I have told all my friends, fans and colleagues for 2 years now to “back up your data”…but I wonder if you’re backing up everything you should be. Many of you use the Windows “back up” software. Great, that should get it all. The only back up program I trust is YOU. You need to verify you’re backing up everything you should be.
Many folks also use their software that came with their external hard drive. This is fine too, but just remember to test it on another computer because getting all of that data back in one package may be tough for your workday.
Small office/home office users: I recommend getting an online program. Daily back up is critical for you!
Home users: I recommend using an external hard drive and backing up as often as you feel necessary. Not every home user has data changes daily.
But of course, I recommend daily for everyone!
Manual back ups: Tools such as flash drives, cd’s or external hard drives. I recommend saving the following groups of data…
1.) Your documents folder (which should include your music and pictures) double check! Some folks don’t save all their documents in the “documents” folder.
2.) Your internet favorites.
3.) Templates you use frequently and would hate to have to re-create
4.) Desktop items
5.) Outlook users: Your PST file of your email
6.) Tax forms and bank records
7.) Software and music you purchased online (keep the license keys too!)
Online back ups: If you opt for an online solution, it will guide you through a configuration and you can make sure you want backed up what should be. They also usually select the common files.
That’s it for today folks, if you need a walk through to make sure you’re getting it all, feel free to cfall for a review. We can do this for you in 15 minutes at a charge of $25! Cheap enough to make sure your stuff is there in case of a crash!
Posted by Rasheem Jones, ITT Tech intern
Reminder! Sometimes your firewall is off because it is being managed by your anti-virus program. If you have Norton, McAfee, PC Chillin, Trend Micro, WebRoot, etc…they often time manage everything for you.
Posted by Rasheem Jones, ITT Tech intern
Vista? Should I downgrade to XP?
Many of my clients have purchased new laptops that has Vista preloaded on it. Many of you have software that is not up to speed with Vista. Should you downgrade or try to get your software up to speed?
Here are my thoughts…
I have been using Vista since January 2007. Yes, Vista is buggy and does things that really bother me. I am also a technician and can fix my own problems (and enjoy trying to fix those problems:). You the customer…can usually only get so far until you decide it’s not worth using Vista.
First thing you may want to consider is making a list of problems are you experiencing since the upgrade to Vista. Some problems are just “configuration issues” that I can assist with. Some problems are seriously the Vista operating system and you may need to go back to XP if your work depends on it.
Second thing is check to make sure that your software is Vista ready. Even though it installs (usually you will get an error during installation that tells you if it’s not Vista ready) it may need to be updated on the company website. Check with the software company website and verify. You also may need what is called “a patch” to make it work on Vista. You can also google the issue and see if others on the net are experiencing the same issues.
Third thing is Call That Girl (612-865-4475) for a phone consultation. I do offer short conversations for free to give you an idea if you should consider staying on Vista or downgrading back to XP. If a home visit is required, we can discuss that. I can also assist via the phone if need be.
Final note: When people tell me “oh Vista, I have heard bad things about that…” I say to them, “Well, if XP was perfect, I wouldn’t have a job right now”
There is a ring of truth to that:)
Please post comments or questions about Vista! thanks and…
Have a good Thursday!
Lisa
I am not a Facebook Guru, but I do know a few things about Facebook and what’s been going on for some time….Facebook hacks and viruses!
PASSWORDS:
Do you remember a few messages ago I reminded you to change your password on Facebook and make it different from your email account? I recommend that again! Please change it NOW!
I would also go and change your Facebook account password to something unique too. Why?
….Because I have seen four hacks this week alone! All different ones too. One client of mine called in despair, she was doing something in Facebook, clicked on a link and the next thing you know, her Internet Explorer lost connectivity. 2 other friends of mine apologized to their friends because their friends got messages from them that was NOT from them. I just received a message from an old high school pal and I know she didn’t write this…this is the actual message.
VIRUS!
Facebook and MySpace has a virus called Koobface. The virus hijacks your account…From an Kapersky labs with short edit:
This worm creates a range of commentaries to friends’ accounts. Net-Worm.Win32.Koobface.b, which targets Facebook users, creates spam messages and sends them to the infected users’ friends via the Facebook site. The messages and comments include texts such as Paris Hilton Tosses Dwarf On The Street; Examiners Caught Downloading Grades From The Internet; Hello; You must see it!!! LOL. My friend catched you on hidden cam; Is it really celebrity? Funny Moments and many others.
PROTECT YOURSELF:
*If you see a strange message from a friend, delete it.
*Then google it to see what it was
*Inform your friends about the message, they may not know about it
*Report it to facebook security http://www.facebook.com/security
QUIZZES?: Even this has me worried, those quizzes! I know they are fun, but read the small print…(pull your profile info, photos, YOUR FRIENDS INFO…and “content”…) What content? Now we have to read the TOU! (terms of use). ARGH!
Should you do them?
…with caution
*Don’t give out any personal information or passwords,etc.
*Be careful of the links that take you to off Facebook sites.
MY OPINION ONLY: Facebook is for people you know (in my opinion) there is no value to have 1000’s of friends on Facebook unless you are using it for marketing/advertising. Because I had so many folks from my online social networking world ask to friend me on my Facebook account, I created a business Facebook account. I keep them separate. I use them for different reasons.
Continue to enjoy Facebook, I do! I have been having a blast catching up with old friends, but we have to remember that the hackers also are having fun ruining our days and giving us computer problems. If you have a question about something in regards to Facebook and security, feel free to shoot me an email. I am not a Facebook Guru, but should be able to point you in the right direction if/when you have an issue.
Have a great week everyone!
The Eport:
Call That Girl is totally excited for this summer! This summer is more exciting than my summer of 2003 (when my friend Vikki and I came up with the idea of Call That Girl via our infamous eports!).
We have many things going on and on the plate, so keep on watching us grow and coming to your neighborhood! We are there and everywhere…Have you seen the Call That Girl Mobile? (or the truck as I call it).
Spotted the truck out and about?
If you email my intern Hassan within an hour of seeing my truck….we will give you 30 free minutes of free tech support! (Hassan@callthatgirl.biz). Just tell us where you saw me and where I was…done deal!
The Tips and Tricks of the week!
Are you just about to open up a document and start working on that massive project? Here is the tip that will save your life or your heart/stress level (if not now, but maybe later).I had a client last week who worked on a document for 3 hours without saving and had 2 documents open by accident, closed one without saving and closed the wrong one. Drama. You know what happened, she lost all her 3 hours of work.
After you open up a new document, immediately save it in a location you know where it will be saved. (the My Documents is a common place or your desktop for Mac and PC users)
Then…go to your autorecovery area and make sure you have auto save turned on!
Mac users with MS Word: File>Save As>options>set for 3 minutes.
PC user with MS Word: File>Save As>options>save>set for 3 minutes
I type fast and losing 3 minutes worth of work is all I can deal with. If you are a slow typer, then the standard 10 minutes should be fine.
Are you a wanna be Twitterer (Tweeter, Twit)?
Don’t want to let your competition get an unchallenged foothold with Twitter audiences?
This class will give you all of the tools you need to be a twitter star!
Bring your own laptop so you can get hands on experience in addition to information. Lunch at QKindness Cafe after class is included.
Friday, June 12th 9am to 12pm $99 (discount for early birds). Space is limited — register today:
http://twitterfulllaunch.eventbrite.com/
Remember to keep Call That Girl in mind for your next computer repair and if you’re looking for a new blog to check out, please see what I’m up to!
That’s it for this week folks!
~Lisa
Call That Girl!…
..The next FRESH thing!
Lisa Hendrickson
612-865-4475
https://callthatgirl.biz
“People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, …but they will always remember how you made them feel”
~Carrie Bradshaw
