Jan 3, 2017 | Computer technology
Computer maker Lenovo starts 2017 by launching new machines. But these machines are geared toward the gaming community. I’m sure that’s good news for many of you in the IT support community. So Let’s look at Lenovo gaming notebooks: a good buy?
They call these Lenovo gaming notebooks Legion Y520 and Legion Y720. Both cater to gaming community, but Legion Y720 is for the hardcore game players. It has a 15-inch FHS IDS display. You can also choose the higher resolution 4K IPS. In addition to that, it had Dolby Atmos sound. That means your sound effects are going to be a blast! It comes with Nvidia’s GeForceGTX 1060 GPU to accommodate VR systems. This Lenovo gaming notebook can handle four controllers and players at once. Furthermore, it has 16 GB of Ram, three USB 3.0 ports, and an audio jack. It’s battery can go five hours of battery life without a charger.
Then there’s the other Lenovo gaming notebook, the Legion Y520. They made this one for casual gamers. The Y520 has fewer features and is very to Dell Inspiron 15 7000. The Y520 glows only in red. Furthermore, it has only one USB Type C port. You can’t have VR features like you can the Y720. But this Lenovo gaming notebook is cheaper. Then again, it has less. These Lenovo gaming notebooks aren’t the only new toys they have to offer. Lenovo is getting into the smart home business.
They call this device the Lenovo Smart Assistance. It will run you $129.? But what about the Lenovo gaming notebooks? The Legion Y720 will be available in April 2017 and will cost you around $1,400. The Legion 520 will be available in February 2017 and will cost you around $900. But we know so little about the Y520. In fact, we know so little that it might be better to save up and get the Y720. Obviously, it gives you more. I know it’s for experience gamers. But I think the Y720 could be a great learning tool for others. Oh, if you ever need a screen replacement for those notebooks, we can do that. We also a wonderful record in laptops fixed. Don’t mean to toot our own horn, but there you go. Will you be one of these Lenovo gaming notebooks?
Jan 2, 2017 | General
First and foremost, we at Geek Choice wish you all a Happy New Year! Things should not be boring in the IT?support and computer repair business. But some businesses won’t do well. Some in the industry probably won’t make it to 2018. Let’s look at 2017 in tech: who won’t survive?
So the first name that comes to mind is . Their latest smartphone literally blew up on them. So did their washing machines. They’re building a Galaxy Note 8. But will it be enough? Will they comeback and thrive for 2017 in tech? Then there’s Go Pro. It seemed like a great concept at first, especially with the athletic vlogging crowd. Then, people started dying…literally. They laid off hundreds and had a horrible Q4 2017. Will they survive 2017 in tech?
Furthermore, there’s Windows Phone. My mom had one and it gave her problems from start to finish. She couldn’t wait to trade it in for an Android. But her situation isn’t unique. Not only are they too complex, they came too late in the game. Because Android, Apple and Samsung had the smartphone territory on lock. Will Windows Phone survive 2017 in tech? Then there’s You Tube Red? Ever hear of it? It gives you ad free You Tube Service…for $10 a month. But I think I can stand a few seconds of ads rather than pay that. So would most Americans. I don’t see You Tube Red surviving 2017 in tech.
And there are others on the chopping block. What will 2017 in tech hold for Yahoo, who struggles just to find a buyer? Also, what does it hold for Yahoo CEO Marissa Meyer? And what about Tidal, the streaming service started by musicians like Jay Z? Nobody is rushing to pay $20 for that service, especially when they can get just as good at half the cost. You can even put Twitter on the survival list. They’ve dealt with declining profits, layoffs, scandal and bullying. What will 2017 hold for them? It’s 2017 in tech: Who will survive?
Dec 31, 2016 | General
The year 2016 in tech is memorable, and hardly in a good way. Furthermore, in many ways, everything that could go wrong did. So here are five highlights (if you want to call them that) in the industry. 2016 in tech: Stop the madness!
First of all, there was the crazy election. Nearly everyone in Silicon Valley opposed Donald Trump. Then came Peter Thiel, the only Trump supporter in the area. But Thiel was pretty much ostracized for his support of Trump. Silicon Valley’s attacks on Trump were brutal. So was the egg on their faces when Trump won on November 8. But peace seems to be near. In December, Trump and Silicon Valley leaders met. Will they work together in 2017? Or will tensions get worse?
Also, there’s the Samsung Galaxy 7 Note disaster. No, 2016 in tech hasn’t been good to Samsung at all. Between September and October, these phones caused 3rd degree burns. They set homes on fire. Then, they forced airplanes to come back. And another thing…Samsung’s washing machines were a failure. But they’re planning a comeback with new products. Will Samsung comeback in 2017?
One celebrity that wants to forget 2016 in tech is Leslie Jones. This should have been the year of her life. But instead, she found herself the subject of racist trolling. It got so bad she had to shut her Twitter account down. This forced Twitter to tighten their laws when it comes to bullying and harassment. Twitter even banned a famous online personality. Did Twitter do the right thing? Or is too much political correctness?
And then there’s the Pokemon Go craze. We played it in our computer service shop on occasion. Don’t judge us: they even played Pokemon Go at church! Sounds like innocent fun, doesn’t it? Well, not so much. Drivers got into car accidents looking for Pokemon. Pedestrians put themselves in danger. Also, criminals used Pokemon Go to lure victims for robbery and assault. Homeowners even shot trespassers looking for Pokemon! So I ask again: Is Pokemon Go innocent?
In the wake of the election, many in the the tech community declared war on…ahem…’fake news‘. What does this have to do with 2016 in tech? Much! What they’re really doing is declaring a war on alternative media. They blame alternative media for Trump’s win over Hilary Clinton. Well, most alternative media comes from social media sites. Furthermore, they come from blogs and other online resources. But wait…there’s more. Fewer people trust mainstream media. Their ratings show it. And they’re losing money. More people seek online alternative news than ever before, including people in IT support. Will this trend continue in 2017?
What are your most memorable tech moments of 2016?
Dec 30, 2016 | News
Here’s what many say about 2016: “Thank God it’s almost over!” So believe me, most of us in computer repair feel the same way. But one headline that dominated the news this year is Russia hacking, particularly during the 2016 election. Russia hacking: how did this happen?
Before I go any further, I shall report the latest episode in this real life soap opera. The Obama Administration put sanctions on Russia. Such sanctions include kicking 35 Russian agents out of the USA. They also include penalties for some top Russian intelligence leaders. This Russian organization is called the G.R.U. Here is the full story.
Is it true? But if so, how did Russia hacking affect an election? According to one New York Times stories, it’s all about Moscow convincing top leaders in managed IT services.? This includes people like Aleksandr B. Vyarya. Vyarya was a Russian computer programmer. His job was to fight cyber crime. Then the Kremlin urged him to hack for his country. But he refused. Then he feared consequences. Hence, he fled to Finland. But for every refusal, you have dozens of Russians eager to join this cyber warfare. Those involved in Russia hacking include Russian CEOs to political leaders to military personnel, and criminals. Their work is secretive. Their offices are isolated bunkers. They communicate in code. We’ll never know who most of these guys are.
Russia hacking is real. I’m still don’t know about the election part. They could have interfered in the election. Russia has the manpower and capabilities to do it. But did they? Or are the Democrats using Russia hacking as a scapegoat for their loss? But there are many recent stories of Russia hacking US government agencies. We can’t deny this. Also, how will Putin react to these sanctions? Will this encourage more cyber warfare in the name of payback? And what is Trump going to do after he is sworn in on January 20, 2017? Where do USA and Russian relations go from here?
Dec 29, 2016 | Computer technology, Testimonial
The task of purchasing a computer. Everyone needs one today. As a result, everyone musts go through this process. So buying a computer isn’t just for those in IT service and IT support. Many technicians and costumers brag on the Apple Mac. But let’s look at Apple Macs: Are they that great? You decide.
First of all, Apple Macs lovers boast about how the software and hardware go together. In fact, recently, they make their own hardware, especially with machines like the Surface Pro. This tested hardware is made specifically for Apple Macs. That’s a smart move on Apple’s part. Furthermore, people brag of the software and quality. For instance, they praise software apps like GarageBand and Photos. They come free with Apple Macs and are easy to use. Other popular Mac apps include Tweetbot and iA Writer. And guess what? They’re exclusively for Apple.
Yesterday,? I talked about Apple products, and the technicians fixing them, are facing growing security threats. But overall, Apple Macs lead the league in computer security. Statistically, they get far fewer viruses than PC’s. But keep in mind no system is 100% safe. Apple users love how their iPhones and other Apple devices easily connect with their Macs. Beleive it or not, Apple has a lot of satisfied customers. You’ve got to respect that.
But let’s look at what’s not so good about the Apple Mac. They’re bulky. Have you tried lifting an Apple desktop lately? I have. I almost broke my back. Also, they’re expensive. Go to any store or any shop. The Apple Mac costs way more than any PC brand. I’m like most people; I’m not ready to drop that kind of money on a machine. That’s especially true when the PC’s serve me just as well, thank you very much. Plus, from my observation, they’re harder to fix. In my computer service shop, Apple mac parts take longer to get here than PC’s. Also, Apple macs are a bigger headache to fix than PC’s. They take longer to fix, too. So while there’s a lot to admire about a Mac, there’s a lot to be weary of as well. So are Apple Macs that great? You decide.
Dec 28, 2016 | Malware, Smartphone
I just had quite the conversation with our computer repair man. It seems that over the last several weeks, Apple machines are getting constant cyber attacks! Attention: Constant Apple hacks are out there! So don’t be naive.
According to my computer service source, constant Apple hacks include just about every kind of computer illness. So this includes spyware, malware, adware, viruses, worms, trojan horses. You name it, he’s had to fix it. But that’s not all. I’m hearing some cases of ID theft, as well as break into people’s passwords and accounts. I can’t stress it enough. The constant Apple hacks’ struggle is very real.
Furthermore, let’s not be naive. I hear Apple users brag about how their machines are hack proof. Not really. Last year, somebody hacked Apple stores in China. Also, in September 2015, 85 iPhone apps got infected with malware. But nobody remembers that one, though. However, I’m sure everyone remembers the big celebrity hacking of September 2014.?A hacker leaked many, many nude photos of celebrities like movie star Jennifer Lawrence. Yes, the culprit behind the hack got 10 years in prison. But keep in mind the hacker broke into an iCloud. Once again I say, don’t be naive.
It’s easy for Apple users to point to Droid users. And they say, “Why would you get a Droid for? Those things are so prone to trouble.” And there is some truth to that. Droids were the subject of ?some bad cyber attacks. But Apple is the subject of constant Apple hacks. This is why you need to get software security. You can start with Avast. It’s easy, free and it works. Of course, you can always pay a little for even extra security. And there are other security software companies that are just as good. Just don’t let your Apple device go without protection. What else can you do to keep your i-device free of constant Apple hacks?
Dec 22, 2016 | Law Blog, News
Let’s face it: we live in a surveillance state. Those of us in managed IT services know it and see it. While others in computer repair fix it on a regular basis. But how much is too much? So lets look at the Google potential lawsuit: What will happen?
Well actually, thanks to a Google project manager, the Google potential lawsuit becomes reality. The Google potential lawsuit complains of internal spying. This spying includes employees snitching on each other. But apparently, this spying program encourages that. The lawsuit says this program violates California labor law. And that’s not all.
Furthermore, the lawsuit said Google leaders told employees not to write about potential illegal activities. The lawsuit also says why they told them this. The lawsuit says Google leaders didn’t want wrong information going to the law. Also, the suit says Google bans employees from writing novels about any company in Silicon Valley. That is, unless they have the Google’s approval. As a result, Google plans to fight this with everything they have. They call the Google potential lawsuit ‘baseless’. But if the plaintiff wins, Google could lose as much as 3.8 billion dollars.
So who is the manager behind the Google potential lawsuit? We don’t know. The only description they gave is ‘John Doe’. That right there is a warning flag. If you call yourself fighting for a worthy cause, shouldn’t you have the confidence to let yourself be known? We’re talking about one of the most respected companies in the world, not an underground crime ring. But some of this Google potential lawsuit has merit. I can see forbidding employees to write novels about your company. A lot of people can get hurt that way. But forbidding them to write about anybody in Silicon Valley?! That’s a bit much. And encouraging employees to snitch? Hey, I don’t like the whole ‘stop snitching’ culture on the streets. But encouraging employees to tattle takes ‘see something, say something’ to the extreme. What will happen of this Google potential lawsuit?
Dec 21, 2016 | scam, Security
It’s just a few shopping days until Christmas. And we in computer repair and IT service are just as excited as you are. But so are hackers and online scam artist. So don’t make their Christmas a merry one. Here’s how to avoid those phishing schemes.
First of all, let’s go over what to look out for, such as shipping labels. Because of online shopping, they will deliver lots of gifts. I know it’s tempting to open up that email to check on that package! Don’t do it! This is one of the phishing schemes that will hook you in. Instead, hold onto that tracking number. Then, go directly to the website you bought your gift from and check on delivery status. Also, beware of fake order confirmations. Keep track of everything you order, even if it’s a candy cane. Check for charity phishing schemes, too. Before you donate and give bank info, do your research! Make sure they’re a real and worthy cause.
You can do other things to avoid phishing schemes. Avoid emails that sound too good to be true, especially if they come from places like Nigeria, Russia, or China. Don’t be afraid to use your spam and trash folders.? It’s best not to use search engines to find deals. Always use the correct domain name while online shopping, or even browsing. And beware of emails asking for information. Chances are they’re not looking for goodwill towards all men.
Yes, phishing schemes are at an all-time high. They use things like charities, good deals, and even online Christmas cards to hook you. When somebody takes the bait, they don’t let go easily. We in IT support see it very often. But there are ways to protect yourself. We want your Christmas to be a safe and happy one. The people who run phishing schemes could care less, just as long as they get your information and your money. What else can we do to avoid phishing schemes?
Dec 19, 2016 | Software
Christmas time brings the best in people. But?criminal activity is out there. In computer servicing and computer repair, we see it constantly. So I post out a consumer alert: Is your router safe?
I say this because I read a disturbing report from Netgear. They found a major weakness in certain routers. Such router weaknesses can open the door to hackers. Furthermore, these hackers can take over your router network. Then, they can expose and exploit sensitive data. Software security organization CERT confirmed this grim reality. Then they gave a list of Negear routers to watch out for. The router I call out might be yours.
Routers include R800, R700, and R6400 are definitely venerable. They’re not yet sure about models like R7000P, R7800, R8500, or R9000. This is all according to CERT. But CERT is a major leader and major player in software security. And it’s easy for a hacker to hit you. They get you to click on a malicious link. That bad link instructs your router. Then, the commands let these malicious instructions corrupt your router’s security. Furthermore, this gives hackers access to local networks and everything that comes through it.
In conclusion, I applaud CERT and Netflix for reporting this. Netgear also suggests you update your router. Update your router sooner rather than later. In fact, they say you should get beta software ASAP. Then update the product firmware whenever you can. Anyone in the IT support industry had dealt with routers. We here at Geek Choice can lead you in the right direction when it comes to the best and secure routers. And we keep up with these dangers to help keep your system safe. Christmas is an awful time for hackers to?get to your router. So keep your?router safe. Do you think the bad guys care about holidays?
Dec 17, 2016 | Computer technology, internet
Did you know around three million Americans use a wheelchair? So sometimes, the IT support and IT service industry does well tending to their needs. Then, in other times, they fall way short. Google Maps is trying to change this.
Google Maps introduce a ‘wheelchair accessible entrance’ option. Also, it will be in the ‘Amenities’ section. So let’s say someone in a wheelchair goes to a restaurant. There’s wheelchair accessibility the user knows nothing about. Then, Google Maps will let them know.? Sounds great, right? Well, it’s a huge step in the right direction. But this feat is far from complete.
Consequently, this new feature isn’t available everywhere. In fact, it doesn’t even cover some major US cities. So you know it’s not available worldwide…yet. But pack the patience. Google Maps is getting there. As I write this, Google Maps is reaching out to locals everywhere to help them with locations. Let’s remember how Google Maps got started in the first place. We can thank Google employee Rio Asaka for this feat. You see, they insist their employees spend time on side projects. This was Asaka’s side project. But there is another complication.
Not all buildings are wheelchair friendly. I know that’s in contrast with the American Disabilities Act. But there are two things to note here. Many of these buildings existed way before this act came out. And another thing: since 1993, the rules are loose when it comes to wheelchair accessibility. And you can’t blame Google Maps for that. But I applaud them for taking a step in the right direction. I know the timing and waiting will be tedious. But let’s pack the patience. This project will take lots of work, time and research. Just about everybody in computer repair knows what’s that’s like. So yes, this is a tremendous feat. I hope Asaka gets a raise and a promotion for this. But my question is: What took so long?
