Greetings
Its been a long winter and we've been anxious to get outside (or at the very least, have the windows open). The gentle winds are perfumed with carolina jasmine and even the dogwoods are starting to bloom now. It's so invigorating to see that first soft hue of new green leaves start to creep up the mountains.
With all the extra energy the world is putting out there for new growth, we hope that inspiration will catapult us all into learning more and doing more. We'll try and help you in that endeavor on the technical end.
In this issue of Tech Tips, we will take a look at what computers are and how they came to be (information you can really impress your friends with!), tips on how to clean your keyboard, how to work smarter while you're on your computer by closing programs that are not being used and by emptying the recycle bin. Also we've included good reasons to Buy Local so that you, the savvy consumer, will feel good about where your dollars go.
Happy Computing,
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What is a Computer?
Computers are not very intelligent devices, but they handle instructions flawlessly and fast. They must follow explicit directions from both the user and computer programmer. Computers are really nothing more than a very power calculator with some great accessories. Applications like word processing and games are just a very complex math problem.
Software and Hardware:
If you use a player piano as an analogy, the piano can be thought of as the hardware and the roll of music as the software.
The software is a series of very simple computer instructions carefully organized to complete complex tasks. These instructions are written in programming languages to help simplify the development of applications.
The hardware is what sits on your desk and executes the software instructions. The player piano is uselss unless the roll of music has been written correctly.
With this analogy, it is not difficult to then understand that computers evolved from looms. Jaquard looms used punchcards to program in designs. Until roughly the mid-1970's, most computer programmers created, edited and stored their programs on punch cards. From the 1900's into the 1950's, punch-cards were the primary medium for data entry, data storage and processing in institution computing. As we became more savvy, programmers did not need to rely on the manually taxing punch-card programming method, and started storing data on magnetic tape. From there we formed floppy disks which held the tape in a circular disk shape inside the plastic cover. It was not long before CDs and DVDs took their place, using electrons stacked upon one another as a means to store data via microscopic indentations which are then read by a laser to identify and register the pattern of pits.
Who should get the credit for this amazing jump from looming punch-cards to data processing equipment? A company called Computing Tabulating Recording (CTR) Corporation back in 1911. Years later the company was to be renamed IBM on Valentines Day, 1924.
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How to Clean your Keyboard
How to clean your keyboard:
Dust, cat hair, crumbs, and other debris invariably find their way into computer keyboards. You can clean the dirt out of your keyboard easily by following these steps:
1) Turn the keyboard upside down and shake gently
(You'll be amazed at what falls out if you've never done this before)
2) Put the keyboard back on your desk and then take a PostIt® note and run the sticky part between each row of keys. Important: use only removable note paper. Labels - even removable labels - are too sticky and could get stuck to the keys or under them. A regular dust with a soft paintbrush works well too.
3) If there is still a lot of stuff visible between or under the keys, buy a can of compressed air from an office supply store and blow the dirt out.
4) If your three-year-old squished his peanut butter and jelly sandwich into the keyboard (or you spilled a large, caramel swirl latte on it), your only option may be to buy another keyboard. Call Christopher’s Computers and we’ll get you a new keyboard. Hey, you've been wanting a wireless keyboard and mouse anyway!
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Top 5 reasons to Think Local - Buy Local - Be Local
1. Buy Local -- Support yourself: Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms -- continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community
2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
4. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
5. Buy what you want, not what someone wants you to buy: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
Complete Top Ten List to Buy Local!
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Close Programs That Are Not Being Used
It is a good idea to save data and close program when the task is finished. Minimizing the window for a program does not stop that program from using the computer's processor and memory. Activities, like being connected to the Internet, listening to music, and running virus scans all use a lot of system resources. Schedule the use of virus scans and other system tools for a time when the computer is not being used. Work offline when convenient. Close unnecessary programs to help Windows perform more efficiently.
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Empty The Recycle Bin
Deleting a file is a two-step operation. First the file is marked for deletion and temporarily stored in the Recycle Bin, then action is taken to empty the Recycle Bin. Files in the Recycle Bin take up disk space and can slow a program's operation. Do the following actions to empty the Recycle Bin frequently.
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From the Windows desktop, right-click the Recycle Bin , and select Empty Recycle Bin .
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Select Yes to confirm the deletion of multiple files.
Windows will remove the contents of the Recycle Bin from the hard disk (C: is most common hard drive designation).
If there is a question about which files will be deleted, do the following actions to open the Recycle Bin and view the file names.
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From the Windows desktop, right-click the Recycle Bin , and select Open to view the contents of the Recycle Bin.
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Select any file that is mistakenly marked for deletion, then click File on the top menu, and click Restore .
The file will be returned to its original location on the hard drive.
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After restoring any files, click File on the top menu, and click Close to exit the Recycle Bin.
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Thank you for supporting your local small businesses. We greatly appreciate your patronage and referrals!
***Christopher's Computers is a proud member of the Weaverville Business Association***
*Members of the Better Business Bureau*
Call 828.670.9800 to schedule an appointment
Christopher@ChristophersComputers.com
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PC & Mac Services Provided in Your Home or Office
Repair
Upgrades
Tutoring
New Computers
Data Recovery
Data Backup
Wireless Networking
Software Installing
Hardware Installing
Memory Install
Optical Drive Install
Hard Drive Install
Refurbished Computers
Formating
Websites
Digital Music Training
Digital Imaging (Photo) Training
Digital Video Training
Diagnostics
System Tune-Up
ETC...
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Recycling Available
We can recycle your old computer and accessories.
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Custom Computers Available
We build customized new computers to meet your individualized needs.
We can also assist you in purchasing exactly what you need if you're looking for a laptop.
Refurbished machines are available, also.
All computers purchased through Christopher's Computers include free home delivery and set up as well as warranty on all parts.
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Better Business Bureau Members
Christopher's Computers is now a member of the Better Business Bureau. Please help others make informed decisions when they are searching for local businesses by sharing your experiences on the BBB's site.
Better Business Bureau of WNC |
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Payment Options
We now accept Visa & Mastercard!
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