Voice Memos

Have you ever wanted to remember something but don't have a piece of paper to write on?  Consider making a voice memo.

Voice Memos is an app I've recently started using on my phone.  It comes installed on iPhones.  On an Android phone the equivalent is Memos.  (There are also other voice memo apps available for download.)

For iPhones: 

1. Open the Voice Memos app that comes installed on your phone. 
2. Touch the Record button (red button).  Then begin talking.  
3. When you're done recording, press the Record button once again.  
4. Press Save and give it a name if you'd like.  
5. When you tap on the recording, you have the option to mail the recording or send it in a message to yourself or someone else.  Give it a try! 
6. For more information or to see picture instructions, click here. 

For Android phones:

1. Open the Memos app.
2. Tap the+icon.
3. Tap Voice.
4. Tap the red dot to begin talking.
5. When finished, tap the stop icon (square).
6. Give the recording a name, and click Save.
7. For more information, click here. 

This app came in handy when I received a call from my mother's doctor last week with instructions regarding a new medication.  As soon as I hung up, I opened the app and dictated everything the doctor told me.

What might be some other uses? Record a meeting? Conversation at a doctor's appointment? Grocery list? Conduct an interview? Can you think of other uses?  

Have a terrific Tuesday, a great week and a safe Labor Day weekend!

Don't click!

In the past 3 days, I've had two people tell me they clicked on a pop-up on their computer and are now suffering the consequences.

I've said it before but I feel this needs to be repeated:

Never click on a pop-up that warns your computer has been infected and don't call the number provided in that pop-up!  NEVER.  

Don't call, don't give your credit card, don't believe what you are told IF you do call that number.  It is a scam!  If you (or someone you know) falls prey to this scam:

1) Immediately shut down the computer (don't just close the top of your laptop).  If you can't do a normal shutdown, press and hold on the start button until the computer shuts down.

2) Then call the number on the back of your credit card immediately to tell the company what you have done.They will then either close the credit card or put a note on your account to prevent further fraudulent use.

3) When you start the computer back up, it should be fine, but you might want to run your anti-virus software.

Likewise, if you see a pop-up ad offering you "cheaper insurance in the Emporia area" or something similar, do not click on it, unless you want to be barraged with all sorts of junk mail (some of which you may not want anyone else to view!) It is usually just an attempt at collecting some of your personal information.

We can't live without the internet, so we have to stay vigilant in our use of it.

Email - real or a scam?

I continually get questions about how to tell if an email is "for real" or a "scam?"

Sometimes it is very obvious when reading an email that it is a scam - misspelled words, poorly designed, etc.  But other scam emails may be very professional and look like the "real thing."

So, how can you tell?  I recently received a very authentic-looking email from Apple.  It was a bill for something I had not purchased.  My immediate reaction was, "Oh, no, my account has been compromised."  But, before contacting Apple I decided to check out a few more things.

I made this 4-minute video to show you what I did (and what I recommend you do when in doubt): https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFj2Xgql1p 

Should I leave my computer on or turn it off?

Years ago, many of us learned to shut our computer down when we were not using it.  But, is that still the best practice today?

Yes and no.

I've just finished reading a lengthy article on this topic because every once in awhile this question comes up in a class discussion.

A line graph showing failure rates for computers resembles the shape of a bathtub:  equipment failures are high when a computer is new and again at the end of its' life.  During its' "teenage" and  "adult years" computer failure is very low.

So, the recommendations for computers todayare:

1) Since failure rates can be high on new computers, during the warranty period of a new computer you can/should turn it off when not in use. This speeds the "aging process" and allows any equipment failures to occur while under warranty.

2)  During the "teenage and adult years" of a computer, it is safe to leave a computer onand this will reduce wear and tear on components.

3)  At the end of a computer's life, most equipment failures occur during the on/off cycle, so it is recommended to leave it on.

Two caveats: 
1) If you have updates set to install upon shutdown and now decide that you are going to leave your computer on, you will want to change that setting to "automatically update".  It is imperative that you install updates as they become available.

2) Remember to always protect your computer by plugging it into a surge protector (this may need to be a topic for another week).  :-)

What about tablets and phones? I leave all my devices (computer, iPad and iPhone) on 24/7, but I do occasionally shutdown/restart them because I feel like it improves their operating speed.