Archive for the ‘How To Guides’ Category
How to Choose a Home Computer Support Service
I was recently asked to come up list of requirements for a home computer support service and what to look for when hiring in a Geek to help you with your computer at home. As with any person or company you hire to come into your home you have to be a bit careful, so I've made a list of requirements: Trustworthyness would be my main priority, when you have a computer repaired you need to know that person is honest because all your documents, pictures and website logins details are stored on your computer. Reliable - They show up at the time you’ve agreed. Encouraging - Good to have a person that will encourage you to learn new things and introduce you to new software, whether it is for managing your pictures, or backing up your computer. There are many ways your computing experience can be improved by making small changes. Knowledgable - A good knowledge of computer security and best practise, so they can offer advice on the best way to setup your network and stay safe online. A good working knowledge of what ...
Two Free Ways To Create And Convert PDF Files On A PC
Here are two really useful utilities for dealing with Adobe PDF files. Convert PDF To Word The first piece of software will convert an existing pdf (.pdf) document into a fully editable microsoft word document (.doc) This is called PDF to Word Converter (strangely enough) and it's made by a company called AnyBizSoft This software is free you just have to register (they don't spam you, I use this software) register here: PDF To Word Converter The software once installed and you get the free registration code Looks like this: Just drag and drop your pdf file onto the window or click add and browse. It will output the word docs in a folder specified at the bottom. Once ready hit the large 'Convert' button, the word docs will be in the folder ready to go. Create a PDF from a Word Doc The second piece of software is called Bullzip PDF Printer (terrible name, but works well) Here's the download link, there's no registration it's Donationware (if you like it donate) Bullzip PDF Printer This ...
Apple Macs Now Have Viruses Too
Sadly we had our first Apple Mac virus to remove in May, (oh it used to be so simple with a Mac) Here's what it looked like, It's much like the windows Scareware, it'll ask you for money to remove non existent viruses What to look out for is a popup much like this one, you'll be surfing the web and this will popup full screen and look like a normal finder window with links on the left hand side If you do get such a message pop up on your Mac , don't panic, don't press OK. Take your cursor straight up to the Apple icon on the top left and select Force Quit - Your browser, Safari Chrome Firefox whatever your using. In doing this you'll have not inadvertently installed anything by clicking a close box that a link or something along those lines. Another good precaution to take if you're a Safari user is to ...
DialaGeek Radio Interview BBC Bristol
I was kindly invited in to BBC radio Bristol by Steve Yabsley for a 20 minute interview. He wanted to discuss computing in general as a lot of his listeners may have experienced computer problems. We discussed various topics, including the subjects covered on the blog here, this is a slightly cut down version (due to You Tube and it's 15 Minute Limit). Many thanks to Steve for inviting me in and making the the interview go well, I never realised what a skillful job interviewing is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9nDswhkQUw The topics covered are: Password security How to securely store your passwords Dangers of open WiFi What is backup? How to setup a free safe surfing system
No Need To Remember Passwords Anymore
There is a great piece of software you can use that will securely remember all you passwords for your, allowing you to use longer passwords and different passwords on different sites. The software is the aptly named LastPass This small piece of software works in Windows and Apple Mac it also works on your iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android or Windows smartphone and keep them all synced up with each other. I've been using this for around a year now and it it is very good, it means you can have long secure passwords, without having to remember them. From a security standpoint is is secure, as long as you use a long master password, see here for a guide to making long secure passwords it is secure. Another tip if you using it on a laptop, make sure you close Internet Explorer/Firefox/Chrome when you've finished using it and tick this checkbox below in the Lastpass preferences If you interested (which you should be really) here's what Lastpass has to say on security, ...
Are you always being asked to fix other people’s computers?
If you're job has anything remotely to do with computers, chances are you're asked to look at peoples computer problems. Having IT knowledge people assume you can (and want to) fix their computer/wireless network/printer, even though you may be a Specialist Web Developer, Database Analyst, Software Engineer, Systems Analyst and this level of support you rarely come across. The usual scenario: You're round at a friends/relatives house for dinner then the subject of email or Facebook comes up, which triggers the request.. Oh you're in computers, while you're here, as a favour, could you just have a very quick look at..... You oblige, not wanting to seem mean and it's always nice to feel needed. What starts off as a 10 minute job, ends up being a nightmare of , out of date antivirus non backed up pictures, really slow computer.......... then once you fix it once, you own it, and the next time there is a question who are they going to call... I used to have this all the time, and you do feel responsible for it afterwards. Now you wouldn't ask a plumber friend to service the boiler while he was there visiting or a ...
DialaGeek Car Now Runs On Used Chip Fat (Bio Diesel)
Just filled up with Biodiesel for the first time today from www.mckeownbiofuels.com in Bedminster (behind the Hen & Chicken on North St). Here's how it works. Used cooking oil is collected across Bristol and processed onsite. The processing involves filtering to remove all the food particles, then any water is removed. The next stages are a little involved here's a link to the Wiki page if interested It is dispensed from a normal petrol pump, and they fill it up for you, a bit like some old time garage. The current rate is £1.29 a litre inc VAT, so a bit more than the current pump prices, but you do have the comfort of knowing you're not burning a fossil fuel. They currently are not processing card payments, so cash is required, they do provide a full VAT receipt though. This recycled cooking oil method of fuel production seems sustainable on a small scale, just until all the used oil in the region has a home. After the first tank of fuel has done through you are advised to change your fuel ...
The UK Small Business Cloud Computing Toolkit
. These are online tools I've been using for a while now and have found I can't do without them. They all integrate with each other and as a system I've found it works really well. . . For Online Accounts: FreeAgent . I started off with Quickbooks and while that is very good at some things, I found I got lost in accounting detail and more importantly I was not doing the most important thing of keeping a close eye on my overall figures and chasing invoices quickly enough i.e. getting paid, the most important thing after good customer service. FreeAgent will make sure you know who has paid you and will chase those who haven't. It will also do a rough calculation on how much self assessment tax is due at one time, good for putting enough by, and this info is right in the home page of the program. You upload statements from your bank, (a small file with all the transaction details, most online banking does it) and tally every purchase and payment in from your business account, including attaching receipts to the payments, Then you know where you are at any point, which saves a ...
How to let your children view only child friendly websites
The problem with letting the kids use the computer, apart from the sticky fingers is making sure they don't see anything that is not age appropriate. You're sat with them looking at bmx videos or cartoons on YouTube, then the phone rings/door goes/sibling falls over, you come back and he's clicked on the handy next video suggestion.... Here's where this great little piece of software comes in, it is called Kido'z, not a great name but a really good program, It is a free program you install on your computer (works on Mac and PC) and creates a method for viewing only pre screened child friendly websites and YouTube videos. To start off with you visit the Kido'z website (see the Kidoz link at the bottom of this page) and click the download link Next you will be prompted to install Adobe Air and the program, Adobe Air is safe it's a bit like flash player. There wil be a pop up box asking if you want to open or install Kidoz, just click Install or open (install on ...
How To Create a Great Looking HTML signature in Google Apps
The one thing Google Apps is missing is the ability to do is put live links and logos in your email signature, Not any more... Now here's the simple workaround, this works for Mac or PC First you need to be running Firefox Then install this simple add on for Firefox called Wisestamp https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/8206 Click on the link and select Add To Firefox You'll need to restart firefox once installed, Once firefox is restarted, look for the small stamp icon in the bottom right Firefox Click on there to configure [caption id="attachment_63" align="aligncenter" width="604" caption="Configure Wisestamp"][/caption] Once configured, this will put the HTML Signature into every email automaticaly, this also works for Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL There are also example signatures you can add, just click on the Signature Example link to the right of the edit box. Many thanks to the people who created this Add On http://www.wisestamp.com/ Hope this helps Gildas Jones
