Let's talk Electricity!

It can be your friend or your enemy depending on the situation, electricity. Today I had quite a few different people walk into my shop; Computer Tutor321 is located at 1510 S. Wickham Road, in West Melbourne Florida 32904, and I had a few different conversations on the topic of electricity, that is the reason behind this days blog. First, we are going to discuss the different types of electrical cords your hardware may use. Next, we will discuss the many things that can do wrong electrically, these will be pulled from real world examples that I deal with everyday.   Lastly, we will discuss what you can do to protect yourself from electrical issues.

 If you enjoy what you are reading here it was brought to you by your friends at Computer Tutor321.  Computer Tutor321 is located at 1510 S. Wickham Road, in West Melbourne Florida 32904.  Simply Seniors Computer Tutor specializes in working with clients age 50 plus.  We understand the unique needs of seniors!  To learn more about us please visit www.ComputerTutor321.com   

First, we are going to discuss the different types of electrical cords your hardware may use.  I wanted to bring it to your attention that should you ever bring your computer, laptop printer or other electronics to your local repair shop it is not a good idea to just assume that they have the electric for your item.  If your item needs to be worked on it is always a good idea to bring all of the piece including the electrical cable.  Depending on your issue the electric may need to be examined as well as the hardware it'self.  I also mentioned that you should always bring your own electric cord for your laptop especially. DC jacks, (the place you insert the electric into the laptop) can be different within models made by the same manufacture.  If you look closely you can see that this photo shows one type of connector and it's size and design with a pin inside unlike the second photo, with the yellow connector; that one has no pin and is a very different diameter than the electric cable shown in the first photo.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Next, we will discuss the many things that can do wrong electrically, these will be pulled from real world examples that I deal with everyday.  The thing that drives me nuts is when the cord is wrapped up completely wrong and the worst part is the person had to usually work against doing it the correct way in order to wrap it wrong... how can you wrap up your laptop cord incorrectly?  Who even knew there was a right and wrong way? (me :-)  The typical method of wrapping the cable tightly around the power brick bends the wires inside, over and over again until they break. Even if the plastic casing doesn't break, the wires can. 

Perfect example of what NOT to do with your laptop electric.

Both are examples of the correct way to wrap your electric.

Other issues we see are frayed wires.  Take the time to examine your cord.  If the dog has been chewing on it - it might be time for a new one. Now, if the dog has been chewing on it you may be able to fix the problem with black electrical tape.  

Do yourself a favor and buy the scotch brand name product - the dollar store version of black electrical tape isn't the same thing. Use the tape to wrap any 'bite marks' and keep the wires safe for both you, your family and the laptop. 

Lastly, we will discuss what you can do to protect yourself from electrical issues.   Do you have your PC, television, or other expensive electronics plugged directly into a power 

outlet? You shouldn’t. You should plug your gadgets into a surge protector, which isn’t necessarily the same thing as a power strip.  Standard electrical outlets don’t have any protection against power surges and spikes. Surge protectors are generally made and sold in the form of power strips, although you can also buy single-outlet surge protectors that sit against the socket and provide a single, protected outlet.  

The surge protector has an on and off switch.

This is a Power Strip - not surge protection.

Remember, if you enjoy what you are reading here it was brought to you by your friends at Computer Tutor321.  Computer Tutor321 is located at 1510 S. Wickham Road, in West Melbourne Florida 32904.  Simply Seniors Computer Tutor specializes in working with clients age 50 plus.  We understand the unique needs of seniors!  To learn more about us please visit www.ComputerTutor321.com

 You can always visit is on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Computer-Tutor/127115018991

Windows 95 turns 20!

Oh this really hits home!  It makes me feel so old!  I just hit a mile stone birthday this year and I tell you suddenly everything seems to be 20 years ago... BI, Before Internet!

Windows 95 turns 20 years old this week!

Can you believe it? Where were you all this August 24th 1995 the day that Windows 95 was released? This software release change the world as we know it. When Microsoft unveiled Windows 95 they brought out stars they brought out rock bands they had a huge marketing campaign to release this new software. By the end of 1996 PCs we're taking over the market and suddenly everyone had to have one in their home. AOL Netscape became new words we all spoke about. Dial up 14 .4 modems 1 gigabyte hard drive and that beautiful turquoise background with those icon folders on your desktop and the very first ever start menu. Windows 95 was modified by using Microsoft plus suddenly geeks like myself could upgrade my computer change background and access utilities otherwise too difficult to even start to work with back in the dark days.

So do you remember where you were the day the windows 95 came out alright well let's not take it down to the day how about late 1995 what was life like how is it different than it is 20 years later I'll reflect on my own. Sunday afternoons we used to lay on the couch and watch PBS you remember the art classes with the fluffy clouds and the happy trees Bob Ross and his oil painting, or some sort of home improvement with the construction workers showing us how to saw and how to replace the roof. Tasks of which we would never take up on our own. Our only source of entertainment being our radios or are televisions. telephones actual court and telephones connected to the wall still graced our house.

My first computer was a hewlett-packard I purchase it from Service Merchandise on one of my very first credit card. It came with a printer monitor speakers keyboard mouse everything I needed. I brought my whopping 1 gigabyte hard drive home and I used it for a little while and then something went terribly wrong in the hard drive broke. It was a good thing because I was under warranty and hewlett-packard was kind enough to send a technician out to replace the  hard drive. I was freely upgraded to a 1.5 gigabyte hard drive I could hardly contain myself. I saved my college papers on three and a half inch floppies. I pack my backpack full of them because files took up space and many floppies would be needed to take up photos and things along those lines. Just to remind those who do not remember floppies held 1.44 megabytes of data. Today a simple photo can hold more data than that. The Hewlett Packard computer came with a stack of CDs software free software a bundle of software so to speak and this bundle of software was valued at $1000. One of my favorite softwares I spent hours in joint was the Encarta Encyclopedia. This encyclopedia had moving videos and pictures on the computer color photos you could interact and click on things that would take you to other things within the CD itself. This is long before the internet long before the web was needed in order to interact. Over the lifespan of that Windows 95 computer I spent many hours behind it chain smoking cigarettes and playing video games King's Quest is one I remember fondly. I spent many hours inside of Microsoft Word and Office 95 and I remember my friendly paper clip that helped me the whole entire way.

So if you remember Windows 95 take a moment to reflect upon that operating system and all the software that went with it and all the time you put into it the crashes in the curses. And take a moment to see just how far we have come in the last 20 years with this software. Way back when Linux was too complicated for me and today I'm a great fan of that software as well Microsoft has always been something that I have enjoyed using because it was well my first operating system Windows 95 I was right there with Leisure Suit Larry in the predecessor of Windows 3.1 and I spent many hours on the internet way before the Internet was what it is today. I look forward in seeing how this technology can evolve even further over time it sure has come a long way in just 20 short years. way back when Linux was too complicated for me into damn a great fan of that software is well Microsoft has always been something that I have enjoyed using because it was well my first operating system windows 95 I was right there with leisure suit Larry in the process server of windows 3.1 and I spent many hours on the internet way before the internet was what is today. I look 14 seeing how this technology can evolve even further overtime it sure has come along way in just 20 sure years.

 Remember, if you enjoy what you are reading here it was brought to you by your friends at Computer Tutor321.  Computer Tutor321 is located at 1510 S. Wickham Road, in West Melbourne Florida 32904.  Simply seniors Computer Tutor specializes in working with clients age 50 plus.  We understand the unique needs of seniors!  To learn more about us please visit www.ComputerTutor321.com

 You can always visit is on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Computer-Tutor/127115018991

i-Gadgets Rant, ipad, phones Macs and more RANT

There are two very different groups out there and an ever emerging third sneaking up closely behind... that 's a split between people and their desired Operating Systems OS.  You have your die hard Windows and and they your "Apple fanboys" as they are called, and lastly the Linux Lovers, I fall into two of those categories.  I am a huge fan of Linux, a lesser known OS with many different versions and the best is it's FREE.  My next of course is Windows, I was born and raised on Microsoft PCs.  I guess that leaves me with the devices I would like to complain about... APPLES!

Think Different, like so different we can't figure it out!

I own a couple of Apples products, not because I bought them... Because another family member bought them, because frustrated and gave them to me.  I'm the computer tech after all and I should know how these things work.  Well I don't! I will tell you that I see a very trendy, over priced, complicated piece of equipment with a complicated method of performing tasks.  Let me give you a real example.

I am the owner of an , this item cost about $299 retail when purchased new.  I can remember when my daughter now 14 had to have this thing.  So dad being the kind guy he is, went out and bought it for her.  Never once has anyone in the family ever had any music on the device because that is a F*(&ing impossible task.  I have tried and yes, I can follow instructions and many, however, I have failed too many times.  My ipod will remain forever music free.    ON the other hand I have a $20 MP3 player that I can very easily plug into the USB on any PC and I can simply copy and paste the songs from that PC to the MP3 player's folders.  I remove the unit and plug in the ear buds and I am off.  This is an experienced power user talking to you, not someone who just picked up this equipment for the first time.  Performing tasks with an iProduct is more complicated than with the much cheaper alternative hardware and softwares out there.

This same ipod touch can never be updated, it's OS is officially too old.  Many of the appps we spent good money on will not update and for some reason the old version will no longer work either.  Money gone.   I do understand that my equipment is a little older like all of 3 maybe 4 years and it uses itunes to sync, today there is icloud and I am going to hope that that has made things much easier for people.

Using Periscope - A New Twitter App

I would like to share with you a recent series of experiences I have shared with total strangers via a new web application named Periscope.  First, let me tell you a bit about the software application and how it works,  Then I will tell you about some of the amazing experiences that I have already have with this application.  lastly, I will tell you about some of the idea I personally have for using Periscope in my personal business and daily worked.  

About Periscope from their web site: https://www.periscope.tv/

"Just over a year ago, we became fascinated by the idea of discovering the world through someone else’s eyes. What if you could see through the eyes of a protester in Ukraine? Or watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon in Cappadocia? It may sound crazy, but we wanted to build the closest thing to teleportation. While there are many ways to discover events and places, we realized there is no better way to experience a place right now than through live video. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but live video can take you someplace and show you around."  I would define 'Periscope' as an interactive webinar or interactive TV show. 

How does Periscope work?  The broadcaster uses their cell phone or tablet's camera to show the world their environment.  It can be anything from the ride at the fair to a lecture in a hall.  As the content is being shown the viewers can comment and the broadcaster can see those comments and respond to them in real time.  You can ask the person questions learn more about what they are showing you or just have a good time.   The broadcaster can choose to allow their show to be open to the public or only to their followers, people who they have already an established following with in Twitter.  As the live show airs the viewers can share that show with their followers and there spreads the word like all other social networking.  This is different because it puts a live face with the live words happening right now.  

I started using this application about one 1- week ago.  The very first night it was about 1 am on a Saturday and I decided to poke around at it to see what it was all about.  I do have to tell you this part of the story because if I omitted it - well then you'd be less smart!  The very first thing I did see was a naked lady talking - so I jumped right out of that and l\kept on going to find something else.  The next thing I ran into was a woman at a country bar in Texas.  I was watching the screen and she was showing the dance floor and said something about no one dancing.  I then commented to her and asked her if she could ask the DJ to play a certain band.  How cool is that, a song is being played by the DJ at a bar in Texas, because I asked them to!  BTW, my song got people on the dance floor and I knew it would!  Shortly after line dancing I went around the US and at 1am I watched another couple bars and then I had to show my 14 year old daughter what I was seeing.  She then says to me "you're so boring why are you looking here in the USA why not look at cameras of people in other countries!"  Of course!  So there next thing we did was clicked on the most amazing sunrise in an African village.  The woman holding the phone was suddenly surrounded by local small children and she held the camera out as they all screamed "HI" which might be the only English word that they knew.  What an amazing experience that was, we spent maybe 20 minutes talking with this woman and looking at her walk thought this village absolutely amazing experience.  All of these things happened to me within the first hour of using the application, I was hooked! 

Now that you have read about it - I know you are interested.  It's supper easy to get started.   Here is the link to the android version:

 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.periscope.android

And of course for you apple fans out there:

 https://itunes.apple.com/app/id972909677

Simply Seniors Computer Tutor is Growing UP!

Simply Seniors Computer Tutor, a Melbourne Florida based Tech-Service that specializes in helping senior citizens has big news!  We are growing up! Today our name is Computer Tutor 321.  Our name has changed but our awesome customer service is still there! We now focus on seniors and boomers as well as offering iPad, Pod and Cell Phone repairs! We still have our same great staff that has helped make us who we are and we still offer excellent customer service both at our location or in your home.  Please tell your friends and keep watching for new news and information that you can use!  Make sure you check out our Facebook page where we offer great deals on used hardware and special offers on our services.

I look forward to helping you or your parents with their unique Techo-needs please call or stop by today! 1510 S. WickhamRd in West Melbourne FL.

Things PC users do to Technicians that drive them nuts!

If you have ever had your computer in to a computer repair shop they will ask for a couple of key pieces of information, such as user name and password.  This is typically only the user name and the password for the turning on and entering into the desktop part of the computer.  We do not usually need your other user names and passwords to other account sunless we are scientifically working on an issue within.  You have the sole responsibility for knowing your user name and passwords to your email - when your PC is worked on many times the cookies are cleaned and OMG you will be asked to enter you user name and password. So many times people depend on those little black dots and then when something happens that clears that data - the user is lost and angry with those around them (couldn't not possibly be their fault for not knowing their password? ) Nope, it is the evil PC repair technician that 'stole' your password from you and removed it from your computer!  OH, wait here is another I would like to share on this topic. I have also been accused of changing peoples passwords, only to later have the user finally figure out their own password.  Such is the case that occurred today and started today's Rant.

Today our client, we will call him Mr. Grumpy Man, came into our little computer shop to pick up with recently worked on PC. I was busy with another client and I asked our assistant to show Mr. G his computer and I even had the PC plugged in and running, and ready to use.  I hear Mr. G first stating that he wanted to look for his Documents, well he started heading out to Internet Explorer to look for those 'documents' (after a moment or so I chimed in, Documents, He is looking for email" - it is a little confusing for us when our clients use the wrong names for things but that is nothing to complain about as I can see that happening.  Our tech quickly showed Mr. G his AOL email program (yes he was using AOL software to access his email and the web in general). A short while passes and I hear Mr. G complaining that we wiped out all of his passwords that before he brought the PC here it had all of his passwords and how is he supposed to get his passwords back!  Now, I could just tel Mr. G was going to be a fun client.  I was able to finish my work with my client and take over as the lead tech for Mr. G. I moved the mouse and keyboard in front of me and said "well let me try, sometimes, I can get it just right, what was the last password you remember?"  The man reluctantly (yes, this is a pet peeve for another day, that is people not wanting to share the passwords I need in order to help them or fearing that I care about these pieces of information :-) gave me the information and I then slowly and very meticulously typed in each character, and hit the enter key and TA DA! after multiple attempts by the client I did it one time, very specifically hitting each key, and there is worked.  Mr. G's emails and AOL started to populate the screen.  Mr. G then says oh, e I new my password. .... HOLD ON, you Mr. Grumpy Man, just spent 10 plus minutes on your own entering incorrect information into the PC, you then accused my staff of 'purposely removing your password' and now, once I log right in with the information you gave me, I log right in, and suddenly you know the information? Then sir, why the hell didn't you enter it? Well, he could only tel me "I did" obliviously you didn't since I did and it worked. Not that I did anything different other than being very deliberate and making sure I was correct.

The moral of today's rant is KNOW YOUR PASSWORD!