Hi Everyone,
I wanted to write a blog about the dangers of downloading software. You see these commercials all the time about "My Clean PC" and how the individual's computer is 'so much faster' after running that software. Of course it costs money, but they will analyze your computer for free! What a great deal right???
WRONG!
Software like described above is very harmful to your computer. During the free analysis of your computer, the software has a code written in to actually install a 'bug' into your computer to make you freak out once it is complete. The bug is removed only when the purchased software is, well, purchased.
The main theme here is to cover the good, the bad, and the terrible when it comes to downloading software. There are a number of free programs that will speed your computer up, and they are used world wide with out any issues.
The first step in downloading is looking at reviews. Go to Google and type in the software you are looking to download and then type 'review' after it. The Internet community always has reviews on any software that you may want to download. Reading reviews will help determine what is good, what is bad, and what is just laughable.
Some of the major players in software are CCleaner by Piriform. This handy tool does everything that "My Clean PC" does, and it is free... Wait, free? Well, you can purchase either the Professional or the Professional Plus but who needs to pay for a software that will speed up your computer. The purchasing of the Pro or Pro+ just gets you other features that are already available either on your computer or can be downloaded for, say it with me, free.
Small disclaimer, I am not a spokesperson, nor does Piriform pay me to talk highly of their software. I just really enjoy having a fast computer because of them. Nor am I a spokesperson for any software that I am discussing in this blog.
I spoke briefly about Anti-Virus in my last post as an extra. The reason I tacked it as an extra is because there are a number of free Anti-Viruses out there. When asked my opinion, I always go with AVG, the free version. AVG combined with the firewall software that comes with Microsoft Windows is ideal when it comes to safe Internet browsing.
This post has been on my mind since these "free analyst" programs have hit the airwaves on TVs and when I am watching YouTube videos. Without a steady stream of money, they would not be able to advertise. I would highly recommend not buying into their claims of a faster PC. There are plenty of free, and good software out there. You just need to know where to look. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at the email below, or post a comment on the blog or on Facebook. I am always willing to help out.
I end this post the same way I do every other...
I am open to constructive criticism and also willing to
help with steering you in the right direction. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Dan Stinson
Stinsontech@gmail.com
C.E.O. of Stinson Technology
Friday, April 10, 2015
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Choosing Extras For Your Home Office
Hi All,
Within my last post, I mentioned that there is a lot of extras that can come with your new computer. These extras can include other hardware, and/or software. When designing your home office, you will want to have an idea of what you want or need to get going so you are not making multiple trips to your nearest store.
A good way to determine what you will need is to have an idea of what your office will be used for. Are you looking to do all functionality that you would have at your work? Are you just looking for simple, basic extras that are easy to manage? Do you have a need for Microsoft Office? And also, on the subject of Office, which version is best for you? If you get a printer, do you need to have fax capability with it? Do you want your office to be mobile? These are some of the questions that you should consider when listing out the extras for your home office.
The need for Microsoft Office is a big one. There are a few free versions out there that will allow some functionality but if you want the Microsoft version, then you are looking to spend some money. With the different versions, you will able to get more applications. The basic applications for Office are:
Word - Documents
Excel - Spreadsheets
Powerpoint - Slide shows
As you spend more money, even more applications become available. The latest version is Microsoft 2013. (There is a version called Office 365, which is a subscription service to the Office products.) Here is a link for a complete breakdown of prices and features that come with each version available for download.
Microsoft Office Products
For basic home use, Office Home and Student 2013 is probably the best route, but it is all up to your needs.
I know I spent a lot of time talking about Office, but Office is one of the key extras when determining what is needed for your home. There are a lot of other extras that I brushed on earlier as well. I could compile a list of all the extras, but I will just touch on a few.
As always, I am open to constructive criticism and also willing to help with steering you in the right direction. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Dan Stinson
Stinsontech@gmail.com
C.E.O. of Stinson Technology
Within my last post, I mentioned that there is a lot of extras that can come with your new computer. These extras can include other hardware, and/or software. When designing your home office, you will want to have an idea of what you want or need to get going so you are not making multiple trips to your nearest store.
A good way to determine what you will need is to have an idea of what your office will be used for. Are you looking to do all functionality that you would have at your work? Are you just looking for simple, basic extras that are easy to manage? Do you have a need for Microsoft Office? And also, on the subject of Office, which version is best for you? If you get a printer, do you need to have fax capability with it? Do you want your office to be mobile? These are some of the questions that you should consider when listing out the extras for your home office.
The need for Microsoft Office is a big one. There are a few free versions out there that will allow some functionality but if you want the Microsoft version, then you are looking to spend some money. With the different versions, you will able to get more applications. The basic applications for Office are:
Word - Documents
Excel - Spreadsheets
Powerpoint - Slide shows
As you spend more money, even more applications become available. The latest version is Microsoft 2013. (There is a version called Office 365, which is a subscription service to the Office products.) Here is a link for a complete breakdown of prices and features that come with each version available for download.
Microsoft Office Products
For basic home use, Office Home and Student 2013 is probably the best route, but it is all up to your needs.
I know I spent a lot of time talking about Office, but Office is one of the key extras when determining what is needed for your home. There are a lot of other extras that I brushed on earlier as well. I could compile a list of all the extras, but I will just touch on a few.
- Wireless Mouse
- External Hard Drive
- Speakers
- Printers
- Basic
- Printer/Copier
- Printer/Copier/Scanner
- All in One
- Copy
- Scan
- Fax
- Photo
- Anti-Virus
As always, I am open to constructive criticism and also willing to help with steering you in the right direction. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Dan Stinson
Stinsontech@gmail.com
C.E.O. of Stinson Technology
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Picking The Perfect Computer
Howdy,
It has been awhile since my last post. Real life got in the way. I had a nice vacation down to the Carolinas for some Syracuse Football. But I am now back in CNY and it is quite chilly. But enough about how my vacation went, I came here to describe an experience I had with a client about picking out their perfect computer.
I was approached back in June by a professional that wanted to have a home office set up. During our initial meeting, I was asked the dreaded question people in IT hate to hear. "What type of computer would be best suited for me?" I actually had to sit back and think of a response to that question. I thought about the endless possibilities of hardware and software that would be 'best' for him. In my thought process, it occurred to me that this client is honest with this question. He was unsure of what computer would be best suited for him.
When you are choosing a computer for yourself, you want the basics. When I say basics, I mean 4 GB of RAM, at least a 500 GB hard drive and one of the latest processor chips, (i3 or i5 would be fine). But as far as features go, that is in your court. Are you looking to have the best features available? Do you want flashy set up with a back-lit keyboard or maybe something with a large screen and a full keyboard? Of course these are all features for a laptop. A desktop computer would actually cost less than a laptop for the same features. (With a home office, I am assuming that the client wants portability.)
As with any big purchase, you want to make sure you do some research on the computer before you buy. If you are purchasing the computer from an online vendor, (I do not recommend doing this), make sure you read the reviews on the machine. The reason I do not recommend getting anything online is because you do not know exactly what you are purchasing. If you can, get to a store to have a hands on experience with the machine that you choose.
The client I was working with wanted me to pick out a laptop for them. I came to the meeting with 3 different types of laptops. Two of the machines were Windows 7. The operating system in Windows 7 is the most user friendly of any operating system currently on the market, in my opinion. Without any hands on experience with the actual laptops, the client went with one of the Windows 7 machines based solely on the picture of the machine. Again, this approach to a new machine is not recommended.
Also, something to take into consideration, what type of devices will be connecting to your new machine? I will create a different post for picking out the devices and what are the ups and downs for each. But to touch quickly on this, you will want hardware that is compatible with your new machine. Nothing like taking home a brand new machine and realizing that your printer is so out of date that it will not work. Then you have to make another trip to the store to get a printer. In today's society, no one wants to run out of the house if they do not have to.
As always, I am open to constructive criticism and also willing to help with steering you in the right direction. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Dan Stinson
d.e.stinson1@gmail.com
C.E.O. of Stinson Technology
It has been awhile since my last post. Real life got in the way. I had a nice vacation down to the Carolinas for some Syracuse Football. But I am now back in CNY and it is quite chilly. But enough about how my vacation went, I came here to describe an experience I had with a client about picking out their perfect computer.
I was approached back in June by a professional that wanted to have a home office set up. During our initial meeting, I was asked the dreaded question people in IT hate to hear. "What type of computer would be best suited for me?" I actually had to sit back and think of a response to that question. I thought about the endless possibilities of hardware and software that would be 'best' for him. In my thought process, it occurred to me that this client is honest with this question. He was unsure of what computer would be best suited for him.
When you are choosing a computer for yourself, you want the basics. When I say basics, I mean 4 GB of RAM, at least a 500 GB hard drive and one of the latest processor chips, (i3 or i5 would be fine). But as far as features go, that is in your court. Are you looking to have the best features available? Do you want flashy set up with a back-lit keyboard or maybe something with a large screen and a full keyboard? Of course these are all features for a laptop. A desktop computer would actually cost less than a laptop for the same features. (With a home office, I am assuming that the client wants portability.)
As with any big purchase, you want to make sure you do some research on the computer before you buy. If you are purchasing the computer from an online vendor, (I do not recommend doing this), make sure you read the reviews on the machine. The reason I do not recommend getting anything online is because you do not know exactly what you are purchasing. If you can, get to a store to have a hands on experience with the machine that you choose.
The client I was working with wanted me to pick out a laptop for them. I came to the meeting with 3 different types of laptops. Two of the machines were Windows 7. The operating system in Windows 7 is the most user friendly of any operating system currently on the market, in my opinion. Without any hands on experience with the actual laptops, the client went with one of the Windows 7 machines based solely on the picture of the machine. Again, this approach to a new machine is not recommended.
Also, something to take into consideration, what type of devices will be connecting to your new machine? I will create a different post for picking out the devices and what are the ups and downs for each. But to touch quickly on this, you will want hardware that is compatible with your new machine. Nothing like taking home a brand new machine and realizing that your printer is so out of date that it will not work. Then you have to make another trip to the store to get a printer. In today's society, no one wants to run out of the house if they do not have to.
As always, I am open to constructive criticism and also willing to help with steering you in the right direction. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Dan Stinson
d.e.stinson1@gmail.com
C.E.O. of Stinson Technology
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Introduction
Hello All,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading my first of many posts. I hope that this blog can help you, not only in picking out the correct hardware and software that you will need when setting up a home office, but also guide you through the rights and wrongs of the components of a home office.
When I first started Stinson Technology, I had a hope to reach as many people as possible and help them with the new trends of technology that keeps coming. It seems like each time you buy the "newest" product, a newer, better model comes out and your new piece of technology seems obsolete.
Technology has come a long way from a simple MS-DOS computer to what we have now. An abundance of people are starting their own businesses because of the ease of access to different hardware and software. With "everything" on the internet now a days it seems like the easiest way is to just do a Google search. But how can you be certain that what you are searching for is correct? Or even, if the information that appears to you is accurate. Take Wikipedia for example. That is an open source website that anyone can contribute to the content on it. Anyone can create a page, update any page, and add any information. The information does not need to even be accurate! The best commercial to ever hit TV was "...everything on the Internet is true." Then a "French model comes and takes her on a date. (Link: Everything on the Internet is true)
With the Internet came a stream of information that was accessible by billions of people. With the invention of the smart phone, everyone could have easy access to that information when ever they want/need it. The smart phone is a great tool if you are pressed for information, but users have fallen away from using their smart phone for just a phone. The philosophy around the smart phone was to have everyone connected, at all times. With new applications coming for the phones, they are now multipurpose. Now, the phone is a tool to keep your kids happy while you shop, or pass time while in a meeting, check emails, playing games, chatting, voice calling, video calling... the list goes on and on.
Enough of a rant about basic technology. Everyone knows what a computer is, what a smart phone is, and what the Internet is, but some thing I hope that you, as a reader of this blog, take away is that every piece of hardware is different. You will want to try before you buy. Do not make any decisions based on how cool something looks, or just because it is the next best thing. Have your hands on it in the store, read reviews of that piece of electronics you are purchasing. If it is a big purchase, like a new computer or phone, then you will want to choose what is best for you. My hope is to guide you through and make the decision a little easier. Planning and preparing can help big time if you are unsure of what is right for you.
Some things to consider will be included within my next blog post. This was an introduction to my blog. I am open to constructive criticism and also willing to help with steering you in the right direction. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Dan Stinson
d.e.stinson1@gmail.com
C.E.O. of Stinson Technology
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading my first of many posts. I hope that this blog can help you, not only in picking out the correct hardware and software that you will need when setting up a home office, but also guide you through the rights and wrongs of the components of a home office.
When I first started Stinson Technology, I had a hope to reach as many people as possible and help them with the new trends of technology that keeps coming. It seems like each time you buy the "newest" product, a newer, better model comes out and your new piece of technology seems obsolete.
Technology has come a long way from a simple MS-DOS computer to what we have now. An abundance of people are starting their own businesses because of the ease of access to different hardware and software. With "everything" on the internet now a days it seems like the easiest way is to just do a Google search. But how can you be certain that what you are searching for is correct? Or even, if the information that appears to you is accurate. Take Wikipedia for example. That is an open source website that anyone can contribute to the content on it. Anyone can create a page, update any page, and add any information. The information does not need to even be accurate! The best commercial to ever hit TV was "...everything on the Internet is true." Then a "French model comes and takes her on a date. (Link: Everything on the Internet is true)
With the Internet came a stream of information that was accessible by billions of people. With the invention of the smart phone, everyone could have easy access to that information when ever they want/need it. The smart phone is a great tool if you are pressed for information, but users have fallen away from using their smart phone for just a phone. The philosophy around the smart phone was to have everyone connected, at all times. With new applications coming for the phones, they are now multipurpose. Now, the phone is a tool to keep your kids happy while you shop, or pass time while in a meeting, check emails, playing games, chatting, voice calling, video calling... the list goes on and on.
Enough of a rant about basic technology. Everyone knows what a computer is, what a smart phone is, and what the Internet is, but some thing I hope that you, as a reader of this blog, take away is that every piece of hardware is different. You will want to try before you buy. Do not make any decisions based on how cool something looks, or just because it is the next best thing. Have your hands on it in the store, read reviews of that piece of electronics you are purchasing. If it is a big purchase, like a new computer or phone, then you will want to choose what is best for you. My hope is to guide you through and make the decision a little easier. Planning and preparing can help big time if you are unsure of what is right for you.
Some things to consider will be included within my next blog post. This was an introduction to my blog. I am open to constructive criticism and also willing to help with steering you in the right direction. Feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Dan Stinson
d.e.stinson1@gmail.com
C.E.O. of Stinson Technology
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