Clouding your Mind

Think you're gonna SCREAM if someone else mentions 'the Cloud'?  Get used to it... it' ain't goin' away.

The concept of CLOUD COMPUTING, that is, relying on an internet connection for generating and storing all your documents and communications, has been heading toward us now like a herd of thundering turtles.  Google Docs was the first public commercially interesting effort at this and now Microsoft is moving to make sure they aren't left behind.  So lets take a few lines of text and explore the State of Cloud computing today.

The idea of applications to generate word processing, spreadsheet and presentation documents which can be shared over the internet and virtually 'backed up' is a sound idea.  People have been talking for many years, maybe 10 or more, about web based applications like Word and Excel over the net.  And they're handy, al beit abbreviated in their ability to match the power of PC applications.  There are certain limitations to the on-line software that are understandable, given the 'newness' of all this.  The level of refinement will advance as the user base grows.

To-date I'm not aware of any Microsoft Access quality relational databases available 'in the Cloud' yet.  That'll come, I'm sure.  When it does the users in the Cloud will have no limits.

I say "Bring it!"

Neighborhood Computer Services Website Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net Call : 503-530-6623

'Talking Pictures' - Skype makes video calls E-Z

Have I written about Skype before? Well I'm writing about it now...

Skype is a great tool whether your friends and family are across the country or across town. Like Dick Tracy's (Who?) Radio-TV-Phone Watch, it puts you right in front of the person you're talking to, making a call much more personal, real & FUN than the phone is. Best of all: Skype calls from Computer to Computer are positively free...between here and...well, China, even.



Getting a Skype account is as simple as visiting Skype.com but to fully enjoy it, if you don't already have one, invest about $30-$50 in a decent webcam. These handy devices, available from your local office supply store, include a microphone and camera to transmit your voice and picture to people you choose to call.



Once you're set up you can search by name in Skype's contact directory to find family and friends who also have accounts. Once you send them an invitation to find you on Skype whenever it's 'open' you'll see if they're online and available to call. They can see you're on line too so either one of you can initiate a call and begin a 'video visit.'



Skype is simple and fast to learn to use. And it's become hugely popular. When I'm teaching a Skype class I'm always full with a waiting list. But if you aren't into taking a class you can learn most of what you need to know by visiting www.youtube.com and searching for 'How to use Skype'



Enjoy.


Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
Call : 503-530-6623

It's Not a Matter of Life & Death...

It's a phrase often used to make emphasis that something isn't 'A matter of life & death...it's more important than that.'  A pretty effective visual.  And it could well apply to software updates; in particular, those Windows and browser updates.

Most of us don't even know that every week...EVERY single week... Microsoft releases patches and security fixes.  These fixes protect (or try to, anyway) the computers it's products are used on from bugs and malicious attacks sent by unscrupulous people who's greatest thrill is to read in the paper that they brought a million computer users to their knees.  It's an on-going issue; won't go away... it's as certain as the sun rising every morning.  The attacks WILL come.  What are YOU doing about it?

Most of us don't even notice that little windows icon in the lower right hand of our screens letting us know "Windows has downloaded updates ... and are ready to install..".  We ignore it if we see it at all.

You MUST run and install those updates. If you don't you may as well not use virus protection or if you DO then not update those files either.  You leave a welcome mat out for the bad guys.  And it's not like the booggie man in the closet.... These guys are REALLY there...and they WILL do you hard.

So is all this scare tactic making you freak out?  Don't freak.  Watch this small film on windows updates and see how you go about protecting yourself.  Turn your speakers up...  Oh, and I know, I know... be careful about links on the internet.  Hey, trust me... I'm a (computer) Doctor.

Happy computing...    ;-)


Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net


Call : 503-530-6623

Nasty Little Virus Vermin!

I write here so often about the virus boogie men who pester us all with their 'craft'.  They just don't go away, they don't sleep. They STEAL control of our computers so that we can't use them for anything but a door stop (PC) or a paper weight (Laptop).   Grrrrr how we HATE those guys!

Actually it's not impossible to restore an infected computer .... IF you pull the infected, possessed hard drive, hook it up with a cable to another PC and run various scans for hours on end, then reinsert in in the 'infected' computer and run a few MORE hours of scans to get any 'baddies' that got missed before.

See?  Simple, huh?  Or just call your friendly Computer Repair Guy and ask for help.  But don't begrudge him his fee.  I can assure you it costs ALL of that to undo the harm done and get you enjoying your computing experience again.


Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net


Call : 503-530-6623