Oil change for your computer

How many times have you noticed your computer moving slower? Can't get online or it just keeps crashing? When was the last time you had the oil changed? Just like a car your computer needs it's check ups to keep it at top condition. Most of us notice the warning signs but with a computer you just ride it out. Most laptops are made to last 3 to 4 years but with maintenance you can extend the life of your computer. When was the last time you did updates or defragged your hard drive? Is it really necessary? No if you don't mind buying a computer every 2 years. How long does this take? It depends on the condition your pc is in at check up. Newer computers require less time to maintain. How often do you back up your data? Have you lost everything before? Are you prepared because it will crash at some point and will you lose everything again? Computers are amazing that they even work at all. There are so many different factors that must work together to make the smallest function happen so what will you do when that function stops? Have you noticed that after windows 7 came out that you have more problems with vista? There are reasons for this but you can extend your pc. There are other operating systems that you can put on that same old pc of yours and it will double the lifecycle of your pc. This is the same operating system that runs most servers on the internet. Windows is made to break. That's why you get a new version every 3 years. Just like your car, by doing the small $20 things it keeps you away from the hundreds to thousand dollar items a little while longer.

Is your subscription to MS Office coming to an end? There is an alternative to this, it's Open Office. Open Office performs the majority of the same functions as MS-O at a fraction of the cost, which happens to be free.
One thing about free is you can use the product to see if it will be a benefit and if not you've lost nothing. You can save your info in different MS formats to be exported to different pc's. It's really a win-win situation. There are Open Source products out there that will give you the same results with more bang for your buck. One thing we know that is constant is change. After so many years MS  wants their money and are you paying because it's a great product or because that's all we know. Check your options especially if they are free.

www.openoffice.org  
 

Watch email attachments

When you receive attachments in your email from friends and family look at the stuff they are saying in the text and if it is off base from what they normally would send it's probably a virus. The best thing to do is send them an email and ask if they sent it.  Maybe call or text just to be sure. Most times you can right click the attachment and it should be an option to scan the file with your ant-virus. Most times when people get a virus they blame everyone else who used their computer for the virus, it couldn't be them because they know where they have been but a virus can come from anywhere at anytime. Be aware of  who is sending and why and only open attachments if it's something you asked for or you confirm with the sender.