Category: Advice
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Take time off, IoT devices as services, Email sigs as marketing
Worthy of a reminder again is to take breaks from your computer. If you get caught up not paying attention to time, then try Time Out for the Mac (dejal.com, that is an ell not a one after deja), or Workrave (workrave.org) for PC. Micro breaks are for just looking away from your screen, and…
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Avoid being phished, distraction free computing, zero day exploits
Avoid being phished by emails from your “bank” or “credit card company” to change your password by hovering your mouse or pointer over the big button you are being tempted with and looking at the web address that your browser or email program will show right there or in the lower left part of your…
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Cap Windows 10 data use, use two-factor authentication, consolidate task lists
It is important to monitor and cap data usage in Windows 10 if you use a cellular hotspot to connect to the Internet. Click the Windows logo button, then Settings, Network & Internet, Wi-Fi, Advanced Options and slide “Set as metered connection” to the On side. This way large updates and apps won’t download. Then,…
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Windows 10 undo, Microsoft Edge the new IE, Malwarebytes for Mac, data redundancy over date backup
If you thought Windows 10 was going to be a great thing but just don’t get it or like it, you can undo it! To avoid reinstalling Windows 8.1 or 7, you just have to undo it within 30 days of the upgrade. Here’s how: click on the Start icon, click Settings, click Update &…
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Browser settings backup, USB eject, email fields
Backing up your web browser settings can save time and help you recover from browser infections. If you have spent a lot of time tricking out your browser with custom start pages, particular extensions, extensive bookmarks and carefully configured privacy and forms settings, then you can use your browser’s ability to sync its settings as…
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Mac system prefs to explore, touch screens equal battery drain, multiple browsers, reverse lookup phone numbers
Mac System Preferences you should explore include: set Notifications to Do Not Disturb during certain hours to focus on work; setting up Hot Corners under Mission Control to trigger nearly anything, like putting your screen to sleep; program certain “abbreviations” to expand into full text using Keyboard’s Text tab; and explore what your Trackpad is…
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20-20-20 rule, Windows 10 coming, computer performance tricks
The 20/20/20 rule is important to learn for better eye health. Every 20 minutes you should look off 20 feet or so, for 20 seconds. Even better is getting up and moving around. Having a window to stare out of helps. If you have trouble keeping to some kind of schedule there is software that…
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Long-term data, ejecting external media, Facebook face recognition
Keeping your data around for the long-term means that you should understand a bit more about how long different devices or media might last. Hard drives, solid-state drives, USB flash drives and CD/DVD discs are the physical options you have to keep your data with you. For short term, consider flash drives for data you…
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Mac location changes, Google SEO truthiness, security summary, lesser known hardware specs
You can automate Mac settings based on your location by using the free app Control Plane. When you have a Mac laptop, there are times you actually go to different locations, with different printers, sound muting needs, file sharing changes, maybe even turning on password prompting. With Control Plan you can set up different contexts…
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File encryption, controlling social media sucking time, trello.com
File encryption tools exist to keep your work private if someone gets hold of your computer. With files or even your entire hard drive encrypted with a key passphrase only you know, you can protect sensitive financial, medical, or other personal data. The Pro versions of Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 have built-in encryption, as…
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Patching, posting, scamming, repairing
Update or “patch” many Windows programs at one time with Patch My PC. Windows checks for its own updates but not all software will do the same unless you are actually using that program. And, most of us postpone such updates anyway. If you use Patch My PC, you can have it check for needed…
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Cleaning computers and alternatives
Chromebooks are an alternative to Windows or Mac laptops and tablets. They are laptops that use Google’s Chrome operating system, often with a solid-state drive, decent battery life, and 11 to 14 inch screens. Having a keyboard, they don’t force you to tap-type on a screen and, of course, integrate with all of Google’s services…