vs 6 - How to Decide
I'm due for a new mobile phone and I currently have an iPhone 4s. I've loved my iPhone so I'd like to upgrade to one of the newer Apple models, but I'm not sure whether I'll go for the 5 or one of the new 6/6+ models.
I'm sure a larger screen would be nice, but the 5 is already bigger than my 4s. Is it worth it to me to pay more for the "latest and greatest" to get one of the 6 models? I'm not sure. I think I need to see the 5 and 6 side by side, in person, and see how they actually fit in my hand, pocket, etc. to compare. I've read a few reviews of the new features on the 6 and I may or may not need to newest model. Usually the previous model is available at a big discount so my aversion to high cost may win out.
Once the 6 phones are actually available in store, I'll have to go check it out. I'll post again once I've done the comparison and made my choice.
I'm sure a larger screen would be nice, but the 5 is already bigger than my 4s. Is it worth it to me to pay more for the "latest and greatest" to get one of the 6 models? I'm not sure. I think I need to see the 5 and 6 side by side, in person, and see how they actually fit in my hand, pocket, etc. to compare. I've read a few reviews of the new features on the 6 and I may or may not need to newest model. Usually the previous model is available at a big discount so my aversion to high cost may win out.
Once the 6 phones are actually available in store, I'll have to go check it out. I'll post again once I've done the comparison and made my choice.
Using KTN for Easier Travel
Have you traveled by air recently and noticed a shorter security line at the airport with a sign posted for "TSA Pre-Check"? Or have you been lucky enough to have a notation on your boarding pass that said something like "TSA Pre-Check"?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now has a program called Pre-Check which selects random air passengers to go through that shorter line at the airport security point. They are not required to remove their shoes or belt, nor to take their laptops out, when passing through security. Obviously, getting through airport security is a much simpler process without those conditions.
If you'd like to increase your chances of being selected for the Pre-Check line, you can request a Known Traveler Number (KTN) with the TSA. It's a simple process that you can initiate online. You have to visit one of the TSA's local offices to finalize the process and provide a set of your fingerprints. Then they do a full background check on you. If you can pass the background check then they create a KTN for you. There are some conditions that you should read before you start this process. It does cost $85 but it's good for five years.
See this link for more information:
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/participation-tsa-precheck
Once you have a KTN, you just need to include it in any airline reservations that you book. You can also add it to your profile if you have an online account with any of the airlines, so it will be automatically included on any future reservations.
I've recently gone through this process and found it pretty simple. I started my application online and booked an appointment to go to the office. When I arrived, they took me right in, reviewed my online application with me and helped me to use their digital fingerprint machine to create my fingerprint images for my records. The whole thing only took about 10 minutes.
To me, it's well worth the $85 fee to make my travel just a little less stressful. I most often travel with my kids. They can go through the pre-check line with me until they are 13, then they have to get their own KTN. I'm hoping I'll never have to wait in the long "cattle call" lines at airport security again...
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now has a program called Pre-Check which selects random air passengers to go through that shorter line at the airport security point. They are not required to remove their shoes or belt, nor to take their laptops out, when passing through security. Obviously, getting through airport security is a much simpler process without those conditions.
If you'd like to increase your chances of being selected for the Pre-Check line, you can request a Known Traveler Number (KTN) with the TSA. It's a simple process that you can initiate online. You have to visit one of the TSA's local offices to finalize the process and provide a set of your fingerprints. Then they do a full background check on you. If you can pass the background check then they create a KTN for you. There are some conditions that you should read before you start this process. It does cost $85 but it's good for five years.
See this link for more information:
http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/participation-tsa-precheck
Once you have a KTN, you just need to include it in any airline reservations that you book. You can also add it to your profile if you have an online account with any of the airlines, so it will be automatically included on any future reservations.
I've recently gone through this process and found it pretty simple. I started my application online and booked an appointment to go to the office. When I arrived, they took me right in, reviewed my online application with me and helped me to use their digital fingerprint machine to create my fingerprint images for my records. The whole thing only took about 10 minutes.
To me, it's well worth the $85 fee to make my travel just a little less stressful. I most often travel with my kids. They can go through the pre-check line with me until they are 13, then they have to get their own KTN. I'm hoping I'll never have to wait in the long "cattle call" lines at airport security again...
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Non-Profit Organizations Can Benefit Greatly from a Website
I have quite a few website clients who are non-profit organizations. They need to communicate to their members (as well as to the general public) about their events and programs in order to generate the maximum funds to support their cause. They also want to grow their membership in order to better serve their cause.
Recently, one of my clients had this to say after their first year using my services:
"You fixed many of our problems. Membership is increasing, participation in events is way up. We had the best fundraiser event in many years, one of our highest attendances ever, and possibly our most profitable. We have more cash than in years, largely due to the website."
If you are part of a non-profit organization, I can help you with a website, as well as other technology tools. I often do Access databases, email marketing, Powerpoint slides and Excel spreadsheets for my non-profit clients. The board of directors of many non-profits may not have members with the right technology skills to help with certain tasks, and that is where I am able to assist them.
Recently, one of my clients had this to say after their first year using my services:
"You fixed many of our problems. Membership is increasing, participation in events is way up. We had the best fundraiser event in many years, one of our highest attendances ever, and possibly our most profitable. We have more cash than in years, largely due to the website."
If you are part of a non-profit organization, I can help you with a website, as well as other technology tools. I often do Access databases, email marketing, Powerpoint slides and Excel spreadsheets for my non-profit clients. The board of directors of many non-profits may not have members with the right technology skills to help with certain tasks, and that is where I am able to assist them.
Please contact me for more information.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Small Business Websites
I am in the unique position of being a web developer and retail business owner at the same time. Last year I started designing jewelry and selling it locally. Since I know how to create websites, I created one for my jewelry business (I already have one for my website business).
I've learned a few things about myself and business in general since getting involved in selling retail items.
It is a LOT of work to create and maintain a website to sell physical items such as jewelry. Each item that I create is unique, so if I want to sell it on my website, I have to take photos, insert it on the site, and set up payment buttons for buyers.
I'm currently using paypal buttons since I've used them in the past and they're easy to set up on a website. The down side is that I have to create a unique payment button for each item. It takes a lot of little steps to add every single item that I've created to the website so that it can be sold. I can easily spend an hour to add just a few new bracelets or earrings to my site. Since I'm doing everything myself, that's a significant amount of time to spend.
I'm considering signing up to sell my jewelry at a small local craft show. I am concerned about the amount of product that I'd need to make and the cost of the inventory involved. I don't see this business as potentially creating a large income, it's really more of a hobby, so it puts me in a somewhat unique position. Do I want to pursue the jewelry business and actually try to make a profit? That is the question that I've been pondering. I don't really have a lot of free time between my full time job, my family and my other hobbies.
For now, I'm enjoying the creative process without pushing myself to make it into a real business. It's good for me to have experiences like this in order to understand the business needs of potential clients.
I've learned a few things about myself and business in general since getting involved in selling retail items.
It is a LOT of work to create and maintain a website to sell physical items such as jewelry. Each item that I create is unique, so if I want to sell it on my website, I have to take photos, insert it on the site, and set up payment buttons for buyers.
I'm currently using paypal buttons since I've used them in the past and they're easy to set up on a website. The down side is that I have to create a unique payment button for each item. It takes a lot of little steps to add every single item that I've created to the website so that it can be sold. I can easily spend an hour to add just a few new bracelets or earrings to my site. Since I'm doing everything myself, that's a significant amount of time to spend.
I'm considering signing up to sell my jewelry at a small local craft show. I am concerned about the amount of product that I'd need to make and the cost of the inventory involved. I don't see this business as potentially creating a large income, it's really more of a hobby, so it puts me in a somewhat unique position. Do I want to pursue the jewelry business and actually try to make a profit? That is the question that I've been pondering. I don't really have a lot of free time between my full time job, my family and my other hobbies.
For now, I'm enjoying the creative process without pushing myself to make it into a real business. It's good for me to have experiences like this in order to understand the business needs of potential clients.
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