Are Christmas cards still on your "to do" list this week? Relieve some stress and consider making your card online and sending it via email. OR consider sending out a "Happy New Year" card instead.
There are LOTS of online venues to help you accomplish this, but one I recommend that is FREE and pretty intuitive to use is below. All you need are 1) a few minutes to design the card and 2) the email addresses of your friends/family!
Website is: Canva.com
Watch this tutorial for a quick-start - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAfVDqpPAu0
(I've also used this website to create online posters to advertise events for church).
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Improving WiFi Strength
Does your wireless internet strength seem to vary from room to room in your home (if you have a wireless device that you use in different locations throughout your home)?
If so, you might find an article written by Kim Komando (komando.com) to be helpful. Below is an excerpt:
It's important to remember that your Wi-Fi antenna is omnidirectional, i.e. the signal goes every direction. In other words, if you put your router along an outside wall, you're sending half your signal outside. That's fine if you run a coffee shop with a patio, but not great if your workers and visitors are indoors.
For the best all-around signal inside, place your router as close as possible to the middle of the office (or house). You should also pay attention to what's around the router. You might be tempted to tuck it away so it doesn't ruin the decor, but it's better to have it out in the open.
Putting it next to a wall or inside a bookcase can partially block the signal. And definitely keep it away from metal since that can absorb the signal. So, don't set it next to a metal filing cabinet or support beam.
You'll also want to keep it away from a microwave or a cordless telephone. Those put out 2.4 gigahertz frequencies, which is one of the main frequencies routers use. That causes interference, which can cause signal problems. If you have a newer router, you can turn on the 5GHz network, which will have less interference, although it doesn't go through walls and objects as well.
If so, you might find an article written by Kim Komando (komando.com) to be helpful. Below is an excerpt:
It's important to remember that your Wi-Fi antenna is omnidirectional, i.e. the signal goes every direction. In other words, if you put your router along an outside wall, you're sending half your signal outside. That's fine if you run a coffee shop with a patio, but not great if your workers and visitors are indoors.
For the best all-around signal inside, place your router as close as possible to the middle of the office (or house). You should also pay attention to what's around the router. You might be tempted to tuck it away so it doesn't ruin the decor, but it's better to have it out in the open.
Putting it next to a wall or inside a bookcase can partially block the signal. And definitely keep it away from metal since that can absorb the signal. So, don't set it next to a metal filing cabinet or support beam.
You'll also want to keep it away from a microwave or a cordless telephone. Those put out 2.4 gigahertz frequencies, which is one of the main frequencies routers use. That causes interference, which can cause signal problems. If you have a newer router, you can turn on the 5GHz network, which will have less interference, although it doesn't go through walls and objects as well.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
That pesky spam/phish!
During this past week, I've noticed an increase in the amount of "legitimate-looking" pop-ups. John had one on his iPhone that would not let him "x" out of it; he had to shut down his phone then restart it to get rid of the popup.
I received a very "authentic-looking" text message from Verizon on my phone asking to verify some information, but the text message wasn't actually from Verizon.
The rule of thumb is ---NEVER click on links in pop-ups nor give requested information via a text message or pop-up on your phone or computer. Never.never.ever! If there is not a way to "x" out of a pop-up, just shut down your phone or computer by pressing and holding the power button. Then when you restart, the pop-up should no longer appear.
When in doubt if the request is legitimate, always access the website of the company requesting the information by entering its URL in your web browser (Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, etc.) That is the ONLY way you can be sure that you are dealing with the "real" company. If they have truly requested that you update your information, that request will be on their website once you have logged in.
I received a very "authentic-looking" text message from Verizon on my phone asking to verify some information, but the text message wasn't actually from Verizon.
The rule of thumb is ---NEVER click on links in pop-ups nor give requested information via a text message or pop-up on your phone or computer. Never.never.ever! If there is not a way to "x" out of a pop-up, just shut down your phone or computer by pressing and holding the power button. Then when you restart, the pop-up should no longer appear.
When in doubt if the request is legitimate, always access the website of the company requesting the information by entering its URL in your web browser (Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, etc.) That is the ONLY way you can be sure that you are dealing with the "real" company. If they have truly requested that you update your information, that request will be on their website once you have logged in.