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Co-Working Space – Things to consider

Posted on February 6, 2018May 9, 2024 by Gail Eddy in Technology Tips

More and more people are starting small at-home businesses to share their passion with others or simply to supplement their regular income. The newest term for this is “side-hustle”. One problem is needing space to work without taking over too much of your dining room, or bedroom, or the coffee table in the living room! A solution many people use is to head to a coffee shop. But that doesn’t always fit the bill. It’s sometimes noisy with conversation, or (gasp!) coffee grinding. The WiFi may be choppy, or you may only be allowed to use it for a defined period of time. Another option is to find a co-working space. A co-working space provides a place to work outside of your home. It generally is quiet, plenty of desk space, and good WiFi. They may even offer access to a printer, coffee, and snacks.

I recently joined a co-working space and I am thrilled. Sure, I have a separate office at home, but sometimes my office space is not conducive to the work I have to do. I noticed a year or so ago, that for certain tasks I was more productive outside of my home office. But the nearby coffee shops just were not cutting it for me. When I heard about a local co-working space, I checked it out and signed up that day.

Here are some things you should look for in a co-working space:

WiFi:

Is the WiFi fast and consistent? Ask them what kind technology they use and what their bandwidth is. (Bandwidth = how many people can use the WiFi at the same time without noticing a slowdown.) Mine has a T1 installed so it is super-fast, and even if the space is full, not likely to run into slowdowns.

Printer:

Do they have a printer available for you to use? What is the charge per page? Or are there a certain number of pages you can print for free? Is it color or black & white? Front & back, or one side only?

The space:

Is it clean? Is there natural light? (Mine has plenty of windows, but all on the north side of the building. I don’t expect it to get too hot in the summer.) Is there a choice of places to work? For example, regular desks, standing desks, counter areas, etc. Everyone works best in different configurations! If you do use a chair, are they comfortable and supportive?

The Perks:

Is there coffee available? Is it good coffee?! Tea? Other snacks?

Green:

Are the owners or managers conscious of the environment? Does the space use alternative energy – solar or wind? At a minimum, is there a place to recycle paper? If they have beverages available, what kind of cups do they provide? Styrofoam? Compostable? Mugs and glasses?

What kinds of amenities are important in your co-working space?

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 check it out.)

Facebook Followers Hoax

Posted on January 30, 2018December 2, 2024 by Gail Eddy in News, Technology Tips, Tips

In the past few weeks, I have seen numerous friends posting about all of the “weird” Facebook followers they have. They’ve been a little freaked out about the strange people who see all of their posts. I keep getting asked questions like:

“Why are these people interested in me?”
“Are they trying to steal my identity?”
“How do I stop this?”

First things first:

Change how you are sharing. If you make all of your posts for “Friends Only”, and not “Public”, no one else can see what you’re posting. Even people who are following you can not see your posts if you don’t set your posts to “public”.

Secondly:

It’s a hoax. The instructions tell you to type “Following Me” into the search box. What comes up is a whole list of names of people you’ve never heard of. Facebook presents you with this list because they have names similar to “Following me”. Just like if you were to search for “John Smith”, you’d get people with names similar to “John Smith”.

How to Find Your Facebook Followers:

If you really want to see who is following you without being friends with you, follow these steps on the Facebook app:

Click on your name/ go to your own page.
Just below your photo and name is a little line that says “Followed by xxx people”.
Click on that link and scroll through the list. Most of these will probably be people who have sent you a friend request, but you’ve never responded. Are there people you don’t know with no friends in common with you? Feel free to block any of them that you don’t want seeing your public posts.

From the Facebook webpage, follow these steps:

Click on your name.
CLick on “Friends”.
When the list of your friends pops up, click on the down arrow next to “Other” at the top of the list. Then click on “Followers” to see the whole list.
Scroll through the list. Most of these will probably be people who have sent you a friend request, but you’ve never responded. Are there people you don’t know with no friends in common with you? Feel free to block any of them that you don’t want seeing your public posts.

Were you able to find your Facebook Followers? Let us know if you still need help!

Anti-Virus Programs – Questions & Answers

Posted on January 23, 2018May 6, 2024 by Gail Eddy in anti-virus, Technology Tips

We regularly get the same questions about anti-virus programs, which tells me that there is a lot of confusion out there. In this short post, I’ll provide answers to some of the most common questions that we get.

What does the anti-virus actually DO?

An anti-virus is a software program written to catch viruses and other malware. (Remember from your high school Latin class? “Mal” means “bad”!) It looks for programs that look like they might be a virus and quarantines them so they don’t get mingled with the other programs on your machine. The best AV programs will look for characteristics similar to other viruses and quarantine them as well. Anticipation is your friend.

I have an anti-virus. Why did I get a virus?

The “bad guys” are always one step ahead. Anti-virus programs are written to catch already know viruses, and viruses that LOOK LIKE something they already know about. As mentioned before, the best anti-virus programs will look for characteristics of known viruses, and protect you from them too. So you may have gotten a virus because your anti-virus doesn’t know about that particular strain.

Can I have two different anti-virus programs? (and its corollary) Do I need an Anti-virus and a malware program?

The short answer is “NO!” Any anti-virus installed on a machine expects itself to be the most senior program for reviewing all incoming files. When you have two anti-virus programs, they will be in constant conflict with each and cause your machine to slow down.

I have a Mac. Do I need an anti-virus?

Mac’s get viruses. This isn’t 2010. Spend the forty bucks and protect your data.

How often should I update my anti-virus?

Theoretically, you should never have to update your anti-virus. The best anti-virus programs will automatically keep the software up-to-date. When new virus strains are found, and new software is written (and tested), it is then pushed out to all the subscribers.

How often should I run my anti-virus?

If you suspect that you have clicked on a bad link, run your anti-virus right away. Otherwise, maybe once a month or so.

Which anti-virus programs do you recommend?

We have been using, and recommending, ESET for the past ten years or more. Chris is constantly exposed, through our new customers, to every anti-virus program out there and knows which works well, and which does not. The ESET program consistently performs ahead of the pack.

What other questions do you have about anti-virus programs and its functionality? Let us know!

Information about Geek For Hire, Inc.

I’ve created a Free Report on what to look for to protect yourself from “phishing” scams. Click here to receive it!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has been providing 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 303-618-0154. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service (Tier 3 support) 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 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.

Spam Calls on Your Smartphone? How Can You Minimize?

Posted on January 16, 2018May 6, 2024 by Gail Eddy in Smartphone Apps, Tips

Over the past few days I have been absolutely inundated with fraudulent callers, telemarketers, and just plan old spam calls. But the good thing is that I know what they are and can choose not to answer!

I’ve been using a new app on my iPhone called Call Protect. It works with my AT&T service and it seems to work very well. Here is a list of the spam calls I’ve received today:

It’s pretty annoying to receive all of those Telemarketer and Spam calls while I’m trying to work! If you have AT&T service, you can head over to the app store on your Smartphone to download and install this app for yourself.

I’ve been looking to see if Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile have a similar app and haven’t had any luck. If you know, please provide a link to the app in the comments below.

Nature Apps to Help You Explore the Great Outdoors!

Posted on January 9, 2018May 2, 2024 by Gail Eddy in Smartphone Apps, Tips

When you’re wandering around on a hike, you’ll sometimes come across a tree, or a plant, or a bird that you can’t identify. There are nature apps for that!

Nature Apps for Trees:

Leafsnap is one of the nature apps for your mobile device – Smartphone or Tablet – that lets you identify trees from their leaves. Take a photo of a leaf, upload it to the app, and voila!, they’ll tell you what kind of tree it is! For now, it only identifies trees in the northeastern part of the US, but they are working on adding the rest of the country soon. Info is on their website: http://leafsnap.com/ (FREE)

Birds:

Sometimes identifying birds at the feeder or while on a hike can be challenging. This app lets you compare the bird in front of you to its photo on the app. There is a good written description of each bird and a sound file too. More info here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bird-guide-offline-bird-identification-app/id1122226312?mt=8 (FREE)

Mushrooms:

If you’re looking at mushrooms, want to identify them, and want to keep track of where you saw a particular species before, then Roger’s Mushrooms is the app for you. The app includes tutorials so that you can learn about particular species. More info here: http://rogersmushroomsapp.com/ ($4.99)

Noxious Weeds:

In Colorado, we have a lot of invasive species. This app helps you identify a particular plant with photos of the plant itself, leaves, and flowers. There is also a written description of each, including its height, habitat, and max elevation. More info here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/colorado-noxious-weeds/id833042035?mt=8 (FREE)

Clouds:

Did you ever wonder what kind of cloud you’re looking at? Is it likely to bring rain or are clear skies on the way? Coton is the app for you. It helps you identify the clouds you’re seeing, ventures a guess at your forecast, and gives you a little science lesson too! More info on their website: http://cotonapp.com/ ($1.99)

What are your favorite Nature apps for exploring? Let us know!

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.

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!

Memory Stick aka Thumb Drive aka Flash Drive

Posted on December 19, 2017June 7, 2024 by Gail Eddy in Data Storage, Tips

Last week a customer asked Chris to transfer a bunch of files from his computer to a memory stick. He handed Chris a brand new flash drive along with his laptop. I happened to be there when Chris was transferring the files. He was very frustrated at the speed at which the files were being transferred. You might say they were being copied at a “turtle’s pace”!

I asked Chris why it was taking so long. I thought that all memory sticks were pretty much the same except for their capacity. He then told me that memory sticks have different speeds. The less expensive ones will transfer files very slowly. The more expensive ones will be quick and snappy. He explained that USB 3.0 are generally much faster than USB 2.0. He also mentioned that the packaging typically only lists the speed if they are faster than 150mBps. The cheap memory sticks generally have speeds of 2mBps and don’t broadcast that “turtle’s pace” on the outside.Slow as a herd of Turtles

About 45 minutes later, Chris was done transferring all the files. If you need to copy files to a memory stick and don’t care how long it takes, get the cheapest one.

Expect to pay $15 for a 16gig memory stick that is reasonably fast, and about $20 for 32gig. Find our recomendations here.

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

INFORMATION ABOUT GEEK FOR HIRE, INC.

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.

What you need to know about Bitcoins and Blockchain

Posted on December 12, 2017May 2, 2024 by Gail Eddy in Security, Tips

After a few years of virtually no mainstream news about Bitcoins, all of a sudden Bitcoins (and Blockchain) are back in the news again. Part of that has to do with Bitcoins recent upward trajectory to cross the $10,000 mark. (Here’s a great visual of Bitcoin’s growth in 2017.) I first explored the subject earlier this year in my blog entitled Digital Currencies and Bitcoins.

Since then, Bitcoins, Blockchains and other Digital Currencies have filled up my inbox. What is interesting to me is that, not too long ago Bitcoin, and other crypto-currencies, were not a trusted form of currency. Today, while it is still not trusted by the average American, they are being used by more and more people throughout the world. I’ve been learning that, as volatile as it is, Bitcoin is still more stable than several global currencies. Plus, Bitcoins provide privacy and independence that US currency does not.

I’m still learning, so I won’t pretend to know nearly enough about Bitcoins, Blockchain, or other Crypto-currencies. Here are articles I’ve read and podcasts I’ve listened to. If you’d like to learn more, explore this list. And then do more research on your own. Please let us know of any resources you’ve found that are particularly helpful.

Articles explaining Bitcoins:

Google Search
Bloomberg – 20171130 – Blockchain Is Bigger Than Any Bubble
Wikipedia – Blockchain
Forbes – 20171210Why Blockchain Is Real and Bitcoin is a Mirage
Coindesk – 20171212 – Trump Signs Defense Bill Authorizing Blockchain Study
Fortune – 20170822 – Bitcoin Ethereum Blockchain Cryptocurrency
CNBC – 20171201 – James Altuchers Bitcoin Predictions
Visualizing the ICO (Initial Coin Offering) Explosion
Six Most Important Cryptocurrencies (other than Bitcoin)

Podcasts about Bitcoins:

Bitcoins True Potential – Kevin Rose interviews Andreas Antonopolous
Unchained – Big Ideas from the Worlds of Blockchain and Fintech
The Bad Crypto Podcast
Let’s Talk Crypto – Bitcoin, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency – iTunes podcast by Barry Moore & Tom Galeski

Here are some books that may be helpful:

Let us know what other resources you’ve found.

5 Easy Steps To Delete Cookies On Your iPhone

Posted on December 5, 2017June 7, 2024 by Gail Eddy in Computer History, iPhone, Security, SmartPhones, Tips

Chris and I had a conversation this morning about the pesky news sites that limit the number of articles you can read each month. There are some newspapers that I won’t even read online because I get that nasty error message that says: “You’ve reached the limit! Subscribe now!” He told me that when he runs into that, the solution is to delete cookies on your iPhone.

WHAAAAAT?! I didn’t realize you could do that.

As I started looking into this, I see that there are other benefits as well. Just like with your computer, you do want to delete cookies on your iPhone regularly to keep your private information safe and secure. And, just like the rest of of the business world, there are companies out there who want to sell you an app to “take care of this for you”. Don’t fall for that trick! It’s easy enough to do it yourself.

5 Easy Steps to Delete Cookies on your iPhone

Open up your Settings
Click on “Safari”
Scroll almost all the way to the bottom of the page
Click on “Clear History and Website Data”
Confirm that you truly want to delete all of your history. This means that every page you’ve opened in your iPhone’s browser will be gone! This was a surprise to me, because I tend to save my open tabs so I can reference them again. If there are tabs that you have open on your phone that you would like to keep, it’s best to save them first, then wipe the history!

If you found this helpful, please share with your friends!

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Phishing Expedition’s – Keeping Safe During the Holidays

Posted on November 28, 2017May 9, 2024 by Gail Eddy in Malware, Passwords, Phishing, Tips

Several of our customers received a disturbing email over the past few days. Once customer received one that said her email was being discontinued. Another received one that said his bank account was being closed. I even got one that said my SIM card was being deactivated so I would effectively be without cell service! These are all “phishing expedition’s”.

Luckily I know the signs to look for to determine if an email is a phishing expedition or for real.

Make sure the email is really from a trusted source. If the email is from a friend, read it through before you click on any links. Does the email sound like it was written by your friend? Are you expecting an attachment or other link from them? Always check when you receive an email with a link or other attachment before clicking. Did your friend really send it?
Before I click on a link in an email, I hover my mouse over the link to see where the click will take me. When I hovered over the “Know More” link on the email I received, it goes to the website t.goddypuddy.IN/withLotsMoreTextFollowing. The “in” at the end of the website is a country code. In the US, we are used to seeing .com, .biz, .net, or .gov. In this case the .IN refers to India. So I know that the email originated in India. (Note that you can only do this on your computer, so don’t click on any links from your phone or tablet unless you know they are 100% safe!)
Does the body of the website match the Subject line? In this case, the Subject is that my mobile number is being deactivated. But the body of the email is completely unrelated talking about banks and the Supreme Court.
If your friend or colleague says they didn’t send the message, tell them to change their password and run their virus scanner ASAP!

What else can you do to stay safe?

Put a note on your calendar to change your email passwords at least once a month. Here are some tips to creating a strong password.
Be extra careful when surfing the web or viewing posts on Social Media. Malware is increasingly being spread that way.

Looking for more info on phishing expedition’s? Here are some past blogs:

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Tech Toys for the Holidays – Under $50

Posted on November 21, 2017May 9, 2024 by Gail Eddy in Tips

It’s that time of year! Time to look for fun tech toys for kids and adults alike! We’ve found a few that are inexpensive too!

For the Star Wars fans, there’s Uncle Milton Death Star Electronics Lab Kit for just under $30.
For preschoolers who are curious about their world, there’s the GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope – under $35.
Then there’s the Drone Force Vulture Strike Helicopter Toy which is around $33.
There’s always K’nex – one of my favorites! This building set has 618 pieces and is priced around $40. Plus there are so many sets that all work together.
If your kids want to explore the moon and its craters, you might consider an inexpensive telescope. If their interest develops, you can get them a better one later on. This one is about $40.
This cool kit lets you build 7 robots which can climb walls and windows! (This one is also just under $30.)
I always thought it would be cool to build a radio. Here’s an AM/FM radio kit for right around $37.
It wouldn’t be a Tech Toys list without the tried and true potato clock for about $13.

Let us know what toys you’re getting for the holidays!

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.