How many tabs do you have open on your browser right now? How many of them do you absolutely need open right now Each tab you have open is using up memory and slowing down your browser. If you have tabs open that you don't need (but you also don't want to close), you can use this browser add on.
The Great Suspender will suspend those tabs in Chrome, closing them so they don't hog your resources but keeping the tab so you remember to return to it. When you do return, it reloads the page. The Great Suspender also has many customization features. For example, you can change the idle time before a tab is automatically suspended or whitelist sites so that they are never suspended.
If you use Firefox, you can use Suspend Tab, which has much of the same functionality.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
A Great Android Email Client
If you need an app to access email on your phone, I usually recommend the app for your email provider (the Gmail app for Gmail accounts, the Yahoo for Yahoo, etc.) While these may not be the best email apps, they are designed to work with all the major features that you are used to for your particular email provider.
However, if you have email accounts with several different providers, this can lead to a proliferation of email apps on your device. I have two Gmail accounts, one Yahoo account, and three accounts using the mail provider from the company that hosts my business website. It is much easier to use one app that keeps all these addresses in one place.
For the past year, I have used K-9 Mail to manage my various email accounts. K-9 Mail has support for most email accounts, and it can set up most accounts automatically. It also has support for the majority of email features. You will need to make a few adjustments in how you interact with the app (for example, you swipe right to select an email), but after some time you will become adjusted to it.
You can try out K-9 Mail by clicking here.
However, if you have email accounts with several different providers, this can lead to a proliferation of email apps on your device. I have two Gmail accounts, one Yahoo account, and three accounts using the mail provider from the company that hosts my business website. It is much easier to use one app that keeps all these addresses in one place.
For the past year, I have used K-9 Mail to manage my various email accounts. K-9 Mail has support for most email accounts, and it can set up most accounts automatically. It also has support for the majority of email features. You will need to make a few adjustments in how you interact with the app (for example, you swipe right to select an email), but after some time you will become adjusted to it.
You can try out K-9 Mail by clicking here.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Learn Office with These Webinars
Microsoft Office has changed substantially from its first version. I can remember my first experience with Office 2007 (the first to introduce ribbons instead of toolbars). I was in a college computer lab, and I sure had quite the time trying to figure out how to do simple things. Now that I am using Office 2013, ribbons seem like second nature, and switching back to an older version of Office would probably cause the same reaction now.
If you want to learn more about how to use Office, Microsoft has created a series of webinars that will help you learn the features. Scroll through and see which topics interest you.
Office 15-Minute Webinars
If you want to learn more about how to use Office, Microsoft has created a series of webinars that will help you learn the features. Scroll through and see which topics interest you.
Office 15-Minute Webinars
Friday, July 10, 2015
How to Get Your Annual Credit Report
One important part of keeping your identity secure is performing regular checks on your credit report. Even if you have had no signs of identity theft, checking your credit report can uncover signs before it gets out of hand. Your credit report gives potential lenders a quick summary of how risky it is to lend you money. Even if you have no plans to apply for a loan or credit card, it is still important to make sure your credit report is 100% accurate.
Under federal law, you are entitled to a free credit report every year from each of the three credit bureaus. If you space them out, you can obtain one every four months. You are also entitled to a free report if you have been denied credit because of negative information in a credit report or if you believe you may have been the victim of identity theft. If you have the opportunity to request a free credit report, then get one and check it out!
The three credit bureaus set up a site that will assist you in obtaining your free annual reports. Annualcreditreport.com will walk you through the process of requesting your credit report from any or all of the credit bureaus. DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT give your credit card number to any site claiming to offer you a free credit report. You may get your credit report, but you are also signing up for trial offers that you will have to cancel. Even worse, if the site is not legitimate, you could be giving your social security number to identity thieves.
Finally, the report should have information on what to do if any claim is inaccurate. Be sure to promptly report anything that is not accurate. You also have the opportunity to add a statement of up to 100 words on the report to explain items. However, most people recommend that you not do this except in very rare circumstances because your credit report is probably going to be processed by a computer and the statements that most people make only hurt their case. (For example, writing "I was late on this payment because I forgot to pay it while I was on vacation in Bermuda." is not going to help your report.)
Under federal law, you are entitled to a free credit report every year from each of the three credit bureaus. If you space them out, you can obtain one every four months. You are also entitled to a free report if you have been denied credit because of negative information in a credit report or if you believe you may have been the victim of identity theft. If you have the opportunity to request a free credit report, then get one and check it out!
The three credit bureaus set up a site that will assist you in obtaining your free annual reports. Annualcreditreport.com will walk you through the process of requesting your credit report from any or all of the credit bureaus. DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT give your credit card number to any site claiming to offer you a free credit report. You may get your credit report, but you are also signing up for trial offers that you will have to cancel. Even worse, if the site is not legitimate, you could be giving your social security number to identity thieves.
Finally, the report should have information on what to do if any claim is inaccurate. Be sure to promptly report anything that is not accurate. You also have the opportunity to add a statement of up to 100 words on the report to explain items. However, most people recommend that you not do this except in very rare circumstances because your credit report is probably going to be processed by a computer and the statements that most people make only hurt their case. (For example, writing "I was late on this payment because I forgot to pay it while I was on vacation in Bermuda." is not going to help your report.)
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Seven Steps for Secure Online Banking
The growth of the internet has made many routine activities more convenient. If we really wanted to, we could probably do almost everything (including many jobs) from our house. One very convenient item is online banking. I do remember the days when you had to call and listen to telephone prompts just to get your balance if the bank was closed. Now, log in and you can see your balance, a complete transaction history, and perform all types of balance transfers and bill payments.
However, the security of online banking depends on your security in a number of different areas. Here are some areas to consider before you log in to your online accounts:
1) Is Your Password Secure - We all know that we should be using more secure passwords, but most of us still use insecure ones. However, online banking is not the time to skimp on security. If your password is compromised, someone will have complete access to all your accounts. Make sure you are using a long password to secure your online accounts.
2) Review the Security Questions - Many sites use security questions as an alternate means of identification if you have forgotten your password. Unfortunately, many of these questions were highly insecure because they asked for information that was readily available. Yahoo was forced to review its policy on security questions after the 2008 hack of Sarah Palin's personal email account, where the attacker was able to obtain the answer to the security question asked from Palin's Wikipedia page.
3) Use Two-Factor Authentication - If your bank offers two-factor authentication, turn it on. This will require a second method of identification, such as a verification code sent to your email address or by text message. If you are not sure if your bank offers two-factor authentication, ask by email or at the branch. Some banks require it, others have it as an available option, and some do not offer it.
4) Keep Your Computer Safe - Malware can compromise even the best passwords and two-factor authentication systems. Make sure your computer is using an up-to-date antivirus product. Plus, when you are dealing with sensitive information such as online banking, it is also a good idea to use another product or two for occasional scans to catch anything your primary antivirus missed. (Do not have multiple products running at the same time; this will cause conflicts that may leave you unprotected.)
5) Watch for the Hook - A good antivirus will protect you from keyloggers and other malware, but it will not keep you from handing your information over to thieves through a phishing scam. Always be cautious with links contained in emails. Also, you may want to consider installing a browser extension that will alert you to potentially fraudulent sites.
6) Keep Your Connection Secure - Data that is sent on the internet travels through many different places before it reaches its destination. If one of those locations happens to be malicious, they could steal your information. Before you send any personal information (including your online banking login) over the internet, make sure you are doing it on an encrypted connection. Check your browser for a lock icon or "https" at the beginning of the address bar to indicate you are on a secure connection.
7) Stay Private - Even though your transmissions to and from your bank are encrypted, it is still a good idea to avoid doing banking on open Wi-Fi networks. Because these networks are open to anyone, an attacker could use them to conduct attacks designed to break your encryption, or they could attempt a man-in-the-middle attack to gain full access to all your data.
However, the security of online banking depends on your security in a number of different areas. Here are some areas to consider before you log in to your online accounts:
1) Is Your Password Secure - We all know that we should be using more secure passwords, but most of us still use insecure ones. However, online banking is not the time to skimp on security. If your password is compromised, someone will have complete access to all your accounts. Make sure you are using a long password to secure your online accounts.
2) Review the Security Questions - Many sites use security questions as an alternate means of identification if you have forgotten your password. Unfortunately, many of these questions were highly insecure because they asked for information that was readily available. Yahoo was forced to review its policy on security questions after the 2008 hack of Sarah Palin's personal email account, where the attacker was able to obtain the answer to the security question asked from Palin's Wikipedia page.
3) Use Two-Factor Authentication - If your bank offers two-factor authentication, turn it on. This will require a second method of identification, such as a verification code sent to your email address or by text message. If you are not sure if your bank offers two-factor authentication, ask by email or at the branch. Some banks require it, others have it as an available option, and some do not offer it.
4) Keep Your Computer Safe - Malware can compromise even the best passwords and two-factor authentication systems. Make sure your computer is using an up-to-date antivirus product. Plus, when you are dealing with sensitive information such as online banking, it is also a good idea to use another product or two for occasional scans to catch anything your primary antivirus missed. (Do not have multiple products running at the same time; this will cause conflicts that may leave you unprotected.)
5) Watch for the Hook - A good antivirus will protect you from keyloggers and other malware, but it will not keep you from handing your information over to thieves through a phishing scam. Always be cautious with links contained in emails. Also, you may want to consider installing a browser extension that will alert you to potentially fraudulent sites.
6) Keep Your Connection Secure - Data that is sent on the internet travels through many different places before it reaches its destination. If one of those locations happens to be malicious, they could steal your information. Before you send any personal information (including your online banking login) over the internet, make sure you are doing it on an encrypted connection. Check your browser for a lock icon or "https" at the beginning of the address bar to indicate you are on a secure connection.
7) Stay Private - Even though your transmissions to and from your bank are encrypted, it is still a good idea to avoid doing banking on open Wi-Fi networks. Because these networks are open to anyone, an attacker could use them to conduct attacks designed to break your encryption, or they could attempt a man-in-the-middle attack to gain full access to all your data.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Which Type of Hard Drive Should You Buy?
For years, the only type of hard drive available was the traditional magnetic hard drive. These drives contained several magnetic platters that spun at fast speeds with data written and read by small arms. While these magnetic drives are still the most popular drives, solid state drives are starting to catch up. Solid state drives eliminate the moving parts (which cause the majority of traditional hard drive failures) and replace them with memory similar to what is contained in flash drives. However, any time you have an option, you have to decide which is right for you. Here are some factors to consider when deciding between a traditional drive and a solid state drive:
Storage Capacity - Traditional hard drives have a slight edge here when considering storage capacity alone, but it is not much. While traditional hard drives can currently store as much as 10 TB of data, most consumer-grade drives come in the range of 1-2 TB. While I have seen solid state drives as large as 2 TB, most will hold around 250-500 GB of data.
However, the real storage capacity factor comes when you consider the price per amount of data stored. When you consider the price per unit, solid state drives are much more expensive than traditional hard drives. For similar-sized drives, the price for a solid state drive usually runs at least twice as much as a traditional drive. If you are looking to store large amounts of data (such as a movie collection), then you will definitely want to store it on traditional drives.
Performance - Traditional hard drives require the arm to maneuver to the right place on the platter at exactly the right time. If the arm gets there late, it has to wait for the next spin. While these drives spin thousands of times per second, too much waiting for the arm to get in the right spot can slow performance. This is especially true when a file's data is spread across the drive instead of being located in adjacent sectors. Older computers solved this problem through "defragmenting", which moved files around to get them into adjacent sectors of the drive. If you used computers in the 1990s or 2000s, you are probably familiar with this process. Windows now defragments your drive automatically, so you do not need to schedule a time to do it.
However, solid state drives have the edge in performance, even against a defragmented traditional drive. They are designed so that any sector of the drive can be accessed in the same amount of time. While the difference may not be noticed as much on a single file, I noticed a definite difference when I installed a solid state drive and loaded a fresh copy of Windows on it.
Durability - Solid state drives have a slight edge in durability, especially for laptops. Traditional drives have a lot of moving parts, and one of those parts may break or scratch the platter at any moment. While it is rare, it is possible for a drive to be fully functional one moment and unreadable the next. (It is much more common to have some warning--such as a noise or burning smell--before a drive goes bad.) By eliminating the moving parts, solid state drives are safer, but they can wear out, especially if you are saving a large amount of data to it. However, studies have shown that solid state drives can last for at least twenty years under normal use in a personal computer. Even if it only makes it to half that time, you will probably be ready to replace your computer anyway.
Which type of drive is better really depends on your needs. If you need a substantial amount of storage, you will probably benefit from the cheaper price of traditional media. If you value performance because most of your activity is online, you might want to consider a solid state drive. You can also consider hybrid drives that make use of both types of memory or create your own "hybrid" by using one (or more) of each.
Storage Capacity - Traditional hard drives have a slight edge here when considering storage capacity alone, but it is not much. While traditional hard drives can currently store as much as 10 TB of data, most consumer-grade drives come in the range of 1-2 TB. While I have seen solid state drives as large as 2 TB, most will hold around 250-500 GB of data.
However, the real storage capacity factor comes when you consider the price per amount of data stored. When you consider the price per unit, solid state drives are much more expensive than traditional hard drives. For similar-sized drives, the price for a solid state drive usually runs at least twice as much as a traditional drive. If you are looking to store large amounts of data (such as a movie collection), then you will definitely want to store it on traditional drives.
Performance - Traditional hard drives require the arm to maneuver to the right place on the platter at exactly the right time. If the arm gets there late, it has to wait for the next spin. While these drives spin thousands of times per second, too much waiting for the arm to get in the right spot can slow performance. This is especially true when a file's data is spread across the drive instead of being located in adjacent sectors. Older computers solved this problem through "defragmenting", which moved files around to get them into adjacent sectors of the drive. If you used computers in the 1990s or 2000s, you are probably familiar with this process. Windows now defragments your drive automatically, so you do not need to schedule a time to do it.
However, solid state drives have the edge in performance, even against a defragmented traditional drive. They are designed so that any sector of the drive can be accessed in the same amount of time. While the difference may not be noticed as much on a single file, I noticed a definite difference when I installed a solid state drive and loaded a fresh copy of Windows on it.
Durability - Solid state drives have a slight edge in durability, especially for laptops. Traditional drives have a lot of moving parts, and one of those parts may break or scratch the platter at any moment. While it is rare, it is possible for a drive to be fully functional one moment and unreadable the next. (It is much more common to have some warning--such as a noise or burning smell--before a drive goes bad.) By eliminating the moving parts, solid state drives are safer, but they can wear out, especially if you are saving a large amount of data to it. However, studies have shown that solid state drives can last for at least twenty years under normal use in a personal computer. Even if it only makes it to half that time, you will probably be ready to replace your computer anyway.
Which type of drive is better really depends on your needs. If you need a substantial amount of storage, you will probably benefit from the cheaper price of traditional media. If you value performance because most of your activity is online, you might want to consider a solid state drive. You can also consider hybrid drives that make use of both types of memory or create your own "hybrid" by using one (or more) of each.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
A Great Video Editor
Recently, I accepted a new technological task: editing my church's services into programs that will be broadcast on a local public-access TV station. Obviously, one of my first tasks was to find a video editing program that I could use. While I could have spent hundreds of dollars on software like Adobe Premier or Final Cut, I wanted to see if there was something I could use that would be cheaper.
I experimented with a wide variety of free, open-source software for both Windows and Linux, and I have to say that I was highly disappointed until I came to one of my final options. Some of the editors I tried did not work at all, and others had only basic video editing features. However, when I came to Blender, I found a program that would fulfill all my editing needs.
Blender is actually an animation program intended for creating Pixar-like animated movies. However, it also contains a video editor that can be used for editing any type of video. While I do not have a substantial amount of experience in the video editing realm, reviews online say that Blender's editing features rival the expensive paid software options I mentioned earlier. Since it is open source, you can always submit requests for new features to be included in future versions of the software. Plus, if you know the Python programming language, you can write your own custom scripts and include them.
Blender does use some different key combinations than other software, so if you are familiar with Premier or Final Cut, you may find that it takes some time to get used to Blender. However, there are a wide variety of tutorials available on Youtube that discuss both the animation and video editing features of Blender.
I experimented with a wide variety of free, open-source software for both Windows and Linux, and I have to say that I was highly disappointed until I came to one of my final options. Some of the editors I tried did not work at all, and others had only basic video editing features. However, when I came to Blender, I found a program that would fulfill all my editing needs.
Blender is actually an animation program intended for creating Pixar-like animated movies. However, it also contains a video editor that can be used for editing any type of video. While I do not have a substantial amount of experience in the video editing realm, reviews online say that Blender's editing features rival the expensive paid software options I mentioned earlier. Since it is open source, you can always submit requests for new features to be included in future versions of the software. Plus, if you know the Python programming language, you can write your own custom scripts and include them.
Blender does use some different key combinations than other software, so if you are familiar with Premier or Final Cut, you may find that it takes some time to get used to Blender. However, there are a wide variety of tutorials available on Youtube that discuss both the animation and video editing features of Blender.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Should You Upgrade to Windows 10?
If you have a computer running Windows 7 or 8.1, you have probably seen the "Get Windows 10" icon in your system tray. Even if your computer is running a different operating system, you have probably heard the news covering the release of Windows 10 later this month. However, Windows 10 is not for everyone. Here are some reasons why you might not want to click that icon and take your upgrade.
1) Your Computer Is Old - Windows 7 was released in October 2009, meaning that there are some Windows 7 computers that are almost six years old. While this is not an extremely old age, some of your hardware might not be designed to work with Windows 10. Although, Microsoft has promised support for older devices, and the number of people testing Windows 10 right now probably means that it can be supported across a wide range of devices, computers more than two or three years old might encounter some glitches with the Windows 10 upgrade. Since Windows 7 is promised support for another five years, it might be a good idea to stick with an older copy of Windows.
If your computer is running Windows 8, it will probably be new enough that the transition to Windows 10 should be relatively smooth.
2) Your Connected Devices are Old - The operating system doesn't just have to support your computer; it also has to support the other devices you connect to it. Windows 10 may run fine on your computer, but it may not support an older printer, scanner, gaming device, etc. If you have some older devices, you may want to stick with Windows 7.
3) Windows 10 Doesn't Have What You Want - Windows 10 is dropping support for some programs and features. For example, if you use Windows Media Center, it will be removed if you upgrade to Windows 10. It will also lack support for native DVD playback and desktop gadgets (although both can be added through the use of free programs).
4) You Aren't Technical - While Windows is supposed to install over your existing operating system, some people may experience glitches once the installation process begins. In this case, your only option may be to install a fresh copy of the operating system. If the thought of having to install Windows sounds scary to you, upgrading may not be something you want to do.
Even if Windows 10 installs correctly, there may be things that will not work like they are supposed to, or you may need to install extra drivers to regain functionality. If you are not comfortable trying to troubleshoot these problems, an upgrade may not be for you.
If you do decide to upgrade, I don't recommend upgrading right away unless you are capable of figuring out your own solutions to most problems. There will be glitches with the rollout process and support, especially for older devices. It will be best to wait two or three months and let others deal with the problems before you upgrade.
I have used the preview version of Windows 10 since it was first released last year, and I am currently running it as my main operating system. I think it is an excellent operating system, so it is certainly worth considering an upgrade.
1) Your Computer Is Old - Windows 7 was released in October 2009, meaning that there are some Windows 7 computers that are almost six years old. While this is not an extremely old age, some of your hardware might not be designed to work with Windows 10. Although, Microsoft has promised support for older devices, and the number of people testing Windows 10 right now probably means that it can be supported across a wide range of devices, computers more than two or three years old might encounter some glitches with the Windows 10 upgrade. Since Windows 7 is promised support for another five years, it might be a good idea to stick with an older copy of Windows.
If your computer is running Windows 8, it will probably be new enough that the transition to Windows 10 should be relatively smooth.
2) Your Connected Devices are Old - The operating system doesn't just have to support your computer; it also has to support the other devices you connect to it. Windows 10 may run fine on your computer, but it may not support an older printer, scanner, gaming device, etc. If you have some older devices, you may want to stick with Windows 7.
3) Windows 10 Doesn't Have What You Want - Windows 10 is dropping support for some programs and features. For example, if you use Windows Media Center, it will be removed if you upgrade to Windows 10. It will also lack support for native DVD playback and desktop gadgets (although both can be added through the use of free programs).
4) You Aren't Technical - While Windows is supposed to install over your existing operating system, some people may experience glitches once the installation process begins. In this case, your only option may be to install a fresh copy of the operating system. If the thought of having to install Windows sounds scary to you, upgrading may not be something you want to do.
Even if Windows 10 installs correctly, there may be things that will not work like they are supposed to, or you may need to install extra drivers to regain functionality. If you are not comfortable trying to troubleshoot these problems, an upgrade may not be for you.
If you do decide to upgrade, I don't recommend upgrading right away unless you are capable of figuring out your own solutions to most problems. There will be glitches with the rollout process and support, especially for older devices. It will be best to wait two or three months and let others deal with the problems before you upgrade.
I have used the preview version of Windows 10 since it was first released last year, and I am currently running it as my main operating system. I think it is an excellent operating system, so it is certainly worth considering an upgrade.
Friday, July 3, 2015
Spice Up Your Fourth of July
July 4th is more than just a day for barbecuing and fireworks. It commemorates the day that the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, declaring that the 13 colonies were free from the crown of Great Britain. Interestingly enough, only two of the 56 men who signed the Declaration actually signed it on July 4th.
If you want to impress your friends and family with your patriotic knowledge, head over to USA.gov's page on Independence Day. You can learn some fun facts about the day (for example, can you name the two Presidents who died on July 4, 1826--exactly 50 years after the Declaration's passage?) You can also see a list of patriotic songs and get information about our historical documents.
If you want a more in-depth history, here are two more pages to visit. The History Channel has a great interactive site. PBS's site for their annual concert, A Capitol Fourth, has a history section that covers not only Independence day, but also the history of our flag and the national mall.
If you want to learn more about the 56 men who signed the Declaration, head over to Amazon and get this book. Originally printed in 1848, it has been reprinted. Currently, it is available in Kindle edition for under $3 and print edition for under $10. (But you might want to check throughout the weekend to see if any sales are offered!)
Finally, nothing finishes off Independence Day like fireworks. If you can't make it to a fireworks display or want to see another one, get the free Fireworks Arcade app (an ad-free version is also available for 99 cents). Just open it and tap your screen for a great display, and shake to get the finale! Fireworks Arcade is available for both Android and iOS.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Keep Your Search History Private
It is no secret that Google wants to track what you do online. However, like many people, I keep using their products because Google's products work so well. If you use (or have used) Google search, then Google probably has a record of it, but that does not mean there is nothing you can do about it.
If there is a particular search topic you want Google to forget, you can try typing it. If a phrase appears in Google's suggested searches because of your search history, there will be a remove button next to it. If you only have one or two embarrassing search terms you want to remove, this is easiest way to hide them.
However, if you want to remove more items or delete your entire history, you will need to head over to the Google History page. The trends will appear at the top of the page, and just below the trends will be a list of your search history. To delete the items here, select them (or select the checkbox at the top to select them all) and click Remove Items.
If you have never done this before, and you have been using Google for a long time, deleting everything will probably be a tedious process. Fortunately, there is a better option if you want to wipe out your entire search history. Go to the upper right corner and look for the gear icon. Select it and choose "Remove Items". Using this option gives you several timeframes to wipe, and one is "From the beginning of time". You can also choose to wipe other activities at the same time.
Once you have eliminated your search history, you can also stop Google from tracking your future activity. Go back to the gear icon and select "Settings". On the Account Settings page that comes up, click on the "Pause" button. You will then be asked to confirm by clicking another "Pause" button in the windows that comes up. While this technically only pauses tracking, it stops it until you come back to "unpause" it. Never come back, and it stays permanent.
If there is a particular search topic you want Google to forget, you can try typing it. If a phrase appears in Google's suggested searches because of your search history, there will be a remove button next to it. If you only have one or two embarrassing search terms you want to remove, this is easiest way to hide them.
However, if you want to remove more items or delete your entire history, you will need to head over to the Google History page. The trends will appear at the top of the page, and just below the trends will be a list of your search history. To delete the items here, select them (or select the checkbox at the top to select them all) and click Remove Items.
If you have never done this before, and you have been using Google for a long time, deleting everything will probably be a tedious process. Fortunately, there is a better option if you want to wipe out your entire search history. Go to the upper right corner and look for the gear icon. Select it and choose "Remove Items". Using this option gives you several timeframes to wipe, and one is "From the beginning of time". You can also choose to wipe other activities at the same time.
Once you have eliminated your search history, you can also stop Google from tracking your future activity. Go back to the gear icon and select "Settings". On the Account Settings page that comes up, click on the "Pause" button. You will then be asked to confirm by clicking another "Pause" button in the windows that comes up. While this technically only pauses tracking, it stops it until you come back to "unpause" it. Never come back, and it stays permanent.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
How to Care for Your Device's Battery
More devices are being made with batteries that cannot be removed and changed easily. While this has allowed for even thinner devices, it also means facing a costly repair bill or a much more complicated DIY job when the battery starts to go bad. Therefore, it is best to try to extend your battery's life as long as possible. Here are some tips to care for your battery:
1) Keep It Cool - Extreme cold temperatures are not great for your batteries, but unless you are planning a move to northern Siberia, they probably don't pose a great risk. On the other hand, heat can destroy your battery quickly. Leaving your computer outside or in a hot car for long periods of time can destroy your battery quickly.
However, your computer's components also produce heat. It is usually recommended to remove your battery and go to wall power before doing any tasks that require intensive processing power (such as high-end gaming, video editing, etc.). However, you cannot remove a battery that is built inside of the computer. In this case, your best option is to use a cooling pad and make sure that there is plenty of ventilation.
2) Plug and Unplug - There is no definitive answer on whether or not it is better to leave your computer plugged in or let it run on battery power as much as possible, but the best solution is to do some of both. If you regularly run it off the battery, use it while plugged in occasionally. If you are normally connected to the wall, unplug it occasionally.
3) Store It Right - If you will not be using the laptop for a longer period of time, let the battery run down a little before you shut it off. Generally, it is recommended to store your computer with between 50% and 75% power.
4) Keep It Charged - Tests have shown that two 50% discharges keep your battery in better condition than a full discharge. If you have the opportunity to plug your computer in after it has dropped below 50%, then it is best to take that chance to plug in.
However, many manufacturers recommend that you do a full discharge occasionally to ensure that the reports it provides remain accurate.
1) Keep It Cool - Extreme cold temperatures are not great for your batteries, but unless you are planning a move to northern Siberia, they probably don't pose a great risk. On the other hand, heat can destroy your battery quickly. Leaving your computer outside or in a hot car for long periods of time can destroy your battery quickly.
However, your computer's components also produce heat. It is usually recommended to remove your battery and go to wall power before doing any tasks that require intensive processing power (such as high-end gaming, video editing, etc.). However, you cannot remove a battery that is built inside of the computer. In this case, your best option is to use a cooling pad and make sure that there is plenty of ventilation.
2) Plug and Unplug - There is no definitive answer on whether or not it is better to leave your computer plugged in or let it run on battery power as much as possible, but the best solution is to do some of both. If you regularly run it off the battery, use it while plugged in occasionally. If you are normally connected to the wall, unplug it occasionally.
3) Store It Right - If you will not be using the laptop for a longer period of time, let the battery run down a little before you shut it off. Generally, it is recommended to store your computer with between 50% and 75% power.
4) Keep It Charged - Tests have shown that two 50% discharges keep your battery in better condition than a full discharge. If you have the opportunity to plug your computer in after it has dropped below 50%, then it is best to take that chance to plug in.
However, many manufacturers recommend that you do a full discharge occasionally to ensure that the reports it provides remain accurate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)