Learn Computer Basics

When you look in your community and see the advancement of computer training for school aged children and realize their progress even with computer system knowledge, it’s amazing to think how far we have come, but look around and you will see that there is a significant number of young children that don’t understand computers and have not received even the basic training. Not every kid gets the training needed to compete in the computer world but a number of them do and this number is growing every day.

Most of the computer courses we hear being offered nowadays are for the adult population who remain unintelligible about this really useful machine. Courses for kids are actually very effective and fun for the little ones.

Along with the many fun programs, you can find many that begin to teach subjects that the child needs in school. These courses help strengthen the confidence that children need when starting there basic learning cycle. Most children want to know about things that they hear about in school and at home. They have an undying thirst for knowledge. Because of this, they are more ready to entertain and take in information.

Humans are born to ask and are always craving for additional knowledge. Children are no different and you can tell it just watching them. Unlike adults that sometimes think that they know it all, children are always ready to soak up knowledge and get the answers to questions that they have.

Kids are told to use their heads and being introduced to computers was a good thing. With kids brains growing all the time they were getting smarter all the time. Because of this, their brains are like sponges that are continuously accommodating new information and tidbits of knowledge about the different things in the physical world that surround them.

Children can learn quicker than adults, because their brains are programmed to operate that way. In the same way that children learn a new language faster and easier than adults do, there are no present constrictions in a child’s brain, so the processing and storage of new information is an effortless procedure for a child’s young brain. It is quite easy for a child to learn to speak a different language at an early age because there brain is built to learn speaking at an early age. As a young child the learning of language is taken care of in the brain by this area that only lasts for 3 or 4 years. After that time it becomes increasingly difficult to learn a new language.

Children will love to learn about computers, especially with today’s programs that teach with interaction. The most common computer system comes with unlimited opportunities for a child who is naturally hungry for new and more data about the world it is living in.

Kids will enjoy learn computer basics when they work together with the computer courses that are available to them. Not only do they learn computer basics, but they also learn about the world they live in and with this knowledge they will be able to compete at a higher level in the world they live in. Computer Tip brought to you by Windows IT Tech, LLC

Many gamers are actually realizing that computer gaming is not just a relevant and real gaming platform, but additionally one that’s threatening to discard the previous gaming notion that real gamers play with dedicated gaming systems. Because of the flexibility and connectivity of computers, many game publishers are banking on interactivity to market thousands of copies of Computer games. As more and more people get into computer gaming, either as a result of power that a gaming PC offers or due to the network, multi player gaming, there is a huge number of people that want to build their very own custom gaming computer.

What you have to know is that building your own gaming PC is not that hard. Sure, some purists will advise you that you have to have the technical skills to successfully design your own gaming PC, buying parts and putting all of them together, however you could also just select the parts that you might want and need and have the shop you bought them from put them in its entirety. The truth is, you can visit good computer shops and find out that just about everything that you need can be found there.

From a high performance processor to a great gaming mouse, most computer shops carry the various components that you really want. If they don’t you can still just purchase the most critical parts: processor, motherboard and tower, then go beyond that. Yes, these three things constitute the core associated with any good gaming computer. Get those items and you then can just add all of the other details on your own. Installing a GPU or a graphics processing unit, known as a video card can be performed at home. It’s also possible to add more memory and hard drives quite easily on your own as well as modern computers are designed to be easily upgraded.

Any gaming PC worth its salt should have power in three areas: processing, graphics and memory. Processing power basically lies in the processor and you can choose from the countless that are that are available: from quad core processing to the new smart processors with turbo boost. Then you have to get good graphics processing, you can choose to go with a single unit or get dual GPUs to get double the power. Memory dictates the capacity of your rig to manage data, so the bigger, faster your memory modules are, the higher your PC will work.

Keep in mind, though, that all these things are generally dictated by your motherboard. Only superior quality boards can handle top end parts. And that means you need to begin from there. Most importantly, should you decide to have two GPUs, then you have to obtain specific boards that allow you to do so. this tip brought to you by Windows IT Tech, LLC

Business Computing Tip-of-the-Month:

“3 Ways Tablets Make Small Businesses Faster and Leaner”

The phenomenon of tablets in the marketplace is full of opportunity for businesses of every size.

We’re not ready to predict the demise of the laptop computer, but are hinged screen/keyboard combos the only platform for serious mobile work? No way! Here are 3 reasons why…

1. For content creation, simply add a keyboard

   We all know how great tablets are for consuming content. With just a tap of a button you’re instantly connected to web pages, YouTube videos, apps, etc. This could lead some to think that tablets are only good for leisure consumption; that they’re not ideal for creating content, such as spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, documents, and other necessities of business life, but that is near-sighted.

   Don’t get us wrong, we understand that tablets’ on-screen keyboards are not the easiest to use; however, there’s a wide range of Bluetooth keyboards available that turn your tablet into a lean, mean, writing machine.

   You might be asking yourself “well if I’m going to add a keyboard to a tablet, why not just buy a laptop?” The next two reasons will tell you why…

2. ARM = ultra-light + long battery life

   PC and MAC laptops are built around the Intel processor, using chips from Intel or AMD. This makes them hot, heavy and thirsty for battery juice. Modern laptops are improving, but still remain worlds away from their tablet sisters.

   Tablets, for the most part, have broken away from this Intel tradition, by adopting chips designed by ARM. One big result of this migration is that tablets use much less power, especially when idle. This coupled with modern battery technology gives tablets a 10-hour life and weeks of standby, which means you can get more work done on the fly.

3. Cellular data: by design

   Most tablets of today are seamlessly integrated with 3G and 4G/LTE networks allowing you to switch to and from Wi-Fi without any noticeable interruption.

   This is a much better setup than the awkward the add-on sticks for laptops, since cellular data was designed right into tablets from the very beginning. So there is no excuse to not getting your presentation finished on time.

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Home Computing Tip-of-the-Month:

“Mobile Device Security Risks”

When most people think of hackers they tend to visualize coders breaking into the networks of businesses or hacking government servers with the hope of making money from the victims. What about mobile device risks? Isn’t it possible to hack them as well? The average consumer goes through great lengths to protect their home and work computers from viruses, but many ignore the possibility of their portable devices being attacked.

With many technology experts predicting that consumers will access the internet through a mobile device more than they do through a desktop computer within the next 5-10 years, mobile devices will become more and more likely to be attacked.

Here are 10 ways to keep your mobile devices safe:

1. Don’t download any games or apps that do not ask you for permission to disclose specific access to your device and data.
2. Protect each device with a strong password and change it at least once every 6 months.
3. Don’t “jailbreak” your device if at all possible, since doing so can make it more vulnerable to an attack.
4. Download the free Avast security software for Android.
5. Set your Bluetooth settings to “non-discoverable”.
6. Enable GPS to enable you to find the device if it gets lost.
7. Use a remote-wiping feature if you lose your device.
8. Scan the device periodically for malware. You can do this through antivirus software on your PC.
9. Only download from trusted sources.
10. Enable tablet security by utilizing AES 128/256-bit encryption and make a backup copy of all data stored on another device.

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“6 Cyber Security Tips for Small Businesses”

Broadband and information technology are a smart way to increase productivity and efficiency. Although broadband and information technology are useful, businesses need a cyber security strategy to protect their own business, their customers, and their data from growing cyber security threats.

The following are tips to put a cyber security strategy in place:

1. Employee Training in Security Principles
   Create rules of behavior describing how to handle and protect customer information and other vital data. Make the penalties clear for violating business policies.
2. Protect Information, Computers and Networks from Viruses
   Install, use and regularly update antivirus and antispyware software on every computer used in your business.
3. Install Firewalls for Internet Connections
   A firewall is set of related programs that prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network. Install and maintain firewalls between your internal network and the Internet.
4. Update Software for Operating Systems and Applications
   Operating system vendors regularly provide updates to their products to correct security problems and improve functionality.
5. Make Backup Copies of Important Business Data and Information.
   Regularly backup the data on every computer used in your business. Critical data includes word processing documents, electronic spreadsheets, databases, financial files, human resources files and accounts receivable/payable files. Backup data automatically if possible, or at least weekly.
6. Require individual user accounts for each employee
   Setup a separate account for each individual and require that strong passwords be used for each account

“How to Install a Wireless Printer”

Wireless printers are increasingly popular. If you are armed with the details of your wireless network, and if you follow the printer’s installation procedure attentively then installation and use are very easy.

Prep Work

There are two pieces of information that you must have before you start installing a printer including the following:

•  The name–or SSID–of your network
•  The password if the network is secured

When choosing a place to put your printer, keep the following in mind:

• Place the printer within range of the wireless router or repeater
• Look out for any large metal objects, including building elements such as girders and even screen doors or windows, as they will interfere with the wireless signal
• Watch for too many closed doors or walls in between the printer and the router, as that will degrade the signal

If your wireless signal is weak or intermittent, move the printer closer to your wireless router and avoid obstructions.

Manual Installation: Tips for Success

In most cases, your printer’s installation software will take care of the IP address and firewall settings.  If this is not the case, and you have to install a printer manually, you need to know the following information:

How to Set the IP address

An example of an IP address is the following: 192.168.1.120. By default, your router generally assigns IP addresses that generally stay the same, but if your network uses DHCP, they might be reassigned when you attach new devices to the network. Almost always, if your printer’s IP address changes, your network will lose track of the printer and you won’t be able to print.

To ensure that your printer always gets the same IP address, you can do the following:

• Assign a static IP address via the printer’s control panel or Web-based configuration pages.
• Note the static IP address for future reference, as you will no longer find it in the DHCP table

How to Adjust your Firewall Security Setting

If a firewall’s security is set too high, it may prevent your printer from talking to your router or PC. To prevent this from happening disable the firewall to see if it’s the problem. If it is, try adjusting its security settings to a lower level.

Business Computing Tip-of-the-Month:

“How to Improve Customer Service By Using the Cloud”

Customer Service
Customer service is one of the most hated things by consumers. One way to deal with providing quality customer service is to use Cloud-based services.

Cloud-based services and applications are now starting to reduce this customer service nightmare, allowing small business owners to affordably improve the customer experience with tools and features that people love, including social media and mobile device applications.

Why Customer Service Management (CSM) Important

According to a ClickFox survey:

• Over 50% of unhappy customers are likely to post negative information regarding their experience to others in their social circles.
• More than 1/3 of disgruntled customers are likely to stop doing business with a company they feel wronged them.
• Furthermore, 60% of consumers who are exposed to these negative comments in social media are strongly influenced by them. In other words, most people will avoid your company if their friends tell them to do so.

This presents a double-edged sword in that it amounts to lost profits from potential customers who no longer will consider doing business with you, as well as giving you a marketing nightmare in forcing you to overcome competitors’ advertising messages in addition to negative perceptions and bad word-of-mouth.

Cloud Solutions
Placing your customer service in the cloud better meets the expectations of customers who are increasingly connected to the web via mobile devices and, therefore, expect instant answers.
Businesses can enable this migration of customer service functions with an ever-increasing list of services, including the following:

• Zendesk
• Service Cloud
• Desk.com
• Parature
• Zoho

Cloud Benefits
According to a Frost & Sullivan report, one 500-seat cloud-based implementation provides up to twice the cost savings of a 100-seat dedicated center over a five-year period.
There are other advantages of cloud CSM, such as the following:

• Cloud eliminates server equipment and maintenance costs
• Cloud improves agent productivity and first contact resolution rates
• Cloud achieves scalability by adjusting agent numbers as required
• Cloud reduces call volume, through social media and self-service elements

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Home Computing Tip-of-the-Month:

“6 Tips for Adjusting Your PC to Make Students’ Concentrate Better”

A student’s concentration can be improved by reducing the number of screen elements competing for a student’s attention.

1. How to Clean and Organize the Desktop
   Cleaning up the clutter on the desktop can immediately help students focus better on the task of reading or typing. You can easily remove unnecessary icons on cluttered desktops to improve the amount of focus a student will have.
2. Use Appropriate Colors and Themes for Desktop
   Changing the colors and themes to something calming can support a student’s focus. You can create a calming theme in Windows or help the students create themes that work for them.
3. Full Screen Reading Feature
   Recent versions of Microsoft Word include a Full Screen Reading view that fills the whole screen, making it easier to see the text and helping to eliminate or minimize other distractions.
4. Spelling and Grammar Tool
   The Spelling & Grammar tool is a great feature for students. It allows students to check all spelling and grammar in a file and proof their text for possible mistakes. The Thesaurus feature suggests alternative choices when you click an individual word or phrase.
5. Use Speech Recognition
   There are now features on PCs that allow students to talk about their ideas instead of having to type them. Speech Recognition comes in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, and it lets a student speak to the PC, dictating ideas or entire essays onto the computer. A headset and about an hour and a half are needed to set up the voice and speech recognition on the PC.
6. Using Microsoft OneNote
   This versatile note-taking program enables students to easily take and store notes. OneNote offers both of these capabilities, plus it lets students mark notes with a variety of visual cues.

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Business Computing Tip-of-the-Month:

“5 Ways to Protect Your Computer”

Knowing that your computer’s valuable information is safe will help give you peace of mind. Use these 5 tips to learn ways you can help protect the information stored on your computer.

1. Work with your IT Department
   Be sure to install new program or software updates that are recommended. Making these regular installations will keep your computer and your company’s network as secure as possible.
2. Use Strong Passwords
   Be sure to use passwords that are strong in order to prevent hackers from stealing the data on your computer. When creating a password, make sure it:
   • Is at least eight characters long.
   • Does not contain your user name, real name, or company name.
   • Does not contain a complete dictionary word.
   • Is significantly different from previous passwords. Passwords that change just slightly—such as Password1, Password2, Password3—are not strong.
3. Do Not Allow Your Computer to Save Passwords
   Allowing the password to be saved negates having the password at all.
4. Use Network File-Sharing Instead of Local File-Sharing
5. Lock-up Your Computer When You Leave Your Desk
   In order to lock your computer, follow these steps:
   1. On your keyboard, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE at the same time.
   2. Click Lock this computer (Lock Computer if you’re running Windows XP).
   3. To unlock your computer, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE and enter your password.

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Home Computing Tip-of-the-Month:

“4 Tips to Help Improve Your Wireless Network”

If you want to boost the signal for your wireless network (WLAN), try some of these tips for extending your wireless range and improving your wireless network speed and performance.

1. Position Router in a Central Location
   When possible, place your wireless router, wireless modem router (a DSL or cable modem with a built-in wireless router), or wireless access point (WAP) in a central location in your home.
2. Move Router Away From Walls, Floor, or Metal Objects
   Metal objects, walls, and floors will interfere with your router’s wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.
3. Replace the Antenna on the Router
   If your router’s antenna is removable, you can upgrade to a high-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals in only one direction. You can even aim the signal in the direction you need it most. Consider a Linksys high-gain antenna—they’re powerful and easy to install. Or shop for other high-gain antennas.
4. Add a Wireless Repeater for Extending Network Range
   Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless router, modem router, or access point and your computer, and you can get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. You may find the following companies’ wireless-N repeaters useful:
   • Linksys
   • Hawking Hi-Gain
   • ViewSonic
   • D-Link
   • Buffalo Technology

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