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
Power Outages
July 26, 2011
We have all experienced power outages whether for 5 seconds or 5 hours. There is never a good time for a power outage, and they can often cause disastrous results to computers and other electronics. In the unusually hot and humid weather we have been having in Minnesota, we have noticed a lot of power outages recently and have been getting a lot of calls as a result. Everybody is running their air conditioners on full blast, and the drain on the power grid is a lot higher than normal. This is causing temporary power outages and leading to a lot of frustration. Here are some tips and information on what you can do to stay safe.
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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.
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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
Product Spotlight: Temperature and Moisture Monitoring
May 19, 2010
Computers + extreme temperatures and/or water = bad news. This is why a company named Invetex released two different products to help monitor temperature and moisture. The first product is called “Halotile.” Essentially it is a flat 2ft by 2ft panel that is designed to go on top of ceiling tiles. If you don’t have ceiling tiles or that doesn’t sound like a feasible option then they have a second product called “Aquapede.” Aquapede does the same thing that Halotile does, but it is a small sensor that is placed on the floor near the baseboard.
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3-2-1 Backups
May 19, 2010
When it comes to backups, there is a general rule that should be kept in mind. It is known as the “3-2-1” rule. It means there should always be 3 copies of all critical information on 2 different storage mediums 1 of which is offsite. By following this strategy you know that if a problem arises you will be prepared and your data will be secure.
It is important to have multiple copies of your data. When discussing the 3-2-1 backup strategy, the first set is the original data: this is the information you work with in real time. The second and third sets of data are considered backups of the original information, but the backups are of 2 different types. Read more
Windows 7 Overview
March 31, 2010
In November of 2009, we wrote an article to help you determine if you should upgrade to Windows 7, but we didn’t cover any of the new features. Now it’s time to take a look at Windows 7 and what it offers that Windows XP and Windows Vista don’t. Read more
Is Your Computer Up To Date?
March 31, 2010
One of the most important things you can do to keep your computer safe is to keep the software on it up to date. Most people are familiar with the updates Microsoft provides using the Windows Update tool and most people apply them regularly whenever they show up. This is a very good practice but it is only one necessary step to keep your computer safe. If all your computer’s applications are not kept up to date, your computer is vulnerable to attack.
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Wireless-n
February 24, 2010
Wireless Internet communication is something that most of us use at some point. You may have heard terms such as 802.11 followed by a letter such as a,b,g or n. 802.11 simply refers to a set of wireless protocols for carrying out wireless transmission. The letter refers to a particular type, generation or version of wireless transmission and offers improvements over the preceding generation. We will examine the latest, 802.11n and determine if it makes sense for you.
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Android Phones
February 24, 2010
Have you heard of an Android phone before? Perhaps you have heard of the Verizon Droid. This is one example of an Android-based phone, but what exactly does “Android”mean? Why are Android phones becoming so popular, and why are they seen as a competitor to the iPhone?
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