Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Sunday, November 2, 2008

I'm a PC, but trying a Mac

Have you seen those commercials? "I'm a PC" from Microsoft? Their advertising trick to get more people into PC's rather than Mac's? Moving people over from one system to another is not that easy, and I'm proof.

Last spring while I was doing mad networking and events, I was asked over and over if I "supported Mac's"...and I do, I just didn't have current experience. I started out on Mac's in 1996, but left once my computer lab at Winona State moved to a PC geared lab. In April of last spring, I bought a MacBook because I didn't want to start losing potential clients, I needed to be able to support both systems.

I have to admit, I've had a hard time getting used to the Mac. For the first months, it was rarely booted up. I set up my email and played with Safari a bit, but didn't do much else. In August of 2008, I moved my home based office to a professional building near downtown and made the decision to take all my PC's to the office and only use the Mac at home. I worried that I wasted $1300 on the Mac!

3 months later, I'm finally used to the Mac, the tools and how it "works". Everyone says using a Mac is so easy, but it's not that easy if your stubborn and don't want to learn it. As well, it's probably easier for someone who is new to computing.

In my troubleshooting visits, I get asked quite often "Should I switch to a Mac, I hear they are so reliable"...and my answer is this "That's what I hear too. They are pretty expensive in comparison to a $400 PC".

According to my Google Analytics site, here is the operating system run down.

Windows 78.29%

Macintosh 21.01%

Linux 0.42%

iphone 0.28%


Wow, the iphone made it as an OS! LOL....that cracks me up, but nonetheless, it has to be considered in today's fast and getting faster world of technology.

To close, I have been taking Mac calls for a few months now and almost all of the issues I deal with are still application related and I can support any application, so it's worked for me. For those that are considering switching over, I highly recommend that you buy all the software you will need to make the transition more smooth.

Today I am installing a new printer. We'll see how that goes. The last one I installed had driver complications and I gave up on trying to fix it LOL.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Free online back up program

2 gigs of online backup for FREE!
Today we will talk about backing up your data online through a website called "Mozy". I use it every day and just love how easy it is!

In this issue...
Why back up online?
How do I do it?
How to earn free space

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Why back up online?

Many of us, including me...keep the external hard drive right next to the desktop pc. Is that really the best way to back up your data? It's the way many of us are used to doing it. What if your house was in a fire?...that external hard drive would burn if your computer burned now wouldn't it? And if you had a break-in and someone stole your computer, wouldn't they take your external hard drive too? It's probably connected!
A solution I am offering you folks today is to use Mozy. It's a very simple software tool that uploads your information to their servers right over your internet connection. No hardware necessary!
They offer 2 gigs for free; if you need more space they offer yearly packages for under $60 a year.
My Mozy uploads slick and I can't even tell it's doing a backup to the internet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How do I do it?

Click on this link...

www.mozy.com
Go to the bottom of the page and click on "2gig backup free"

Register for an account. Next page, complete the survey. You will receive an email with instructions on how to install the software.
Once it's installed, you will be able to easily select the files you want to back up; Mozy will help and do a search for you too to find the most common files.
Just a reminder, please reset the scheduled back up time to another time other than the standard "12:00 am" as so many people are doing it at that time, I would select "2:00 am" or later.
Mozy's free 2gig back up does not allow phone support, only email and live chat, so if you have an issue, don't call.

Taken from their website:
1. Sign up for an account.
Create a MozyHome user account which will allow you to download MozyHome software. Its quick, easy and our step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process.
2. Download and install software.
MozyHome downloads in just seconds, and the installation is simple and fast.
3. Select files to be backed up.
Simply check the boxes next to the backup sets, or types of files you want to back up, and MozyHome does the rest. In addition to selecting files by backup sets, you also have the option of selecting specific files and directories.
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How to earn free space

If you are considering signing up for Mozy's 2 gig free deal, you can put in my referral code and earn 256mb free for yourself as well, I earn 256mg for free.

My code is BZ3DLB

Or click on my referral link here

https://mozy.com/?ref=BZ3DLB

Happy backing up!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Shortcuts that can save the day!

Friday's Tips and Tricks!
Shortcuts that can save the day!

August 7th, 2008

Welcome to Friday's Tips and Tricks! Most Friday's I will send out a short note, reviewing things that are important for you to know. Reminder...if you would like to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom to do that.

Today we will talk about some keyboard shortcuts to use in your everyday computing and some may save the day!

NOTE: Everyone uses their computer "their own way". You may not use these tips and tricks and you may already use them, either way...good things to be aware of. Please send any other tricks to Lisa@callthatgirl.biz for future tips and tricks.



In this issue...
Where did my work go?
My computer froze
My emails won't send!

Where did my work go?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Admit it... You're a multi-tasker and just work too darn hard, and sometimes have too many things going on. Help! I lost what I was working on!


Press on the "alt" key and the "tab" key at same time. You will notice little boxes pop up. That window shows you everything you currently have open on your computer. Continue to click the tab key and it will scroll from application to application. This is a good trick especially if your mouse is frozen and you need to save some work.

My computer froze!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes an application can freeze and you can't do anything...

Start with the "alt + tab" trick, find your work that needs to be saved, then hit "Ctrl + S", it will bring up a "save as" box.

If this fails, I recommend just leaving your computer for a few minutes and let it settle down. Sometimes we work too hard and the computer/application can get "confused". Letting it rest awhile, will give the application time to figure itself out. And clicking-clicking-clicking trying to get it to work, only confuses it more.
My emails won't send!
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FOR OUTLOOK USERS
You accidently sent out a HUGE email. I'm not talking a 4mb size, I'm talking about a 24 mb size email. It's sitting in your outbox and your other emails you're trying to send out are piling up. How to resolve that yourself...


Go to the email that is sitting idle and click on it. Next hit your "shift + delete" key at the same time. This should purge the email from the outbox. If not...
Try "file" at the top of your Outlook, select "work offline". Close Outlook. Open again and try the trick again, "shift + delete". A very large email may take some time to delete. Remember to put your Outlook back online once you have deleted the email.




Call That Girl!
www.callthatgirl.biz
Info@callthatgirl.biz
612-865-4475

Friday, July 25, 2008

Tips about buying a new computer

Friday's Tips and Tricks!
Things you need to know
July 25, 2008
Welcome to Friday's Tips and Tricks! Every Friday I will send out a short note, reviewing things that are important for you to know. Reminder...if you would like to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom to do that.

In this issue

How long does a computer last?
-----------------------------

As long as you take care of your computer, it can last well over 10 years. Some computers do have major malfunctions though and they're just not worth repairing. Can you prevent that? Not in every case. I have gone to a client's house who has a Windows 98 machine, almost 10 years old, still running just fine. The user only needed a few slight problems fixed.


What I normally tell folks is this...once a computer starts to get over 5 years old, start saving to buy a new one. Replacing the hardware that fails can cost almost $300 with parts and labor. With a repair bill that big, it's not worth replacing it when some new computers are $300!
What can you do to keep your computer around a bit longer?
Turn it off at night
Keep your Windows updates current
Install an Antivirus program
Move your music to an external hard drive
NOTE....Laptops seem to have a shorter life span than a desktop computer.

How much should you spend?
-------------------------------
Do you have an IT Budget? We discussed this a few Tips and Tricks ago....

Computers can range from $300-2500 for the same type of system, with just a few hardware changes. Do you need to spend $2500 on a new computer?

If you are a basic user, a $300-$500 desktop computer should work just fine for you. It will come with all the basic hardware and you should not need to upgrade much. If anything, you may want to upgrade the memory. For the laptop user, basic laptops are selling for under $500 at many big box shops.

NOTE: If you have special needs for your programs, then you may need to spend more money on a higher-end model computer.

What's the deal with Vista?
----------------------------

Many of my clients have been in need of an upgrade of their systems and I can't tell you how many say, "I have heard to stay away from Vista".

So what is the deal with Vista? Vista is the operating system that you will need to use if you're buying a new computer. It has a different look and feel than other systems and it takes some learning to figure it out, but it's not that different and it's more stable than it was last year. The biggest issues people are having with Vista are that it doesn't work well in a corporate environment. For the home user, it should work just fine. You may experience some problems with...

1.) Your printer isn't compatible anymore (if you have a really old one)
2.) You don't know how to use it (because of look and feel changes)
3.) Slowness (this can be changed by adding more memory)
4.) Old programs that worked on your XP computer won't install on Vista (You will need to buy a new version or call the manufacturer and see if they have an update for Vista)

Does Call That Girl recommend using Vista? We sure do! I have been using it since January 2007 and really haven't had any issues with it. We also offer "Vista Tweak" sessions on how to use it better to fit your needs. For what it's worth, about half my client base has Vista and no one has downgraded back to XP yet!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Spyware! Things you should know

Friday's Tips and Tricks!
Today's topic: *Spyware*
WARNING!!! This week's newsletter is kinda lengthy!

July 18th, 2008

Welcome to Friday's Tips and Tricks! Every Friday I will send out a short note, reviewing things that are important for you to know. Reminder...if you would like to unsubscribe, there is a link at the bottom to do that.


Spyware!

What is it?

How you get it?

What does it do?

How to avoid it!

What is spyware?
Simple explanation: Spyware is a "spy program" that is downloaded/installed and infects your computer. It's usually a very small program that is hard to detect without running spyware cleaning programs.

How did you get it?
For the most part...
-You downloaded a program from the internet using Internet Explorer such as games, coupon specials, or you...
-clicked on a pop up window (like the one below) -didn't close the window properly
-installed a smiley toolbar for your email program
-installed a "spyware program" that was meant to prevent spyware


The image below is an example of how spyware attempts to get you to download their "tools"


What does it do?
--Sometimes it tracks your websites
--Sometimes it collects personal information
--Sometimes it adds a toolbar to your Internet Explorer browser
--Sometimes it can infect your computer with spyware viruses
--Sometimes it can take over your entire computer settings so you can't do anything or change any settings.
--Sometimes it installs a re-director on your Internet Explorer window so it will never go to your home page. It takes you to as foreign website or a web ad site.
--Sometimes it does something I've never seen before! Spyware is sneaky!

NOTE: I use the word "Sometimes" in these scenarios because spyware is now worse than just regular viruses that people used to worry about. Spyware comes from the internet so it's even harder to figure how you got it exactly. Unlike the old days when you remember exactly what email caused you to start noticing a virus infection.

How to avoid getting it
-When you get a pop up window like the one above, do not click on any of the options, and try to close the window with the X in the right corner.

-If that fails you, try to close all your internet windows.

-If that fails you, right click on your task bar on the bottom of your screen and find "task manager" and then you will see this window...click on the Big E (Internet Explorer) and then click on the bottom of the screen "end task" and stop all the internet windows.


-You can also avoid getting spyware problems by not downloading anymore free games, coupons buddies programs, smiley programs, etc.

-You can also avoid spyware by using another internet browser other than Internet Explorer. You can use Firefox, Opera, etc. There are quite a few out there now to select from.

How to remove spyware
-There are many ways to remove Spyware. The big fixes are to run spyware cleaners, but there are also many things you need to check on the computer besides running a cleaner. I can't tell you how many people have told me, "I ran the cleaner". There are many "fake cleaners" out there that actually can infect your system worse.

NOTE: Some spyware companies are having you pay for a download to clean the virus. From what I have seen, these are HOAXES. They usually run $30 or so and do not clean/remove the spyware.

Call That Girl for a phone support/Home visit. Until July 31st, we will be offering a phone support special for $45 for an hour. During this support chat, we will install a well known spyware cleaning program and do a 15 point checklist for checking your computer and talk you through how to maintain your system.


Got a questionfor Call That Girl?
Call That Girl can give tips and tricks til the cows come home, but what are you interested in reading up on? Send Questions to info@callthatgirl.biz and have your question answered in the next newsletter.

Stay tuned for next week's Tips and Tricks....Purchasing your next computer
Call That Girl!

www.callthatgirl.biz
info@callthatgirl.biz
612-865-4475

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Thursday, pretty boring

It's 9:45 am, just got done walking my dog. It's been a slower week for CTG. Holiday week, and people don't want to deal with anything. I don't either to be honest LOL. I am doing a lot of catch up stuff as I had 2 pretty big expo's in the last 2 weeks.

Today so far, I've...
~done some banking
~cleaned up my email
~updated my linkedin profile
~cleaned up my office a bit

Not too exciting today.

I have a client at noon, then off to run errands and help my friend's girl move out of her apt. Yes, I am a good friend! Tonight I will probably go to the grocery store, dog park and get some cat food. I lead a thrilling and exciting life here in South Mpls!