If you plan on trading in your cellphone or other mobile device every 1-2 years, you don't need to read any further.
However, if you don't like the price tag attached to new smartphones and tablets, you may appreciate the tips below:
1) Don't charge your phone every night. Let your device almost run out of charge before plugging it in.
2) Update to the latest software.
3) Avoid extreme heat (temperates above 95 degrees F.)
4) Remove certain cases when charging. If you feel your phone getting hot during the charging process, remove the protective case during the process of charging.
If you want to read more of the "whys" behind these tips, check out this article.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
3 Ways to Stay Safe
Happy 4th of July! Hope you all have a fun, SAFE holiday!
And, for electronic device safety remember:
1) Install updates....particularly the Security Updates.
Last week another cyberattack occurred throughout the world. Computer experts once again reminded people to always install updates to help keep electronic devices safe....at least as safe as they can be at any given moment in time.
2) Don’t click
While surfing the web don’t click on pop-up ads or unfamiliar links.
3) Don’t Reply
Never respond to an email or click on a link in it if it is from an unfamiliar source. Just Delete!
And, for electronic device safety remember:
1) Install updates....particularly the Security Updates.
Last week another cyberattack occurred throughout the world. Computer experts once again reminded people to always install updates to help keep electronic devices safe....at least as safe as they can be at any given moment in time.
2) Don’t click
While surfing the web don’t click on pop-up ads or unfamiliar links.
3) Don’t Reply
Never respond to an email or click on a link in it if it is from an unfamiliar source. Just Delete!
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Restart
Restart!
Is your computer or phone acting strangely? Restart.
Is your device (phone, tablet or computer) sluggish? Restart.
Are you concerned about viruses? Restart your computer regularly (PC's) which should allow any security updates to be installed.
Remember: Restarting a device will solve 95% of most issues with electronic devices.
Now, if I could just figure out how to "restart" myself in the middle of the day! :-)
Is your computer or phone acting strangely? Restart.
Is your device (phone, tablet or computer) sluggish? Restart.
Are you concerned about viruses? Restart your computer regularly (PC's) which should allow any security updates to be installed.
Remember: Restarting a device will solve 95% of most issues with electronic devices.
Now, if I could just figure out how to "restart" myself in the middle of the day! :-)
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Tab key
Do you use the Tab key on your computer keyboard?
My mom is spending some time with us this week as I help her learn all about her new desktop computer. She's doing very well, but one of the things I discovered yesterday is that she has never used the Tab key...except to indent a paragraph.
So, my tip(s) for today (or maybe just a reminder): When you fill out any form on the internet, use the Tab key instead of using your mouse each time to move to the next box (field).
Example: First Name [Tab] Last Name [Tab] Address [Tab] City [Tab]
What if you get to a drop-down menu? Often, you can just type the first letter of the word you are looking for.
What if you make a mistake? Just use Shift+Tab.
The Tab key can also be helpful when composing an email to move between the To, Subject, and Body fields.
Alt +Tab can be used on your computer to quickly switch between programs you have open on your computer. For Mac users, Command +Tab. Give it a try!
My mom is spending some time with us this week as I help her learn all about her new desktop computer. She's doing very well, but one of the things I discovered yesterday is that she has never used the Tab key...except to indent a paragraph.
So, my tip(s) for today (or maybe just a reminder): When you fill out any form on the internet, use the Tab key instead of using your mouse each time to move to the next box (field).
Example: First Name [Tab] Last Name [Tab] Address [Tab] City [Tab]
What if you get to a drop-down menu? Often, you can just type the first letter of the word you are looking for.
What if you make a mistake? Just use Shift+Tab.
The Tab key can also be helpful when composing an email to move between the To, Subject, and Body fields.
Alt +Tab can be used on your computer to quickly switch between programs you have open on your computer. For Mac users, Command +Tab. Give it a try!
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
DuckDuckGo - a Google alternative
I'm intrigued with a search engine I read about this week. DuckDuckGo isn't new; it's been around several years, but I think it may be worth trying.
DuckDuckGo bills itself as "the search engine that doesn't track you." It promises to not use cookies to track your searches and does not collect any personal information while you are using it. Even your IP address is hidden. This article goes into more detail if you are interested in learning more.
Let me know if you are already familiar with it or have any feedback to share. Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can switch from Google.com for awhile to give DuckDuckGo a try!
DuckDuckGo bills itself as "the search engine that doesn't track you." It promises to not use cookies to track your searches and does not collect any personal information while you are using it. Even your IP address is hidden. This article goes into more detail if you are interested in learning more.
Let me know if you are already familiar with it or have any feedback to share. Meanwhile, I'm going to see if I can switch from Google.com for awhile to give DuckDuckGo a try!
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Use the Tab key
Did you know that you can quickly move from one field to another on an online form by using the Tab or Shift + Tab keys?
If you are filling out an online form, e-mail, or other text field you can quickly move between each of the fields by pressing the Tab key or Shift+Tab to move back a field. (You don't have to move your mouse to each box and click...just use the Tab key).
If you are filling out an online form, e-mail, or other text field you can quickly move between each of the fields by pressing the Tab key or Shift+Tab to move back a field. (You don't have to move your mouse to each box and click...just use the Tab key).
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Facebook Impersonators
If you use Facebook, at some point you've probably received a "Friend Request" from someone who is already one of your friends. This means their account has been hacked. Most of us just "ignore" the request, but there really are a couple more steps you should take. (Thank you, Ginger Lewman, for the tips).
"Unfortunately, too many really smart people make the wrong choice: they ignore it. And the impersonation continues and dupes more people and spreads like wildfire. It’s like swatting flies — if we ignore them, they only breed and end up bothering us more!
In 2017, we want to be better digital citizens and help each other out when we see this. There are 2 things you want to remember when you see a fake-friend requesting fake-friendship:
You 1) REPORT and 2) BLOCK. And in that order.
When we all immediately REPORT and BLOCK, the fake account is reviewed by Facebook and frequently taken down. The more of us who report, the quicker it is taken down. And the more often you report, Facebook remembers you as a good person and listens to your reports quicker (I think).
Here are a couple links to help you 1) REPORT and 2) BLOCK (in that order)
"Unfortunately, too many really smart people make the wrong choice: they ignore it. And the impersonation continues and dupes more people and spreads like wildfire. It’s like swatting flies — if we ignore them, they only breed and end up bothering us more!
In 2017, we want to be better digital citizens and help each other out when we see this. There are 2 things you want to remember when you see a fake-friend requesting fake-friendship:
You 1) REPORT and 2) BLOCK. And in that order.
When we all immediately REPORT and BLOCK, the fake account is reviewed by Facebook and frequently taken down. The more of us who report, the quicker it is taken down. And the more often you report, Facebook remembers you as a good person and listens to your reports quicker (I think).
Here are a couple links to help you 1) REPORT and 2) BLOCK (in that order)
- How to report a FB account that is impersonating you:
https://www.facebook.com/help/174210519303259 - How to report a FB account that’s impersonating someone else:
https://www.facebook.com/help/167722253287296 "
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)