Most of my clients (people in YOUR neighborhood) come to me with various technology related issues, but the all have one thing in common. They eventually got tired of having their problems plague them, they just wanted things to WORK and they wanted someone to rescue them.
Hey, we all want to be rescued, don't we? Thank goodness there are experts who can make our pain stop and allow us to get our lives back. And we ask ourselves "Why did we wait so long to call? Was all that suffering necessary?"
Well, I have a theory on that....some say I have a theory on everything. My theory tells me that people need to go through whatever it is they do to bring them to the point of understanding what it is they need to do next. Simply, yes? But folks don't call me till that happens. Some suffer terribly before they get to the point where they reach out to an 'expert'. Once they do, though, they feel liberated! It's freeing to give your problems over to someone who has the skills that you've discovered you lack; someone who can make the frustration go away and make things work again.
That's what I do....make headaches go away...restore functionality and allow people to enjoy their lives again; instead of stumbling over technology once again they become the master and the tools bend to their command.
Oh so it sounds grandiose, eh? Then you, my friend, are not yet at that point. But you will be. I WILL be. We all will need someone to help us through a tough time. But when it's your computing tools, smart phone or software issues making you pull your hair out...call me!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Logmein.com Makes PC/Mac repair easy and quick
I have quite a few clients now who when they call me and wish to schedule a repair appointment find that I can help them without having to disrupt THEIR schedules by accessing their computer(s) from my computer or IPhone. Many repairs are very immediate and don't require the client to be available. Nice for you; great for me. And, it brings down the cost of a repair! Now isn't THAT nice?
Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
Call : 503-530-6623
Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
Call : 503-530-6623
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Blogging without a PC
Oh yes, it's possible, as I just found out when I left home and forgot my laptop power cord. The world doesn't end... It just sort of bends!
So, a quick search of the iPhone app store uncovers several choices for adding to your blogsite on the fly. This article is proof it works... Or WILL be proof after I push send.
Wanna know more on this subject? Drop me a line...
So, a quick search of the iPhone app store uncovers several choices for adding to your blogsite on the fly. This article is proof it works... Or WILL be proof after I push send.
Wanna know more on this subject? Drop me a line...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
NetBooks...I forgot NetBooks!
I said I'd recommend a NetBook and I like totally forgot! So sorry. Here it is...
First a disclaimer...NetBooks are NOT for everyone. They have a more cramped keyboard and a small screen that isn't suited to some folks, and those with failing eyesight (read that as 50 years old or over) may find it a handicap. Having said all this...They ARE the HOT THING for folks that just do word processing and internet/e-mail.
PC World Magazine likes the Asus EeePC 1000HE ($399) and I can see why. Beyond its attractive price, though there are lighter NoteBooks, at 3.2 lbs its no problem to lug around. Battery life is over 7 hours on a full charge, which is 'killer' good to airline travelers. Trust me though, you WON'T want to stare at a 10" screen for 7 hours.
NoteBooks aren't known for speed, but this one moves along at a respectable clip. General design is good.
If you MUST have cheap, small, light, with long battery life and l can recommend this unit.
A second choice might be the Acer Aspire One AOD150 ($349). The unit weighs a little less and as only a slightly shorter battery life.
Either of these two units should make a NetBook shopper happy.
First a disclaimer...NetBooks are NOT for everyone. They have a more cramped keyboard and a small screen that isn't suited to some folks, and those with failing eyesight (read that as 50 years old or over) may find it a handicap. Having said all this...They ARE the HOT THING for folks that just do word processing and internet/e-mail.
PC World Magazine likes the Asus EeePC 1000HE ($399) and I can see why. Beyond its attractive price, though there are lighter NoteBooks, at 3.2 lbs its no problem to lug around. Battery life is over 7 hours on a full charge, which is 'killer' good to airline travelers. Trust me though, you WON'T want to stare at a 10" screen for 7 hours.
NoteBooks aren't known for speed, but this one moves along at a respectable clip. General design is good.
If you MUST have cheap, small, light, with long battery life and l can recommend this unit.
A second choice might be the Acer Aspire One AOD150 ($349). The unit weighs a little less and as only a slightly shorter battery life.
Either of these two units should make a NetBook shopper happy.
Latop Recommendaions for the Average Joe (Or Josephine)
Well picking a laptop for 'Joe Average User' is a bit like kissing one's sister....not the most pleasant to contemplate but every now and then, necessary.
What most of us can buy off the retail shelf these days is greatly limited by the virtual (tongue in cheek) collapse of computer retailers like CompUSA and a host of others. I've ALWAYS preferred to specify my computers from the manufacturers any way; customer service as a selling point at Best Buy or Frys is grossly exaggerated.
Priorities here are for keeping the cost down without buying a computer which will be obsolete in 12 months. (NOTE: Software, such as the rather critical Microsoft Office Home/Student was NOT included and would add another 125-150 of cost. No additional warranties were added as they run a lot, but are worth a lot to be honest, if one is forward thinking. So many things can go wrong with a laptop).
So quick to the point, two systems I'd recommend for people I actually LIKE and hope to see again sometime would be:
Dell Latitude E5500 $808
Intel Core duo T7250 Processor (2 GHz, 2M L2 Cache, 800 MHz)
15.4 Inch Screen (I like the smaller 14", but the Average Joe often has failing eyesight!)
Operating System Software: Windows Vista Business SP1 (This was my upgrade preference)
RAM Memory 3 GHz DDR2 2 DIIMS ... Folks this is NO place to scrimp!
250 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (I like the 7200 RPM better, but $$$ rules it out)
Optical Drive 8X DVD+/-RW This will do anything I can think of
Wireless Card Dell 1510 802.11 a/g/n (Yeah, its an upgrade but its current technology)
Integrated web cam
6 Cell Battery (Again, a 9 Cell would be better, but money, money, money...)
OR you could get and its almost as good...
Lenovo (IBM) ThinkPad SL500 $659
Intel Core Duo T6570 Processor (2.1 GHz 800 MHz, @MBL2)
Operating System Software: Windows Vista Home Basic (Used Vista Business on system above)
15.4 Inch Screen (I like the smaller 14", as I said above)
RAM Memory 3 GHz DDR2 2 DIIMS ... Folks, I say again, this is NO place to scrimp!
160 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (the 250 GB above is probably overkill)
Optical Drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Not as good as the Dell system; good enough for most
Wireless Card Intel WIMax/WiFi 5150 802.11 a/g/n (again, upgrade; performance is worth it)
Integrated web cam
6 Cell Battery
So would I go for the cheaper system for a customer? Probably yes. There's nothing in the Dell that would be missed that much in the Lenovo. Maybe I'd add Vista business which would get them closer together in price. But remember, you're STILL gonna be out 150 for MS Office software.
Happy computing!
Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
Call : 503-530-6623
What most of us can buy off the retail shelf these days is greatly limited by the virtual (tongue in cheek) collapse of computer retailers like CompUSA and a host of others. I've ALWAYS preferred to specify my computers from the manufacturers any way; customer service as a selling point at Best Buy or Frys is grossly exaggerated.
Priorities here are for keeping the cost down without buying a computer which will be obsolete in 12 months. (NOTE: Software, such as the rather critical Microsoft Office Home/Student was NOT included and would add another 125-150 of cost. No additional warranties were added as they run a lot, but are worth a lot to be honest, if one is forward thinking. So many things can go wrong with a laptop).
So quick to the point, two systems I'd recommend for people I actually LIKE and hope to see again sometime would be:
Dell Latitude E5500 $808
Intel Core duo T7250 Processor (2 GHz, 2M L2 Cache, 800 MHz)
15.4 Inch Screen (I like the smaller 14", but the Average Joe often has failing eyesight!)
Operating System Software: Windows Vista Business SP1 (This was my upgrade preference)
RAM Memory 3 GHz DDR2 2 DIIMS ... Folks this is NO place to scrimp!
250 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (I like the 7200 RPM better, but $$$ rules it out)
Optical Drive 8X DVD+/-RW This will do anything I can think of
Wireless Card Dell 1510 802.11 a/g/n (Yeah, its an upgrade but its current technology)
Integrated web cam
6 Cell Battery (Again, a 9 Cell would be better, but money, money, money...)
OR you could get and its almost as good...
Lenovo (IBM) ThinkPad SL500 $659
Intel Core Duo T6570 Processor (2.1 GHz 800 MHz, @MBL2)
Operating System Software: Windows Vista Home Basic (Used Vista Business on system above)
15.4 Inch Screen (I like the smaller 14", as I said above)
RAM Memory 3 GHz DDR2 2 DIIMS ... Folks, I say again, this is NO place to scrimp!
160 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive (the 250 GB above is probably overkill)
Optical Drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Not as good as the Dell system; good enough for most
Wireless Card Intel WIMax/WiFi 5150 802.11 a/g/n (again, upgrade; performance is worth it)
Integrated web cam
6 Cell Battery
So would I go for the cheaper system for a customer? Probably yes. There's nothing in the Dell that would be missed that much in the Lenovo. Maybe I'd add Vista business which would get them closer together in price. But remember, you're STILL gonna be out 150 for MS Office software.
Happy computing!
Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
Call : 503-530-6623
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Tweet! Tweet!
Hey, have I talked about TWITTER? Do I need to? Well, there's a lot of argument about that.
Twitter is, depending on who you talk to:
I LIKE Twitter, not that I use it all that much (YET!). I like what it tries to do; what it DOES do. It's sort of like CHAT on the fly, which is a little redundant I realize, even as I write it.
Twitter has been used to say silly little thoughts off the top of ones head to no one in particular, or to a business associate, or to someone you love, or someone you wish loved you.
But Twitter is rapidly becoming a LOT more. Recently a Russian break-away state used twitter as a means of organizing protest; so did dissidents in Iran who were unhappy with their Government's handing of an election. It was used to announce an impromptu concern by Comedian Dave Chappelle in Portland, OR only HOURS before it took place....Hundreds showed up. Granted, the last point is less important than the first too, but you should know the range.
Additionally, it's being marketed as the NEW MOBILE MARKETPLACE by innovative new businesses looking for ways to link clients to products and services.
Hey, like it or not TWITTER and services not yet dreamed of are part of the digital world we all have happening around us. I LIKE it. May as well; its gonna happen anyway. I'm not letting kids under 18 have ALL the fun to themselves. No way!
Twitter is, depending on who you talk to:
- A complete waste of precious time, making and reading short statements about nothing. Or ...
- An indispensable tool for communicating from computer or cell phone and staying in touch with a rapidly changing world.
I LIKE Twitter, not that I use it all that much (YET!). I like what it tries to do; what it DOES do. It's sort of like CHAT on the fly, which is a little redundant I realize, even as I write it.
Twitter has been used to say silly little thoughts off the top of ones head to no one in particular, or to a business associate, or to someone you love, or someone you wish loved you.
But Twitter is rapidly becoming a LOT more. Recently a Russian break-away state used twitter as a means of organizing protest; so did dissidents in Iran who were unhappy with their Government's handing of an election. It was used to announce an impromptu concern by Comedian Dave Chappelle in Portland, OR only HOURS before it took place....Hundreds showed up. Granted, the last point is less important than the first too, but you should know the range.
Additionally, it's being marketed as the NEW MOBILE MARKETPLACE by innovative new businesses looking for ways to link clients to products and services.
Hey, like it or not TWITTER and services not yet dreamed of are part of the digital world we all have happening around us. I LIKE it. May as well; its gonna happen anyway. I'm not letting kids under 18 have ALL the fun to themselves. No way!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Going, Going.....
Well, next Tuesday (5-19) I offer my periodic class on using using CraigsList to find and/or list things to Buy/Sell on the internet. This class is intended for those very new to CraigsList and many of my past students have never seen it in action.
CraigsList is actually a handy on-line bulletin board connecting buyers & sellers, usually in a local market, such as our Greater Portland/Vancouver Metro area. There are definite advantages in dealing with neighbors as customers and the fun of either adding to or cleaning out a closet is fun and for many a nice source of extra spending cash.
The following week I'm teaching at Oasis Center again on Using FaceBook...Social networking. This classes is a basic introduction intended for folks with Internet access and who don't yet have a FaceBook account. FaceBook is a site on the net intended to connect people, friends, family..to share thoughts, ideas and pictures. It's a site drawing an enormous ammount of press lately, as people flock to new and better means of connecting when miles and miles separate us.
If either of these might be something of interest click on this link for the Oasis Site and see if space is available.
Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
Call : 503-530-6623
CraigsList is actually a handy on-line bulletin board connecting buyers & sellers, usually in a local market, such as our Greater Portland/Vancouver Metro area. There are definite advantages in dealing with neighbors as customers and the fun of either adding to or cleaning out a closet is fun and for many a nice source of extra spending cash.
The following week I'm teaching at Oasis Center again on Using FaceBook...Social networking. This classes is a basic introduction intended for folks with Internet access and who don't yet have a FaceBook account. FaceBook is a site on the net intended to connect people, friends, family..to share thoughts, ideas and pictures. It's a site drawing an enormous ammount of press lately, as people flock to new and better means of connecting when miles and miles separate us.
If either of these might be something of interest click on this link for the Oasis Site and see if space is available.
Neighborhood Computer Services Website
Markd@neighborhoodcomputerservices.net
Call : 503-530-6623
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Big Brother is Watching!...and it's a GOOD thing.
Some of my clients have started asking me for regular visits to their machines via remote access to see just what their problems are...I'm more than happy to oblige. Making an 'ONLINE Service Call' has the impact of being fast, short and inexpensive, with no drive time...just wham bam thankyou Mame (or Mister).
Using a free software device and a high speed internet access I can log into your machine via a secure connection and you can SHOW me what's plaguing you while I watch from the my office. If I'm not tied up with another call it has the benefit of making the call immediate, fast and cheap. And you won't have to talk to China or India, not that there's anything wrong with it.
If you're interested in getting set up for this service give we a call and we'lld determine if its appropriate for you.
Using a free software device and a high speed internet access I can log into your machine via a secure connection and you can SHOW me what's plaguing you while I watch from the my office. If I'm not tied up with another call it has the benefit of making the call immediate, fast and cheap. And you won't have to talk to China or India, not that there's anything wrong with it.
If you're interested in getting set up for this service give we a call and we'lld determine if its appropriate for you.
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