Nates Computer ServicesCoffee and computers are shown together a lot.
However, the truth is computer hardware hates coffee. One spill can be the last for your notebook or tablet.
And it is a bad habit for the environment too, even if you reuse a germ filled cup.
Of course it is a good idea, to keep any drink or food (or young kids or pets) away from your computer.
1. Some people think Computer Technicians are just for problems
sorry they are not (; but let’s get to the actual list of problems I see with computers.
1. Software Problems – including malware, bloatware, not knowing how to use software, making sure data is backed up.
2. Dirty Computers – even if you have a clean house or office – is your computer clean? I am not talking about software here. Many computers are physically dirty and that is the number one reason for hardware problems that I have seen. this is the number one reason power supplies, and system boards I’ve seen fail. It is also one of the main reasons hard drives and optical drives fail.
The fallowing are not necessarily in exact order but the order I see.
3. Problems that need to be solved with the Internet Service Provider.. but the customers do not want to deal with them themselves
4. Notebook problems although they are portable, they still have a lot of delicate parts:
including the Power Supply connection, hard drive, keyboard, then screen – pretty much in that order.
5. Problems from moving a desktop computer such as memory issues, and hard drive issues.
6. removable Laptop batteries
7. cmos battery
8. Modem / surge protector wrecked by power surges through telephone line – not as common anymore since widespread fiber optic use.
9. manufacturer reasons- I put this last, however many of the problems above could have been avoided by a better manufacturing / design process.
2015 update: flash storage such as Solid State Drives can dramatically improve performance opposed to keeping spinning hard disc drives.
If it is Windows, Yes. If it is Macintosh or Linux, No.
Also versions of Windows Vista and newer normally are set to do disk defragmentation automatically, so you just want to make sure you have it set to do that and it is working.
If possible, You don’t want to do defragmenting while the computer is being used for something else.
Who is my secretary?
It is myself and some robots.
What are the robots?
I can’t name them all but I can give some information on it.
My phone is either answered by me or by my voicemail.
It is forwarded to my mobile phone during the day (I usually answer if available), then to voicemail.
early 2015 update: one problem I have is when I answer callers hangup since they think I am the voicemail, another is I get callers that don’t leave a message. If they don’t leave a message I usually don’t call back since I get scam and solicitation calls often. A good thing now, is I can sometimes answer the phone (connecting with my iPhone or with Google voice/gmail) from my computer which helps reduce my ear and back pain, as well as making it easier as well as answer text messages from my computer
My email doesn’t always need an immediate response, but I can answer from any computer or my iPhone.
Siri can both do voice recognition and text to speech as well as do certain things. I have a similar program I use on my computer.
I use Neat for digital file storage and is just one part of the paperless solution.
November 2015 update on Neat
My carpet is cleaned by iRobot Roomba.
There are more things I will explain in my upcoming ebook. I’m slow so it might not come out until after this summer.
At Nate’s Computer Services we emphasize the 3 Rs
Reduce – Reuse – Recycle
We reduce paper waste by using digital systems to store information, and also ask people not to send us paper, and not to print anything that we send whether in an email or on a web page. We reduce energy use by using screen sharing and conferencing, file sharing and messaging technologies, greatly reducing the need to go on-site. In addition we’ve cut out print (on paper) advertising and promote the use of public transportation, walking, biking and car pooling (offering our customers discounts).
Remember when bringing your laptop or other portable device inside wait a little bit before you turn it on to prevent condensation. Also portable devices such as phones and cameras the batteries may not last as long when outside in the cold.
What is the difference between a library and a folder?
A library is a grouping of items that could be files, emails, or data that is independent of the file system. A folder or directory is usually part of the file system (although it is sometimes a virtual folder used in a library which is a different type).
Examples of libraries: iPhoto and iTunes uses a library system. Macintosh also has a separate library that groups files together by category.
iPhoto library is put into it’s own container, so people do not accidentally mess with the library. People can make albums from different parts of the library, and then it does not create a whole new directory or files- it actually just links to them.
Windows 7 photo library may group emails that have photos along with photo files. To delete the emails you still have to delete them from the email program.
Picasa also uses a library, but is still primarily based on the file system.
Labels vs. Folders
The only place I know that uses labels is GMail or Google mail, but it is important to know since many people use GMail or Google Mail. An email can have more than one label, but cannot be in more than one folder. Like an album in iPhoto or iTunes a label is just a link or tag for easy categorizing.
Database System vs File Folder System
A database reduces redundancy, disk space, and time. Databases can store large amounts of information without taking as much room as files. It is also easier to find things in a database. Many of today’s web sites are actually databases that are part of a content management system. Even though they may appear to have a file structure [ ie: http://www.natesservices.com/blog/2012/11/17/library-vs-folder-vs-label-vs/ ], that may actually be a hidden database redirect.
Q: I just either moved my computer or opened it and then it beeps when I try to turn it on and it continues to beep. What is that beep?
A: It is part of the POST (Power On Self Test) that tells you that something is not working right and most likely that is a problem with the memory. Most likely the memory needs to be reseated (taken out and then put back securely, sometimes they may need to be swapped with a different module). (there is nothing wrong with the tiny speaker that is beeping)
Being proactive. It’s not just the word that is used for a name brand face wash. It means being prepared. It means being forefront. It means taking action before bad things happen or before things become worse.
I really do not like the “If it Ain’t broke don’t fix it.” approach. Often times those people ignore what is actually broken.
I’m not a kid anymore and no longer part of the organization, but I still like the motto of 4-H “To make the best better.”
Bringing this approach to technology, you want to take preventative and proactive action.
antonym: reactive
If your Wifi Wireless network connection stops working don’t forget about the physical WiFi button or switch that is on some computer notebooks / laptops, that turns the Wireless Network Interface Card’s radio on and off.
It is counter intuitive these days since software controls so many things these days.