“Range Anxiety” and Your Electric Vehicle – or how I learned to stop worrying and love four hour charges

I heard a new term recently – “Range Anxiety”.  The feeling you get when your electric vehicle has 20 miles left but you’re 21 miles away from home.  We’ve been tossing around the idea of getting an electric vehicle, but always bump up against that nagging feeling that we’ll need to carry an extra battery around “just in case”.  Now I know that our nagging feeling has a name!

electric vehicleAs I learn more about electric vehicle s though, I’m almost certain that our next car will be an EV.  There are already a bunch available with estimated ranges of 80-300 miles depending on the vehicle weight, the terrain, and whether you have the AC on.  My research has shown me that almost every car manufacturer is making at least one EV, and that list is sure to grow before the decade is over.  And, almost by default, the price will come down, and the driving range will increase.  Until then, it’s best to always have a plan. Sunita Halasz lives in the Adirondacks, and, in her words: “When we really go anywhere, I have a whole list of phone numbers of friends who live all over the Adirondacks,” Halasz said during a charging stop. “So that at a moment’s notice I can call somebody and be like, ‘Hi, I’m going to pull into your driveway. And do you have an outdoor electrical outlet?’”

As more people get their own Electric Vehicle, more charging stations are being built.  Even our little touristy town of 1100 people has a charging station for visitors. If I had an EV, I would keep this page bookmarked on my phone in addition to a list of friends and their phone numbers!

I hope you found this information helpful.  Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has been providing computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PC’s for the past fourteen years. His company is highly rated by both the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and by Angie’s List. You can find more on our website.  Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free 2-3 day shipping and the online streaming. I haven’t tried the Kindle lending library yet.  I’ll try that next!   Prime is normally $99/year, but you can try it for 30 day for free by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial (Yes, we’ll get a small commission if you sign up.)

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Leaf Peeping Websites To Find the Best Spots

It’s almost autumn and time to start planning our leaf peeping treks to view the leaves as they change.  We’re in the mountains of Colorado so we get to see aspens and that’s about it.  But before you start feeling sorry for us, you should know that they are gorgeous!  (And that’s coming from someone who grew up in the Northeast with the variety of New England trees practically in my backyard.)

Of course, we all have our favorite spots to “leaf peep”, but here are some websites with info on locations and timing, and some news as well.Leaf Peeping

  • My favorite site is from Weather.com.  This one shows a map of the US and when each region will be at its peak.  The mountains in Colorado show late-September, but some of the lower elevations of Colorado show a peak of early to mid-October.
  • I like this page from New England Today.  It provides a good list of what you should bring with you.  Besides the obligatory map and camera, there are other items that you’ll want to have as well.  One thing it doesn’t mention that you should have is your good manners!  Remember to pull all the way off of the roadway when you stop to take pictures.  Not everyone on the road is on a leaf peeping vacation.  Some of them are trying to get to work or appointments!
  • This website from the Smoky Mountains gives some of the science behind the leaves color-changing.  It also has some downloadable pages for coloring!
  • For those in Colorado, The Denver Post put together a list of hikes where you can also enjoy the changing aspens.
  • And if you’re planning on heading out to the Maroon Bells, the Forest Service is gearing up for hordes of leaf-peepers!
  • This page was a surprise.  Apparently lots of folks take train rides through scenic areas to view the foliage.
  • MSN has put together a list of 16 great places for leaf peeping throughout the US.  This page is worth it for the photos alone!
  • If you’re in the Eastern US, you’ll want to check out this page.
  • The Boston Globe put together a list of the best New England towns for viewing the foliage.

Was this list helpful?  Please share it with your friends!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has been providing computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PC’s for the past fifteen years. His company is highly rated by both the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and by Angie’s List. You can find more on our website, or give us a call 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area as well as remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free 2-3 day shipping and the online streaming. I haven’t tried the Kindle lending library yet.  I’ll try that next!   Prime is normally $99/year, but you can try it for 30 day for free by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial (Yes, we’ll get a small commission

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Product Review – Rotating Outlet / Surge Protector

Recently I saw an ad for something called a “rotating outlet”.  What madness was this?  Something that allowed more than one ginormous plug to be plugged into one surge protecting strip at the same time?  Amazing!  I had to have one.  But which was the best one?

I purchased three of these Rotating Outlet Surge Protectors to check them out.  Two are made by Belkin, and the third came from SurgExpert.  Of course, when the box arrived, Chris mentioned that he had installed one in his office three years ago.  I had just never seen it – or noticed its awesomeness.

When I took them out of the box, I noticed that two of them were virtually identical, right down to the cable management clip to keep the cords out of the way.  To test them, I used the same big plugs; one from a router and one that charges multiple USB devices at the same time.  On the two power strips, they easily fit side by side, rotated to opposite sides.  With the wall outlet, I had to put one on either side.  It didn’t allow enough rotation to put them next to each other.

Rotating Outlet – I review three

Belkin – with 8′ cord and phone protection

I paid $27 for this one.  Included with the purchase price is $150,000 or “Connected Equipment Warranty”, so if a lightning strike fries your router or printer, “Belkin will spend, to repair or replace the damaged connected equipment, at Belkin’s option, an amount equal to the fair market value of the damaged equipment…”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belkin Wall Outlet

I paid $16 for the wall rotating  outlet and it comes with a $50,000 “Connected Equipment Warranty” as described above.  This one was easy to install, and, for a wall outlet, I think it works pretty well.  And in the past few days, I’ve thought of other places that needs this as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SurgExpert with 8 Outlets

This Rotating Outlet was also $27, but doesn’t have the phone line protection, and also doesn’t have a “Connected Equipment Warranty”. But it does have a rotating plug which gives you more flexibility when plugging it in.  Like the Belkin above, which it is virtually identical to, it also has a cord maintenance clip to help keep your cords organized.

 

 

In the end, I liked the SurgExpert the best.  It had a more neutral color, and I really like the rotating plug.  The Belkin is a better value though, as it comes with the ability to protect a phone line, as well as the warranty.  I will also be purchasing another of the Belkin wall outlets.  There are places where you don’t need an 8′ extension cord and do want all of your plugs to go to the same place.  I can think of several places to install another one of those.

 

I hope you found this review helpful.  Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Information About Geek For Hire, Inc.

I’ve created a Free Report to protect you from “phishing” scams. Click here to receive it!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has provided computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PCs for the past eighteen years. Angie’s List and the BBB rate Geek For Hire very highly.  You can find more on our website, or give us a call at 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area and remote service throughout North America.

Here’s a link to our Covid19 Policy.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free and fast shipping.  With Prime, we have access to online streaming too. Prime is usually $119/year, but you can get a free 30-day trial by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More Tips Here:

  • Are VPNs worth it? More here.
  • Are you interested in learning more about Extreme Privacy?
  • We have seen a lot of Facebook hacking lately. Here’s what you should do ahead of time to keep your account safe.
  • And here are the 10 Password Mistakes you don’t want to make!

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Easy Fixes for Your Mac or PC

Every once in awhile we get called to someone’s home about a problem that has been perplexing them.  We get there and, for us, these are easy fixes, and we have the problem resolved within 15 minutes.  Of course, I try to screen those calls when they come in and talk the caller through a potential solution, but it doesn’t always work out.  Plus, sometimes people just want to have someone else take care of it for them!

Easy Fixes for your Mac or PC
Vintage Geek For Hire – make your computer really cook!

Keep these easy fixes in mind when you run into computer troubles:

  • The screen on my laptop has cracked and I can’t see anything:
    • For the short term, you can plug a monitor into your laptop so that you can see what is on the screen.
    • For the long term, you’ll need to decide if you want to replace the screen, or just get a new laptop.
  • My wireless mouse (or keyboard) isn’t working:
    • Check the back to make sure you didn’t accidentally turn it off
    • If that doesn’t work, make sure the little dongle you have plugged into one of your USB outlets is plugged in all the way.
    • If that doesn’t work, change the batteries.
    • If that doesn’t work, plug in a wired keyboard or mouse, or get a new one.
    • And if that doesn’t work, there is probably an issue with your machine and it’s time to call in the pros
  • The keyboard on my laptop isn’t working, or one of the keys doesn’t work.
    • For the short term, you can plug an external keyboard in, or use a wireless keyboard
    • For the long term, you’ll need to decide if you want to replace the keyboard or just get a new laptop
  • All of a sudden, I can’t print from my phone or tablet:
    • Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the WiFi
    • If that doesn’t solve it, turn everything off and back on again, including the router
    • If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call in the pros
  • My laptop won’t charge
    • Does the charging cable sit firmly in the plug/outlet on your laptop?  If it doesn’t, you might need to have the plug/outlet replaced on your laptop.  You might also consider getting a new machine.
    • If you always have the laptop plugged into the same outlet, check that the outlet still works.  Plug a lamp in and see if it turns on.  If it doesn’t, call your electrician.

Are these Easy Fixes helpful for you?  Please forward to a friend!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has been providing computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PC’s for the past fifteen years. His company is highly rated by both the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and by Angie’s List. You can find more on our website, or give us a call 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area as well as remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free 2-3 day shipping and the online streaming. I haven’t tried the Kindle lending library yet.  I’ll try that next!   Prime is normally $99/year, but you can try it for 30 day for free by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial (Yes, we’ll get a small commission if you sign up.)

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7 Great Websites for Tech News

Chris and I are always scouring the InterWebs for tech news.  What new developments will affect the world of technology?  Who has a new gizmo out there and what are the experts saying about it?  And, most importantly, what new developments will impact our customers?  We have a bunch of favorite websites for tech news that we’d like to share with you:

Grerat Websites for Tech NewsChris’ favorite websites for Tech News:

Because he’s the Principal Geek, Chris’ reading tends to be more technical than mine. Here are three of his faves:

  1. Ars Technica – I think this is his most favorite site.
  2. C|Net – I like C|Net too.
  3. Wired – I can’t prove it, but we were one of Wired’s first subscribers to their print magazine!

Gail’s favorite websites for Tech News:

I’m more like an average person with a little bit of tech knowledge.  Here are four of my favorites which tend not to be as technically complicated as Chris’ reading:

  1. Fast Company – I like FastCo because they have some pretty engaging content.
  2. Huffington Post – Granted, these articles are “dumbed down” for the masses, but it does give me more of an idea of what people are worried about with their tech right now.
  3. Gizmodo – Lots of gadgets – it’s all about the gadgets.
  4. The Verge – Reviews of lots of trendy new tech toys.

Check out these websites and let us know what you think.  Do you have other favorites that we haven’t listed here?  Let us know in the comments below.  And, as always, If you found this helpful, please forward it!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has been providing computer service to families and small businesses with Mac’s and PC’s for the past fifteen years. His company is highly rated by both the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and by Angie’s List. You can find more on our website, or give us a call 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3) to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area as well as remote service throughout North America.

We’ve been using Amazon Prime for the past few years.  We like the free 2-3 day shipping and the online streaming. I haven’t tried the Kindle lending library yet.  I’ll try that next!   Prime is normally $99/year, but you can try it for 30 day for free by clicking on this link: Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial (Yes, we’ll get a small commission if you sign up.)

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