Posted on Wed, Nov 30, 2011
Does it seem like there are only two major gadgets to give this holiday season: either a smartphone or a tablet? We’re bombarded everyday with a new contender, be it the Samsung Galaxy II smartphone or Kindle Fire tablet. But, of course, there are thousands of other tech gadgets that will make that geeky friend on your list happy for a fraction of the cost. Without diving into every tech website out there, here are just a few to get your mind going in a different direction, be it for a more eco-conscious or just a more economical tech-geek gift.
Gadgets make great gifts – whether they’re practical or not
From the 40-in-1 Swiss Army Knife to the 6-in-1 key-chain, chances are the receiver will find a use for it some day. Gadgets are especially good for that tech geek friend or relative in your life. So, regardless if it’s the Starship Enterprise pizza cutter or crocheted headphones, chances are your gift will be a hit.
Gadgets for the hard-to-shop-for individual
So what makes a good gadget gift? It really depends on how tech-savvy the recipient is, and just how much you’d like to spend. If you have a little more money and the person is environmentally conscious, you might opt for a “green” choice. Eco-friendly products abound and are especially sought after this year. From hand-powered paper shredders to solar-powered tiki torches, many options exist for that inner tree-hugger in all of us.
Tablet or smartphone owners
For those friends and relatives who already own smartphones or tablets, there are gadget accessories that are sure to brighten their day. In general, the intent for tablets and smartphone is to be solely touch-screen based. However, many people prefer a physical keyboard when typing for long periods of time on their tablet or smartphone. That’s why these gadgets are certain to be welcomed with open arms! Both of these cases, one for the iPad, and one for the iPhone, are made with a physical keyboard included.
The best part about gadgets and the reason they’re continuously sought after is that they’re always at hand. Gadgets, simply put, make our lives easier. While phones and tablets are the big-ticket rage this holiday season, hopefully we’ve given you some ideas for tech gadget gifts that are under the radar!
Terminal IT Support
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Wed, Nov 23, 2011
While many shoppers won’t be battling the crowds this year by buying all of their gifts online, many more will be in line waiting for the doors to open. Armed with their smartphones and tablets, customers will be using apps which offer up great gift ideas, ways to comparison-shop, and even opportunities to buy online while in the store. So, for those of us who fearlessly venture out to the mega-mall, here are just a few ways technology will influence how we’re shopping this holiday season.
Mobile Apps
Perhaps the newest trend is the availability of apps on smartphones and tablets that are specifically made to make your holiday shopping smoother. One lets you scan a barcode to see if it’s the best deal while another enables you to take a picture of the product and it gives you comparison prices. One app even helps you to beat other customers to the punch by locating the aisle holding that sought after gift.
Smartphone Marketing
Another interesting trend this season is in the strategies taken by marketers to catch us even when we’re not tied to our computers. Smartphone marketing may be the next big step in reaching consumers, and this holiday season will basically be the beta test. Many marketing agencies have set out to contact shoppers while they’re waiting in long lines, and offering big deals and discounts in “mobile-only” purchases.
Economical Technology Trends
Not only will we be using technology to make our shopping lives simpler, but we will also be looking for the next big advancement. The trend in technology itself is seen in the battle of the tablets—at half the cost, the Kindle Fire is posing a threat to iPad’s dominance, and a new iPhone competitor appears to be entering the market every day. For good reason: the consumer is wary of the economy, will most likely spend less this year, and will be looking for both bargains and value.
For those of us set on visiting the brick-and-mortars this season, technology can be a great help, from finding great prices to gift ideas. Apps can help us while we’re in the store, and our mobile phones may ring signaling that we’re paying too much! But the trends that make our shopping easier may take a backseat to those that signal the sign of these times: only the technologies that offer the very best value will be the hot commodities as the economy continues to stumble along.
Terminal IT Support
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Tue, Nov 22, 2011
When having what seems to be a complex computer or printer problem, sometimes the best method to tackle the issue may be to take a step back and try the simple stuff first. A cable might simply be disconnected, the paper tray may be empty, or perhaps your internet just needs a reboot. Complex issues often begin from simple issues not being discovered and this leads to the malfunctioning of equipment. Remember, your devices are pretty smart for the most part and may fix themselves if it something small like an internet connection is lost (or if your printer needs something like a different type of paper or a cleaning). As technicians, we look for this type of stuff to start with so we have a solid basis to diagnose a problem efficiently. This method is also used to rule out the smaller things, saving the customer time and money. If you are having any computer or printer problems, I'd suggest giving the device a once-over, starting from the wall it’s plugged into, to the modem or router it’s connecting to for internet or network access.
Dennis Foote - Systems Engineer
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Fri, Nov 18, 2011
This week’s blog is more of a plea: before you get in too deep, call a professional. This week I have dealt with some problems that have been made worse by people doing things they thought would help, but didn't.
We are honest guys and girls; we genuinely want to get your problems fixed for you. If I don’t think the printer or computer is worth fixing, I will not accept the job or charge you to tell you so. I know that some problems look like they can be solved after five minutes on Google, and some can, but this is not true for the majority. Following random online instructions may actually lead to more harm!
If you are not very familiar with a Registry, do not edit it! If you are not sure how to take a printer to pieces, please don’t try it!
Have a great weekend!
Kristen Hewes - Hardware Technician
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Fri, Nov 18, 2011
The Intel 4004 was the first CPU on a single chip as well as the first available to the commercial market. This week it celebrated it’s 40th birthday! We would like to say thank you to the microprocessor that grandfathered the CPUs we have today. A CPU is the brain of a computer. Known as the central processing unit, every piece of information in or out of a computer goes though the CPU. Just imagine what the Intel 4004, a tiny yet powerful CPU, did for the computing world in 1971. CPUs have come a considerable ways since then, but they continue to be a huge part of our everyday lives.
The Intel 4004 was originally created for a calculator, but it quickly led to technological leaps in computing. Many common products would not exist if it weren’t for the powerful CPUs born from the Intel 4004. These products include laptops, streetlights, and cell phones. The Intel 4004 quite literally grandfathered many modern technologies. Check out this article showing the evolution of technology thanks to the CPU.
We can’t say happy birthday to the Intel 4004 without mentioning the engineers responsible for its development. Federico Faggin led the planning and development of the Intel 4004 with Ted Hoff, and Stan Mazor. In this ever-changing world of technology we can lose sight of its humble origins. The Intel 4004 was no small player in this.
So take the time to appreciate the little microprocessor that grandfathered the technological world of today.
Terminal IT Support
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Wed, Nov 16, 2011
It is inevitable that you will need to ask for help from your IT service provider. They're a busy bunch, helping a number of people with frustrating problems. It’s not an easy job. When you request their help, there are some important things to remember. Namely, they are not mind readers. Provide as much important information in your preliminary request. Help them, help you. Here are a few steps to make your experience and theirs more streamlined and pleasant.
Write an Informative Email Subject Line
IT technicians receive frequent requests on a variety of issues - some are extremely urgent such as "I have a virus that destroying my documents"; while others are can withstand a 1-2 hour response delay, for example: "My monitor has a pinkish tinge." It helps the technician if you include a subject line containing the basics of the issue, which helps them determine the priority level. A good example of a subject line is "Installed __ got error __", which helps them to know instantly what your problem is with the computer. A vague subject line without a meaningful description of the problem won't help them solve your issue.
Details, Details, Details
It is important that you include a detailed description including as much information as possible. Please include your OS, any steps you took, and any error messages. Error messages might not mean anything to you, but to an expert they are a source of helpful information.
Be Frank
Your IT provider is likely to be busy most of the time, so while details are important, when communicating your issue be sure to keep unnecessary information to a minimum. Simply record the essential information and send the message along. Too much needless detail can delay how quickly the issue is resolved and add to your frustrations.
In the end, you are all busy people and your IT services provider wants to help you quickly and efficiently. Help them do so by following the tips above!
Terminal IT Support
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Tue, Nov 15, 2011
Today’s personal web space for documents is getting a lot of attention. For the most part, you can find the services for FREE! There are a lot of services out there that offer a set amount of free data with low-cost, optional upgrade packages for more space. Below are some examples of free services and space allowed with free accounts:
Google Documents - free with your free Google account; 1GB of free space
Dropbox - allows 2GB of free space for almost any file you can upload and it’s very easy to setup
Apples iCloud – offers 5GB of space and has a sync feature that most people will find unbelievable. iCloud can be setup for Mac and PC users with Apple devices and will sync all your files, folders, apps, pictures, and iTunes.
Amazon.com - started a cloud service that also permits 5GB of free space that allows you to start using it right away if you have an Amazon account.
There are services that will give you up to 100GB for free, but it will come at a cost. They will require you to give up 150GB of free space on your local drive. Most are secure and it’s almost like a Share cloud; the way it works is you will house data that they add to your machine from somewhere in the world. This is called RAID 96 and is becoming popular with those who prefer an offsite backup of their machine without having to pay the monthly cost of doing so.
Cloud is a computing, mobile technology that will only grow over time. I think with the next push of wireless devices, it’s evident that a copy of your documents online will become more and more useful to complete everyday tasks in a fast and sufficient way. Having to rely on documents that are attached to one device seems so… well, attached. :)
Dennis Foote - Systems Engineer
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Fri, Nov 11, 2011
This week I worked on a printer that was not printing black. This is a simple fix - just swap out the defective print head for a new one.
After this was completed, I put the machine back together only to get a lovely hitching noise from the scanner bed. Now seeing as I had not touched the scanner bed, I was slightly confused by this. After taking the machine apart a couple of times and ending up with the same results, I really started to wonder what was up.
Upon putting it back together again and checking the connections, I noticed that the CIS flat cable that connects the scanner to the board had some worn connectors.
If you are familiar with these cables you will know that at the end of them are small metal ends that are printed onto the cable that wear off.
Now here is the trick to fixing them: with a pair of scissors, very carefully cut across the cable taking just enough off to remove the worn ends, and voila! Plug the cable back in and it’s as good as new!
Have a great weekend!
Kristen Hewes - Hardware Technician
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Fri, Nov 11, 2011
Have you noticed how the face of business has turned online. In the past getting your name out as a business was easy, hire an ad agency, get a billboard, simple. Now with the amount of companies competing online it’s becoming more difficult for businesses to stand out. When everything was more local, many businesses were the only option for customers to get what they need, so customers would come to them, all they had to do was be open. Now, with all the options open to people, companies have to reevaluate the way they sell. They have to give potential customers a reason to choose them out of the unending choices. Having a strong online presence is an excellent way to do this, here are a few ways.
Becoming Mobile
Mobile devices are hardly rare now-a-days, people carry them to make their lives easier by staying connected to their business and personal life when they are on the go. Because of this many small-business owners want to create mobile sites. These sites retain the branding that the company wants but allows for faster, easier navigation on a mobile device. Creating a mobile site makes your company more available to consumers.
Social Sites
These are an interesting phenomena, originally they were intended as sites primarily for personal socializing. But when Facebook came out, their clean utilitarian site enticed businesses owners. Those individuals realized they could reach a wide audience by creating a social face for their business. Now nearly every business has a Facebook page. Social sites give companies a platform to share interesting and fun content that is related to their industry with consumers. Creating this on-line community is a passive way to create sales. You might have heard about Google , they have recently unveiled their business pages. Check out this walk-though to learn how you can create a Google business page. Social sites are a nonintrusive way to communicate with a large audience that I predicted the relationship between businesses and social sites a long and fruitful one.
On-line Education
Providing something educational for prospective clients is a great strategy to develop trust. A couple of ways companies can do this is through webinars and blogs. You have probably noticed the growing popularity of blogs. Companies can stay ahead of their competition by showing their in depth knowledge in their field with on-line education.
While we still see store fronts and most of us like to visit a local shop and meet the owner who is working behind the counter we can’t deny that the face of business is more Web facing then street. Being aware of this and knowing why this is will make us both a more informed consumer and/or business owner. This article has some good reasons for having an on-line presence.
Terminal IT Support
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Wed, Nov 09, 2011
During the 3-day PhotoPlus Expo in New York, several exhibitors displayed their latest advances in photography technology. There were a huge array of cameras, lenses, printers, clothing, gear, gizmos and gadgets on display. The Expo was heavily bent towards the professional photographer and the casual weekend or hobbyist cameraman may have felt left out. However, most of the latest introductions in technology were appropriate for both sections, even though some may be too highly priced. Here are 3 outstanding innovations showcased at the PhotoPlus Expo. A more detailed list of products displayed can be found here.
Sony DEV-3 and DEV-5 3D Binoculars
The Sony DEV-3 and DEV-5 3D Binoculars are like a gizmo straight out of the last blockbuster sci-fi movie! The videos and photographs shot from these binoculars products are astounding. Only the more complex model, the DEV-5, was on display. This multimedia camera boasts several amazing features including 3D binoculars, a 7-megapixel camera, and a 1080i video recorder. Ranging between $1400 - $2000, the DEV-3 and DEV-5 cost a pretty penny. However, if you are shopping for a superior quality, multifunctional digital camera, these binoculars may be a great choice.
Gorillapod Micro 250 and 350
Joby is famous for selling its line of bendy camera tripods. At their booth they displayed a new take on their tripod, the Gorillapod Micro. This new mini-tripod is stiff and can fold neatly under a camera without adding significant weight or bulk. They also come in a variety of sizes. Now you will be able to catch all those wonderful shots because you will never be without a tripod.
Wacom Cintiq 24HD Pen Display
The Wacom Cintiq 24HD Pen Display is ideal for both designers and professional photographers alike. Regardless of its high cost, the Wacom Cintiq 24HD is highly sought after and difficult to get your hands on. The display is well suited for its remarkable responsiveness and exacting detail. It’s well suited for anyone engaged in 3D design, animation, game development, industrial design or visual effects.
Although the PhotoPlus Expo was created for professionals in the photography and design industry, many amateurs and enthusiasts still prefer keeping up with state-of-the-art technology. The expo showcased countless other items, such as high-tech lighting, camera accessories, and jackets. Check out other articles about the Expo, and see some amazing innovations in photography.
Terminal IT Support
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Tue, Nov 08, 2011
The first thing needed to set up Remote Desktop is to find your default gateway to access the routers GUI or interface. To do this, you will need to find the Run tool that is part of Microsoft Windows. For Windows XP, go to your Start menu and look on the bottom right side of the menu. You should see the Run tool there. For Windows Vista and Windows 7, you can open the Windows menu and type Run in the search and it should come up to click on.
Once you have Run open, type CMD in the blank field and hit enter.
A black box called the command prompt should open with something like C:/Users/(name of your computer) Please type ipconfig and you should see something like below. You should write down the Default Gateway and IPv4 Address, which is in BOLD below.
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
Now that you have your default gateway and IPv4 address, it’s time to close the command prompt and proceed with opening ports on your router to allow remote connections.
To do this, open an internet browser and in the address field type the Default Gateway (in my case, 192.168.1.1). This should prompt you for a user name and password. These can be found through manufactures' websites or with a bit of googling. Cisco, a common router typically by default, has admin for a user name and admin as a password.
Once in the router you are going to look for port forwarding this is going to allow you to open ports and allow Remote Desktop through your router. Once you find Port Forwarding, you will need to fill in some information. You should see a couple of boxes that say Port blank to Port blank. You will type 3389 in both boxes. At the end of this string it will ask you what IP address you would like to open this port up to. Please enter the IP address that you wrote down earlier as the IPv4 address while looking up your ipconfig. Click save and you’re done with the router part of the setup.
Now all that’s left to do is to turn on Remote Desktop on your PC. For this you will need to go to your computer's advanced settings. This can be found in Windows XP by right-clicking on My Computer and going to properties. Windows Vista and Windows 7 users will need to right click on Computer and go to properties and click on the Advanced System Settings.
Once in Properties, open the remote tab. You will have 3 choices to allow remote connections please choose that one that suites you best. Click Apply and OK. That should be it. You are now ready to remote into your computer. If you are away from home, you will need your public IP address. While at home, this can be found by going to www.whatsmyip.com or www.ipchicken.com. You will need this to get into your machine from off the network. If you are home, simply type in your IP address or the name of the computer from any other PC on your network.
Some last few things: You will need to let Remote Desktop through your Windows firewall and or Anti-Virus. You can find these instructions with a little googling.
Dennis Foote- System Engineer
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Mon, Nov 07, 2011
I do not usually endorse products, but when I come across one that is good and works well, I feel I should share the wealth.
The product is called Driver Genius, and that’s what it is! It is a driver locator software that I seem to use more and more. I get a lot of reinstalls for computers and laptops. Some of them come with good driver support and some do not. Even the good ones get old. Windows 7 is good at finding a lot of drivers, but for the specific system board drivers or the hard-to-find drivers, it does not always find what you need.
Once you install Driver Genius and update the database, you just set it to scan and it will find everything you need. I have used it on a bunch of machines at this point and it has not let me down, so check it out!
Kristen Hewes - Hardware Technician
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Fri, Nov 04, 2011
You likely have read a lot about the world becoming more and more connected. We don’t only mean with individuals but within our own lives as well. Having our devices more connected makes life simpler. Device connectivity can prevent you from interrupting your work, for example, by transferring a document you are working on at home to your smartphone you can work on it during your commute using a voice transcription app. Microsoft has an interesting take on the future of connectivity, click here to see a video of their vision. This may not be very far off and it begs the question: what apps, devices, or combination of the two will help build a future such as this? Below are a few that I have discovered.
iControl
Comcast recently unveiled its home energy management and surveillance product called iControl. This robust product permits people to adjust the temperature of their homes, turn lights off and on, and watch their homes through video. iControl software plus Comcast broadband along with additional hardware and apps allow customers to have full control over their home environments.
Air Sharing
This app for the iPad permits you to use your iPad or iPhone as an external hard drive for your computer. Having the ability to effortlessly access and transfer your documents allows for more mobility in your workday.
AirPlay
Wirelessly stream music, videos, and photos to Apple TV using Apple’s AirPlay. This allows you to flow easily from your walk, where you were listening to a podcast or audio book, to your home without disturbing your entertainment.
I see a future filled with gadgets, apps, and software that work harmoniously to make our day-to-day lives flow without difficulty. Connectivity does not just mean that we are connected to the rest of the world but that all components of our lives are connected together so that our technology can execute tasks one step ahead of us. If this means less waiting, I’m all for it…are you?
Terminal IT Support
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA
Posted on Wed, Nov 02, 2011
It’s been 25 years since Back to the Future played in movie theaters. In the original film, Marty McFly travels back in time to 1955 Hill Valley. While there, he inadvertently disrupts the space-time continuum and his mother ends up falling for him instead of his dad. Freudian theories aside, Marty is able to salvage his parent’s relationship and his ultimate existence. After he’s able to return to 1985, he immediately learns that he must travel into the future to save his kids. Through his travels, we see Hill Valley as it was in 1955, 1985 and the future. Should you step back and look at where we are in 2011, does our existence today look more like the film’s past or the second film’s vision of the future?
Where did we think we would be by 2011? Certainly there’d be flying cars and hover boards, wouldn’t there? Yet, we’re still driving fuel-burning cars, riding bicycles and scooters, all traveling on the ground and not through the air. Of course the computer is essential to our everyday lives, but what of the other technology around us? In essence, the things we use most haven’t changed very much in the last 70 years. By 1940, the TV had been invented; cars were furnished with air conditioning and radios, and films were in color. The special effects in 1939’s Wizard of Oz still hold-up today.
Many movies in the past, however, have prophesied some of the advances we use today. Arnold Schwarzenegger was caught carrying a gun through a full-body x-ray machine trying to board a plane in Total Recall. Airports are now employing very similar tech. In Minority Report, Tom Cruise deftly moves from image to image, mirroring the type of touch screen technology, 3D monitors and holograms that will exist – if they don’t already – in the very near future. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, Pan Am flies the common man to outer space. Virgin Atlantic is making that possible today for that same traveler, though they need to shell out $200,000 for a seat.
We might not have flying cars or hover boards, but we do have Jetson-like videophones. We can Skype to the 4 corners of the earth and chat with relatives or friends for hours for free. We can clone animals. We are in ethical debates over genetic engineering. We use lasers in everything from astronomy to surgery. Yet if you were to look at life all around us, does it look more like 1955 than 2055? We’re really no closer to being able to fly to work as Dorothy was to returning to Kansas when she first arrived in Oz.
Where does that put us? The future is truly happening all around us. Its seen in video billboards, the Internet tracking our every website click or online purchase, and 3D TVs and binoculars. We can still go to the movies – only now it might break your budget if you have a family of four. Still, the old axiom is true: the more things change, the more they stay the same. Chevrolet is still producing gas-powered convertibles, Universal is still making bad sequels, and you can still watch Back to the Future. Only now you can enjoy it on your phone.
Terminal IT Support
Give Us a Call 617-731-6319 and Ask a Professional IT Support Technician Any Questions You May Have!
Sincerely, Terminal We Serve All of Greater Boston and Cambridge, MA