Consider replacing your hard drive before it fails!

September 29, 2011

Computers don’t last forever and one of the most common parts to fail is the hard drive.  Unfortunately, the hard drive is where all of the data is stored so when it fails it can have disastrous results.  The typical lifespan of a desktop computer hard drive is 4-5 years, and for a laptop it is around 3 years.  If you are using a hard drive that is around the 3 year mark, you might want to consider upgrading to be safe – it can save you a lot of headaches and frustration.
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Laptop Security

September 29, 2011

Have you ever been worried about getting your laptop or smartphone stolen?  Even if you try to be very safe about where you leave your laptop, there is always a chance someone could get a hold of it causing you to potentially lose very important sensitive information.  Although there are a number of tools available to help combat this problem, one stands out.  The tool is called Prey, and it runs on Windows, Macintosh and Linux based laptops, as well as Android based smartphones. Read more

Comcast releases $9.99 Internet Nationwide, for those who qualify

September 29, 2011

One of the largest Internet providers has rolled out a nationwide high speed Internet plan for only $9.99 a month.  Starting this month, Comcast now offers Internet for $9.99 and access to purchase a computer for $150.00.  The speeds that they offer are up to 1.5Mbps, which is fast enough for basic Internet browsing needs.  If you are signed up, they guarantee it will last at least 3 years for you, and they also offer free Internet training. Read more

Should I get a Tablet?

July 26, 2011

Tablets are the latest buzz, and we have been getting a lot of questions from people wondering if they need a Tablet. Let us be clear and answer your question right away – you don’t need a tablet. Having said that, there are certain applications that are well suited for tablets, but they serve a specific purpose.  Read more

Emerson Technologies Premium Backup Service

June 28, 2011

It is important to have data backed up. Emerson Technologies recommends using a 3-2-1 backup strategy, which includes an offsite backup. We recommended using online backups because they are very easy to configure, they run automatically, and are kept at a different location than your other copies. This means somebody doesn’t have to remember to take a tape home every night.  In a the event that something catastrophic happens where a building suffers damage, or there is a water damage, the backups will be safe. Read more

LastPass – The “Last” Password to Remember

June 28, 2011

Do you ever get tired of having to remember dozens or even hundreds of passwords for all of your different logins? What if you just had to remember one password for everything? Well with LastPass it is now possible. LastPass is a program that allows you to keep an online vault securely encrypted with all your passwords and logins. LastPass can run on Windows, Mac, Linux, and most mobile devices, and integrates with most Internet browsers. Read more

Family Shield

June 28, 2010

Providing Parental Controls for your Home Network

For years parents have wanted a simple way to keep younger family members from surfing inappropriate adult web sites.  Sometimes people intentionally visit these sites, sometimes unintentionally.  In the past there have been programs designed to block these websites but they are usually cumbersome to use and setup, and often expensive.

Family ShieldJust this week, OpenDNS, an organization with a mission to make the Internet a better place, has released a free service called Family Shield.  Family Shield is a service designed to automatically restrict access to adult websites for all computers on a home network.  It also restricts access for other devices that can access the Internet as well, such as an Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, iPad and smartphones that are connected via wi-fi.  The service is automatically kept up-to-date by OpenDNS.  Family Shield is easy to setup and instantly filters content on all your computers with no software to install or update.



If you have questions about Family Shield or are interested in implementing in your home, please give us a call at 651-454-7729 and we can provide assistance in setting it up, getting it configured, and providing recommendations about how it can help protect you.

iPhone 4

June 23, 2010

Apple has now released information about 2 new products. The first is the new iPhone 4. The second is the new operating system running on the phone, called iOS 4. The new iPhone 4 is available for purchase as of June 24th, 2010.iphone4 Read more

Microsoft Office 2010

June 23, 2010

The latest version of Microsoft Office, Office 2010 has been completed and is readily available for purchase. It has a lot of new features and added functionality, but the most pressing question is if you should upgrade or not.office2010 Read more

The Life Cycle of Computers

May 20, 2010

Computers are an investment. When purchasing a computer people often look only at the original sticker price as the full cost. However, the total cost of computer ownership includes original hardware, original software, hardware and software upgrades, maintenance and labor.

There comes a point when it is no longer economical to put money into a computer to fix it. In general that is 3 to 4 years. Now, of course there will be exceptions and this is just a guideline that has been developed from years of experience working with computers. Read more

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