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Computer Tip of The Day: Quick Ways to Improve Computer Performance

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With how much time we spend each day working on the computer it is important that our computers operate at peak performance, as a computer that is not operating efficiently can really slow you down and reduce productivity. If you feel as though your inefficient computer has been holding you back as of late, not all hope is lost. Here are a few quick steps you can take to boost your computer’s performance.

Try a Different Browser

If your computer is not running as efficiently as you would like it to, particularly when using the internet, you should try using a different browser. The fact is that not only are certain browsers faster than others, but compatibility issues between certain browsers and software on your computer can cause a slowdown. You may then want to consider playing around with different browsers to see which one works best on your computer. Generally, Google Chrome and FireFox are considered to be the fastest browsers.

Let Your Computer Cool Down

While sometimes your computer will slow down over time, you may also notice that your computer suddenly begins running really slowly. This can be a sign that your computer is overheating. Feel along your computer’s exterior to see if it is hotter than normal. Make sure that your computer has enough space around it for adequate airflow, and that it is not boxed in by any clutter. If your computer feels hot. Shutting it down for a few minutes and letting it cool off can help your computer run more efficiently.

Remove Junk From Your Computer

Another great way to improve computer performance is to remove junk. Removing junk files and programs can help to free up space on your hard drive which can help it to run more efficiently. If your computer is running slow, this can also be a sign of viruses and malware on your computer. You should then take a few minutes to run an anti-virus and anti-malware program to seek out and remove any potential threats.

Taking these steps can quickly improve your computer’s efficiency and your overall productivity. Contact us for more computer tips and advice.

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Computer Tip of the Day: Internet Speed And Your Business

If a positive internet “surfing” experience is desired, whether at home or at the place of employment, the following points should be considered:

Bandwidth
Latency
Computer health
Internet Browser Extensions

Bandwidth is the allowance of data that may be downloaded per given unit of time. For example, if a typical DSL plan of 1-20 Megabits/sec is purchased, that means the ISP (internet service provider) will allow downloading approximately 1-20 megabits of data per second. To put that into better perspective, contrast it with the speed of a dial-up Internet connection plan of approximately 20-30 kilobits per second, which is only a very small fraction of 1 megabit. Therefore, if high-speed internet is desired, it’s probably better to not choose a dial-up internet connection plan.

However, don’t be fooled by only looking at the data allowance per second when choosing a plan. There’s a variable one must consider called network latency, and can usually only be determined by reading the reviews of a given ISP. Latency refers to the delay that data must endure after given the command to transfer, and many different factors can contribute to latency. For example, if one is considering purchasing a satellite internet plan, keep in mind that although the data allowance per second might look good, it just so happens that the latency of a satellite network could be such that it will not feel like you are using a high-speed internet connection; the internet connection will feel very slow.

After the above is considered and the internet plan is purchased, it’s pretty much up to the computer user to make sure the device being used to access the internet is in good health. Even with the fastest internet plan available, a computer in poor health will diminish the speed of the internet service being used such that all that glorious speed will not be noticeable. This means making an effort to become familiar with computer maintenance. An internet service provider might offer computer maintenance as part of a purchased plan, but it would save a lot of money to do a little research and become familiar with maintenance.

Using the internet typically happens via an internet browser. With the explosion of internet usage in the last decade, internet browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome have made available extensions or add-ons which can enhance the internet experience. Adding these to your browser, each with a specific purpose, can come with a negative side. Sometimes these extensions can cause a browser to become slow or to crash, therefore, using too many of these simultaneously can greatly diminish the speed of the internet. It would be in a computer user’s best interest to learn how to turn extensions and add-ons off.

Please contact us for a consultation.

Computer Tip of the Day: 6 Ways to Keep Your Computer Cool

It’s important to keep your computer or laptop cool. A computer that is overheating will slow down, freeze, or crash at random. Here are six ways to keep your computer cool.

Be Careful Where You Place It

Give your computer room to breathe. Don’t place your laptop on a cushion or pillow. Place it on a hard surface. Make sure there is room around your computer as well. Don’t block the vents on your laptop or computer case with papers, documents, or other office equipment.

Clean It Often

You will be surprised by how much dust can accumulate in your computer. Use compressed air in a can to clean out your computer, or gently wipe it with a soft cloth. Clean the area around your computer so that there are no dust particles flying around. Keep your pets out of the office so that their hair doesn’t get stuck in the fan.

Install a New CPU Fan

If you need a high-powered computer for your work, consider installing a new CPU fan that is more powerful and stronger than the one that comes with your computer.

Keep the Case Closed

When using your computer, keep the case closed. Keeping it open can allow more air ventilation in the short run, but in the long run, it allows for dust and other debris to enter the fan area.

Use a Fan

You can also use an exterior fan to keep your computer and the area around it cool. For desktop computers, you can use case fans, which attach to your case and keep it cool. Using the air conditioning in your office is a good idea as well.

Use a Stand

You can use a stand to allow for more air ventilation. You can even create a DIY stand by placing your laptop on top of bottle caps if you need a stand ASAP.

For more information, contact us today.

Tips on Purchasing Computers for Your Small Business – Computer Tip of The Day

For most modern businesses, their office’s computers are their most valuable tool, and having quality, high-speed computers can help to boost productivity.

However, due to the vital role computers play in most offices, it can be daunting for small business owners to choose new computers when it comes time to replace their current units. With so many different options on the market, it can seem overwhelming trying to choose the right computer.

To help get you started, here are a few things you should consider when choosing new computers for your small business.

Don’t be Afraid to Spend Money

If you are like many small business owners, one of your primary concerns when choosing new computers for your office will be your budget, as you will not want to go overboard on how much you spend on new technology. However, it is also important that you do not overcompensate by buying the cheapest computer on the market.

If you go too cheap with the computers you choose, the lack of processing speed and memory will cost you more in reduced productivity than the amount you would have spent purchasing a better model. It is important to see purchasing new computers as an investment in your company.

While you don’t need to buy the most expensive computers, it will be in your best interest to at least go for a mid-range model.

Consider Whether You Will Require Portability

Another thing you will want to consider is whether you should purchase desktops or laptops for your business; in other words, you will need to decide whether portability is important to you.

Having employees work remotely from home is growing in popularity among businesses in a variety of industries. However, allowing employees to work on their personal computers can be complicated and may pose a security threat. However, it can also be costly to provide employees with separate work laptops.

If allowing your employees to work from home is something you want to start doing, you may want to consider purchasing laptops instead of desktops for your office, as this will allow your employees to take their work computer with them when they will be working from home.

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Tip of the Week: Edit PDFs in Microsoft Word

To open the .pdf simply open Microsoft Word and select Open Other Documents in the left hand menu.

This will bring up the Open menu, click on browse.

A message will pop up stating that Word will now convert your PDF to an editable Word document. Click on OK.

The PDF will open in Word, but there will be a yellow bar across the top that indicates that this is a PROTECTED VIEW, this is a security measure that wards against infected files from the Internet being opened. If you trust the document and just want to edit it, select the Enable Editing button that is located inside the yellow bar.

After you push the button there will be another pop up stating that Word will now convert your PDF to an editable Word document. If you’d like to get rid of this message, you can select the checkbox below the text. If you haven’t, click OK.

You can now edit your PDF.

To save the once-PDF, now-Word file back into a PDF, select File > Save As and set the file type to PDF from the drop down menu under the name. In order to save the file, you will have to alter the name of the document slightly.

You’re all set when you see your edited PDF open in Microsoft Edge (or your default PDF viewer).

Microsoft Word is much more than just a word processor. What Word features do you use that could be helpful? Leave your tips in the comments and return to our blog regularly for more useful technology information.

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