LED vs. LCD

Today a long time client called and told me her computer was not displaying.  A little trouble shooting has directed me to the monitor as being the culprit.  So it’s been decided that the client has a budget of $200 and would like to purchase a monitor that offers the best quality screen and biggest size for her budget.  You should know that this client has macular degeneration and users zoomtext software to help her see text on her screen.   My client is considered legally blind so a crisp screen with a large display is important in our purchase. 

I started my search at Staples Office store where my tech, Kyle, told me that the $199, 20” LED would be the best for our needs.  I compared the screen of the LED to that of the $139 22” LCD sitting right next to it and was impressed with how much more crisp the LED vs the LCD.  I am continuing my research online tonight to find the perfect monitor for this client. As I do I am reading blogs from other tech writers and information from large chain stores and the monitor manufactures.  Here  in today’s blog I will leave you my findings and let you make your choice from there.  I hope you find this helpful.

Computer Tutor  offers our services to those ages 50 plus throughout Brevard and Indian River county.  When you need new computer components it can be over whelming to walk into the big box store.  My tech, Kyle, at Staples has lost customers right in front of me because he (a 20 YO male-techie type) had to confuse the customer with an over whelming amount of tech crap to explain to them why the $399 17” screened laptop was NOT a good purchase for them and why the should buy the $600+ laptop with a smaller size.   This stuff is expensive and this is a big purchase for most people if Computer Tutor’s years of experience can be helpful to you please contact us at ComputerTutor321@gmail.com or dial 321-431-3866.

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Let’s get technical and look at the definition of the LCD this information comes to us from wikipedia.com:

A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a thin, flat electronic visual display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals (LCs). LCs do not emit light directly.

Now let’s define and LED:

A light-emitting diode (LED)  is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices, and are increasingly used for lighting. Introduced as a practical electronic component in 1962,^[2] early LEDs emitted low-intensity red light, but modern versions are available across the visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths, with very high brightness.

The first blog I came across can be found at:http://www.ledvslcdtv.com/ 

What are the differences between an LED and an LCD tv? Which one is better? Those are questions I had and I bet you do to. LED televisions do have some distinct advantages vs a comparable LCD tv. Price and Environmental Factors are the two main differences. I have outlined the facts about LED televisions and LCD televisions in the tables below.

The first difference that strikes me is the price.  Currently LED televisions are about 50% more than an LCD tv. However the price gap has been narrowing and will continue to do so. An LED tv uses light emitting diodes ad its source of light for the television. An LED tv uses these diodes to create a much more vibrant and colorful image. The blacks are truly black (not dark gray) and the colors are more realistic vs an LCD tv. LED tvs can achieve a contrast ratio of up to 500,000:1. They also in general have a higher refresh rate which will help when watching shows with motion such as sports or movies.

Just the Facts only the facts:

LED FACTS
State of the Art Picture Quality
About 40% Less Energy usage than a same sized LCD TV
Mercury Free and a VERY Thin Design
Currently LED TV's Cost about 20-30% more

LCD FACTS
Good Picture Quality, but Images may "burn" in Display
Energy Costs run Between $150-200 per year to operate an LCD
Mercury IS used in Manufacturing Process
Cost is the Cheaper of the Two Choices

 

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My next search sent me asking Google the question “what is the best monitor for poor eyesight?”  I quickly landed on this blog which was a little dated, 2009, it really didn’t answer my question the way I wanted it to but it’s readers brought up some really good points.  The complete web link is http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/comphelp/msg0210030520328.html :

Someone wrote to the forum asking the same question “what is the best monitor for poor eyesight?” “Writers to the forum suggested that the person try installing ClearType Tuner from Microsoft. 

This PowerToy lets you use ClearType technology to make it easier to read text on your screen, and installs in the Control Panel for easy access.

After installation, go to the Control Panel and run ClearType Tuner.
It has a series of text boxes that you check for the ones that look best to you.

Now this is for those die-hards out there with windows XP and know there’s a bunch of you!  If you have Vista or Windows 7 you have this built into the operating system. 

Here is the web link to Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx

The next thing the forum reminded me about is proper eye ergonomics.  I have taught many classes on this very important subject and I am so very guilty of not following my own teachings.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Save-Your-Eyesight-at-the-Computer&id=728332

This web site is one of many where you can learn ways to alleviate eye strain while using a computer. 

http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=8083 Talks about “Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)”

Both of the above lead to other great bog topics I’ll have to consider.  Back to the matter at hand; finding the best monitor for a client with poor vision.

I promised that I’d give you some input from the manufactures as well.  Now, as of this moment I still have not made my choice for my client but I have learned that LG thinks you need to know the following about monitors: (from http://www.lg.com/us/computer-products/monitors/index.jsp?cmpid=ct_us_led)

What You Need to Know about Monitors

LG Design Philosophy for Monitors

Design plays a critical role in harmonizing technology and human needs. In an effort to predict emerging needs, and to deliver innovative products to the public, LG has developed a comprehensive design philosophy which boils down to four basic elements: Concept, Style, Interface, and Finish.

Emerging Needs

LG believes that design plays a critical role in harmonizing technology and human needs—a belief that requires our designers to predict emerging needs.
This trend was started by the LG Life Soft Research Lab, which was established about 20 years ago. Design plays a crucial role at the Corporate Design Center, even if much of the work within the Center remains largely unseen by the outside world. Researchers, designers, and trend scouts work to predict the future by examining and identifying consumer needs, observing the public's interest in products, and then developing design concepts and solutions based on what they’ve seen.
This means, ultimately, that LG is always one step ahead of the game—always already working on products for the future. In this way, our research is focused not only on new products and technological opportunities, but also on understanding key customer and market trends.

LCD Monitor Design

LG has set new standards for all LCD monitors by focusing on the designs that customers want and the features they demand. LG’s FLATRON and Fantasy Monitors have, between them, won seven iF and reddot Product Design Awards in recognition of their keen ergonomics, unique design, and innovative LED backlight technology.

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This makes you want to go out and get an LG!

Now let’s talk about power consumption.  http://reviews.cnet.com/green-tech/monitor-power-efficiency/ says “

Buying the right monitor can't fix the world, but paying attention to power consumption when you buy does help make the world a better place while saving you a few pennies. In these pages, we'll explain why power consumption is important, what you can do to conserve power, how various monitors stack up against each other in power conservation, and how CNET tests monitor power consumption.

Conserving power can save you money
The less power your monitor pulls, the lower your monthly electricity bill. How much lower? That depends on two key factors. The first is how often you use your monitor; not necessarily sitting in front of it, surfing the Internet, gaming, or editing a spreadsheet, but simply how often your monitor is on and showing a picture. The second factor determining how much you're going to save is your monitor's brightness setting, which controls the luminance of your monitor's backlight. The lower you set your brightness, the less power you'll use.

You might not save the world just by turning off your monitor when you leave the house, but you're not helping matters leaving it on, either. By conserving the amount of energy you use, you can reduce the demand for fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Less burning of fossil fuels means lower emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary contributor to global warming. It's as simple as that. And then, of course, there's the money-saving perk. Read on.

How do I conserve my monitor's energy?

Sleep mode is your friend
Make sure that when you're not in front of your monitor, the device is resting up. You can set up sleep mode in Windows by going to Control Panel and choosing Power Options. Select the Power Schemes tab and under Plugged in, change the "Turn off monitor" field to whatever time suits you. (We recommend at least 5 minutes to avoid your monitor nodding off while you're reading a long article.)

Turn down your brightness
Luminance is one of the most important attributes for determining how much power a monitor pulls, and is usually referred to as "Brightness" in your monitor's onscreen display. Adjusting a monitor's luminance affects the amount of light emitted by its backlight. In our tests, we've found that brightness trumps every other setting for saving power; monitors drew the same amount of power whether we were playing a game or watching a Blu-ray movie, as long as the brightness setting was consistent.

You may be wondering how contrast fits into all of this. Truth is, it doesn't. Because the contrast setting only controls the monitor's white level and has nothing to do with the backlight, it doesn't have an effect on power consumption.
If your monitor has a switch, use it

Most LCD monitors do not turn completely off when you press the power button and are still drawing some amount of power. To ensure your monitor is not drawing power, click off the power switch--usually found on the underside of your monitor, near its connection options--if you have one. The power switch acts as an additional level of power conservation. If the power switch is on, the monitor can be turned on by pressing the power button; however, if switched off the monitor can't be turned on--even by the power button--unless the switch is turned back on.

If you're going to be away from your computer for a day or more and your monitor doesn't have a switch, unplug it from the wall to make sure it's not sucking power.
Upgrade from a CRT to an LCD

If you're still using a CRT monitor, consider finally taking the LCD plunge. Not only will it you save money and consume less energy, but you'll also have more room on your desktop for mouse pads, keyboards, and little plush dolls, if you're into that sort of thing.

We tested the Sony GDM520K 20-inch CRT through VGA and based on our test methodology (see how we test LCD monitor power consumption) the annual costs for the CRT are 63 percent higher than the 20-inch wide-screen HP 2009m.
Upgrade from a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) to a light-emitting diode (LED)

CCFL and LED refer to the types of backlight in an LCD monitor. Most LCDs use CCFL backlights, which are not as efficient at filling a screen with light from a LED backlight. CCFL backlights consist of several tubes stacked horizontally across the back of your monitor's panel. With LED backlights, there are many individual LEDs all over the back of the screen that can each be turned off or on. This gives LED displays much more precise control over the amount of light coming through the screen, and they are therefore more efficient at energy consumption. LED-based LCDs also have the potential to perform better than CCFL monitors in color accuracy and can be manufactured with much thinner panels than a CCFL-based display.
We tested three LED LCD monitors, the Dell G2210, Dell G2410, and the ViewSonic VLED22. In our tests, the Dell G2210 and G2410 indeed lived up to the LED hype, each earning our Power Saver Seal. The ViewSonic VLED22, not so much. The ViewSonic did not perform badly, just not up to our Power Saver standards (see how we test LCD monitor power consumption).
Get a smaller monitor
We know, playing Crysis on your 30-inch Dell at a 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution is a reason to live, but it's also the reason the power company looks forward to your monthly energy readings. The fewer pixels a backlight has to illuminate, the less power it uses. If you can stomach a smaller monitor, know that it will save you cash.
Panel technology
One more factor that determines how much power a monitor draws is the type of panel it uses. In our tests, we've found that Twisted Nematic (TN) panels pull 45 percent to 49 percent less juice than Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (S-PVA) models of the same size. Apparently, IPS panels (which usually have a better visual quality than TN panels) require more power for that extra prettiness.

WOW!  More then you expected to learn?  I think I have found the monitor for us.  It’s an AOC 20" Widescreen LED Monitor, currently on sale for $139 at hhgregg.com I hope this had helped you make your decision. 

If you enjoy reading our blog first send it to a friend, all of your friends. Then join our Facebook page and keep learning!

Simply Seniors Computer Tutors is here for your computer needs.  www.ComputerTutorHelp.Us

Meet our new Affiliate Partner in Data Storage -

  Mozy is here!  It’s the beginning of a ne year and when is the last time that you backed up your computer? 

When you think about it, all the important information in your life is now stored on a computer. Whether it’s photos and music or business documents and financial records, everything is digital. With Mozy, you can be sure your digital life will always be there when you need it.

What is your backup plan? If you are like most home users you don’t have one. Backing up data on CDs or external hard drives can eat up a lot of time. You can only manage to do it every so often. And there’s still a chance that these storage devices can be lost, destroyed, or stolen.

What can be backed up using Mozy?

Family photos. Music. Financial documents. Back up what you want, when you want. You can even create custom backup rules for uncommon files types.

I’m not a techie type, is this going to be hard?

Mozy is 100% automatic. You always have the most recent versions of your files in a safe online environment that you can access from anywhere.

I feel strange putting my personal information on the internet.  What kind of security does Mozy provide for my data?

We protect your files with military-grade encryption—the same security online banks use during data transfer.

Protection like this must be expensive right? Not really.  Try FREE, that’s right I said back your data up for free!

Get 2 GB of 100% free online backup for your photos, music, and other files. No setup fee, no credit cards, no monthly payments or fees, and no hassle.

Now most of us are not going to get all of our pictures and music backed up as 2 GB of space can fill up fast when we are talking about media files.  However, this is great for some documents and of course to try, use and then upgrade to the monthly subscription which I believe is $4.95 at this time.

Computer Tutor is now a promoter and a reseller of this backup service.  Please support Simply Seniors Computer Tutor by clicking the Mozy link through out web site. 

No matter how you do it, DO IT!  Make sure your computer gets backed up at minimum monthly because you never realize how much data and file you have until they are no longer there.

If we can help you or a senior citizen in your area of Central Florida please dial 321-431-3866 and ask for a Computer Tutor!

Get Mozy at www.ComputerTutorHelp.Com

How to Install Software (not really :-) - A Little Laugh on a Friday!

Hope that you are enjoying this 1st Friday after the dreaded 1st week back to work for the new year.  Hopefully, you have started off on the right foot and you are kicking it into high gear for the months to come.  What is it about the new fresh calendar that motivates us so?  Having spent the day teaching seniors how to use their computers, I found my self settling into a nice Friday evening, family occupied, just me and some old files on my computer.  It’s cleaning time! (That’s another blog, for another day!) As I am reviewing files I came across this file named “How to Install Software” being curious I had to give it a click.  I got a good laugh at what I found.  You’ve probably seen this yourself floating around in those forward, forwarded emails from dear Aunt Sally.  Enjoy the Friday Funny!

"How To Install Software - A 12-Step Program"

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1. Examine the software packaging until you find a little printed box that explains what kind of computer system you need to run the software.
It should look something like this:

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
2386 PROCESSOR OR HIGHER
628.8 MEGAHERTZ MODEM
719.7 MB FREE DISK SPACE
3546 MB RAM
432323 MB ROM
05948737 MB RPM
ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
2 TURTLE DOVES
NOTE: This software will not work on your computer.
2. Open the software packaging and remove the manual. This will contain detailed instructions on installing, operating, and trouble-shooting the software. Throw it away.
3. Find the actual software, which should be in the form of either a 3.5-inch floppy diskette or a CD-ROM, located inside a sealed envelope that says:

LICENSING AGREEMENT:
By breaking this seal, the user hereinafter agrees to abide by all the terms and conditions of the following agreement that nobody ever reads, as well as the Geneva Convention and the U.N. Charter and the Secret Membership Oath of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks and such other terms and conditions, real and imaginary, as the Software Company shall deem necessary and appropriate, including the right to come to the user's home and examine the user's hard drive, as well as the user's underwear drawer if we feel like it, take it or leave it, until death do us part, one nation indivisible, by the dawn's early light, finders keepers, losers weepers, thanks you've been a great crowd, and don't forget to tip your servers.
4. Hand the software to a child aged 3 through 12 and say, "(Name of child), please install this on my computer."
5. If you have no child age 3 through 12, insert the software in the appropriate drive, type "SETUP" and press the Enter key.
6. Turn the computer on, you idiot.
7. Once again type "SETUP" and press the Enter key.
8. You will hear grinding and whirring noises for a while, after which the following message should appear on your screen: The Installation Program will now examine your system to see what would be the best way to render it inoperable. Is it OK with you? Choose one, and be honest:
+--------+ +---------+
| YES |   | SURE |
+--------+ +---------+
9. After you make your selection, you will hear grinding and whirring for a very long time while the installation program does who knows what in there. Some installation programs can actually alter molecular structures, so that when they're done, your computer has been transformed into an entirely new device, such
as a food processor. At the very least, the installation program will create many new directories, sub-directories, sub- sub-directories, on your hard drive and fill them with thousands of mysterious files with names like "puree.exe," "fester.dat," and "doo.wha."
10. When the installation program is finished, your screen should display the following message: CONGRATULATIONS The installation program cannot think of anything else to do to your computer and has grown bored. You may now attempt to run your software. If you experience any problems, electrical shocks, insomnia, shortness of breath, nasal discharge, or intestinal parasites, you should immediately !$)$%@&*^)$*!#$_$*^&
11. At this point your computer system should become less functional than the federal government, refusing to respond even when struck with furniture.
12. Call the toll-free Technical Support Hotline number listed on the package and wait on the line for a representative, who will explain to you, in a clear, step-by-step manner, how to adopt a child aged 3 through 12.

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….and of course when all else fails call the Computer Tutors at Simply Seniors Computer Tutors 321-431-3866 or on the web at www.ComputerTutorHelp.com

Microsoft’s Operating System Alternatives

When you purchase a new computer off the show room floor at your local big box store what operating system are you going to find installed?  The answer is almost 100% Microsoft Windows, today it will be the Windows 7 Operating System.  That is unless you spend the extra money and buy a Mac. 

I am not a big fan of the Mac or the entire family of “i” gadgets.  I think they are over priced and overly complicated!  Woo, “Did she say Mac is overly complicated?”  Yes, I did.  That is my personal point of view because I am a die hard Microsoft person.  I know the boo's are already being heard from the “real techie types” that may have fallen upon my blog and may be reading it at this time.  I have never told any one that I am a “techno-geek” I do not understand those who complain about the Windows weaknesses because I am not that type of technology specialist.  When I started this stuff some 20 years ago I had Microsoft software then and I have it now so it is what I know and I am familiar and I feel comfortable using it.  Additionally, because our clients are new computer users, having never been exposed to any other software, we try to keep things as ‘stock’ (Microsoft OS & software as it comes out of the box)for our clients as possible so that when someone calls and uses very bad descriptions of their issues, we can easily enough figure out just what they are trying to say to us.

However, because I do not have my head buried too deeply in the Microsoft sand box, I do know that there are security issues that may (may) cause me problems with my computer and may allow access for a ‘hacker’ to enter into my system.  Additionally, I have some issues with just how much money this HUGE company makes from it’s mistakes and it’s successes.   I guess I also have to thank Microsoft’s tech team for making the mistakes that they have made to make our systems venerable, because it is these same mistakes that keep businesses like my own operational, removing software bugs and solving software issues. 

I have recently been working with alternative operating system options.  If you read my last blog about Cloud Computer you learned that cloud computing is really the way that we are heading technology wise.  Again, cloud computing is where your data lives out there is cyberspace somewhere, not right in front of you on your own hard drive.  The data is said to be safer from accidental loss because the massive computer servers where your data is being store are protected in ways your home PC can not be protected.  Since all of our documents, and files and many of the applications (programs is what they used to be called) can be stored on the Internet on ‘servers’ we really do not need to continue to battle the issues we currently have with the Microsoft operating systems. 

I have been using a flash drive version UBUNTU which can be found at this web site:  http://www.ubuntu.com/ It is a beautiful operating system that again is under 1GB in size and can be installed to a flash drive.  That flash drive can be inserted into a USB port on your existing computer and when the computer boots you can direct it to boot the USB device.  Then the Ubuntu OS can start… yes this can happen right on the computer you are currently using and you can have it up and running within the 1/2 hour depending on your tech skills and your download speeds.

Here is the information on Ubuntu from their web site (se link above)

“Super-fast and great-looking, Ubuntu is a secure, intuitive operating system that powers desktops, servers, netbooks and laptops. Ubuntu is, and always will be, absolutely free.”

Created by the best open-source experts from all over the world, Ubuntu is available in 24 languages and ready for download today.

No viruses

Life's too short to spend it worrying about viruses.

If you have ever had to pay $99 to have a virus removed from your computer then this is the answer for you!  If you have a teenager that insists on downloading everything that is sent to them, again clogging your system with ‘cookies’ and malware and viruses that can completely wipe out your important data (forever) than Ubuntu OS may be the right choice for you! 

You can use free applications such as Open Office or even Google Documents if you need software that will both interact and behave like Microsoft Office 2003+ – Open office has not yet moved to the ‘TABS’ tool bar viewing, I am not sure if they have plans but considering the ‘tab’ seems to be everywhere from IE8, Chrome, Firefox and of course the new Office software suites. 

So why not give this a try – you really have nothing to loose or maybe we have everything to lose if we don’t try it! 

Simply Seniors Computer Tutor is always looking for new topics. Please share this blog with your friends and you never know you might just learn something new. 

Remember new classes at the Wickham park Senior Center on Fridays from 10-noon.  Class is only $10 each and they are geared toward our senior community.  Please help us to meet our goal of 100 new followers this month on our blog.  Spread the word and learn new stuff along the way!

www.ComputerTutorHelp.Us

Cloud Computing

I heard this term for the first time recently.  I was not quite sure what it meant so I had to do a little research.  According to Wikipedia Could Computing is defined as the following:

“Cloud computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared servers provide resources, software, and data to computers and other devices on demand, as with the electricity grid. Cloud computing is a natural evolution of the widespread adoption of virtualization, service-oriented architecture and utility computing. Details are abstracted from consumers, who no longer have need for expertise in, or control over, the technology infrastructure "in the cloud" that supports them.

Cloud computing describes a new supplement, consumption, and delivery model for IT services based on the Internet, and it typically involves over-the-Internet provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources. It is a byproduct and consequence of the ease-of-access to remote computing sites provided by the Internet. This frequently takes the form of web-based tools or applications that users can access and use through a web browser as if it were a program installed locally on their own computer.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a somewhat more objective and specific definition here. The term "cloud" is used as a metaphor for the Internet, based on the cloud drawing used in the past to represent the telephone network, and later to depict the Internet in computer network diagrams as an abstraction of the underlying infrastructure it represents. Typical cloud computing providers deliver common business applications online that are accessed from another Web service or software like a Web browser, while the software and data are stored on servers.

Most cloud computing infrastructures consist of services delivered through common centers and built on servers. Clouds often appear as single points of access for consumers' computing needs. Commercial offerings are generally expected to meet quality of service (QoS) requirements of customers, and typically include service level agreements (SLAs). The major cloud service providers include Amazon, Rackspace Cloud, Sales force, Skytap, Microsoft and Google. Some of the larger IT firms that are actively involved in cloud computing are Fujitsu, Dell, Red Hat, Hewlett Packard, IBM, VMware, and NetApp.”

 

I bet you now know more about Cloud Computing then you ever expect to know :-)  Go impress your friends with your new knowledge. 

Cloud computing has many beneficial uses and it may be the way home personal computing is moving in the near future. This article from AOL Discover suggests we “Get on the band wagon” and join in where big business like Amazon.com have ready gone. 

 

Get Smart: Jump on the Web Storage Bandwagon

Humorist Dave Barry once said, “The Internet is the most important single development in the history of human communication since the invention of call waiting.” The Internet has certainly come a long way in recent years, and the current popular trend amongst technology aficionados isCloud Computing, which stores your applications on a shared data server and allows you to access them from any location as long as you have a Web connection.

You can easily store photos, videos and other relevant files and documents without worrying about losing them. If your hard drive were to crash at the blink of an eye, you’re better off backing up your important files online to avoid losing valuable information and documents on your computer. There are countless horror stories of individuals who have lost all their data or important documents in one fell swoop when their laptops were misplaced or stolen, so a backup plan (pardon the pun) is important.
Cloud computing (the “cloud” refers to the Internet) is certainly the wave of the future: According to Gartner Inc. figures, by 2014 revenue from worldwide cloud services is projected to reach $148.8 billion. It’s a trend that's not only picking up steam at companies, but among individual users who are savvy about the importance of keeping files and data secure.
Global market intelligence firm IDC defines cloud services as “consumer and business products, services and solutions delivered and consumed in real-time over the Internet.” These services are usually offered on a subscription basis -- a worthwhile price to pay to guard against the security of important files and documents.

Benefits of Web Storage

With cloud-storage devices, you can access your content from the office, home or any other location in the increasingly Web-connected corners of the globe.

Web storage devices are generally secure, minimizing the risk of data loss. They provide easy-to-use storage and the ability to efficiently share files with colleagues, friends and family. According to USByte.com, “Instead of going [to the] trouble of buying, connecting and supporting (and sometimes repairing) your personal backup system…just download some simple software from the Web, subscribe to a service and upload those critical data you wish to keep in a safe place.”

Enter a whole host of Web storage services, including ElephantDrive, Mozy and SugarSync. PC World has high praise for Mozy, describing it as a great service that “works in the background protecting your data.” And SugarSync has been lauded by critics who enjoy the fact that any change they make in one of their computers will automatically appear in the others, thereby reducing the tedious need to continuously email files here and there.

Simply Seniors Computer Tutors is now a proud affiliate of Mozy!  Log on to our web site and click the link to set up your FREE Mozy data storage account.  www.ComputerTutorHelp.Us

These services essentially make life simpler by allowing you to store photos, your favorite music, and important personal and work documents in one secure location without incurring unexpected loss. Let’s face it, computers or mobile phones aren’t always reliable and mishaps can happen. Web storage devices reduce the risk of a calamity, which is always a good thing.
-- Tara Taghizadeh – the original source: http://daol.aol.com/articles/jump-on-the-web-storage-bandwagon/?icid=maing|main5|dl8|sec1_lnk5|34681

Simply Seniors Computer Tutors – here to help you get your head out of the clouds!

Social Networking Overload!

Today’s blog comes to you from my own frustrations with social networking.  As you know Simply Seniors Computer Tutors specializes in the needs of senior citizens and new computer users those that have never really heard of a blog let alone read one.  We help computer users that do not know how to even get to a web site in many cases, let alone use Facebook and read Blogs and Tweets.  So why is it that I have found myself working so hard on these different social sites?  Well to get the word out that is why!  Just like any other business owner.  Word of mouth is the best advertising there is hands-down, nothing beats it.  The hard part is getting those mouths moving!!!  (So if you’re reading this please share it with your social circle! This took many hours of my life to create just for your eyes!) 

I was against Simply Seniors Computer Tutor even having a web site for years because again many of our clients do not have the skills to find us through the computer… yet.  After much pushing by my husband I finally went live with our first web site in 2007 (way late in the game I know!)  after all we are a business that specializes in the technological needs of senior citizens.  To my surprise I found a whole new group to market to – the adult kids of the seniors that I work with; they are online and know how to get to our web site!

Today, of course I find myself working hours a day to ‘keep up with the Internet Joneses’ you know keeping up with all the different social networking sites, there are all too many and only a handful worth worrying about anyway.  All of this ‘work’ I have been putting into the blog and then uploading it to Facebook then sharing it amongst my friends and then copying the information and reposting it with a different social group and so on has lead me to thinking “If only there was an easy way to update all of these things at once…

With a little research I have been able to connect many of my different accounts.  I’d like to spend a little time discussing how I did it and give you some links so you can learn to do the same thing.  Additionally, I’d like to go into a little detail about the connecting of accounts – beware of what is being said. 

When it comes to connecting your Facebook (FB) posts to your Tweets’ this web site http://brandontreb.com/how-to-connect-facebook-to-twitter/ has nice detailed instructions with screen shots. 

I found that when I connected my Yahoo account to my FB account it was very easy and the same for the Windows Messenger account.  This article at Tech Crunch has some great info about about yahoo/FB connection.  http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/04/yahoo-contacts-gets-facebook-connect/  This article is from yahoo http://www.ymailblog.com/blog/2010/03/facebook-friends-meet-yahoo-contacts/

Later, I connected my blogg to my hip bone. No, I connected it to my Twitter or so I thought.  Now that I have spent an entire day connecting each of my ‘social networking’ accounts – I feel less connected than ever! LOL.  It’s a bit of a stretch to think it would all work together flawlessly as I was hoping it would.  I think that some of the things I have posted in one location are being repeated in a second location but again my question to all of the social networked, WHY?  I have about the same exact people on each location. 

No wonder the average computer user is baffled by the BS. I am still trying to convince myself that drone of 30 and 40 year old’s are going to come flocking to our company because of our social appearance, people we otherwise never would have connected with.  With that I close today’s Blog.  I ask that you make me a believer in my self and my theory that if you connect it, if you write it, if you keep up with it… they WILL come!

Remember that is Simply Seniors Computer Tutor, 321-431-3866 www.ComputerTutorHelp.com

Computer Classes NOW being offered at Wickham Park Senior Center, Melbourne, FL.

The Wickham Park Senior Center has offered their facilities to Simply Seniors Computer Tutor to use as our home base for all of our computer classes.  Classes are held Friday Mornings 10am –12pm.  The cost is typically $10 per class. 

The facility, located at 2785 Leisure Way, Melbourne, Florida, is newly built and has many varied actives to offer those age 55 and over.  Everyone regardless of age or affiliation with the senior center is welcomed to attend these computer classes being offered by Simply Seniors Computer Tutors.  Seniors are asked to consider becoming a member at a mere $15 for a year! 

The class schedule can be viewed at this site http://www.bcscwp.com/ComputerTutor.html and our own web site www.ComputerTutorHelp.Us  I will look forward to seeing you this Friday for one of my favorites; it’s the Tips and Tricks class. 

Who is this class for?  Anyone who has been using a PC for a year plus and has questions about how to do common functions.  Learn a few tips and tricks from the pros.  This class will NOT provide a book so bring your note book, and questions and be ready to learn something new!!!

Thanks again for reading! 

Simply Seniors Computer Tutor, Melbourne, FL 321-431-3866