07
Feb 10

What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2010-02-07


04
Feb 10

Linux + Gmail = Computing Bliss

Last summer, I wrote an article about a senior citizen client of mine who constantly struggled with her older Windows XP machine. Updates would cause problems, the printer would stop working, security woes plagued her. She turned out to be my poster child for using Linux (in her case Ubuntu 8.10).  Check out the article (by the way, she is still doing fantastic with her computer and Ubuntu).

Today, I visited another of my Linux clients. This couple came to me about six months ago (they are both seniors as well and self-described computer newbies). They explained that computers frighten and intimidate them, but they felt compelled to have one so they could stay in touch with their kids and grandkids. They strongly desired to have a machine that was simple to use, maintain, and was safe. After much discussion, they decided to take my advice and dump their nearly 12 year old computer and Continue reading: Linux + Gmail = Computing Bliss


03
Feb 10

Email of the Week – 024

Mailing Letters

photo credit: Smithsonian Institution

QUESTION

Name:  TERRY JAMESON

From:   LARKSPUR CO.

OS:      Windows XP

———————-
RICK,
I WOULD LOVE TO USE FIREFOX, BUT IT SHUTS DOWN CONSTANTLY. THE INFAMOUS BOX COMES UP AND STATES THAT IT HAS “ECOUNTERED A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO SHUT DOWN.” I HAVE TRIED TO UPDATE IT SEVERAL TIMES, BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM.

ANSWER

Normally, I don’t read or answer questions written to me in all caps. Not because I think the person is Continue reading: Email of the Week – 024


02
Feb 10

Slow computer or slow Internet?

Pieces of me

photo credit: Heliøs

A common problem I hear throughout my week is “My computer is slow.” I finally learned to ask, “Is your computer slow, or is your Internet slow?” The computer user usually pauses, thinks and often responds that it is his or her Internet that is slow; not the computer.

When I sit down at a client’s computer, I can quickly determine the health of a computer based on how quickly I can perform simple tasks like checking background processes, determining how current and what security products are being used, free hard drive space, and how much RAM is installed on the machine. Generally speaking, if a computer was bought any time after Continue reading: Slow computer or slow Internet?


01
Feb 10

Firefox 3.0 Bookmark & History Search – Video Tip

This is a re-release of an almost 2 year old tip that you probably missed…it will save you boat loads of time!!!

Firefox 3.0 was released last week after a long development period. The Mozilla folks put together an extremely good package and made genuine improvements in speed and features…a rare accomplishment in today’s software arena where programs get larger and less usable.

The feature I use the most, so far, is the incredibly fast Continue reading: Firefox 3.0 Bookmark & History Search – Video Tip


31
Jan 10

My business benefits from folks not reading my articles & tips

Javier, John Michael, Travis, Clint

photo credit: Bennett 4 Senate

Since 1996, I made it my mission to share every bit of pertinent digital knowledge that I acquired with anyone willing to visit the site. It astounds me to this day how many computer users refuse to read and refuse to learn. Truly, 40-50% of the house and business calls I make every week would evaporate if the computer user had read my articles and tips on a regular basis and followed their advice. This is especially true regarding security problems computer users encounter.

One comment I receive constantly goes something like this, “I have looked at your site (or listened to you on the radio) and don’t understand any of it.”

One of my other missions was to not only make my information available, but also Continue reading: My business benefits from folks not reading my articles & tips


31
Jan 10

Rick Answers His Email – Episode 074

Last week, I was in Park City, Utah at the Sundance Film Festival with my son, but I’m back at it again this week answering your questions.

Cindy paid $5 this week to be the very first question answered, but she never submitted a question. So the first question this week was from Kelly who paid $1 to have priority treatment as well.  Questions then were answered from Jean, Cypora, Luiza, Keith, Alberta, Elvin, Hasim, and Donna.

Topics today included watching TNT shows online, removing a user from blocked senders, Gmail stalker, runtime errors, McAfee problems, email encoding, new electronic Continue reading: Rick Answers His Email – Episode 074


31
Jan 10

What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2010-01-31


24
Jan 10

What Rick said, read and thought about this week 2010-01-24


22
Jan 10

Cellular coverage at big events

Sundance Film Festival 2010

This weekend, I had the opportunity to take my son to the Sundance Film Festival. We are doing it on a shoestring by standing in line for stand-by and wait-list tickets and camping in our VW van at an RV park. So far, it has been great fun…except for cell coverage.

No matter what carrier folks use, they are complaining about slow network speeds, dropped calls, and inability to send texts. This isn’t unique to Sundance or Park City, Utah. Almost any time a large Continue reading: Cellular coverage at big events