Keep that brain growing

So what can one do when not rushing to work every morning? I've found doing a crossword puzzle every morning wakes up my thinking. Feel free to try the new daily crossword puzzles. If you prefer a larger view, just go to the Boatload of Puzzles site. And do enjoy that cup of coffee while you play.

Semi-Retired and Loving It

Yep, I'm only supporting one sensational client. I love it and I also love the freedom to devote my energies and talents to activities that I'd like to grow.

BTW, Geek Squad is the way to go. They have saved my bacon and sanity a handful of times this year. Yesterday, I renewed my account so with no new set up fees it is only $148 a year. Such a deal!

Look for future photographs, comments and activities.

24/7 IT Support for only about $200/year?

Some of my biggest frustrations and anxiety provoking situations involve technology meltdowns. You know what I mean – those times when critical tasks for your clients come to a screeching halt because your computer gets a virus, or your computer won’t recognize the Wi-Fi connection, or programs slow to a minus-5-mph speed, or any other technology-related problems beyond my expertise.

There are a lot of IT consultants in my area. However, their $90/hr. + rates used to make me wait until problems reached the critical mass implosion state. So recently I investigated the options available. Critical factors for me included:

Availability – solo IT operators in London are not available 24/7

Expertise – high school students may have a lot of skills, but not as full a business package as I need

Price – I can’t afford what major corporations have available, but I’m not low balling it and I want to pay a fair price for good service

People-friendly technician – one who can not only troubleshoot and fix my problems but can communicate comfortably with me

Location – it would be great to have most problems solved online, but what if a hands-on fix is needed?

Hallelujah! I found the Geek Squad. The technicians are available 24/7 365 days a year. I had to call on them twice in the last month and found them to be very comfortable to work with. They are extremely knowledgeable and work until the problem is solved – the last event took about four hours to fix and the technician made sure that everything was totally fixed on both my computers before ending the session.

The price is an extremely good value. I elected to get an annual contract at a cost of about $219 for the entire year. In the event that I need hands on assistance, I have two options: 1) I can take my equipment in to a nearby Best Buy store which has an in-house Geek Squad. For that I would pay only for parts. 2) A technician will make a home visit for a flat $49 plus parts. 

I’ll repeat it: Hallelujah! I found the Geek Squad.

Microsoft Doesn't Call

Our local paper recently did an article on internet scams. Specifically, the warning is about phone calls claiming that they are with Microsoft  and they have found that your computer has been either hacked, compromised, or had some other negative event. Most often these callers claim they can “save” you and your computer. They only need either money or your credit card number. This article advised “just say ‘No’ and hang up". Remember, Microsoft does not call anyone.

In my own experience so far, all of these callers have had very un-american accents. 

My personal reasoning is that I have not contracted with anyone to monitor my computer so am sure not going to let them have access to it. Take time to think these over. If you have an IT consultant, make contact and have them handle the problem.

Work

When God wanted sponges and oysters, He made them, and put one on a rock, and the other in the mud. When He made man, He did not make him to be a sponge or an oyster; He made him with feet, and hands, and head, and heart, and vital blood, and a place to use them, and said to him, "Go work!"

Henry Ward Beecher, Royal Truths, 1866

Bookmark in ONE easy step

I have to share this tip from PC World. This makes bookmarking a site super easy. Enjoy!

Bookmark Any Web Page with a Single Keystroke

By Rick Broida, PCWorld    Jul 23, 2012 2:35 AM

How do you bookmark a Web site? Most users venture into the Bookmarks menu, click Add to Favorites (or something similar), and so on. It can add up to a lot of clicking.
There's a faster, easier, smarter way: Just use the keyboard shortcut. Here's the keystroke for all popular browsers:
Chrome: Ctrl-D
Firefox: Ctrl-D
Internet Explorer: Ctrl-D
Opera: Ctrl-D
Safari: Ctrl-D
Sensing a pattern here? Yep, all five major browsers rely on the same key for bookmarking the current page. Why not Ctrl-B, as in 'B' for Bookmark? That shortcut is almost universally reserved for the Bold command (as in boldface text).
Now, it's worth noting that in some browsers, you can do a little more with this command. In Chrome, for example, pressing Ctrl-Shift-D lets you bookmark a page and edit the details. In Firefox, that same keystroke bookmarks all currently open tabs.
Even if you don't get fancy with it, Ctrl-D is a shortcut that's definitely worth learning -- regardless of which browser you use. When you want to save a page for future reference, press it, then get on with your life.

Internet Doomsday - protect yourself

Another hacker-created crisis approaches in July. Read this article Internet Doomsday - protect yourself for explanation of the malware and how to cope with it.

I just don't understand the mentality of destroying others' computers, information, and systems. A scientist friend of mine says that it is a "power" thing.  Do you think these nerds need to get a real life?