Posted by Frankie on December 15, 2011 · Leave a Comment
If you’re like me, you like to give good gifts. Sometimes, however, it’s difficult to decide what to buy for the people you love. Luckily the internet has stepped in and made shopping easy for all of us. I’m sure that most people are familiar with the idea of “wish lists.” These days it is quite common to have registries for bridal showers, baby showers, bachelor parties, birthdays– you name it. You can usually find a way to register and create a shopping list on most major department store websites.
One of the tools that I find most effective in ensuring that I give– and receive– the perfect gifts is Amazon’s wish list. It’s a great resource because it allows you to list out a variety of items, and should you find something you want on another website, such as Etsy or Home Depot, that is not listed on Amazon, you can import that information to your wish list as well. This makes Amazon a great central tool for keeping track of all the things you want.
Of course, this is the time of year when we’re mostly busy BUYING presents for others. The good news is that Amazon makes that easy for you as well. If your friends and family have wish lists in Amazon, they are easily searchable. Also, once you’ve purchased something on their list, you can have it discreetly removed so that they don’t get the same thing twice. And thanks to Amazon’s Gift Organizer, you can easily search and save gift ideas for people in your life. Let’s say your friend’s birthday is months away, but they mention how much they’d love a copy of a book that is coming out in February. You can search for it in Amazon, add it to a list of gift ideas you create, and even set a date in the future to remind you that you need to purchase the present.
There are so many things you can do to help take the pressure off yourself when it comes to giving and receiving gifts. Using the Wish List helps me ensure that I am getting people things that they want, and by using the tools and settings, I get to keep gift giving at the forefront of my mind without getting stressed out about it. Not only do I know I’m getting people good gifts, it also increases my chances of getting the things I want myself. Try out the Wish List with your friends and family. It will add an element of fun and certainty to your future purchases. Happy shopping!
Posted by Frankie on December 15, 2011 · Leave a Comment
We all lead busy lives. Many of us have a day planner, a work calendar, a phone calendar, and a calendar hanging on the wall at home. While these are all useful tools, it can become a task just to try and manage all your calendars. One of the most effective tools I have found is the Google Calendar. There are many advantages to using Google’s calendar tool. First of all, your information is stored online, which means you can access your information at home, at work, and on the go if you have a smart phone. Another advantage is that you can share your calendar with friends, families, and coworkers- at whatever level you choose.
In order to use Google Calendar, you must first set up a Google account. Once you have that established, using the calendar tool is very simple, as is sharing your schedule and syncing with other programs, such as Microsoft Office. If you are using a supported operating system, all you have to do is download Google Calendar Sync, which you can access here. Once the download is completed, save the file to your computer and install the program. You will be asked to enter your account username and password, and select which type of syncing you wish to set up for your calendars. Two-way syncing will allow information to flow between Office and Google, so that information you input is constantly uploaded and accessible.
Now that your calendars are synced and in the cloud, you can share them with whoever might find them relevant. You can do this by clicking on the settings tab and clicking on “calendars.” You should see a list of any calendars associated with your Google profile. From there, all you have to do is click “share this calendar,” then enter the person’s email address and decided what level of access you’d like to allow them to have to edit appointments and events. Privacy levels can be controlled and adjusted within the same calendar so that different information is shared with different people.
This is a great tool for anyone trying to manage the multiple schedules of a family or small business. Everyone can see what the day/week/month looks like, and edits are made in real time. In addition, because the information is stored on the web, your calendar can be accessed from any computer or phone that grants you access to your Google account. I use this tool all the time to manage my schedule and set appointments with clients. I find it extremely helpful, and I hope that you do too.
Posted by Frankie on December 12, 2011 · Leave a Comment
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to work your way through a jumble of cords and wires. It is important to give some time to cable management to save yourself trouble should you one day find yourself behind your computer trying to plug in a new mouse or printer. There are simple solutions for wire management, ranging from color-coded Velcro and zip ties to custom labels.
You can also make labels for your wires with things you have lying around the house, such as an empty milk carton. Here’s what to do:
- Rinse out the milk jug and cut out any flat parts.
- Cut the flat pieces into one-inch squares.
- Punch a hole about one-eighth of an inch from the edge.
- Cut a slit from the edge of the square to the hole you just punched.
- Clip the corners of the square at an angle to get rid of sharp corners.
- Using a fine-point Sharpie, annotate the label accordingly.
Taking a moment of your time to organize your cords can really save you a lot of frustration in the future. Best of luck getting your cables labeled and managed!
Posted by Frankie on November 22, 2011 · Leave a Comment
As you may know, I prefer to recommend Avast Antivirus to protect your computer from viruses. It has many advantages over other antivirus programs, including the fact that it is free. Avast requires you to renew your subscription annually, and this is where the confusion lies. It can get tricky trying to renew the free version of your product, but there are a few simple steps you can follow to make sure your computer stays protected.
If your Avast license key has expired, all you need to do is go to Avast’s Official Website. Once there, click the “Support” tab at the top of the screen. This will direct you to a page that automatically features the free version of Avast. On the middle of that screen, there is a list of “Popular Actions,” which includes the option to “register to get license.” Click there to register, or click here for a shortcut, and remember to scan for viruses often.
Posted by Frankie on November 22, 2011 · Leave a Comment
It is never a good sign when a hard drive starts to make a new noise. It means that drive failure is imminent. Although there are variations, most drives are fairly silent when they are running. The tip-off to hard drive failure is either a new noise or a dramatic reduction in PC performance. If it has just started clicking, or if it only clicks occasionally, this means something has changed, and change in a hard drive is a bad thing.
Hard drives form the basis of our computing. The use of computers comes down to manipulating data, and the hard drive is, of course, where we store all our data; family albums, music, work documents, email, the list goes on.
Most of the components in your computer are electronic devices. They don’t fail with time like a mechanical device such as a car. But your hard drive is one of the few mechanical devices used in modern computing, and as such, it’s destined to die eventually.
It’s important to learn to recognize the warning signs of an imminent hard drive failure, since you might not have the budget for an extensive back-up system, so you can rescue all that data before it’s lost—sometimes forever, irretrievable at any cost.
Sometimes hearing strange grinding and thrashing noises means your drive is, or is about to be, beyond repair. If you’re hearing strange noises then act very, very quickly—you probably don’t have much time.
If you have a hard drive that’s failing, starting to fail or even if you suspect it of showing the signs of failing, do not hesitate to have Frankie OnCall take a look at your computer to help save your system!
Posted by Frankie on November 22, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Shopping for an e-book reader? The good news is that you have more choices at better prices than ever before. The bad news? There are more choices than ever before. In the realm of dedicated e-book readers, the market has consolidated around a handful of major players: mainly Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with Kobo and Sony bringing up the rear. But every major tablet, including the Apple iPad and nearly every Android, also doubles as a reader.
So, should you get an inexpensive e-ink reader or go for a more versatile color tablet? Should you wait for new versions to come out? These are the dilemmas facing any shopper today.
Start by asking yourself what you’re really looking for. Do you just want to read books? How about magazines and newspapers? What about browsing the Web? Want to add multimedia to the mix–music, audiobooks, or video? E-mail and messaging? Games? If you want to stick with “just reading”–books, and maybe some newspapers and magazines–an e-book reader is probably your best bet. Prices will range from $120 for an e-reader to $800 for a tablet.
Next, ask yourself how large of a screen and weight you want. Even if you plan to never leave home with your e-reader, you should consider its size. The Kindle is very lightweight, but the heavier Nook Color will offer you a larger, 7-inch screen. If you require an even larger screen, you’ll want to look at buying an iPad or a Sony Tablet. Remember though, that all readers have adjustable fonts, and a smaller screen does not necessarily sacrifice readability.
Consider whether or not you want a color screen. Some e-book readers, such as the Kindle, use an e-ink screen, which means they are black-and-white. They’re not backlit–so you can’t read in the dark–but you can read them in direct sunlight, which is something you can’t do on an LCD or touch screen. By contrast, the LCD screens found on all tablets (and the Nook Color) are bright, colorful, beautiful displays. But those advantages have trade-offs. The reflective screens on LCD tablets make it hard to read in bright light, and many people find that the backlight tires their eyes over long reading sessions. If you enjoy reading Web sites, magazines, and newspapers, and if you want support for interactive children’s books, you’ll want to go with color. However, if you prefer the look of newsprint or if you enjoy reading outside, an e-ink display is your friend.
Decide if you need LG or Wi-Fi. If you’re primarily interested in reading books, you’re going to be fine opting for Wi-Fi-only models. You need Wi-Fi access when you’re buying new books. If you’re using your hardware to access anything besides e-books–magazine or newspaper subscriptions, e-mail, the Web, apps, and so forth–ubiquitous wireless access becomes more important. Still, if you’re using the reader/tablet primarily at home, Wi-Fi will remain sufficient. The current Nook and Kobo models are only available in Wi-Fi versions. Amazon and Sony offer more expensive step-up Kindle and Sony Reader models that offer 3G wireless. Tablets, of course, offer a much wider array of media options and, as a result, data access is much more tempting. However, most tablets are carrier-specific and can come with hefty bills. With more phones and more businesses offering free Wi-Fi, there are plenty of ways to get seamless online coverage with your reading device without it having 3G network support built-in.
These are all important factors in deciding which e-reader is right for you. Take them into consideration when doing your shopping, and you’ll find the reader best suited to you, or whoever you’re shopping for. Happy reading!
Posted by Frankie on September 27, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Laptop or desktop? New or used or refurbished? Low or high priced?
Trying to find the perfect computer can be an overwhelming experience. No worries. Now you have a buying guide to help you choose a computer to meet your needs.
Define Your Computer Lifestyle.
Every computer user marches to his/her own digital lifestyle. So what’s yours? Answer these questions to find your perfect digital companion.
- There are five basic types of users: Home-user, Student, Business Professional, Traveler and Multi-media/Gaming Connoisseur. Which label applies to you?
- Are you a general purpose computer user? Do you use it only for checking email and some document creation?
- Are you a serial video gamer?
- Is your computer equivalent to your sacred family photo vault?
- Are you an at-home only user, or do you need portability?
- Are you a student who absolutely cannot loose that 1,000-word paper you typed last night at 1 a.m.?
- Are you careful or clumsy? Does everything slip out of your hands? (This is especially important when purchasing a laptop. Sturdy aluminum covers tend to fare better for our butter-fingered friends that soft plastic casings.)
Processor
Also known as CPU, the processor is your computer’s brain. Efficiency and performance are determined by the processor clock speed and the number of cores. The two primary processor manufacturers are Intel and AMD.
Multiple core processors process more data. The number of cores can be determined by the processor name: Core 2 Duo has two cores while Phenom X3 has three cores.
Clock speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz), determines how quickly a processor can process information. The higher the clock speed, the faster the computer.
Consumer Reports suggests the following processor guidelines.
- For basic tasks such as browsing the Web and checking e-mail, opt for a low-end dual- core processor such as the Intel Pentium Dual- Core or AMD Athlon/Turion X2.
- If you plan to use your desktop or laptop for entertainment, such as watching videos or playing games, get a faster processor such as the Intel Core 2 Duo/Quad, Intel Core i5, or AMD Phenom/Phenom II.
- If you’re a hardcore gamer or plan to edit high-definition (HD) video, buy a computer with a high-end processor such as the Intel Core i7.
Memory (RAM)
The more memory (measured in gigabytes) a computer has the faster it is. On Desktops generally have between 6GB and 8GB. However, Consumer Reports finds that 4GB is generally enough memory for anything other than heavy multitasking or video editing. Netbooks typically come with 1GB of memory.
Operating system
Mos PCs offer a choice of several versions of Windows 7, each with its own hardware requirements. Consumer Reports recommends Home Premium as the Windows 7 version for most home users.
Still need more information before deciding what kind of computer to buy? About.com has a questionnaire to help you think through your needs. Upon completion of the questionnaire, About.com makes recommendations for a computer that meets you needs.
In addition, Frankie OnCall offers personal shopper services to help you select the digital companion made just for you!
Posted by Frankie on September 27, 2011 · Leave a Comment
Choosing a web browser that gives you the best browsing experience can be confusing and frustrating. The four well-known browsers – Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari – are more or less similar.
As each company releases updates, differences among browsers become less distinct. While one browser may load photos a bit faster, another browser may be more accessible through toolbar tabs. Because of the similarities, your browser choice is less important than installing updates when they become available.
When choosing a browser, you should evaluate and compare:
- Simplicity
- Security (Internet browsers should protect against pop–ups, viruses and phishing frauds and allow you to clear personal information so you can feel confident while online) and
- Special features
A GSMArena study, comparing browser performance, found that Google Chrome outperformed all other browers, with Internet Explorer lagging behind in most benchmarks. However, the difference among browsers was insignificant for most consumers. The following table lists some of the strengths and weaknesses of these browsers.
| Safari 5 |
Opens fast
Competitive speed
Uses little RAM (Memory)
Simple to use |
Doesn’t have many special features (extensions and add-ons) |
Best for someone who constantly opens/closes the browser, and wants a fast internet surfing speed, without the bells and whistles |
| Firefox |
Many special features
Large collection of extensions and plug-ins
Frequent updates
Best viewer for large amounts of Flash content |
Takes longer initial loading time |
Best for someone who uses the web for a long period of time once a day, or someone who likes to view Flash material. |
| Google Chrome 6.0 |
FastSupports many features and plug insExcellent integrated search featureIntegrated history and book marking capabilities |
Websites may break because some developers test only on IE |
Best for people who want to juggle many windows filled with code |
| Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 |
Because of its market stability, many CEOs still use IEWorks with most websites |
Improved security, but still vulnerable to attacks because of interface with ActiveX |
|
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If you’re like me, you like to give good gifts. Sometimes, however, it’s difficult to decide what to buy for the people you love. Luckily the internet has stepped in and made shopping easy for all of us. I’m sure that most people are familiar with the idea of “wish lists.” These days it is quite common to have registries for bridal showers, baby showers, bachelor parties, birthdays– you name it. You can usually find a way to register and create a shopping list on most major department store websites.
