Supercharge Outlook with Xobni

A friend of mine just shot me over this email of a great app called Xobni. This program along with outlook is amazing! You guys have to watch this video! I am so excited to be able to present this software to all my clients. Its going to make me look like the coolest computer guy in the world. Thank you Xobni.
Currently they are in a closed beta mode right now, and the only way to get the software is to sign up with them. When they open the beta, you will receive an email with a access code to download the program.

Clear Your Cable Clutter with a Towel Rack

Its amazing to see the ideas people come up with. I work with clients all the time who want a clean workstation where the cables in the back are organized. Just another idea to add to the list of cool things to know.

Things to Do!!! With a home PC

This blog is inspired by a client of mine who wanted to know what a home pc was for besides solitaire. I thought it was a funny, but good idea for a blog. I know that alot of you readers have plenty to do on your computer, but this is for the person, who doesn't have a clue and would like to have one.

So... first things first. What you use your PERSONAL computer for is PERSONAL. I can't tell you what to do on it. I can provide ideas, give suggestions, and possibly spark some inspiration, but thats about it. So I will do my best to do just that.

1. It all depends on your hobbies. Your computer combined with the internet can provide a wealth of possibilities. If you like photography, you can start using different photo editing tools along with a digital camera, to create a photo liberary. Then you can upload those photos onto the internet to share with your friends and family

2. The internet is almost a must, but not always. Go to your local computer store and buy a video game. There are so many out there to choose from. Action, Adventure, Shoot em' up games, Stragity, etc.

3. Step out of your comfort zone. Try something new. The computer is so open to so many possibilities. You can use it to learn, to teach, to play, to discover. One good idea would be to subscribe to a computer magazine and gain ideas from there.

I guess, if I could sum all this up into a few simple ideas it would be this. Get high speed internet if you don't already have it, Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, and look into different resources for good ideas.

I hope this helps.

David Shay
Computer Guys

P.S. If you want to know a great place to get audio books to listen to, go to http://www.audible.com

Programs that are a must for any PC User!

Hey guys, here is a list of programs you should have on your computer

AVG Free Edition

You can see in previous blogs how I am not a big fan of some of the more "main stream" anti virus programs like Norton, etc. This anti virus is FREE, works wonders, low maintenance, and Free

Click Here

Spy bot search and destroy

Some people like it, some don't. For the ones who don't, they don't know what they are talking about. Its a great program with a lot of add-ons in the advanced section that are a awesome

click below



Ad Aware

You know... I'll admit it, I didn't like this program at first, and I still don't use it too often, but I will say this, where spybot fails, ad aware normally cleans up the rest.

Click Here

Spyware Blaster

Spyware blaster isn't a program that will clean and scan your computer. What it will do is prevent Active-X based spyware, adware, dialers, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs from being installed in the first place. With its auto update feature, this program will stay up to date on its own as well. Everyone loves this program and why shouldn't they! Here is the download link for it

Click Here

Firefox

This is a web browser I will always love. Not only is it safe and secure, but it has all sorts of add-ons to it including an ftp program "fire ftp," themes, and other neat toys

Click Here


Object Docks

I love this little windows tool bar toy. You know hot on the macs, there is this tool bar at the bottom that expands and retracts when you move your mouse over it? This is the program. Install this and impress your friends with your extra cool computer!

Click Here!

There are a lot more programs then this, but these are some of my fav. More are to come!

Thanks,
David Shay
Computer Guys
(951) 743-3895
david@computerguys.cc

Looking for comments on my new website

Hey Guys... My new website is live! After a few weeks of putting it together, its finally up. There are still a few tweaks and updates I will be doing to it, but its pretty much there! If any of you readers could take a look at it and give me your opinion, it would be of big help. Over all, I like it, but I am welcoming some thoughts and ideas on how to make it better. Here is the link...

http://www.computerguys.cc

So, yeah... give me some feed back, and it would be a huge help!

God Bless,
David Shay
Computer Guys
david@computerguys.cc

Norton Removal Tool

By show of hands, how many of you hate Norton? ok ok... Now, how many of you still have Norton on your system and can't fully get it off. Well there is good news for you! There is a Norton Removal Tool out there just waiting to help get that terrible program off your system once and for all!

Click Here to get the tool.

Now... for those of you who are currently running Norton Anti Virus or Internet Security, here is a bit of info. SAVE YOUR MONEY, and allow your computer to work the way it should. I could write for days on this, but and stressed for time, so I will keep it as short as possible. Here are a few reasons why Norton sucks. (Side note... Norton for home users sucks, Norton Corp is great!)

1. Norton Internet Security is a software firewall that messes everything up. It causes retarded network issues and blocks a lot of stuff you need. You can change the settings on the program, but the normal user doesn't know the first thing about it. Plus, in my opinion... software firewalls are carp! There is the bottom line. You have to be online. You have to send out information and receive information in order to be online. So... in order for that to happen you have to have ports open. Un-wanted stuff will get through eventually in some way. You can then have a program like Zone Alarm block the incoming things, but if you don't know what they are you may be blocking everything including the things you need! So all of a sudden you can't receive email, or play your favorite online vid game, or what ever. So thats my thoughts on that. In conclusion, you don't want any internet security software that will block your access to the internet.

2. Norton anti virus is such a inflated program. It requires way to much memory for what it does. Plus, it over runs your system and bogs it down. In English, Norton anti virus makes your computer run slower, plus you have to pay an arm and a leg to have it, and when you need to renew it, it keeps popping up and bugging you ever 5 seconds. So its annoying, high maintenance, over priced, and slows down your system.

So now your saying DAVID!!! I have no protection. if you refer to one of my previous blogs, it will tell you how to keep your computer clean and what programs to use to help with that. There is an anti virus that is free and wonderful. Its called AVG Free Edition. I personally use it on all my companies computers, as well as all of my customers computers. So... Hope this helps guys

P.S. The name of the blog I was speaking of is called "If it ain't broke, Fix it before it is."

How to correctly back up your computer system

I think of all subjects in the computer world this is the most important and the most neglected. People never think about the results of "What Could Happen," till it actually does and believe me, it sucks. Being in the computer industry and working on different systems daily I have heard some horror stories about people not backing up their systems. The worst is when someone "thinks" they are backing up their system but aren't... or are not staying on top of it, just to find out that they lost everything! So here is an inexpensive and VERY effective way to keep your computer backed up.

What you need.

1. 2 external Hard Drives ( both should be at least 80 gigs, but just figure on how much stuff your going to back up on a regular basis.

2. EZ Back it up

The reason you need 2 really only applies to business' or people with 2 separate locations that they go to on a regular basis. The idea is that you will switch the external HDD's every other day or week or when ever. This will protect you in case you are robbed, or there is a fire, or what ever.

So what you do is this. Ez Back it up is a free back up program that will back up your information every night on a regular basis. You simply install the program, drag and drop the files you want backed up onto the program, save it, and create a schedule.

Also make sure to add a shortcut of EZ back it up into the start up file under the start menu.
To do this, go to start, programs, and start up on your task bar. Find the short cut and drag it into that file and your set. Then swap out the external hard drives on a regular basis and you are good.

For any other techs reading this who would care to expand on this topic, feel free to add your thoughts and wisdom.

God Bless,
David Shay
Computer Guys
david@computerguys.cc