Remember “HAL” from 2001: A Space Odyssey? AI, or Artificial Intelligence, might still conjure up images of robots taking over the world. Today’s AI, though still in its infancy, is becoming more helpful and accessible. In fact, you might already be using it! If you’re curious about AI but not sure how to try it […]
Category: Technology
Gut Check: Is it Fraud?
You know those emails or texts– They appear to be from a company of great importance to you – your bank, Microsoft, an Antivirus software provider – but your gut is telling you that something is off. Here are some tips for feeling more confident when handling these messages. What NOT to do: What you […]
3G, 4G, 5G…What’s the Difference? And What’s Next?
What’s the deal with those little numbers and letters at the top of your mobile phone’s screen? Telecommunications companies differentiate their latest technology and coverage by “G”, or Generation. The higher the number, the better and faster wireless service we can expect from our mobile devices. There are two pieces to the puzzle: (1) your […]
Protect Your Data When Selling Your Car
If you’re planning to sell or trade in your car, it’s important to address the personal information stored in your current vehicle’s electronic system before turning in the keys. Just like smartphones and computers, cars are essentially computers themselves and can contain sensitive data. Even after performing a factory reset, additional steps like these may […]
Should You Upgrade Your PC to Windows 11?
Microsoft released its newest operating system, Windows 11, in early October, 2021. Many new PC’s are shipping with Windows 11 already installed. Windows 10 is what we see on most PC’s now, and it will be supported until October 14, 2025. Your Computer Tutor took the Windows 11 upgrade plunge on her PC, with success, […]
Email – Apps vs. Webmail
Email can be accessed by an app, or by webmail, or both, depending on your needs. Each method has its place.
Managing Mass Email “Blasts”
Several of my clients have asked for help with sending “blast” emails – emails to groups like extended family, former classmates, fellow club members, etc. I’ve noticed some patterns in the challenges people face with these emails, and voilà–a blog topic! Please note that this discussion will be limited to personal email blasts, not those […]
RIP, Windows 7
“Sunrise, Sunset” – Windows 7’s retirement and what this means for you Has it really been 10 years? Windows 7 was introduced October 22, 2009. Windows 7 will be retired January 14, 2020. After that, technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC will no longer be available for Windows […]
The Cruel Reality of Passwords
When you are settling into a new computer or smartphone, you will likely be prompted for every single godforsaken set of logon credentials you have ever created since the beginning of time. This is a slow torture that often lasts a full year.
Should My Business Have a Website or Just Be on Social Media?
Hi, Denise Rivas, Your Computer Tutor here. This vlog was inspired by recent questions from several small business clients. On the surface, the questions really have to do with marketing strategy, but marketing a small business today almost always requires using technology in some way. Besides, I did get a degree in marketing way back, […]
Your Computer Tutor Celebrates 10 Years in Business
What were you doing 10 years ago? I was launching Your Computer Tutor, my first entrepreneurial venture. In some ways, 10 years seems like the blink of an eye; but when I consider how much technology has changed in 10 years, it feels like a lifetime has passed! Back in 2008, when Your Computer Tutor […]
Scanning Using Your All-in-One Printer
Scan? Yes You Can! The fax machine is all but dead, so scanning documents is a vital feature for today’s home office. Here’s the thing, though: Most all-in-one printers are plug-and-play for printing and copying, but their scanning features require a little more work to set up. Scanning is the creation of an electronic copy of a […]
Calendar Q & A
Disappearing appointments? Failure to Sync? Here we’ll address the most common questions and issues I encounter when I’m helping clients with calendars on their computers and mobile devices. If you have a question I don’t cover here, please ask it in the Comments box at the bottom of the article. Disappearing Appointments Q: When I […]
The Cloud for Consumers
Cloudy…With a Chance of…Confusion? Cloud computing is a popular phrase these days, and it can mean different things to people and businesses. Even if you aren’t running a big business, as a consumer you are likely using “The Cloud” in some capacity. Depending on the type of computer or mobile device you have, you may […]
Preparing Your Device for Electronics Recycling
Every spring and summer, many communities and businesses sponsor electronics recycling events. It’s time to look around and gather up those devices that have been replaced, become broken, or have just overstayed their welcome. Just throwing electronics into the trash is not only dangerous for the environment, but, depending on the device’s contents, could endanger your privacy as well. […]
Better Living Through Technology – A Field Report
So many tech tools to investigate, so little time! Thank you to my clients, friends, and family for a successful 2016 as Your Computer Tutor. Already well into 2017, I continue to enjoy serving as your technology coach and cheerleader for better living through technology. After spring of last year, my blogging took a back […]
Make a Connection with Mom For Mother’s Day
Do something nice for me,” was always my mother’s answer to my pleading question of, “What do you want for Mother’s Day?” With age, my own motherhood, hopefully more wisdom, and the opportunity to engage with other families as Your Computer Tutor, I have come to understand more deeply what that means. Flowers and chocolate are […]
Rest in Peace, Rolodex – Managing Contacts and Address Books in the Digital Age
Whether you’re running your own business, or just trying to communicate efficiently with family, groups of friends, sports team members, etc., having an organized Address Book or Contacts database makes your life a lot easier. For purposes of this article, I’ll use the terms Contacts and Address Books interchangeably, to refer to the databases or lists of […]
Adjusting to the Mac – The Honeymoon Report
I’m well into the honeymoon period with my new Mac, and I promised you all in my last post that I would report in. I had no intention of giving up my Windows laptop PC, and am now running the Mac and the PC side by side and use each depending on my mood, and what […]
A PC-Native Takes the Mac Plunge
They say, “Once you go Mac, you’ll never go back.” Your Computer Tutor is on a mission to see how true this is, at least for me. We’re Going Mac! My clients are a mix of PC and Mac users, and I’ve always been able to provide training and setup on both platforms. Back in […]
Email: Challenging Conventional Wisdom
What’s better – Email software or webmail? IMAP vs. POP What is the best email provider? This is the second of a series of blog entries having to do with productivity data. Productivity data includes email, contacts/address books, calendar, and tasks/to-do management. It’s the “who, what, when, where and how” information that comes through our […]
It’s Midnight…Do You Know Where Your Productivity Data Is?
What would happen if one of your devices – your cell phone, computer or tablet – were to become lost, stolen, or broken? If you decided to switch to a new personal technology device, would you be at risk of losing your important phone numbers, appointments, or even email? This is the first of a […]
Irony, Nostalgia, and Some Revenge on Youth
We had a moment this afternoon in our household. A moment whose irony and significance is not lost on this promoter of “better living through technology.” My kids, ages 16 and 21, opened up their new turntable, and were approaching it the way I might approach a hot stove. Mind you, this is a turntable that my son […]
Email Overload? Take Control of Your Inbox!
You may consider all commercial email to be “Junk,” but it’s important to make the distinction between known and unknown senders, and handle them differently. Consider the Source – Known vs. Unknown Known senders include companies you’ve done business with, or whose mailing list you signed up for (perhaps without realizing it). These companies may […]
Let’s Discuss: Backup vs. Cloud Storage – What’s the Difference?
”I store all my documents and pictures in the Cloud, so I don’t back up my computer.” We hear statements like this all the time. Is this a dangerous approach? As with many questions posed to consultants, the answer to this one is “It Depends.” It depends on what risks you are looking to minimize. […]