It's Hurricane Season! Back Up Your Data Regularly

Multiple Ways to Back Up Data
by Marlene Jones - Friendly Computers

Most people have photos, documents, music, and videos stored on their computers. In a business setting, the data stored on computers becomes critical. There are many ways to back up your precious data. Hurricane season is an excellent reason to get a back up plan in place.


CDs and DVDs
A quick and inexpensive way to back up data from your computer systems. The disks are portable and can be stored in places like safe deposit boxes or in locations other than your home or office.

External Hard Drives
These high-capacity drives are an excellent way to set up routine back ups of all data. They are also portable so they can be unplugged and taken with you in the event of a hurricane evacuation.

Jump Drives
Another quick and inexpensive way to back up data from your computer systems that are also portable and can be stored at outside locations.

Internet-Based Offsite Storage
Many companies like Carbonite.com offer ways to back up data. This safe and effective tool is a surefire way to ensure that your data is backed up in a secure manner and easily accessible at all times.

Servers
Most businesses have a server in place for multiple reasons. Servers are an excellent source of secure data back up and provides the opportunity for shared data for employees within the company.


By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28

Give us a call today: 281-554-5500 or visit Friendly Computers to schedule an appointment.

How to clean your electronics!

No matter how much cash you spend on the latest and greatest tech gadget, it will be wasted money if you don't take a few minutes to clean it properly. Dust, given the opportunity to settle and accumulate, can block vital components within electronics. A busted fan, for instance, could cause an electronic device to overheat and ultimately die.

Likewise, using the wrong cleaning solutions and methods can render your favorite gadget useless.

Fight dirt and grime with these easy, safe cleaning tricks for your electronic products.

Read more about what safe and easy products you can have to clean your electronic products over @ DIYLife...


By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28

Give us a call today: 281-554-5500 or visit Friendly Computers to schedule an appointment.

"Handy Shortcuts" Provides Quick Access to Useful Windows Features

Windows: While Windows allows you to make shortcuts to certain oft-used functions, there are others that you can only access from their dedicated menus. Handy Shortcuts creates shortcuts for useful but less easy-to-access functions right on your desktop.


By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28

Give us a call today: 281-554-5500 or visit Friendly Computers to schedule an appointment.

How To Fix and Avoid Printer Paper Jams

Printer jams occur when the paper feeding through the printer goes awry. Sometimes the printer ignores the problem, soldiers onward, and extrudes a crumpled mess into the output tray; on other occasions, the printer stops in midjob, and the crumpled mess--or part of it--remains trapped somewhere inside the machine.

When a paper jam occurs, some printers flash lights at you and scream for help. Others sense where the jam is and provide guidance on clearing the blockage. If your printer offers diagnostic advice, follow it. Also, take time to check the printer's documentation for help in clearing jams.

Read more over @ PCWorld...



By Friendly Computers Copyright: 2010-01-28


Give us a call today: 281-554-5500 or visit Friendly Computers to schedule an appointment.

One in fourteen Internet downloads is Windows malware

Yes. It’s true. For the first time, Mac users have a significant malware problem. But, hey, it could be worse. You could be running Windows. After all, Microsoft, not some third-party anti-virus company trying to drum up business, has just admitted that based on analysis gained from IE 9 use, “1 out of every 14 programs downloaded is later confirmed as malware.”

If I may quote from Matthew 7:5, the King James Bible, “First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

Window PCs has far, far more malware trouble than Macs, and I can’t resist mentioning that after in twenty-years of Linux, we’ve not seen a real-world example of Linux malware–not counting the Android malware mess. Ironically, these latest appalling Windows malware numbers are shared in a Microsoft blog about how well SmartScreen Application Reputation is working in IE9.

Read more @ ZDNet. Call Friendly Computers today at 281-554-5500 to learn more about how you can protect yourself from Windows malware and potential threats!

Protect Your Kids Online

Parents need to protect their kids from all sorts of technological dangers. There are pornographic web sites, scams, hate groups, violent video games, and online predators pretending to be age-appropriate harmless flirts.

And even if your kids visit only safe sites, you still have to worry about all the time they waste on their computers. Every hour they spend starring at a glowing screen is an hour not spent getting exercise, playing out-of-doors, sleeping, or interacting with people in the real world.

Your approach to monitoring your children's cyberlives is as important as the software you use. You want to protect them and impart values, not explain to them after the fact that you've been invading their privacy. Discuss the issues with them, let them know that their surfing and other PC use will be monitored, but that you expect them to make wise choices. They'll gripe and complain, of course, but it will be easier and more productive in the long run.

Read more about how to protect your kids online over @ PCWorld.

Five Microsoft Word Nightmares--and How You Can Fix Them

Microsoft Word can keep you up all night, and not only because you've got writer's block. You change the font, and Word changes it back. The columns don't line up. The program freezes up, taking your work with it.

Here are five common Word disasters that can ruin a good night's sleep--and what you can do to fix them. The advice below works in both Word 2007 and Word 2010.

Read more about it over @ PCWorld...


Give us a call today: 281-554-5500 or visit Friendly Computers to schedule an appointment.