Aug 28, 2014 | Backup, Computer Repair, Computer technology, email, General, internet, News, Security
You heard it right ” Get a free year of LastPass Premium!”
If you are like me you have a ton of user names and passwords, on a lot of different sites. Using the same user name and password over and over is not only stupid, but it is dangerous and impossible. Every site has different naming rules for your passwords, must have 1 capital letter, needs a symbol, can’t have a symbol, needs a number and a capital letter, this list goes on for ages. Who can remember which variation of your user names and passwords that you used for 50 different web sites? LastPass can.
I was like most people, I knew my main password and the variations to an extent, and honestly relied on my browser to remember my password on a lot of things. But then disaster struck, I needed computer repair at my office in Boston. It was a bad hard drive and although data recovery was successful, my browser settings were reset and all my stored passwords were GONE.
I spoke to my boss about this and he immediately chimed in with “why aren’t you using LastPass?” To which I asked what it was, and he told me that LastPass stores all your passwords in 1 spot. All I would need to remember from now on was my LastPass password and I would never need to learn another password again. I was excited, but skeptical at the same time. What if someone hacked my LastPass account? Then they would have a smorgasbord of information from my student loans, to my credit cards even my bank account.
So I did my homework. ?LastPass has NEVER been hacked, NEVER. They are a security focused app, dedicated to securing passwords.?Furthermore, like any other service,?you should be using two-factor authentication with LastPass. If you do, someone with your master password still will not be able to access your account, even in the event of a breach. If you want to take it to the next level, you can?put together this awesome thumb drive-based system?and?enable these features?for extra two-factor security. LastPass is available for your desktop, and all smartphones and tablets! LastPass is also great for any types of businesses, like Law Firms or Dental Offices where you have a lot of different places you need to log in to.?
Check out this video to learn more about LastPass or Click Here for your Free Year of LastPass!
Aug 28, 2014 | General
Members of my Downtown Chapter of BNI are always looking for ways to use BNI connect. One thing we are trying to do is get more visitors to come to our chapter.? One of the biggest tools that we can use is an email created by BNI to send to our visitors. ?There are a few steps to doing this and the walk-through below will show you how.
If you are a member of another chapter of BNI and want to learn how to invite a visitor this will work with any BNI member who has a BNI connect account. ?So if you are from another chapter please share this informative walk-through to help your chapter grow. ?If you have any questions about this walk-through please feel free to email me at jruthaford@geekchoice.com. ?If you have never heard of BNI before and maybe interested in joining a chapter you may also reach out to me.
BNI stands for Business Networking International and is an organization that has been formed to help businesses network with each other. ?I have been a member of the Downtown Boston BNI chapter for 3 years and I am part of the membership committee of our group.
Now here is how you send a visitor an email through BNI connect:
1. Sign into bniconnect
2. From there you are going to select the Operations selection at the top of the menu.
3.? Now you will have to select create email on the left side and then on the right you will see multiple selections and make sure to select Email Visitor Invitation.
4.? Now you will just have to put in the visitors information and you can also put in a personalized message and when that is complete just hit send and you are done!
Here is a look at the actual email your visitor would receive.
That is how you email a visitor through BNI connect.? Thank you for reading this walk-through. If you enjoyed this and want to learn more about Geek Choice please visit our main page at geekchoice.com.?? Also don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Aug 27, 2014 | internet, networking
Shouldn’t social media be the perfect place to debate social, political and spiritual issues? Since it’s a social no-no to talk about sex, religion and politics at the dinner table,? surely you can vent it all on the Internet, right? Maybe not.
According to studies done by Pew Charitable Research and Rutgers University, sites like Facebook, Twitter, My Space, and You Tube actually hinders debate. In fact, these studies suggests social media websites silences public opinion all together, especially if it goes against the crowd. What’s happening is that in social media, just like in the real world, we surround ourselves and friend ourselves with people just like us. And we want to remain in good standing with our friends and followers, so we don’t dare post anything that could be looked at as different, challenging, or controversial. But they’re more complex issues behind this kind of online conformity. Twitter just said it will allow anyone to read your tweets, whether they’re followers or not. Facebook says it will hide certain stories. It’s well known employers, landlords, and other authority figures can and often do check peoples’ social media sites. Then there is the social epidemic of cyber bulling.? Nobody wants to be the victim of that. Not too many people want to be seen as the cyber bully either.
Social media conformity, to me, is disturbing and sad. This almost reads like jr. high or high school all over again. How many people fought and died for the right to speak our mind, no matter how unpopular it is, so long as we don’t put anyone in harm’s way. If you’re uncomfortable with what he/she said, just un-friend or dis-follow them. Crackdowns on certain social media sited aren’t helping. I have been long against employers checking social media pages as some litmus test if someone gets hired or fired. And as far as cyber bulling as concerned, please, let’s be disagreeable, but respectable about it. I know it’s cool to many to people to see how many likes they can get, but isn’t that falling into a popularity contest? Shouldn’t we make social media a place where all ideas are heard and respected, not just those that are conforming, cool and popular?
Aug 26, 2014 | Computer technology, News
Food delivery apps have made it easier, at least in the eyes of some, to get food delivered to your doorstep. Now, five college students are getting in on the app action, using one of America’s favorite foods.
The app is called Push for Pizza and it’s getting quite the buzz in the mainstream and technology based media. It’s created by three students attending Brown University and two students attending M.I.T. All five grew up in Brooklyn. Here is how the app works: download the app then enter your location and payment information. Choose between cheese and pepperoni. The order will go to a pizzeria near you. This is done through restaurant databases like Delivery.com and Order.in. Though you can only get Push for Pizza on Apple devices, these computer science majors are working around the clock to get this on Android.? Everything, including tip, is paid for before the driver gets to your door.? The app is free to download. The five inventors are Cyrus Summerlin and Max Hellerstein, ages 19, and Will Haack, Graham Carling and Demitri Nava, age 20. They get a small percentage cut every time a pizza is ordered through this app. Now, they’re talking about spin-offs.
I must say, I’m inspired that a group of men this young of age are inventing apps that could possible change the way we get our food. I dare not say where my head was at 19 and 20 years old. Some may laugh at this app, and say these guys are too young, but I wonder how many other young technological entrepreneurs were laughed at. With that being said, they need to add more options on their pizza menu. As a pizza fan, I find just cheese and pepperoni a little boring. Throw some meat lovers’ on the menu. They’re also peddling this app to larger pizza chains, which is a good thing. Will the larger pizza chains listen?
Aug 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
I know what you’re thinking. Matt what does Mtn Dew have to do with Computer Repair? EVERYTHING!!! Mtn Dew is the lifeblood that drives us computer geeks. Like water for a plant, Mtn Dew enables us the sugar rush we need to keep going. Whether it is a 24 hour gaming session with our clan mates, or an 8 hour server installation at your Law Office. After it’s discontinuation here in Boston, in 2011, Livewire Mtn Dew (orange flavored dew) Was near unfindable. It left me with a hole in my heart that could not be filled by anything else. Oh, sure, I tried Voltage, Typhoon, White Out and even Revolution, but it wasn’t the same. Some people switched to Orange Crush, or Fanta, but I am sorry but those are gross. I want my Orange Mtn Dew, I want my Livewire. Then in the middle of the work day, today just mere moments ago, my coworker Joe walked through the door and triumphantly proclaimed, while hoisting this bottle of orange gold high in the air “IT IS BACK!!” A tear came to my eye and I almost couldn’t even bring myself to open the bottle, even as Joe had almost finished his. I did open and indulge, and it is every bit as awesome as it was 3 years ago. So now you know, contact your local convenience store tell them to stock ?it! Enjoy this treat, who knows when it shall be gone. Also, now that your local Geek Choice techs are properly fueled, feel free to give us a call if you have any issues with your computer here in Boston, or anywhere else since we do service everywhere in the US! 800-433-5435
Aug 25, 2014 | General, Software
This year, Amazon has created many ways to expand it’s empire, from drones to grocery delivery services. They’ve created their own credit card reader system, geared toward small businesses and to compete against systems like Square. It turns out they’re only scratching the surface.
Now they’re planning their own in-store payment system. They’re trying to make it easier for brick-and-motor shops (stores with physical presence and transactions between real people) to sell with Amazon. Meanwhile, Amazon shoppers can get their merchandise the same day it was paid for. The shippers’ job would be shortened greatly. If Amazon can convince business owners to use their in-store payment system, this could change everything for everybody. One way this could happen is the customer reserves the product on Amazon.com and they go to the physical store to pick it up. Or, customers see what they like, buy it at the store, and have it delivered the same day. As expected, Amazon personnel are being hush about this potential system. Wouldn’t want to spill too much too early. And whose to say this system will ever launch at all?
First and foremost, Amazon needs to start building trust relationships with these business owners. Nobody is going to do anything with you or for you unless they trust you. I would aim for mid-level businesses. Major corporations will probably be harder to coax into this system. Small businesses may not have the power or will to carry such a system. Nothing of this magnitude will happen quickly or suddenly. I doubt you will see Amazon’s in-store payment system anytime in 2014. This could do a lot of people a lot of good. Businesses could get more revenue through Amazon. Customers can get their product faster than waiting days for shipping. But could this system hinder small businesses and their systems?
Aug 24, 2014 | Uncategorized
How many apps do you have on your smartphone device? What are the chances that everyone else has them? A website called comScore tallied the top 25 most downloaded apps. Some of what made the list, and what didn’t, may surprise you.
These numbers are based on how many adults 18+ have these apps and how frequently they’re used. Facebook by far takes the #1 spot with a whopping 115.4 million unique visitors. You Tube placed a distant second: 83.4 visitors. That’s not to say Google is slacking in the app race. They’re not. You Tube, Google Play, Google Search, Google Maps, and Gmail all made the top ten. Maps in general seem to be popular, as believe it or not, Apple Maps made the top 10. You like to download music? So do a lot of people. Apple’s iTunes radio is listened to by 40 million people as an app.
To me, it’s hard to believe Facebook Messenger made the top 25 list, at 39.2 million views. Twitter followed them. Netflix and it’s popular shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black made the list with 27.6 million unique visitors. Rounding out the top 25 are eBay, Skype, Shazam, Yahoo Mail and Kik Messenger.
There are a few more surprises. No games made the top 25, not even Angry Birds, Air Assault or Crazy Birds. The most popular downloaded games only have 10 million visitors, while Kik Messenger, last on the list, had over 17 million. Google had six companies represented, while Microsoft only had Skype represented. Between you and me, I’m surprised Skype only made 22. That’s on it’s way to being the most popular app around. Mark my word. I hope Facebook really listens to people’s complaints about Messenger and takes heed, or their listings will probably decline. How does this list surprise you? What’s to make of the most popular apps?
Aug 23, 2014 | General, Uncategorized
Do you like going to work? In a recent survey, only a minority around the world even like their jobs. In the US, only 30% of workers like their jobs. Does that have to do with work culture? If it does, then people must love their technology based jobs.
I say that because the job search website Glassdoor has evaluated the top 25 best corporations to work for based on work culture. Work culture includes friendly co-workers, good pay, opportunities for advancement, comrade-re between co-workers, non-oppressive work hours, among other aspects. Of the top 25 companies with the best work culture, 11 of them are technology or Internet based. Twitter ranked number one. Google and Facebook made the top five. Apple staggers in at number 15, and Adobe at number 20. Why do so many tech companies have such great work culture? At many of these workplaces, even interns make more monthly than the average American. They have lots of perks and benefits. In fact, Google ranks number one in this category. Twitter employees praise the intelligence and friendliness of their co-workers. They even have team meetings on the roof. Why would anyone want to call in sick when your next meeting is on a roof overlooking a fabulous skyline?
There’s a lesson to be learned here. Not only do these companies have great work cultures, they are very successful to say the least! So employers, it does pay to treat your employees like decent human beings instead of property. And it doesn’t hurt to spoil them rotten once in a while. And you have to love what you do. When you’re working for a purpose, and not just a paycheck, of course people are going to have a positive attitude and the office culture will be pleasant. Which companies do you think have the worst work culture?
Aug 22, 2014 | General
Imagine going out to dinner. You order the appetizer, entree, desert, maybe a couple of drinks. Then comes the awkward time to pay the tab and you’re scared of the damage you’ve done, more so if you’re paying for someone else or other people’s tab. Open Table is here to help.
Submitted for your approval is the Open Table’s payment feature app. It allows you to pay your bill, even the tip, with your smartphone device and the waiter doesn’t even have to give you the bill. Don’t go doing this everywhere. It’s only available in New York City. It’s only available at 45 restaurants in New York City. What the customer does is make the reservation, through Open Table, and open the app when they’re ready to pay (kinda like how I paid for coffee this morning). Open Table will email you the receipt. Sorry, this app can’t do split tabs. By the end of 2014, Open Table hopes to have the payment feature app functioning in 20 major U.S. cities. They’re not the first to venture into this. Cover is an app that lets you pay on your smartphone device. Not only that, Cover lets you split the bill.
You hear that, Open Table? I sometimes go out with a group of people to a restaurant. Sometimes a bill has to be split so the burden doesn’t fall on one person. Remember that. Other than that, I say this is a good app. It takes a lot of embarrassment away. Imagine when the check comes and not having enough cash or enough on your card. It lets you leave a little earlier too. I think it’s good for servers. It saves them time and energy, and they know they’re going to be paid. Have any of our New York City friends use this app?
Aug 22, 2014 | Computer technology, Entertainment, General, internet, News, Wireless
You hear it out there in the wind every time a new iPhone is coming out, “it’s gonna have a bigger screen!” In the end, Apple makes the screen .01 inches bigger and tells you that it is because the measurements are ideal to fit in your hand. The iPhone6 comes with the same rumors, BIGGER SCREEN. But we have an image of claimed Foxconn schematics of the iPhone6 with a 4.7 inch screen. This makes it far more comparable to the HTC One M8?and the Galaxy S5. The picture below shows the comparable rumored size courtesy of another tech blog.
Although it will still be slightly smaller than those two, we here at our Boston office are a mixed bag of iPhone, HTC and Galaxy users, each one claiming superiority. But the one constant has been that the iPhone always had a tiny screen, now the difference is fairly insignificant, that argument will be out the door with the iPhone6. Not only will the iPhone6 apparently have a larger screen, but should end up 1mm thinner than it’s competitors giving it a more dynamic feel.
Now I will warn everyone not to get too excited, as we have been duped before. I know I was excited about the iPhone5 only to find out the major revelation was that they put the headphone jack on the bottom so I can’t use my Beats By Dre headphones without breaking my Otterbox on the bottom or buying an extension (thanks for nothing Apple) We will all have to wait for the rumored September 9th press conference where we are assuming they will unveil the new iPhone6 and all our prayer can be answered, or all our hopes and dreams crushed like we were 5 year olds who were jilted by Santa…..
Getting a new phone and need your contacts, email addresses, etc synced? Give Geek Choice a call or contact us via email!
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