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Digital New Year's Resolutions

12/27/2019

 
Tech Tip 1: Cleanup Everything
Go through old documents and make sure they are properly filed on your computer or cloud storage. Clearing out the old pictures, videos and music from your mobile devices is part of the process. They’re certainly very tedious tasks, but very rewarding once accomplished.
This is when I think I can regain control of my email. There is nothing more daunting than knowing I have 10,000 emails sitting in my inbox. Make time to manage your email folders, bulk file some of these emails, delete most, and try using rules to help you prioritize your incoming email for next year.

Excess emails can make your email program run slower and possibly crash.  Save photos and documents in folders on your computer not in your email program.  


Tech Tip 2: Review Your Backup and Disaster Recovery
The end of the year is a good time to test your current backup strategies. For example, it may be necessary to adjust or come up with a process that meets new compliances. Backups are the cornerstone of all your disaster recovery plans.

Remember "backing off" is not the same as "backing up".   You may back off photos and documents to save room on your computer but it is not a back up unless the data resides in two places.  External Drives can go bad too.  


Tech Tip 3: Update Your Software and Devices
Your office and network have more devices than you may realize. Create an inventory of those devices and run all necessary updates. There are plenty of devices you don’t regularly update that should be part of this process. Routers, wireless access points, security cameras, printers and copiers are often overlooked, but they should get updates along with all your regular computing devices. You should update your applications, operating systems, anti-virus software, iPhones and tablets on a regular basis, not only for new features but more importantly, for timely security updates.

Tech Tip 4: Update Your Passwords
This year shed more light on the cybersecurity issues facing many organizations. Following good password management practices is critical. If it has been a while, now is the best time to change and update your passwords. The need to use passwords with long complex characters, and that are unique to each site, can’t be overstated. There are digital password managers such as LastPass or 1Password but if you choose not to use a manager, then please write down your passwords and keep the list in a safe but accessible (to you) place.

Have a Happy and Safe Digital New Year!



Some Time Saving Tips

12/20/2019

 
Scouring the web looking for interesting tech tips, I found this page talking about time saving tips. I'm always looking to save time, and as someone that grew up on computers, there's a lot I've missed. I don't know how anyone learns all these shortcuts. I only learn them from these geeky columns I read. 

This article includes keyboard shortcuts, which are great. But also, did you know right clicking on a word in Google will bring up a new window of search results on that word? I never knew that. There are some Mac specific tips too, and mobile device tips. Look through the article and try some of them out. The article is HERE.

The Internet

12/13/2019

 
Sometimes I write about PCs, sometimes about MACs, and also about tablets and phones. I was looking for a tech tip and came upon a story about the internet itself. I had no idea it was started in 1969. It started with 4 computers? If you are interested, you may read a history of the internet HERE. 

Feel the Heat

12/6/2019

 
There are still a few of us out there using desktops as our computers. More & more, people are moving to mobile devices like phones and tablets to do their computer work. You can’t beat the convenience, and I certainly use my phone for almost everything. So here’s a hint, give me your computer that you aren’t using anymore.

I still like my computer though. I have a homemade desktop. I guess I like the formality of sitting at a desk and doing my work. For the 15 years I worked from home remotely, I always got dressed in the morning and went down and worked in front of my computer. People at work were always asking me if I worked in my pajamas. I don’t know. I’m just not like that. I didn’t wear a tie though, if that helps me look a bit less nerdy.
​
Back to desktops. I had an interesting job this week. A person had a computer with a bad fan. The exhaust fan was working intermittently. I usually have a million of those laying about, but I had recently taken them all to a recycler and had not a single fan to use. You know I’ll never do that again. Sorry Carol.

    Tech Tips



    There's a lot of fake information out there.  Please be scrupulous about what you share on Facebook and other platforms.  Here are some trusted sources.  Please don't rely on social media for your information.  ​

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    Abiquiu Computer Recycling

    Abiquiu Computers gives away available computers for FREE. We recover used pc’s and upgrade them, repair them, refurbish them so they may have another life with someone else.
    ​
    Free stuff:
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    Thank you!
    Fidel​
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    ​I could really use some Monitors. I also get asked for smart phones and tablets.
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    Do you have a computer sitting in your closet or garage? Brian will wipe all personal information off the hard drive. Pass on that computer today.
    Please contact
    Abiquiu Computers. 

    Abiquiu Computers has retired from the computer repair business but still fixes up and gives away donated computers.

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