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Hello Monument! I am Dan Hamilton and I’m thrilled to be taking over Monument Computers, the local PC shop downtown. Every other week you’ll find some Snippetz of tech info here from me (in around 350 words) that I hope will help you make a wise tech decision or second guess something that could put you in peril.
A little about myself; I just moved to town about a month ago from Wisconsin with my lovely wife Christine and two wonderful children, Pierce (almost 3) and Roman (6 months).
Along with the PC shop, I’m a Captain in the Colorado Army National Guard and fly a Medevac Blackhawk up in Aurora. I’ve been in the Army for about 10 years and look forward to many more. Computers have been my passion since I was a child. I’ve always loved playing on them and with them; I was always tinkering here and there when I could and then finally I was able to buy my own stuff with the money from my first job (KFC). Regardless of what I’ve been doing in life, I’ve always maintained a high knowledge base in the field and continue to do so today.
f you have a broken or slow PC, Mac, Laptop, iPhone, iPad, Android phone/tablet, or anything else tech related, please bring it by for a free diagnostic (diagnostic are always free). Even if you don’t need something new or fixed, stop on by to say hi and we can have some nice tech talk, or we can talk about why the Broncos will be my #2 team behind the Packers.
’m a very friendly, outgoing guy AND I plan to have cookies (the yummy kind, not the ones clogging up your system) whenever you visit. The location has moved up the street a few blocks to 325 2nd Street, Suite R, right at the intersections of 2nd street and the Santa Fe trail. I hope to see you soon!
UPDATE: Dan has now become a partner at Force Broadband. Please take your computer to Simple Computer Repair when it's not feeling well!
A little about myself; I just moved to town about a month ago from Wisconsin with my lovely wife Christine and two wonderful children, Pierce (almost 3) and Roman (6 months).
Along with the PC shop, I’m a Captain in the Colorado Army National Guard and fly a Medevac Blackhawk up in Aurora. I’ve been in the Army for about 10 years and look forward to many more. Computers have been my passion since I was a child. I’ve always loved playing on them and with them; I was always tinkering here and there when I could and then finally I was able to buy my own stuff with the money from my first job (KFC). Regardless of what I’ve been doing in life, I’ve always maintained a high knowledge base in the field and continue to do so today.
f you have a broken or slow PC, Mac, Laptop, iPhone, iPad, Android phone/tablet, or anything else tech related, please bring it by for a free diagnostic (diagnostic are always free). Even if you don’t need something new or fixed, stop on by to say hi and we can have some nice tech talk, or we can talk about why the Broncos will be my #2 team behind the Packers.
’m a very friendly, outgoing guy AND I plan to have cookies (the yummy kind, not the ones clogging up your system) whenever you visit. The location has moved up the street a few blocks to 325 2nd Street, Suite R, right at the intersections of 2nd street and the Santa Fe trail. I hope to see you soon!
UPDATE: Dan has now become a partner at Force Broadband. Please take your computer to Simple Computer Repair when it's not feeling well!
Issue 733 - November 16, 2015
WHY DO WINDOWS 10?
It’s November 2015 and Windows 10 has been out since the end of July. You’ve heard people talk about it, read all about it online, and seen the little Windows icon in the bottom right corner of your screen asking you to upgrade to Windows 10. But, you haven’t done it yet. Past experiences with Windows have made you timid about new products as they come out and why would Windows 10 be any different? The reasons why Windows 10 is different from previous versions, and why you should upgrade now are below.
Windows 10 is Newer and Supported
Windows XP ceased receiving updates of any kind in April 2015. That means even if they find a giant security hole that will easily allow anyone to take complete control of your computer, they won’t be fixing it. Windows Vista mainstream support (what most of us consider “updates”) ended in 2012, and Windows 7 ended in January 2015. While Vista gets security updates for another 1.5 years and Windows 7 another 5, no glitches, features, or issues will be fixed. Windows 8 will be supported until 2018, but there are other reasons to upgrade to 10.
Right now it is free, and easy
That’s right. Everything you’ve seen about Windows 10 being “free” is actually true. No trial period and no features to purchase later. This is also the last version of Windows they plan to have; updates from now on.
When you upgrade, it automatically transfers all documents and programs. Everything should work just fine. If, for some reason you want to downgrade back, the tool is included in Windows 10. Before you do that, stop by Monument Computers and learn about how running a Virtual Windows XP or 7 inside Windows 10 can keep your old programs/devices functional while benefiting from the fastest and most secure version of Windows.
Thinner, lighter, faster = better
Windows 10 takes between 9 and 11 GB of storage on your drive. Windows 7 and 8 take anywhere from 13 to 23 GB, depending on your specific version. Being this much lighter makes your small Solid State Drive go a lot further. It ships with DirectX 12 which provides great performance improvements in games and graphically intense programs.
Features
You can’t come out with a new product that does nothing more than the old one. Windows 10 has multiple virtual desktops, easy snapping to edges and corners, voice activated assistant Cortana, Xbox game streaming (while someone watches TV, someone else can play on the PC), an easier to use start menu, faster and easier control panel, better driver support, and much, much more.
Still Timid?
If you still aren’t sure about upgrading to Windows 10 or aren’t sure you want to do it yourself, bring your computer(s) to Monument Computers and we’d be happy to help you through the process. While most upgrades go through no problem, by using our services you can be guaranteed your systems will emerge fully functional without issues.
WHY DO WINDOWS 10?
It’s November 2015 and Windows 10 has been out since the end of July. You’ve heard people talk about it, read all about it online, and seen the little Windows icon in the bottom right corner of your screen asking you to upgrade to Windows 10. But, you haven’t done it yet. Past experiences with Windows have made you timid about new products as they come out and why would Windows 10 be any different? The reasons why Windows 10 is different from previous versions, and why you should upgrade now are below.
Windows 10 is Newer and Supported
Windows XP ceased receiving updates of any kind in April 2015. That means even if they find a giant security hole that will easily allow anyone to take complete control of your computer, they won’t be fixing it. Windows Vista mainstream support (what most of us consider “updates”) ended in 2012, and Windows 7 ended in January 2015. While Vista gets security updates for another 1.5 years and Windows 7 another 5, no glitches, features, or issues will be fixed. Windows 8 will be supported until 2018, but there are other reasons to upgrade to 10.
Right now it is free, and easy
That’s right. Everything you’ve seen about Windows 10 being “free” is actually true. No trial period and no features to purchase later. This is also the last version of Windows they plan to have; updates from now on.
When you upgrade, it automatically transfers all documents and programs. Everything should work just fine. If, for some reason you want to downgrade back, the tool is included in Windows 10. Before you do that, stop by Monument Computers and learn about how running a Virtual Windows XP or 7 inside Windows 10 can keep your old programs/devices functional while benefiting from the fastest and most secure version of Windows.
Thinner, lighter, faster = better
Windows 10 takes between 9 and 11 GB of storage on your drive. Windows 7 and 8 take anywhere from 13 to 23 GB, depending on your specific version. Being this much lighter makes your small Solid State Drive go a lot further. It ships with DirectX 12 which provides great performance improvements in games and graphically intense programs.
Features
You can’t come out with a new product that does nothing more than the old one. Windows 10 has multiple virtual desktops, easy snapping to edges and corners, voice activated assistant Cortana, Xbox game streaming (while someone watches TV, someone else can play on the PC), an easier to use start menu, faster and easier control panel, better driver support, and much, much more.
Still Timid?
If you still aren’t sure about upgrading to Windows 10 or aren’t sure you want to do it yourself, bring your computer(s) to Monument Computers and we’d be happy to help you through the process. While most upgrades go through no problem, by using our services you can be guaranteed your systems will emerge fully functional without issues.
Issue 735 - November 30, 2015
THE CLOUD
One of the questions that comes up a lot at the PC shop is “what is the cloud?” Well, that’s a simple question with a very complicated answer. To start, I’ll say that if you use the internet in nearly any capacity these days, you are using “the cloud.”
What is “the cloud?”
Technically, “the cloud” is not a real physical thing, and there are many, many clouds already on the internet. “The cloud” is a general term describing the use of servers and databases on the internet to perform specific tasks, or many tasks. Google email (Gmail) is “cloud based” as are many of their services such as Youtube, Google Docs, Google Drive, and even the Google search engine. Microsoft has their own clouds, including One Drive and Office 365, and Apple has the iCloud. Amazon has developed their own cloud systems including music, movies, and online storage. Facebook and Instagram are clouds. Even SETI and UC Berkeley have a system that turns your home PC into a server on their cloud to help process the massive amounts of data they receive from space. As you can see, the cloud is not limited to one specific task, but can be any task that can be done on a computer.
Why should I care, and why should I try to use it?
There are many benefits to using cloud based systems and very few reasons not to use them. One of the primary reasons businesses are better off using cloud systems is that they can save a lot of money. Equipment is expensive, degrades over time and becomes outdated. By using cloud based subscription services for storage and processing, companies can save a lot of money through buying Terminals (basically, lower end PCs that are used specifically to access cloud systems) and paying subscription services instead of having to foot the bill for everything on their own.
Another benefit of using cloud based systems is security. If all your files are backed up from your PC to something like Google Drive, it won’t matter what happens to your computer; your files will be safe. Because the data is duplicated and spread across multiple servers in multiple datacenters across the globe, it is very unlikely that a catastrophic event at any particular site will cause any loss of data. Most big cloud based services also use encryption to prevent hackers and other various agencies from getting at your data. It would take a modern supercomputer approximately 1 billion years to crack a 128-bit AES encryption, which is a very commonly used security key on these cloud systems. The biggest threat to your data is actually the stuff you keep on your hard drive; unless you have taken extra precautions to encrypt this data, someone could get at all of it in less than 5 minutes.
The biggest downfall to switching to the cloud is that is requires an internet connection, and sometimes a pretty good one. While in many places, such as Monument, it is relatively affordable to get a connection of 50 Mb down / 10 Mb up (this would be a decently fast home internet connection), there are many parts of the United States that still still rely on dial-up modems. The cloud systems available these days rely on your ability to quickly download and upload data, which is very difficult with a dial-up modem. Mobile devices and mobile internet have changed the way people function day to day, but in our area, driving to the other side of a hill can drop your cell data speeds from fast enough to steam a 4k video all the way down to barely able to maintain a phone call.
Cloud based services are fantastic tools for large companies, small businesses, and individuals alike. At Monument Computers we use cloud based email, documents, and data backup as well as offering cloud based antivirus/antimalware and remote support to customers. If you’d like to know more about what services are out there, or specifically what services Monument Computers can provide to save you money, feel free to call us or come by.
THE CLOUD
One of the questions that comes up a lot at the PC shop is “what is the cloud?” Well, that’s a simple question with a very complicated answer. To start, I’ll say that if you use the internet in nearly any capacity these days, you are using “the cloud.”
What is “the cloud?”
Technically, “the cloud” is not a real physical thing, and there are many, many clouds already on the internet. “The cloud” is a general term describing the use of servers and databases on the internet to perform specific tasks, or many tasks. Google email (Gmail) is “cloud based” as are many of their services such as Youtube, Google Docs, Google Drive, and even the Google search engine. Microsoft has their own clouds, including One Drive and Office 365, and Apple has the iCloud. Amazon has developed their own cloud systems including music, movies, and online storage. Facebook and Instagram are clouds. Even SETI and UC Berkeley have a system that turns your home PC into a server on their cloud to help process the massive amounts of data they receive from space. As you can see, the cloud is not limited to one specific task, but can be any task that can be done on a computer.
Why should I care, and why should I try to use it?
There are many benefits to using cloud based systems and very few reasons not to use them. One of the primary reasons businesses are better off using cloud systems is that they can save a lot of money. Equipment is expensive, degrades over time and becomes outdated. By using cloud based subscription services for storage and processing, companies can save a lot of money through buying Terminals (basically, lower end PCs that are used specifically to access cloud systems) and paying subscription services instead of having to foot the bill for everything on their own.
Another benefit of using cloud based systems is security. If all your files are backed up from your PC to something like Google Drive, it won’t matter what happens to your computer; your files will be safe. Because the data is duplicated and spread across multiple servers in multiple datacenters across the globe, it is very unlikely that a catastrophic event at any particular site will cause any loss of data. Most big cloud based services also use encryption to prevent hackers and other various agencies from getting at your data. It would take a modern supercomputer approximately 1 billion years to crack a 128-bit AES encryption, which is a very commonly used security key on these cloud systems. The biggest threat to your data is actually the stuff you keep on your hard drive; unless you have taken extra precautions to encrypt this data, someone could get at all of it in less than 5 minutes.
The biggest downfall to switching to the cloud is that is requires an internet connection, and sometimes a pretty good one. While in many places, such as Monument, it is relatively affordable to get a connection of 50 Mb down / 10 Mb up (this would be a decently fast home internet connection), there are many parts of the United States that still still rely on dial-up modems. The cloud systems available these days rely on your ability to quickly download and upload data, which is very difficult with a dial-up modem. Mobile devices and mobile internet have changed the way people function day to day, but in our area, driving to the other side of a hill can drop your cell data speeds from fast enough to steam a 4k video all the way down to barely able to maintain a phone call.
Cloud based services are fantastic tools for large companies, small businesses, and individuals alike. At Monument Computers we use cloud based email, documents, and data backup as well as offering cloud based antivirus/antimalware and remote support to customers. If you’d like to know more about what services are out there, or specifically what services Monument Computers can provide to save you money, feel free to call us or come by.
Issue 737 - December 14, 2015
DO I STILL NEED A COMPUTER?
This is a question that has come up frequently in recent history; “Do I need a computer anymore?” With all the laptops, hybrid laptops, tablets, chromebooks, and cell phones, it’s easy to see how some would wonder if a full desktop or laptop is even necessary anymore. The answer to this question changes from person to person and it depends on what your specific needs will be.
If your primary focus for such a device is business, you can almost certainly count on needing a Windows system. Quickbooks, Photoshop, PDF writers, and many other inventory, financial, and product management applications require Windows. Occasionally, one could use a Mac laptop or desktop for similar functions, but many of these are not available on OSX.
Gamers - unless you only wish to play mobile games, you will definitely need a Windows machine, and a desktop format if you want to turn the graphics all the way up. Even compared to consoles, PC games run faster, smoother, and with sharper detail. Youtube has some great comparison videos to show the differences there.
If you require frequent access to US government systems, such as DoD email or websites, you will need a Windows system AND set it to work with technology from about 10 years ago. For the most part, the federal systems have lagged behind the business world in using the latest technology and many sites require an old version of Internet Explorer running in compatibility mode.
The last category here would be the casual user. Many people can get away with just a smartphone or tablet and don’t need a laptop or desktop. These touch based devices have full access to web browsing, shopping online, social media access, filling out forms, short to medium sized emails, video chats, games, banking, decent cameras built in, and can even be used to pay for items at a store or, in a pinch, to write actual Word documents. They are easy for viewing content, but can be difficult to use when trying to make lots of content, like writing papers or making presentations.
Finally, Chromebooks should be mentioned. A Chromebook looks like a laptop, but doesn’t run Windows or OSX. It runs a variation of Google Chrome called Chrome OS. Basically, the device runs only Chrome, but inside of Chrome are thousands and thousands of apps. Other than Quickbooks and a few other programs (including most games), a Chromebook is able to function almost completely like a laptop, but with half the price tag. They come with very little storage built in, but are designed specifically to be used online and many of the machines come with free online storage. I have one at home and we use it a lot. There are no viruses, updates are silent and automatic, and everything loads pretty quickly.
Back to the question, “do I need a computer anymore?” Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you are a person who creates a lot of content, whether it be word docs or photoshopped files, you’re probably still going to want the computer. If you are someone who shops online, likes to check your Facebook and Twitter, and browse conveniently while watching TV, sticking with just the phone or tablet will be the best way to go.
DO I STILL NEED A COMPUTER?
This is a question that has come up frequently in recent history; “Do I need a computer anymore?” With all the laptops, hybrid laptops, tablets, chromebooks, and cell phones, it’s easy to see how some would wonder if a full desktop or laptop is even necessary anymore. The answer to this question changes from person to person and it depends on what your specific needs will be.
If your primary focus for such a device is business, you can almost certainly count on needing a Windows system. Quickbooks, Photoshop, PDF writers, and many other inventory, financial, and product management applications require Windows. Occasionally, one could use a Mac laptop or desktop for similar functions, but many of these are not available on OSX.
Gamers - unless you only wish to play mobile games, you will definitely need a Windows machine, and a desktop format if you want to turn the graphics all the way up. Even compared to consoles, PC games run faster, smoother, and with sharper detail. Youtube has some great comparison videos to show the differences there.
If you require frequent access to US government systems, such as DoD email or websites, you will need a Windows system AND set it to work with technology from about 10 years ago. For the most part, the federal systems have lagged behind the business world in using the latest technology and many sites require an old version of Internet Explorer running in compatibility mode.
The last category here would be the casual user. Many people can get away with just a smartphone or tablet and don’t need a laptop or desktop. These touch based devices have full access to web browsing, shopping online, social media access, filling out forms, short to medium sized emails, video chats, games, banking, decent cameras built in, and can even be used to pay for items at a store or, in a pinch, to write actual Word documents. They are easy for viewing content, but can be difficult to use when trying to make lots of content, like writing papers or making presentations.
Finally, Chromebooks should be mentioned. A Chromebook looks like a laptop, but doesn’t run Windows or OSX. It runs a variation of Google Chrome called Chrome OS. Basically, the device runs only Chrome, but inside of Chrome are thousands and thousands of apps. Other than Quickbooks and a few other programs (including most games), a Chromebook is able to function almost completely like a laptop, but with half the price tag. They come with very little storage built in, but are designed specifically to be used online and many of the machines come with free online storage. I have one at home and we use it a lot. There are no viruses, updates are silent and automatic, and everything loads pretty quickly.
Back to the question, “do I need a computer anymore?” Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you are a person who creates a lot of content, whether it be word docs or photoshopped files, you’re probably still going to want the computer. If you are someone who shops online, likes to check your Facebook and Twitter, and browse conveniently while watching TV, sticking with just the phone or tablet will be the best way to go.
Issue 739 - December 28, 2015
BROWSER WARS
Everyone has their favorite browser. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, and the new heavyweight, Edge. Which one is the best for you? We’ll explore the differences among the most popular browsers and then you can decide which you prefer.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer has been around for a long, long time. Compared to the modern competitors, IE is slower to load, has more security vulnerabilities, and has a more difficult time loading newer technologies like HTML5. The newest version, IE11, is better than its predecessors but still struggles in today’s world. The only people who should be using Internet Explorer these days are those who visit a lot of really old web sites. Many government sites, especially those run by the military, still require Internet Explorer and some even require it to be run in Compatibility mode for IE7 which came out back in 2006.
Chrome
If you aren’t sure which web browser you should be using, it is probably Google Chrome. As the current dominating browser across the globe (check out “browser wars” on Wikipedia, or just search “what is the most popular web browser” for proof) is Google Chrome. It is one of the fastest browsers in terms of loading time, allows synchronization of history and bookmarks across computers and cell phones/tablets, has very few security concerns, loads HTML5 very nicely, has its own store similar to the Apple App store or Google Play store, and is even its own operating system. There is a reason half of all web traffic goes through Google Chrome. Up until about a month ago, it had been by far my favorite web browser.
Mozilla Firefox
FireFox, by Mozilla, has been a very popular browser and is currently the second most popular PC based browser behind Google Chrome. The Mozilla project was started in 1998 by the Netscape Navigator community before AOL purchased Netscape later that year. Firefox has many of the same features of Google Chrome including bookmark and history synching, easy to manage tab interface, support for modern software technologies, and an entire app store of extensions that run well within the browser itself. While faster than Internet explorer, Firefox has consistently tested towards the bottom of speed rankings and over the years has had a few security concerns due to it’s developer-friendly architecture. While there has been an android version of the browser for quite awhile, just last month did an iPhone version appear.
Edge
My new favorite browser is Edge, by Microsoft (Available on Windows 10 only). Along with no longer supporting Windows XP, Vista, or 7, Microsoft has pulled the plug on their archaic web browser Internet Explorer and have replaced it with an entirely new, and much improved piece of programming. Microsoft Edge is quickly gaining popularity with those who have upgraded to Windows 10 due to it’s lightning fast speeds and rich new features. Edge is the only browser to beat Chrome in speed tests, and it does so in about half of the standard tests that are done. While it doesn’t have bookmark and history syncing (yet), the share button has become very handy. Another useful feature is the “Web Note” feature. This allows someone to draw, highlight, and white-out web-pages to then share across the web to friends also using Edge. As someone who makes and edits websites, this has been an awesome new tool on my belt. Edge, on laptops at least, appears to be more smooth when scrolling, have crisper text, and a cleaner overall look versus any other browser I tested. Finally, the main reason I’ve switched to Edge, is the battery life. I’m not exactly sure how, but I can get over 2 MORE hours of battery life out of my Surface Pro 4 laptop when using Edge than I can with Google Chrome. In side-by-side comparisons, Chrome used a lot more cpu power, sometimes over 90% more.
Conclusion
So, which browser should you use? As long as you can get to the content you require, it doesn’t really matter which you choose. We listed some of the differences among them and hopefully
BROWSER WARS
Everyone has their favorite browser. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, and the new heavyweight, Edge. Which one is the best for you? We’ll explore the differences among the most popular browsers and then you can decide which you prefer.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer has been around for a long, long time. Compared to the modern competitors, IE is slower to load, has more security vulnerabilities, and has a more difficult time loading newer technologies like HTML5. The newest version, IE11, is better than its predecessors but still struggles in today’s world. The only people who should be using Internet Explorer these days are those who visit a lot of really old web sites. Many government sites, especially those run by the military, still require Internet Explorer and some even require it to be run in Compatibility mode for IE7 which came out back in 2006.
Chrome
If you aren’t sure which web browser you should be using, it is probably Google Chrome. As the current dominating browser across the globe (check out “browser wars” on Wikipedia, or just search “what is the most popular web browser” for proof) is Google Chrome. It is one of the fastest browsers in terms of loading time, allows synchronization of history and bookmarks across computers and cell phones/tablets, has very few security concerns, loads HTML5 very nicely, has its own store similar to the Apple App store or Google Play store, and is even its own operating system. There is a reason half of all web traffic goes through Google Chrome. Up until about a month ago, it had been by far my favorite web browser.
Mozilla Firefox
FireFox, by Mozilla, has been a very popular browser and is currently the second most popular PC based browser behind Google Chrome. The Mozilla project was started in 1998 by the Netscape Navigator community before AOL purchased Netscape later that year. Firefox has many of the same features of Google Chrome including bookmark and history synching, easy to manage tab interface, support for modern software technologies, and an entire app store of extensions that run well within the browser itself. While faster than Internet explorer, Firefox has consistently tested towards the bottom of speed rankings and over the years has had a few security concerns due to it’s developer-friendly architecture. While there has been an android version of the browser for quite awhile, just last month did an iPhone version appear.
Edge
My new favorite browser is Edge, by Microsoft (Available on Windows 10 only). Along with no longer supporting Windows XP, Vista, or 7, Microsoft has pulled the plug on their archaic web browser Internet Explorer and have replaced it with an entirely new, and much improved piece of programming. Microsoft Edge is quickly gaining popularity with those who have upgraded to Windows 10 due to it’s lightning fast speeds and rich new features. Edge is the only browser to beat Chrome in speed tests, and it does so in about half of the standard tests that are done. While it doesn’t have bookmark and history syncing (yet), the share button has become very handy. Another useful feature is the “Web Note” feature. This allows someone to draw, highlight, and white-out web-pages to then share across the web to friends also using Edge. As someone who makes and edits websites, this has been an awesome new tool on my belt. Edge, on laptops at least, appears to be more smooth when scrolling, have crisper text, and a cleaner overall look versus any other browser I tested. Finally, the main reason I’ve switched to Edge, is the battery life. I’m not exactly sure how, but I can get over 2 MORE hours of battery life out of my Surface Pro 4 laptop when using Edge than I can with Google Chrome. In side-by-side comparisons, Chrome used a lot more cpu power, sometimes over 90% more.
Conclusion
So, which browser should you use? As long as you can get to the content you require, it doesn’t really matter which you choose. We listed some of the differences among them and hopefully
MORE ARTICLES TO COME