Private web browsing

Listen to this week's Tips & Tricks segment as broadcasted on JQ99.

There may be some reasons that you don't want someone to see what web sites you've been visiting. For example, your wife's birthday is coming up and you want to do research on jewelry, but you don't want the surprised ruined by her seeing the jewelry web sites you've been visiting.

A new feature added to Internet Explorer 8 (also available in FireFox) is called InPrivate Browsing. This allows you to open an IE window and it doesn't track the history, cookies, or anything about the jewelry sites you just visited.

To launch an InPrivate Browsing window within IE8, select InPrivate Browsing from the Tools menu. A new browser window will appear and it will indicate that "InPrivate is turned on".

On the flip side, parents might be concerned about this feature and that their kids could use it to go to sites that they don't what them to go to.  As with anything, there is always the good and not so good side and having proper parental controls in place is important.

 

 

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Managing business technology

Listen to this week's Tips & Tricks segment as broadcasted on JQ99.

Computer House Calls supports both home and business on an as needed basis. Recently Computer House Calls launched Green Light Business Technology, a new brand that focuses on proactive technology management for business. Although Computer House Calls has been providing ongoing, proactive service to businesses for many years, the new Green Light Business Technology brand better reflects the services offered.

Simply putting out fires is no longer an effective way for businesses to manage technology today. Proactive technology management provides businesses with a better way to manage their technology in today's tough competitive environment. Click here to learn more about Green Light Business Technology. Businesses with 5 or more computers can request a free technology assessment to see how proactive technology management services can help their business.

 

 

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Using Multiple Monitors

Listen to this week's Tips & Tricks segment as broadcasted on JQ99.

Do you have technology ADD? Too many windows open on your computer? Tired of constantly switching back and forth between them all? Maybe it's time to add another monitor to increase your efficiency and productivity.

• Studies show that you can increase your productivity by as much as 40% by having a second monitor.

• As you add additional monitors, you need to add additional video cards.

• Additional monitors allow you to work with specific applications on different monitors.

• Monitors can be different sizes, but most like to have the same monitors for consistency.

 

 

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Netbooks

 Listen to this week's Tips & Tricks segment as broadcasted on JQ99.

Thinking about buying a netbook? While netbooks have an attractive price tag, they are not a replacement for a standard laptop computer and not for everyone. There are, however, some great uses for a netbook that might be right for you.

• What are your objectives for this netbook? The processor is powerful enough to do basic word processing, e-mail, and internet, but will not be powerful enough to do much more than that.

• In order to make these netbooks compact, they have to make the keyboards smaller. If you always fat finger on a normal size keyboard, then a netbook might not be right for you!

• Again, due to it being compact, the trackpad is smaller and not the same as on a normal laptop. Some can be difficult to use, so make sure it works well for you. You can connect up a mouse if needed.

• If you often use a DVD or CD, you will need to purchase an external drive since there is no room in a netbook for a DVD/CD drive.

• The screens are much smaller on netbook, so is the resolution. It may not display everything on the page you normal see. This may require you to scroll up and down or left and right. The screen resolution will also not be suitable for gamers.

• All netbooks have built-in wireless so you can connect to a wireless network at home or the coffee shop. Additionally, you can get a cellular card to get Internet access when there is not any WIFI available. These require a monthly fee and usually a 2 year contract.

• Take a look at the battery life of the netbook, too. Some may come with a 3-cell or 6-cell battery. The 6-cell will give you a longer battery life.

• The processor and the RAM are going to be basic. Usually an Intel Atom processor with 1GB RAM.

• While many netbooks come with Windows XP, there are some out there that have Linux. Unless you are specifically looking for a Linux operating system, most should stick with a Windows XP or Windows 7 operating system. 

• Lastly, you will either find that the netbook comes with a small hard drive of around 16GB or an average 120GB hard drive. The smaller hard drives are usually solid state hard drive that are similar to flash drives and contain no moving parts. Most people opt for traditional SATA hard drives with more storage.

 

 

 

 

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