Computer Repair | Nerds On Call

Don’t Trash it: Use a Monitor to Watch TV

tyler — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:03:43 +0000

Use a Monitor to Watch TV

by Andrea Eldridge

Anyone with a monitor in their closet gathering dust has probably thought the same thing: “Why can’t I just use this to watch TV?” You can! As more people transition to mobile devices or upgrade their screen when replacing their PC, there are decent monitors taking up room in storage cabinets everywhere. Before you retire your old monitor to the landfill, consider repurposing it.

You don’t need a computer for the monitor to work; it can connect to a cable or satellite receiver, tuner box or movie player using the same inputs as a standard TV. A decently sized LCD monitor (24”-32”) can make a great option for the bedroom or the kids’ play area. Repurposing it will save you money and a trip to the local recycling depot (monitors contain toxic chemicals that are bad for the environment so they must be properly disposed of). Even an old CRT or flat-panel monitor can be converted to receive TV signal; the age and quality of the monitor just may make the modification cost-prohibitive for the picture quality (see below for tuner box cost).

When shopping for a new monitor to use as a TV, look for one that supports HDMI input. If you want to be able to watch HD content received over-the-air or Blu-Ray, make sure it’s HDCP Compliant. High Definition Content Protection is like the DRM encoded into digital music. High definition video content has similar protocols to deter piracy and your screen needs to be capable of decoding the content protection for you to be able to view it on a monitor.

Satellite and cable receiver boxes act as tuners, receiving signal, decoding HD content protections, putting video in a format that your monitor can process and sending audio to your home theater. Users without a satellite or cable box will need an external TV tuner box in order to change channels – look for one that includes a remote control. A TV tuner box also sends audio to external speakers or your home theater system and offers additional connection options if your monitor’s inputs don’t match your cable, satellite, antennae or DVD player’s output.

There are two basic types of TV tuner boxes on the market: digital and analog. Check the connections available on your monitor because that determines the type you need. If you have an older CRT monitor or don’t intend to watch HD content, check out Sabrent’s Stand Alone TV Tuner (www.sabrent.com/category/video-converters/TV-LCDHR/ , about $35). It supports a VGA connection (which most older monitors require) and is fairly easy to install.

If you have a newer monitor that is HDCP Compliant with HDMI input but don’t have a cable or satellite tuner box, consider the Channel Master CM-7001 HDTV Antenna and Cable Tuner (www.channelmasterstore.com/HD_Antenna_Tuner_CM_7001_p/cm-7001.htm, about $130). Those who live in an area that broadcasts HD channels over-air may even save some money on cable or satellite by using the built-in HDTV antenna.

There are several ways to connect a TV tuner box to the video output from your cable, satellite, DVD player or antennae, in descending order of preference: HDMI (if available), S-Video connection, composite video or RF coaxial cable. You could plug the raw feed from your analog cable TV or antennae directly into the RF coaxial input on the TV tuner, but you likely won’t receive as many channels. Most TV tuner boxes allow you to connect to multiple sources, so you could connect to a source for TV, a source for movies (DVD or BluRay), and perhaps a game console.

For a thorough walk through detailing how to connect an external TV tuner to your monitor, review CNet’s Digital Home DIY “Turn a computer monitor into a TV”: http://www.cnet.com/computer-monitor-to-tv/

About The Author: Andrea Eldridge is CEO and co-founder of Nerds On Call, an on-site computer and laptop repair service for consumers and businesses. Andrea is the writer of two weekly columns, Computer Nerds On Call, a nationally syndicated column for Scripps-Howard News Service, and Nerd Chick Adventures in The Record Searchlight. She regularly appears on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, and CNN on shows such as Good Day Sacramento, Good Morning Arizona and MORE Good Day Portland, offering viewers easy tips on technology, Internet lifestyle, and gadgets. Andrea recently has begun working with Demand Media to produce content for eHow.com and has written a book for them Smartphone 101: Integrating Your iPhone Into a Windows World. Andrea is available for Q & A’s, expert tech quotes and will appear on your show, call today! See Andrea in action at www.callnerds.com/andrea.

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The Next Xbox: Xbox One

tyler — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:53:00 +0000

Microsoft’s Xbox One Introduces Impressive Technology

by Andrea Eldridge

Microsoft today announced the release of the newest version of the flagship video game console, the Xbox. The new version is christened the Xbox One, and it boasts the usual regimen of hardware upgrades along with a fair measure of new features that send the game back to their competition, the Sony Playstation 4 and the Nintendo Wii U.

Microsoft’s singularity-focused approach to the Xbox One featured advanced computer systems including artificial intelligence and better cloud connectivity. In addition, the Kinect sensor can now track 3D rotations and users’ heartbeats. The Xbox One uses the upgraded sensor to personalize your gestures, meaning it learns how you use it and responds. If you don’t want to even have to move to use your Xbox, the Xbox One has natural-language voice commands to switch from watching the new Halo television series to playing the new Halo game. The design of the Xbox One dashboard also features Microsoft’s Metro interface, introduced in Windows 8.

After shelving their Zune brand, Microsoft has also re-purposed the Xbox One to be a full-featured home entertainment center, including Skype calls and DVR functionality. Users can use the Xbox One to make phone calls while watching television or playing video games, and can use the device’s 500 gigabyte hard drive to store their favorite TV shows.

One somewhat embarrassing announcement was the addition of a Blu-Ray drive, after the Microsoft-backed HD-DVD failure of a few years ago. However, the Xbox One promises to rely less on optical disks for games and more for cloud storage and retrieval.

The new controller features an upgraded rumble system, which allows for more precise tactile feedback when players are affected in the video games.

In addition, video game nerds were excited to learn that Microsoft is producing a live-action Halo Television show created by Steven Spielberg.

Image from Microsoft

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NERDS ON CALL: DON’T TRASH THAT MONITOR

tyler — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:12:45 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact
Shawna Bell
1-800-919-6373

marketing @callnerds .com

NERDS ON CALL: USE A MONITOR AS A TV

California, (May, 2013) – Anyone with a monitor in their closet gathering dust has probably thought the same thing: “Why can’t I just use this to watch TV?” You can! As more people transition to mobile devices or upgrade their screen when replacing their PC, there are decent monitors taking up room in storage cabinets everywhere. Before you retire your old monitor to the landfill, consider repurposing it.

About Nerds On Call: Established in a spare room in Redding, Calif., in March 2004, Nerds On Call offers on-site computer and laptop repair services to consumers and businesses. Nerds On Call provides trouble-shooting for PCs and Macs, home and office networks, printers, iPods® and MP3 players, handheld devices and cell phones, home theaters and game systems, and virtually every other form of digital entertainment. In 2009, 2010, & 2011 the company was named to Inc. magazine’s list of 5000 fastest growing private companies. With 15 locations across California, Oregon, Washington, & Arizona Nerds On Call serves more than 40,000 satisfied customers per year. For more information, visit www.callnerds.com or call 1-800-919-NERD.

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Get the Most out of Travel Booking Websites

tyler — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:33:13 +0000

Tips for Using Travel Booking Websites

by Andrea Eldridge

Hopefully you’ve set aside time this summer for a nice vacation in between summer school and the kids’ band camp. Many of us have already started perusing various travel sites, on the lookout for the perfect get-away. How do you know you’re getting the best deal on the vacation of your dreams? This week we’ll explore ways to stretch your travel dollars and avoid some of the common pitfalls to booking travel online.

A few years ago, my sister and I were looking up flights on Hawaiian Airlines together, planning a family vacation. We found a flight we were interested in, but weren’t ready to book the tickets yet. The next day when we logged in, we saw that the price had jumped by $40 per ticket. Whoa!

At first we thought the cheaper tickets for that flight were simply selling out, until we logged in from a different computer and discovered that the lower price was back. Hmmm. Turns out, some travel sites (even Travelocity) will store a cookie on your machine to track your browsing history. Then, they raise the prices on the particular trip you’ve been keeping your eye on. You think tickets are selling out fast and you rush to buy them quickly before the price goes up even further. Meanwhile, the airline’s just made a few extra bucks.

Has the price of your trip increased while you shopped around? After completing your research and just before you book, clear your browser history and delete your cookies. If that doesn’t work, try booking your travel from another computer – one that you haven’t used to peruse travel deals.

Take advantage of the “flexible dates” option when you’re searching for flights. Often, flying a day before or a day after your goal dates can save you a bundle since certain days of the week are less popular travel days. According to a study done by Fare Compare (www.farecompare.com), the cheapest days to fly domestically are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday (with Friday and Sunday being the most expensive). Internationally, Monday through Thursday is cheaper than Friday through Sunday. The cheapest time to fly is the first flight out in the morning. Yes, this means waking up at 4 AM or catching the red-eye, but it may be worth it if you save a couple hundred dollars on your flight.

Don’t overlook the “search surrounding airports” option. I’ve found some serious deals when I was willing to fly into a larger airport an hour or two away from my ultimate destination. Adjusting your travel itinerary to fly through an airline’s “hub” airport can also make your flight less expensive due to the larger number of flights going in and out of that airport. Wikipedia has a list (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airline_hub) of all major airline hubs around the world. If your departure or final destination isn’t near a hub, you can still garner some savings by flying through one, or driving to or from the hub.

When you buy is also pivotal. You may think buying your airline tickets a year in advance is a good idea, but you may actually pay more than booking closer to your departure date. Additionally, tickets bought within 14 days of travel are typically the most expensive because the travel industry gets to gouge business travelers flying last minute. Airlines don’t begin actively “managing” their prices until three or four months prior to a departure for domestic flights and five to six months for international. Buy tickets sooner than that and you’ll likely pay too much.

Most travel experts agree that booking airline tickets early in the week will yield the best fares. Specifically, Tuesday at 3 PM Eastern time is your best bet. Why? Major airlines announce their fare sales late Monday, other airlines scramble to join them so they stay competitive and the price matching and fare wars are generally complete by Tuesday afternoon. These fares tend to be removed by Thursday night in preparation for the price-gouging that generally occurs over the weekend (a really bad time to buy).

Stay tuned for next week when we discuss the nitty-gritty details of booking your trip.

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Choose a Monitor Part 3: Touch-Screen Monitors

tyler — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:50:36 +0000

Is the Touch-Screen Monitor Age Here?

by Andrea Eldridge

In this, the last of my three-part series on choosing the right computer monitor, we get to the fun part: touch-screen and 3-D technology. Is it worth paying more to get your hands on the newest technology?

Touch-screen technology is everywhere — from mobile devices to kids’ toys. As consumers start to expect all screens to respond to touch, monitors that integrate touch-screen technology are becoming more prevalent. The increased demand has started to drive down price, but you should still expect to pay a premium. A 22-inch touch-screen monitor starts at around $275, while a comparably sized LCD monitor without touch ability will cost about $100. A 27-inch touch-screen monitor will likely set you back $500 or more.

Before the release of Windows 8, I would have cautioned buyers away from touch-screen monitors for a desktop setup. Previous generations of Windows do not seamlessly integrate with touch technology, and using a touch-screen monitor with Windows 7 or Windows XP is typically a clunky, frustrating experience.

However, Windows 8 was designed to be used on touch-screen devices. If you already plan to use Windows 8 (either you’re ready to upgrade or are in the market for a new PC that will come with Windows 8 preinstalled), a touch-screen monitor makes sense.

Look for monitors that bear the words “Windows 8 Certified.” Microsoft’s certification process ensures that the monitor will be able to react to five simultaneous touch points, have firmware that is upgradeable by the user (a big advantage over having to send it back to the manufacturer if it’s incompatible with another piece of equipment) and will work over USB without requiring that you install a separate driver program.

Acer’s T232HL 23-inch touch monitor ($549 suggested retail price) is an IPS 10-point touch-screen with edge-to-edge glass (making it pretty), wide viewing angles and lots of connectivity options. It’s responsive enough for gaming and even supports NVIDIA 3-D LightBoost technology. It’s also currently available while a lot of next-generation touch-screen monitors (like Samsung’s much-anticipated Series 7 Touch) haven’t yet been released to the general market.

Another monitor buzzword is 3-D. Frankly, unless you plan to play 3-D-rendered games or watch 3-D movies on your computer, you’re likely wasting your money splurging on a 3-D-capable monitor. If you do plan to watch 3-D media, make sure your video card can render 3-D; the manufacturer will make it pretty clear if it can.

The primary benefit of a 3-D monitor is its higher pixel refresh rate (120Hz vs. 60Hz in a typical LCD monitor). There’s debate over whether there’s any real-world benefit to the increased refresh rate. Many argue that the LCD pixels aren’t capable of responding quickly enough to take full advantage of a faster refresh rate, and then there’s the question of how many frames per second the human eye can perceive. That said, the majority of field testers report that 3-D monitors render images with better clarity and are more smooth and responsive, even when performing basic functions like navigating among programs or icons on your desktop.

The Asus VG278H ($550 from Asus) is a 27-inch 3-D monitor that supports NVIDIA 3-D LightBoost and comes with two pairs of 3-D glasses. You’ll get excellent color and 3-D imagery for the $550 price tag. For 3-D capability without breaking the bank, the Acer GD235HZ ($235 from Amazon) is a 23-inch 3-D monitor that offers a solid gaming experience with lots of color customization to achieve the perfect image.

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Google IO Conference Keynote Rolls out Amazing New Features

tyler — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:46:10 +0000

Google IO Conference Keynote Speech Reveals Amazing Tech

by Andrea Eldridge

Remember watching Star Trek, where the crew members could just speak to their computer and it would instantly know what they were referring to and provide them with that information? Well, nerds are ahead of schedule on developing that computer, and they work at Google.

Google kicked off their sixth annual three-day IO conference for software developers today with a three-hour keynote talk announcing new developments. The tech behemoth has already announced some groundbreaking improvements to not only their flagship search product but to many of their other products as well. We’ve rounded up some of the big ones for you here:

The biggest change, of course, is the “Star Trek Computer,” a phrase used multiple times during the keynote. This change comes practically through an upgrade to Google’s new search feature as well as to their Chrome browser on both desktop and phone. While logged into the browser, users can simply say “Ok Google,” and then make their search. But instead of searching for things like you normally do, the new search is conversational. After searching for a place to go, you can simply say “Ok Google, how far is that from here?” and Search will automatically detect what “it” refers to and where “here” is, and provide you with your immediate answer (in minutes) as well as links to driving directions and other info. There are a lot of other upgrades to search as well to make it more conversational like being able to say “Ok Google, show me pictures of x” and it will automatically pull up images instead of the standard search results.

All of these changes are integrated into another of Google’s new Maps app. The app has been totally overhauled from its previous version and shifts its focus again to a more personalized approach. In addition to a completely new look and new back-end features, the app allows you to use the map in the way that you think of the world, instead of as a map. When you’re logged in, it will show you reviews from your friends, places you’ve visited, and contextual information based on where you’ve been and what you like. It also shows you results for your search like “sushi restaurant” directly on the map instead of as a sidebar.

One of the changes that probably won’t get as much attention, but is still significant, is the upgrade to Google+. The social networking site is getting a facelift to be more congruent with other Google services, but also has a host of impressive features that blow Facebook out of the water – at least to the few people who use it regularly. The new Google+ will automatically pick the best photos from your albums, and allows you to edit your photos with a simple interface that doesn’t require complex technical knowledge. New features will be rolling out today and over the next few days.

And the biggest business change that rolls out today is the announcement of Google Play‘s All Access service. This service allows users to stream music from Google Play’s massive database, create radio stations, and save music for later listening – all for $9.99 a month. The service poses a major threat to Spotify, which has most of the features of Google’s service for the same price, but with less integration into a huge app ecosystem like Google has.

As you can see, us nerds are incredibly excited about the future of what Google has to offer. Stay tuned for more announcements from this year’s Google IO!

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Summer Travel Websites: Save Precious Vacation Time

tyler — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:35:46 +0000

Summer Travel Websites for Saving You Time

by Andrea Eldridge

Summer vacations hold a special appeal to me, harking back to the excitement heralded by the final bell on the last day of the school year, so many years ago. But now that I’m grown up and have to do the leg-work to plan the trip, I’m often exhausted before I get out the door. The wealth of online resources dedicated to travel planning can make it hard for me to make a decision. How do I know when I’ve found the best use of my vacation dollars?

Over the next three weeks, we’ll explore some great online resources to simplify your travel planning (no, really!), as well as tips for how to make sure you get the best price and fewest headaches when booking travel online.

Before you dedicate a week to checking every travel deal site on the net, these consolidators scour the web for the best deals so that you don’t have to.

When you don’t have a specific location or travel date set, using the Internet to find a good deal or a great resort can be particularly overwhelming. One way to get inspired: keep an eye on Travelzoo’s Weekly Top 20 (www.travelzoo.com/top20/ ). It’s a collection of the best deals from airlines, hotels, cruise lines and travel consolidators like Travelocity, Cheap Caribbean, and many more. They sort through all the travel deals posted to the net each week and then present the “best of the best,” all in one place.

The drawback is that the best deals can sell out fast, so if you know you’ve found what you’re looking for don’t delay. You can sign up for the Weekly Top 20 to be emailed to you when it’s released if you want to be sure not to miss out.

If you already know where you want to go, Kayak (www.kayak.com) does a quick search across hundreds of airline and travel agent options for your specific trip needs. You’re then presented with a list of results tailored to your specific trip that Kayak has filtered to put the best deals first. If you want to be sure that you have done a thorough scouring of the net, Kayak offers a one-click simultaneous search across competitor travel sites like Expedia, Travelocity, Bookit and more, so you can compare the best offers all at once.

Planning to do Disney? Believe it or not, there are ways to save if you know the insider info. Check out Mousesavers (www.mousesavers.com) for a collection of the best deals on all things Disney. In addition to tips on how to get the best price on tickets, dining, and special Disney experiences, discover where to book to get the best rates on hotels, what you can expect on Disney cruises, even what’s planned for upcoming park, resort and ship improvements.

Current discounts and promotions are highlighted on the front page and updated regularly – from how to get the most out of a Disney Visa card discount program to coupon codes and special offers that would otherwise be tough to ferret out. You’ll find up-to-date info about shows, freebies, and tips to make the most of your trip, including how to spend less time in line and more time enjoying your trip.

Before you make plans to embark on a cruise, check out Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.com) for reviews of cruise lines (by editors and site users) and tips to help you decide the best cruise before you book. The “Deals” tab collects the top bargains by destination, cruise type or departure port. Explore the “How to Cruise” tab for detailed guides and expert advice on how to choose, book, and finalize your trip, including things you need to know before you go and how to make the most of shore excursions. Find the best deals, including the best seasons to book by destination, and tips to ensure you set sail on the cruise that best fits your needs and style.

Finally, before you book, submit specific details of the trip you’re considering to Cruise Compete (www.cruisecompete.com) to give travel agents the opportunity to find you a better deal. Simply create an account, submit a request for a quote, and travel agent’s offers will be submitted online with no obligation and without revealing your contact info.

Stay tuned next week for easy ways to ensure you get the best price without sacrificing your sanity when using online resources to book your summer get away.

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Sharing a Computer: How to Live in Harmony

tyler — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:34:14 +0000

Sharing a Computer and Retaining your Sanity

by Andrea Eldridge

Sharing a computer can be tricky. Whether it’s the kids vying for screen time or summer house guests looking to check their email, following some easy tips can save your sanity.

First, create separate user accounts for each family member and one for “Guest.” This allows each user a sense of individuality as they can set customized backgrounds, desktop icons and folders. Establishing individual passwords allows everyone some privacy, while your administrator access lets you maintain ultimate control. Separating users also helps reduce the impact of your kid’s activities on your productivity – no one wants to come home to discover a new default browser or that your work project has been “lost.”

Windows 7 users should head to Control Panel – User Accounts and Family Safety – “Add or remove user accounts.” Mac OS X Lion users can follow the walkthrough on Apple’s support forum: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4600

I recommend that you limit user privilege and allow only the administrator to install or remove programs. This reduces the likelihood that a user will unknowingly install a virus and restricts their ability to install applications you don’t want clogging up your PC. It also stops them from installing an alternate browser to circumvent plug-ins or parental controls.

Establish clearly divided work and storage areas around the computer. If space permits, install cubbies near the computer so everyone can have a place to stash their personal gadgets and gear. Otherwise it’s all too easy for your thumb drive to get commandeered, or the desk overrun with the kids’ game disks. Consider establishing the ground rule that everyone clears the desk of personal things upon logging off to reduce clutter.

It’s common for family members to fight over whose “turn” it is when two people want to get on at the same time. Assign every family member a set amount of screen time, inclusive of TV time and mobile device use. Allow everyone to participate in the discussion; decide whether to allow a set amount of time per day or rather allot each person a pool of minutes for the week so minutes can roll over from day to day. The latter is more challenging to monitor, but can allow for more flexibility if someone has a favorite show they want to save up for.

The quickest way to enforce time management is to post a clock prominently near the computer. This works best if you’ve decided to assign time blocks to each user. A timer that makes an audible beeping also works well as it’s harder for your child to fight with the timer than it is to argue with you for “five more minutes.”

There are options built into Windows for limiting when each user account can log on to the computer, either by setting approved times of day or by giving a daily time allotment to each user account. Visit the Windows support site for details, or watch their video here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/control-when-children-can-use-the-computer

Finally, remember that a wide variety of mobile devices can handle basic web searching, email and gaming. Installing a wireless router, even if you don’t have multiple computers, allows family members to reserve computer use for activities that can’t be done on other devices and guests to use a tablet or smartphone to get online.

Share a computer with the Mini X G4

Even if your budget doesn’t allow for another computer, you may be able to siphon off some of the usage overlap to an inexpensive tablet such as Amazon’s 7” Kindle Fire (www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-Amazon-tablet/dp/B0083Q04IQ, starting at $159 for new or $129 for refurbished). If you have an extra HDMI-capable monitor, USB hub, keyboard and mouse, consider a “computer on a stick” such as the MiniX Neo G4(www.minix.us/products/NEO-G4.html, $65) or attach it to your TV to do basic web activities in your living room.

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NERDS ON CALL: SHARING A COMPUTER

tyler — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:17:09 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact
Shawna Bell
1-800-919-6373

marketing @callnerds .com

NERDS ON CALL: SHARING A COMPUTER

California, (May, 2013) – Sharing a computer can be tricky. Whether it’s the kids vying for screen time or summer house guests looking to check their email, following some easy tips can save your sanity.

We recommend that you limit user privilege and allow only the administrator to install or remove programs. This reduces the likelihood that a user will unknowingly install a virus and restricts their ability to install applications you don’t want clogging up your PC. It also stops them from installing an alternate browser to circumvent plug-ins or parental controls.

Even if your budget doesn’t allow for another computer, you may be able to siphon off some of the usage overlap to an inexpensive tablet such as Amazon’s 7” Kindle Fire (www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-Amazon-tablet/dp/B0083Q04IQ, starting at $159 for new or $129 for refurbished). If you have an extra HDMI-capable monitor, USB hub, keyboard and mouse, consider a “computer on a stick” such as the MiniX Neo G4 (www.minix.us/products/NEO-G4.html, $65) or attach it to your TV to do basic web activities in your living room.

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Cyberbullying Infographic: The Truth About Online Bullying

tyler — Thu, 09 May 2013 17:19:07 +0000

Cyberbullying Infographic: Online Bullying by the Numbers

We’ve covered cyberbullying in previous articles, but it can be difficult to slog through technical talk on the subject. Here are some numbers and facts that make the subject easy to comprehend, as hard as it may be to understand. Learn what you can do to protect your child from bullies.

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Computer Repair Redding: Origin Story

admin — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:29:01 +0000

Computer Repair Redding: Nerds On Call’s Original Location

By: Andrea Eldridge CEO and co-founder of Nerds On Call, an on-site computer and laptop repair service company.

Nerds On Call Computer Repair Redding began in February 2004, although its exact location has changed over the years.

When we started the company near the beginning of the millennium, we worked out of the Eldridges’ house! All advertising was done through a newspaper ad, and our company phone was Andrea’s cell. Our first Nerd was Shawna Bell, who worked in the extra room of their house, watching a crazy squirrel while helping customers. At the time, she was the entire call center. It now takes a lot more people just to do that job! Shawna recalls working in the office with Roxie and Sparky – not her assistants, but the Eldridges’ dogs.

Back in those days, Andrea lived on a diet of Hot Pockets, as she had no time to cook, and Ryan actually took calls and worked until midnight, unlike now. I hope he doesn’t read this.

A couple months after working in these cramped conditions (and as the heat in Redding was starting to go up), Nerds On Call Computer Repair Redding got its own office in the Shervan Square building. In that location, our office was an old radio station, and the next-door neighbors were a tattoo and piercing parlor, with a cheesecake restaurant downstairs. Andrea enjoyed the upgrade from Hot Pockets to cheesecakes.

After a few years of working in that location, Nerds moved to a much larger office on Oregon Street in Redding. It is now the corporate office and where the Online Support center is based. If you ever call us, you’ll probably be talking to someone in that very building. If you go by there, you can see our cartoon Nerds on the signage above the door.

In 2010, we opened a retail store. It’s next to the Target – if you go there, you’ll see a big Nerds On Call Computer Repair Redding sign next to the big red store. Here anyone can come in and get their computer fixed or talk to knowledgeable Nerds, like Sydnee and Rich. We’ve got a big workbench in the back that always has computers getting fixed being moved through it.

Redding has also been the site of a few advertising experiments. Way back when we started in 2004, we aired television commercials on local stations. If you’ve been in the area for a while, you’ll probably remember them! Then let’s not forget the infamous summer of sign waivers…

We hope to stay in our home city for many more years to come. Redding has been good to us and we’re proud to be based here. Much thanks from the people here at Nerds On Call to the city of Redding!

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Helping Mom Out With Mother’s Day Tech

tyler — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:03:10 +0000

Help Mom With Mother’s Day Tech

The best Mother’s Day gifts are often those that don’t come wrapped with a pretty bow. It’s great when you’re able to buy Mom the latest new gadget, but she may not know the first thing about setting it up or operating it. What better way to show Mom your love than to spend a few hours together helping her to get comfortable with her new toy? You will both love the one-on-one time. Just don’t forget to take her out to brunch when you’re done.

Mom wants a new laptop. Instead of sending her off to the store on her own, tag along to help her pick out the one that’s right for her. You know Mom doesn’t need a gigantic hard drive and upgraded video card, but she’ll enjoy the faster boot up time of a solid state hard drive and lots of RAM. It may even make sense to consider a touchscreen or tablet if she won’t be using it for work of a lot of typing.

Don’t just send her home with a box and a kiss. Plan to spend a few hours helping her to get it set up and get familiar with her new equipment. Start her off with the basics while you’re there, and then leave her with teaching tools such as Help pages and Tutorial Videos. Both Microsoft and Apple have them so bookmark links and show her how to navigate to them.

If Mom sprung for a Mac or iOS device, Apple has a support community she can join to pose questions to the community (questions are often answered by repair or tech support professionals) or scroll through previously-asked questions to get some help.

Remote support is a lifesaver in those times when you just can’t figure out why your printer isn’t printing. Many computer repair companies offer to login to your computer remotely to fix something, install an application, or show you how to do something that has you flummoxed. If you aren’t comfortable being Mom’s sole tech support, find a reputable company that offers remote support and get her set up with an account and/or any software they require.

“Send your parents a Tech Support care package” by Google (www.teachparentstech.org) lets you send Mom a little tutorial video (or multiple videos), in a cute little message format. It works great for subjects like “how to copy-paste” or “how to attach a file to an email.”

Another idea for a really personal touch is to make your own tutorials that Mom can refer back to whenever she needs them, for specific issues you know she’s been having. Most people are visual learners so video is an optimal format. Start a YouTube channel with all your how-to videos and share the link with Mom. You can also write out the step-by-step details for tasks she needs to perform. Make sure your instructions describe the task visually: “left-click on the Windows icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen” rather than “click on the Start Menu,” as Mom might not know what the “Start Menu” is.

Most Moms these days love to see your Facebook status updates about the grandkids or your latest vacation pictures. Make sure Mom is getting the full experience. If she’s not on Facebook yet, help her create an account, post a nice profile picture, customize her privacy settings and send out preliminary friend requests to connect with family and friends.

Even established Facebook users may appreciate a tutorial. Last year, I had Mom write down all the questions she had about her computer, email, and Facebook over the course of a week. Then we sat down and I walked her through them. She loved it and it was great for me to be able to help her feel more comfortable with her technology.

If Mom hasn’t gotten on the computer bandwagon yet (and you’re pretty sure she’s not ready), maybe she shouldn’t. There are plenty of devices that fill in quite nicely for a computer, like an iPad or Kindle Fire. They’re intuitive and much less complicated and can probably do just about everything she’d need a computer to do. There are even external keyboards available if she doesn’t like typing on the touchscreen.

Before you hand Mom some new tech bling, just make sure it comes with a bit of set up time from you.

The post Helping Mom Out With Mother’s Day Tech appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

NERDS ON CALL: BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS

tyler — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:31:02 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact
Shawna Bell
1-800-919-6373

marketing @callnerds .com

NERDS ON CALL: BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS

California, (May, 2013) – The best Mother’s Day gifts are often those that don’t come wrapped with a pretty bow. It’s great when you’re able to buy Mom the latest new gadget, but she may not know the first thing about setting it up or operating it. What better way to show Mom your love than to spend a few hours together helping her to get comfortable with her new toy? You will both love the one-on-one time. Just don’t forget to take her out to brunch when you’re done.

Be Her Personal Shopper: Mom wants a new laptop. Instead of sending her off to the store on her own, tag along to help her pick out the one that’s right for her. You know Mom doesn’t need a gigantic hard drive and upgraded video card, but she’ll enjoy the faster boot up time of a solid state hard drive and lots of RAM. It may even make sense to consider a touch screen or tablet if she won’t be using it for work of a lot of typing.

Show Her How: Don’t just send her home with a box and a kiss. Plan to spend a few hours helping her to get it set up and get familiar with her new equipment. Start her off with the basics while you’re there, and then leave her with teaching tools such as Help pages and Tutorial Videos. Both Microsoft and Apple have them so bookmark links and show her how to navigate to them.

Give Her Tech Support: If Mom sprung for a Mac or iOS device, Apple has a support community she can join to pose questions to the community (questions are often answered by repair or tech support professionals) or scroll through previously-asked questions to get some help.

Give Her the Facebook Experience: Most Moms these days love to see your Facebook status updates about the grandkids or your latest vacation pictures. Make sure Mom is getting the full experience. If she’s not on Facebook yet, help her create an account, post a nice profile picture, customize her privacy settings and send out preliminary friend requests to connect with family and friends.

Even established Facebook users may appreciate a tutorial. Have mom write down all the questions she has about her computer, email, and Facebook over the course of a week. Then sit down and walk her through them. She will love it!

Before you hand Mom some new tech bling, just make sure it comes with a bit of set up time from you.

The post NERDS ON CALL: BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

The Best Way to Choose a Computer Monitor Part 2

tyler — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:51:04 +0000

Choose a Computer Monitor to Fit Your Needs – Part 2

While your monitor has a huge impact on your computing experience, the multitude of performance indicators can be confusing. Last week I reviewed some of the primary factors that you should consider when shopping for a new display, including screen size, components effecting clarity and pairing with the right graphics card. If you missed it, check it out here: www.callnerds.com/choose-a-computer-monitor-part-1/

Yet there are even more factors that cause one monitor to cost $150 while another is $900. While I can’t stress strongly enough the benefits of seeing first-hand how a monitor performs and produces images before you buy it, if you have to purchase sight-unseen it’s important to know what the technical specifications mean and how they’re likely to impact your visual experience.

There are two main display types you’ll likely choose between: LED (light emitting diode) and LCD (liquid crystal display). LCD crystals require light be passed through them to display images so the entire backside of the panel is lit. LED is actually an LCD panel, but with a different kind of light source. LED diodes transmit light more efficiently so they’re typically edge-lit (LED lights run around the edge of the panel).

LEDs offer better color contrast (blacker blacks and whiter whites) than LCDs. They are easier on the eyes than a fully back-lit LCD, require less power, run cooler and are usually lighter and thinner. Expect to pay $40-$50 more for LED than a comparably sized LCD.

There are three main types of monitors, each with strengths and weaknesses.

Twisted Nematic (TN) panels are the most common and least expensive. They have the highest refresh rates, an important consideration for online gaming. However, narrow viewing angles cause colors to appear washed-out if you’re looking at them from any other angle than straight-on and details can be washed out, particularly when outside the relatively small optimum viewing area. Prices start at about $150 for a basic 24” TN monitor.

Multi-domain Vertical Alignment (MVA) and Patterned Vertical Alignment (PVA) are the more mid-grade options when it comes to price, starting at around $275 for a 23” screen. They have significantly better color reproduction than TN monitors, meaning they offer higher maximum brightness and lower black levels – an important consideration for graphic design and photo or video editing. Viewing angles are significantly better than TN technology. Unfortunately, their response time is slower and they tend to be thicker dimensionally than a TN display.

In-Plane-Switching (IPS) displays are considered to be the high-end of the monitor spectrum and carry the highest price points, although small screens can be quite reasonable. Tablet PCs typically incorporate IPS display technology. Color reproduction and supported viewing angles are excellent – colors remain accurate and don’t change or shift even when viewing from an odd angle, so they’re ideal for graphic designers. Besides higher price, the primary drawback is that they often suffer from slow response time and can lag when images are displayed – a deal breaker for an online gamer.

To give you an idea of price variance, the ASUS VS239H-P 23” IPS monitor (http://usa.asus.com/Display/LCD_Monitors/VS239HP/) is about $170 while Dell’s UltraSharp U2713HM 27” monitor (www.dell.com/ed/business/p/dell-u2713hm/pd) is a higher-end LED IPS display that will set you back about $700.

Samsung recently developed a new panel technology, Plane-to-line Switching (PLS), that marries the wider viewing angle supported by IPS monitors with the higher brightness and color contrast offered by MVA and PVA displays. They still display slower than TN panels, but their power consumption is low and production cost is cheaper than IPS. Samsung’s 27” SyncMaster S27A850D (www.samsung.com/hk_en/consumer/computer-peripherals/monitors/commercial/LS27A850DS/XK?subsubtype=sa650-and-sa850-led) starts at around $800.

Stay tuned next week for the newest monitor bells and whistles: 3-D and touchscreen.

The post The Best Way to Choose a Computer Monitor Part 2 appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

Facebook Home Initially Disappointing; Will Evolve

tyler — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:38:45 +0000

Facebook Home In Early Stages

Facebook recently released a new kind of app called Facebook Home, and the reviews are lackluster so far. But if the tech giant’s history proves to be any indicator of long-term success, this is just the beginning of a long relationship with the software.

Facebook Home, launched April 12, 2013, promised to turn the user’s phone into an all-in-one social hub with pictures, live updates, and easier chatting with Facebook friends. But reviews over the days since its launch have not been favorable. Complaints frequently mention how much battery the app consumes, though many people seem hopeful to use it if certain features were included. The likely reason behind this reception is the choice of phones that Facebook chose to support the app.

The phones that support it so far are high-end Android smartphones like the Galaxy SIII and the Galaxy Note II. The people using the app so far are more concerned with bleeding-edge functionality than a much larger user-base would be. Early media reports on Home’s “Failure to Launch” seem to ignore the limited user base that it has been released to.

Facebook has been working on better integrating user feedback into their designs, after having gained a reputation for inconsiderate and abrupt homepage redesigns. Their latest site redesign therefore focused on usability and good design. Home only achieves the latter, but is clearly hoping to improve its product based on the less-than-congratulatory reviews online.

The official Facebook app has had almost 7 million installs, customers which Facebook is no doubt looking to convert to the new Facebook Home app, so it makes sense that they would polish the app on high-end devices before releasing it to a broader user base. As always, computer repair experts and Nerds look forward to seeing where this trend is headed – Facebook never does anything small!

Image from Facebook

The post Facebook Home Initially Disappointing; Will Evolve appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

NERDS ON CALL: CHOOSING THE RIGHT COMPUTER MONITOR

tyler — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:41:02 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact
Shawna Bell
1-800-919-6373

marketing @callnerds .com

NERDS ON CALL: CHOOSING THE RIGHT COMPUTER MONITOR

California, (April, 2013) – Your computer’s monitor can make or break your ability to work comfortably, enjoy high quality media and efficiently manage multiple processes simultaneously. Yet many users choose their monitor based on what’s included in a package deal, or opt for the largest screen available within their budget. While size does matter, there are several other factors to consider before choosing the screen you’ll be staring at for hours on end.

Site for Sore Eyes: Before you get seduced by a 32” widescreen behemoth, keep in mind that the screen will likely be a few feet away from your face. Make sure your desk big enough to handle that much viewing area without overwhelming your available space.

Remember when mom and dad warned you not to sit too close to the TV because it would hurt your eyes and give you a headache? Sitting too close to a screen that’s a smidge too large may lead to eye strain. If you’re going to be using the system for work and surfing the net, most find that 21-29” is ideal, depending on the distance between the screen and chair afforded by your desk.

There are additional factors that become more important when you increase the size of your screen. Resolution (how many pixels there are on the screen) and pixel pitch (the distance between pixels) are the primary determinants of image clarity. Think of pixels as tiny boxes that change color in order to formulate an image. The more pixels per square inch on the screen, the sharper the image. A low resolution on a large screen will equate to blurry image. Smaller pixel pitch offers higher clarity.

Consider Your Computer’s Capabilities: The graphics card in your computer determines the quality of information that is sent to your monitor and the speed at which it’s delivered. An older or low-end graphics card paired with a new, top-of-the-line monitor will decrease the monitor’s performance and compromise the clarity of image produced on the screen. This means that most basic PC owners won’t get the full value of a super high resolution, large screen monitor without upgrading their computer’s graphics processing capabilities.

If you’re upgrading your monitor but not your PC, check the connection ports on your graphics card. Digital Visual Interface (DVI) used to be very commonplace, but more monitors are dropping them in favor of High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connections. Both support the data transfer required to watch high definition video, but DVI cables have pins that can get bent, require a separate audio connection for sound (HDMI transmits graphics and sound together) and lack default support for HDCP encryption (which may limit your ability to watch all HD content or blu-ray disks). You can purchase a DVI to HDMI adapter, but it’s best to go with a monitor that offers multiple connection options.

DisplayPort connections are considered to be “up and coming.” They have a higher bandwidth (meaning they can transfer a larger “packet” of data at once) than DVI and HDMI. These may be significant in the future, but haven’t taken off yet so don’t worry if your monitor-of-choice doesn’t support DisplayPort.

Don’t Forget the Warranty: It’s very important to consider warranty when purchasing a monitor. Most issues will be present right away, or appear within the first few months of use. Make sure the monitor you choose has at least a 90-day, money back guarantee and a return policy free of restocking fees. Parts-and-labor coverage should continue for another two to three years. Read the fine print to confirm that there is coverage for the backlight and defective pixels.

Not all LCDs are created equal. Stay tuned next week for all you need to know about different LCD options and new monitor technology like touch screen and 3D capabilities.

The post NERDS ON CALL: CHOOSING THE RIGHT COMPUTER MONITOR appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

Smart Mobile Games for Kids to Download

tyler — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:57:29 +0000

Smart Mobile Games for Kids

Anyone stuck in line at the grocery store with a cranky toddler can’t deny the sweet nirvana to be had by simply handing over your Smartphone or iPod Touch. But what happens when you discover that little Sammy has been playing Angry Birds Star Wars instead of practicing early reading skills with Bob Books? Luckily, many games that aren’t classified as educational can impart some great skills, all in the course of fun. Here are some of the surprising skills my son has picked up from games he really shouldn’t have been playing.

First things first: before you hand off your mobile device, protect it from the all-too-fast fingers of your little one. Despite your inevitable distraction in the checkout aisle, don’t allow your kid to play completely unattended and do ensure they don’t launch something inappropriate for their age. Besides the obvious benefits of a sturdy case, don’t forget to activate some parental restrictions. If nothing else, turn off in-app purchases so you don’t end up with a nasty surprise on your next credit card bill. Turn off WiFi and/or put your phone in airplane mode to quickly limit exploring and buying.

For more on how to activate parental restrictions on tablets, see our previous article: http://www.callnerds.com/parental-tablet-control-press/. The process for activating restrictions on an iPhone is similar to the process described for iPads.

Real Racing 2 by EA Mobile (iOS $4.99, Android $5.88): My 4 year old actually knows how to use a steering wheel thanks to this game. You hold the handheld device like a steering wheel and tilt it right to turn right, left to turn left. Eliminating button controls makes it realistic enough that my little guy has been able to translate his gaming practice into real life steering skills. He’s learned the importance of subtle movements over sharp jerks. Surprisingly, this has translated into an uncanny ability to get around in a Hot Wheels Jeep. He can steer around obstacles without batting an eye and perform a three point turn with more precision than I can.

Disclaimer: The most recent version, Real Racing 3, is plagued by incessant prompts to spend money on in-app game upgrades and will actually disable gameplay if you don’t.

Scribblenauts Remix by Warner Bros. (iOS and Android, $.99): While I expected my kid to practice spelling with the many reading and phonic apps I’ve installed, none were as motivating as a game that has little to do with spelling skills. You type in words to make things appear in the cartoon world on the screen, either to play with or to complete challenges. For example, the main cartoon character may appear on screen with a tree and a star at the top of the tree. The goal is to get the star. Players can summon a chainsaw to take the tree down, a ladder to climb the tree, a jetpack to fly up to the star… you get the idea.

It’s the creative possibilities linked with the necessity that you spell a word to get the desired thing to appear that really got my little guy working on sounding out words. While “dragon” became a quick addition to his word arsenal, he also had to learn modifiers to make it just right (such as “big black flying dragon”).

Disclaimer: this game is open-ended in its allowance of creativity which can lead to cartoon violence, particularly when your kid starts spelling gun, sword and ninja.

Angry Birds by Rovio Entertainment (many versions for all mobile OS): The flying birds and mocking pigs seem mindless and silly, but there’s actually some fundamental physics skills being formed when you launch those Angry Birds. Most notably, users are unwittingly learning the basic physics of trajectory, momentum and gravity. My kid quickly grasped that what goes up will come down, but where depends on how hard and high you throw it. I’ve seen him work out similar dynamics when tossing a ball. Thankfully no pigs are harmed in the process when it’s done out of game.

World of Goo by 2D Boy (iOS and Android, $4.99): While it may have you hooked with its addictive, open-ended gameplay, this beautifully rendered game will make your kid think creatively to overcome challenges. Use squirmy, chatty globs of goo to construct structures, bridges, cannonballs, and much more, all the while learning about basic engineering and structural integrity.

Even “platform” games that seem mindless like Mega Run, Jetpack Joyride, Ham Run, and Wind-Up Knight are great for reflexes – they require the player to jump or tilt the screen at just the right time to avoid obstacles, or reason through the right series of moves to achieve an objective. It also takes tenacity and perseverance to keep trying when met with defeat time and again.

So before you beat yourself up about using your mobile sanity-saver on your next car trip, know that even the more “mindless” games are often helping to develop some surprising skills.

The post Smart Mobile Games for Kids to Download appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

The Best Way to Choose a Computer Monitor Part 1

tyler — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:29:06 +0000

Choose a Computer Monitor to Fit Your Needs – Part 1

Your computer’s monitor can make or break your ability to work comfortably, enjoy high quality media and efficiently manage multiple processes simultaneously. Yet many users choose their monitor based on what’s included in a package deal, or opt for the largest screen available within their budget. While size does matter, there are several other factors to consider before choosing the screen you’ll be staring at for hours on end.

Before you get seduced by a 32” widescreen behemoth, keep in mind that the screen will likely be a few feet away from your face. Make sure your desk big enough to handle that much viewing area without overwhelming your available space.

The graphics card in your computer determines the quality of information that is sent to your monitor and the speed at which it’s delivered. An older or low-end graphics card paired with a new, top-of-the-line monitor will decrease the monitor’s performance and compromise the clarity of image produced on the screen. This means that most basic PC owners won’t get the full value of a super high resolution, large screen monitor without upgrading their computer’s graphics processing capabilities.

It’s very important to consider warranty when purchasing a monitor. Most issues will be present right away, or appear within the first few months of use. Make sure the monitor you choose has at least a 90-day, money back guarantee and a return policy free of restocking fees. Parts-and-labor coverage should continue for another two to three years. Read the fine print to confirm that there is coverage for the backlight and defective pixels.

Not all LCDs are created equal. Stay tuned next week for all you need to know about different LCD options and new monitor technology like touchscreen and 3D capabilities.

The post The Best Way to Choose a Computer Monitor Part 1 appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

Smartphone Driving Apps

tyler — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:29:37 +0000

Smartphone Driving Apps – The Best Out There

You certainly shouldn’t ever use your phone to text while you’re driving, and making calls is possible with Bluetooth but risky. However, there’s no reason to turn off your Smartphone all the way while you’re driving. USA Today reports on a few apps that make using a Smartphone in the car practical. Our computer repair Nerds checked them out so they could give you the scoop on Smartphone driving apps.

All Inclusive: The first and one of the most full-featured is Waze. Waze has been making big ripples on the grid for a while now, even being featured in the recent Facebook Home launch. The app allows you to connect with other drivers sharing the same stretch of roads as you, while simultaneously being an excellent navigation tool, complete with maps. But the coolest feature is the ability to get exclusive traffic reports created by other Waze users. If another Waze user (or Wazer) sees a road hazard, police officer, or other relevant information, they can report it to the service and others in the area can take heed. The app also allows chatting between users, although you’d better let the person in the passenger seat take care of that responsibility! It’s available for free for iPhone and Android

City Minded: The next app is a bit more city-driving-focused. It’s called ParkMe, and it does what its name promises. It will find you the closest and cheapest parking in the area, and shows you what’s available right now. The prices will appear on a map and you can choose to navigate to the best one for you. It’s free for both Android and iPhone

And if you have an iPhone and park in metered areas more often, Honk will allow you to check time remaining on your meter and provide directions back to your car when the time is up.

Performance in Mind: All of these apps are great and can enhance your driving experience. But there’s one more that blows the rest of the apps out of the water. We didn’t include it at the top since there’s a bit of a price attached: $69.95. It’s called Automatic, and the price is actually for a hardware dongle that connects to your car’s computer. It will work with just about any car sold in the US since 1996, but it upgrades it to a luxury car. Not only does it have a GPS app built in, but the link hardware lets you know how to drive better. It tells you when you brake roughly, speed, or accelerate too rapidly. Tweaking your driving can take hundreds off your gas bill. On top of that, it will call 911 if you’re in a crash, saving precious time or possibly saving your life. And when that “check engine” light comes on, it will report what the status code means and tell you exactly how to fix it. If you can’t fix it yourself, it will also locate nearby mechanics. If the problem is just the check engine light, you can turn off the light within the app. On top of all this, it automatically detects where you parked and can guide you back. If you share a car with someone, both of you can put the app on your phone and can coordinate car sharing from within it.

The post Smartphone Driving Apps appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

NERDS ON CALL: TOP TIPS TO FIX YOUR HACKED FACEBOOK

tyler — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:30:33 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Media Contact
Shawna Bell
1-800-919-6373

marketing @callnerds .com

NERDS ON CALL: TOP TIPS TO FIX YOUR HACKED FACEBOOK

California, (April, 2013) – Anyone who’s received a message from a friend’s Facebook account urging them to click a link or “like” a page to “Win a Free iPad” or “Get a Free Starbucks Gift Card” knows that social media sites are prime targets for spam and data mining. What do you do if it’s YOUR account that’s doing the spamming?

Report It: As soon as you discover that your account has been compromised, report it to Facebook at www.facebook.com/hacked. Enter your password and follow the instructions to reinstate the account in your name. You’ll need to identify yourself, either through your e-mail address, phone number, Facebook user name or your name and the name of one or more of your friends.

Reset Password: Once you’re back in control, reset your Facebook password. Click on the little button at the top right-hand corner that looks like a gear and then choose Account Settings. Facebook recommends that you change your password regularly (aim for every few months) to stay secure.

Choose a robust password: 7-10 digits in length, with a mix of numbers, symbols, upper-case and lower-case letters. Be sure to change passwords on any other accounts that may have been compromised (like your email, Twitter, etc). It’s particularly risky to use the same password across multiple accounts. If your Facebook password is compromised, the hacker would be able to take control of your linked email account if you use the same password for both accounts. This would allow him or her to find other logins that you have tied to that email, submit “forgot my password” reset requests and gain access to other your accounts like banking, shopping, etc.

Consider using a password management service like LastPass (www.lastpass.com, free for basic) that will create unique passwords for all your accounts and control your logins so you never have to type your username or password into a site again.

Plug the Holes: Now you need to determine how your account was compromised and plug any security holes. The most likely culprit is a rogue app that you installed, possibly without realizing you were doing so. For example, if you click a link to “Win a free iPad” posted (probably unwittingly) to your friend’s wall, you’ll be prompted to install an app or provide personal information in order to “register for the contest.” Every time you approve a Facebook app you give it permissions. This can range from access to your friends list, the ability to post to your wall, even personal information tied to your account (like your email account, linked cell phone number, etc).

To review your installed apps, click the little gear icon again and choose Privacy Settings. Do a quick scan here to make sure your privacy settings haven’t been changed to public. Then click on Apps in the menu bar on the left side of your screen.

Remove apps that you don’t recognize or no longer use by clicking on the X to the right of the app’s name. For those you choose to keep, click on the name of the app to review what information the app can access and choose who sees its posts and/or notifications. Change any visibility settings that are set to “Public” to “Friends” or “Only Me.”

Be Honest: Next, notify your friends that your account was compromised. Let them know that they shouldn’t trust anything posted by your account or messages sent to them “from you” within the period that your account was out of your control. Particularly avoid clicking links posted by your account. If you found an app that you suspect was the culprit, let them know to check their installed apps and remove the offender.

Finally, review the information and resources provided by Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/safety/tools/ for tips to keep your account secure.

The post NERDS ON CALL: TOP TIPS TO FIX YOUR HACKED FACEBOOK appeared first on Computer Repair | Nerds On Call.

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