The snow is starting to melt and it is actually above freezing during the day! You know your a Minnesotan if you a comforted by this fact. Winter always seems to go too long but at least now we get to experience the second season, "Road Construction". All kidding aside I wouldn't want to move anywhere else. Okay, well, maybe Florida. And only for the winter. But I don't think I could stand to be away from my family, friends, and girlfriend for that long...
Okay, so I joke a lot. I love a good joke. Humor always seems to help keep me in a good mood. I hope you find humor in your life as you go through your day to day living. I have learned that I shouldn't take myself to seriously or I will be setting myself up for some big disappointment. Now you are probably wondering what this has to do with computers. Well, to be completely honest it has absolutely nothing to do with computers but then again I totally realize that most people do not care about computers as much as I do, so taking a break is nice to do every once and a while.
I hope you are finding many things you enjoy doing this spring. Today is Friday so do me a favor, after you get done with work today, go have fun. You can still Facebook, I'm not saying go cold turkey from technology but enjoy your weekend. If you don't work this weekend, hangout with a friend, girlfriend (or boyfriend), or spouse. If you do work this weekend I hope there are plenty of humorous moments to keep your spirit uplifted. Today I am going to spend some time with my girlfriend and we are going to hang out at the Mall of America with my brother and sister-in-law. I am really pumped because we are going to a comedy club, and you already know from the text above how much I appreciate humor. Well, that's all I have to say for now. But don't worry I'll be back next week. Same blog, same channel. Have a great weekend.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Valentines Day! How is your computer handling the holiday?
Valentines Day is a day that people either love or hate. Usually it depends on your Facebook Status: In a relationship, engaged, married or single. No matter where you are in life I hope you had a day just to enjoy the company of loved ones, friends, or someone you care about.
However, now that the holiday is over we are back to "normal life". How has your computer treated you over valentines day. Has it been your friend, or is it harboring some bitterness that you didn't buy it a box of chocolates. :) Here are some pointers to keep your computer up and running and if it does crash you can minimize the data loss.
The first point I want to make is if you are using Microsoft Outlook for your email make sure it is backed up. You should back it up once to a week so that you do not lose much information. However, this begs the question where do I back up the data. Most people only have usb "jump" or "pen" drives that are 2 to 3 GB at largest. My suggestion is this, Go and buy an external hard drive for backing up your data. It will cost somewhere between $60 to $100 give or take. You should get one that can hold 500 GB to 1000 GB (1 terabyte). This will give you ample room to store your Outlook backup and any other files you do not want to lose.
The second point is to make sure you actually DO the backup every week. Repetition is the father of habit, and backing up your data is a good habit to get into. Remember computers are only machines, and machines can break. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Here is a link for backing up Outlook 2003 (Outlook 2007 is similar) http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA011030811033.aspx. Hope this helps.
However, now that the holiday is over we are back to "normal life". How has your computer treated you over valentines day. Has it been your friend, or is it harboring some bitterness that you didn't buy it a box of chocolates. :) Here are some pointers to keep your computer up and running and if it does crash you can minimize the data loss.
The first point I want to make is if you are using Microsoft Outlook for your email make sure it is backed up. You should back it up once to a week so that you do not lose much information. However, this begs the question where do I back up the data. Most people only have usb "jump" or "pen" drives that are 2 to 3 GB at largest. My suggestion is this, Go and buy an external hard drive for backing up your data. It will cost somewhere between $60 to $100 give or take. You should get one that can hold 500 GB to 1000 GB (1 terabyte). This will give you ample room to store your Outlook backup and any other files you do not want to lose.
The second point is to make sure you actually DO the backup every week. Repetition is the father of habit, and backing up your data is a good habit to get into. Remember computers are only machines, and machines can break. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Here is a link for backing up Outlook 2003 (Outlook 2007 is similar) http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA011030811033.aspx. Hope this helps.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Helpful Hints on buying a computer
Sooner or later everyones computer will die. It may be a slow, gradual passing or happen out of the blue. So there is a good chance you will need to buy a new computer, someday.(the average computer will work for 5-7 years). So where do you start? There are two different types of computers PC's and Apple (Macs). But the type of computer you should buy depends on You. It depends what you will use the computer for.
Of PC's and macs there are two types of computers desktops and laptops. If you need to be mobile with your computing you will need a laptop. If you do most of your work from your home or office a desktop should suit you just fine. Desktops are less expensive but you can't take them with you. And laptops have really come down in price of what they used to be. Also note, there are a new type of computer that is becoming more popular, called Netbooks. They are smaller than laptops and are useful if you just need an internet, email, and word processing machine and . The one drawback is since they are so small there is no DVD drive but, it can be purchased separately for a minimal fee.
The big discussion these days are should I get a Mac or a PC. There are a couple different things you need to take into account. First, how much money do you have to spend? If you think you will get a mac for less than a grand keep dreaming. That being said, if you are looking for a good computer for editing pictures and movies a mac does a super job. However, if you don't have as much money to spend a PC is definitely the way to go. Some people say "Macs are so much easier, than pc's". However, I believe that is not a completely true statement. If you are used to a mac you may find them easier however if you are a pc user you will still have to learn a little how macs work to use them. However, remember too that pcs can do a excellent job of editing photos and movies as well. Secondly, what type of computer are you used to. If you have always used a mac, that make make more sense to you, and you may want to stick with a mac. However if you grew up using a pc then I would definitely stick a pc.
I will admit I like pcs much better than macs for a couple reasons. First off they are easier to fix. Secondly, their mice have 2 buttons instead of 1. Who ever thought that having one mouse button was a good idea? And thirdly more people can afford them and since part of my motto is Affordable. I naturally gravitate toward pcs.
Here's a good rule of thumb. If you just want to be online buy a netbook. If you want to easily edit pictures and movies and can spend a lot of money buy a mac. If you are more economical, and in this economy most people are, buy a pc. If you need to be mobile, buy a laptop or netbook. Ca'pice!
Of PC's and macs there are two types of computers desktops and laptops. If you need to be mobile with your computing you will need a laptop. If you do most of your work from your home or office a desktop should suit you just fine. Desktops are less expensive but you can't take them with you. And laptops have really come down in price of what they used to be. Also note, there are a new type of computer that is becoming more popular, called Netbooks. They are smaller than laptops and are useful if you just need an internet, email, and word processing machine and . The one drawback is since they are so small there is no DVD drive but, it can be purchased separately for a minimal fee.
The big discussion these days are should I get a Mac or a PC. There are a couple different things you need to take into account. First, how much money do you have to spend? If you think you will get a mac for less than a grand keep dreaming. That being said, if you are looking for a good computer for editing pictures and movies a mac does a super job. However, if you don't have as much money to spend a PC is definitely the way to go. Some people say "Macs are so much easier, than pc's". However, I believe that is not a completely true statement. If you are used to a mac you may find them easier however if you are a pc user you will still have to learn a little how macs work to use them. However, remember too that pcs can do a excellent job of editing photos and movies as well. Secondly, what type of computer are you used to. If you have always used a mac, that make make more sense to you, and you may want to stick with a mac. However if you grew up using a pc then I would definitely stick a pc.
I will admit I like pcs much better than macs for a couple reasons. First off they are easier to fix. Secondly, their mice have 2 buttons instead of 1. Who ever thought that having one mouse button was a good idea? And thirdly more people can afford them and since part of my motto is Affordable. I naturally gravitate toward pcs.
Here's a good rule of thumb. If you just want to be online buy a netbook. If you want to easily edit pictures and movies and can spend a lot of money buy a mac. If you are more economical, and in this economy most people are, buy a pc. If you need to be mobile, buy a laptop or netbook. Ca'pice!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Computer Training!
Does it seem to you that you have a lot of things you want to get done on the computer but don't know how to go about doing them? Lately, I have done quite a few computer training sessions with people who want to get better at using their computer. If you feel like you could benefit from a training session shoot me a email or give me a call and I can help you achieve your goals. I find it very satisfying helping people understand their computers better. It doesn't matter if you need help with your email or downloading pictures to your computer, you can do it! So what are you waiting for, productivity is just a phone call away! Click here to contact me
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Everyone Starts somewhere...
This blog is dedicated to anyone who has used a computer, will use a computer, owns a computer, (or visits the library to use their internet). Now that I covered pretty much anyone and everyone, let me tell you why you should follow me down this road of computer literacy. I like to give simple illistrations and points so that you feel like you can benefit from what I have to say.
There are really only 2 types of computers. Working computers and non-working computers. If you have a working computer that is great! (Well for you anyway :) If your computer isn't working feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. (gdattilo@askthecomputerguy.net or 612-845-0200) And there are 2 types of users tech saavy computer users and beginner computer users. (I say beginner because once you learn enough about computers you graduate into the tech savvy computer users category. You see, you never are illiterate with computers you just aren't trained yet).
I will be using this blog for a couple different reasons. #1. Education. People can always stand to learn about their computer and I want to help people in that quest of de-mystifying their computer. #2 Promotions and Prizes. Everyone likes a good deal and winning prizes is always fun no matter what it is. #3 Interaction. I like for my customers, current and future to feel that they are being taken care of. I hope you enjoy what you read here.
There are really only 2 types of computers. Working computers and non-working computers. If you have a working computer that is great! (Well for you anyway :) If your computer isn't working feel free to give me a call or shoot me an email. (gdattilo@askthecomputerguy.net or 612-845-0200) And there are 2 types of users tech saavy computer users and beginner computer users. (I say beginner because once you learn enough about computers you graduate into the tech savvy computer users category. You see, you never are illiterate with computers you just aren't trained yet).
I will be using this blog for a couple different reasons. #1. Education. People can always stand to learn about their computer and I want to help people in that quest of de-mystifying their computer. #2 Promotions and Prizes. Everyone likes a good deal and winning prizes is always fun no matter what it is. #3 Interaction. I like for my customers, current and future to feel that they are being taken care of. I hope you enjoy what you read here.
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