Computer Support Blog

Google Maps has expanded from just an online map system to an indispensible navigating system. In fact, newer Android phones come with their unique Google based GPS. Other uses, as you probably know, include getting directions, measuring distances, viewing satellite images, and, every once in a while, making a beautiful and creative short film like “Address is Approximate.” Still, if you’ve been a regular Google Maps user since the service’s inception, then you’re probably familiar with the occasional inaccuracies or glaring omissions that occur in some maps. Such problems used to be much more frequent in the early days of Google Maps, and are slowly becoming fewer as Google enhances the software. The cartographic data has been steadily improving since Google launched Google Map Maker in 2008.

Google Map Maker relies on a volunteer community to add features such as new locations, more venue details, and new or changed streets to its maps. This is especially helpful for Google because mapping information is not readily available everywhere. Map Maker is free, fairly simple to use, and open to the public.

Of course, though this may seem like an overtly philanthropic, egalitarian and democratizing act on Google’s part, by allowing the people who are most familiar with their own areas to contribute cartographic data, Google is saving itself a lot of time and resources. Instead of dedicating funds and advanced tech support to populate and repopulate maps with ever-changing local data ad infinitum, Google has chosen to let users do it themselves!

In many ways, this feature is almost like the Wikipedia side of Google, a side where everyone can contribute. One major difference between the two, though, is that Google is slightly stricter about its guidelines for editing. When users (called editors in the Map Maker sphere) make edits or suggestions, those changes need the approval of other members in the community. The more your edits get approved, the more merit you gain in the editing sphere, and the better your reputation, the easier it becomes for you to make changes. As you advance in the meritocracy of Google Map Maker, your edits will start to go live automatically.

The interface itself is very simple. You can tag buildings, create their outlines, and add roads. Ideally, you would do this based off the satellite image of the area you wish to edit. Next, you input some data about your newly added locale, and once you pass the approval process, you can celebrate your latest position as a Google cartographer.

If you are mainly interested in updating their own neighborhoods or specific areas, Google Map Maker allows you to subscribe to certain areas and monitor any edits that occur there. Overall, Google Map Maker is a great way to contribute your knowledge and have some fun on a rainy day. Be careful, though, it’s easy to spend endless hours editing once you’re hooked.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

Outside Kermit, Texas, there is an experiment in industrial batteries going on now that has the potential to change the computer world.  In fact, if the experiment is successful, it may well reduce the need for a major, common type of computer repair, as well as eliminate many consumers’ fears of failure to their data storage devices.  The Notrees Power Project is testing a new 36-megawatt battery and that should have computer users and manufacturers paying attention.

One of the most common forms of damage to computers comes from power surges.  Inadequate surge protection can lead to expensive computer repair bills.  Because power surges can damage hard drives, sometimes even a computer repair cannot recover data you were storing on the drive.  The threat of power surges has led many businesses and personal computer users to invest in online data storage or redundant data storage off-site.  However, if the off-site data storage and primary computer connect to the same power source, your data remains at risk.  There is little that is more frustrating than costly computer repair bills and the wasted investment in multiple data storage methods when you irrevocably lose your data from an extreme power surge.

Until the Notrees Windpower Project began to experiment with the massive 36-megawatt battery, wind power was notoriously unreliable for generating electricity and led to data storage problems from faulty power delivery.  Power surges and the erratic power supply that frequently comes from the generation of electricity using wind power has acted as a threat to computer users since U.S. power companies began to generate wind power.  The success of the battery would mean that whenever the wind was not generating enough electricity at the Notrees Windpower Project, the battery would discharge its stored electricity to keep the power supply constant.  That consistent energy delivery would eliminate many computer problems for computer users who receive electricity through wind power generation.

While surge protectors have prevented many computer problems and data storage errors, no type of power delivery reliably prevents the need for a computer repair like a clean power supply.  Until the Notrees Windpower Project battery experiment, wind power has not been able to deliver a clean, constant power supply, though the local nature of wind power generation has lessened many of the transmission difficulties other means of generating electricity still suffer.  A constant power supply that does not fluctuate, surge or collapse prevents damage that mandates a computer repair.  Only stable energy can alleviate power-based fears relative to data storage devices and that is the potential of the 36-megawatt battery.

For sure, the technology being developed at the Notrees Windpower Project is still experimental and may not protect the power supply from other environmental factors like solar flares. The promise of clean wind energy is enough to give hope to those who have had data storage failures as a result of power fall-outs.  If the Notrees battery is successful, it may encourage the generation of more wind farms to help consumers get more reliable, affordable, renewable electricity that will not harm their computers.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

Regular Wikipedia users have probably noticed the large banner at the top of each page that says, “Please Read: a personal appeal from Wikipedia programmer Brandon Harris.” Naturally, given our curious nature, many of us have clicked on the banner—probably even knowing in the back of our minds what was coming. And sure enough, Wikipedia then proceeds to ask for money.

Oddly enough, many people actually take the time to read the appeal, and many even think about contributing some money. What ends up happening, though, is that despite the sincere desire to help donate, we either put it off or fall prey to the false notion that other people will do it.

However, if you actually are interested in donating, don’t wait to contribute what you can to the website. Because Wikipedia’s annual fundraiser is not just an attempt to raise extra funds and is, instead, absolutely essential to the website’s survival, it is important to take the appeal seriously.

The organization raises money to cover its basic operating costs, not to give CEOs massive raises. The donated money goes to pay for basic website maintenance and computer support for Wikipedia’s 679 servers. Unlike Google or Yahoo, Wikipedia is run by a staff of 95. It’s also ad-free, something which the organization has pledged to try to continue. As such, if we don’t continue to support Wikipedia financially, we might soon find ourselves without the website.

It’s hard to imagine what life was like before Wikipedia. Where did people get their background knowledge on little-know authors or historical figures? Where did readers find out how parliamentary elections worked in Egypt or how NATO came to be? There’s no doubt that the relatively simple concept of Wikipedia has become a staple in almost everyone’s online activity.

Of course, over the years, Wikipedia has had many critics. In academia, especially, citing Wikipedia remains a huge faux pas. Nonetheless, the free online encyclopedia is often a helpful tool in gaining some background knowledge, and it often contains links to other resources that students can cite. Sure, some of the information on Wikipedia is wrong or misleading, but that’s merely a fraction of the millions of pages of its data on.

Wikipedia brings together everything in one place. Imagine how difficult life would be if we had to search in dozens or hundreds of databanks for scattered information.

According to the website, over 400 million users visit the site each month, and it’s the fifth biggest website online. So if you’d like to see Wikipedia continue growing and serving millions of users with its billions of page views, donate today. The little money you provide will go a long way towards website tech support and enhancement. Ultimately, it is we, the readers, who gain.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

The best engineers will tell you that if a device is designed properly, it will be intuitive to use.  That means if when a manufacturer makes a gadget in the most efficient way possible, how to operate it will be self-evident.  TASCAM seems to realize that with their new iM2 Stereo Microphone.

For audiophiles, though, the TASCAM iM2 Stereo Microphone is not only intuitive to use, its purpose it obvious.  The TASCAM iM2 Stereo Microphone is the ideal tool for creating high-quality recordings of live music presentations using your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.  Without actually endorsing bootlegging, TASCAM creates the ideal equipment for recording stereo performances with your Apple mobile device.

Why else would TASCAM devote so much attention to quality and flexibility?  The three inch wide stereo microphone array plugs directly into the docking port on your Apple iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.  From there, you may rotate the microphones up to 180 degrees, which gives you an impressive range for recording sounds with real auditory depth.  The TASCAM iM2 accommodates sounds up to 125 decibels without distortion, so your recording is true and vibrant.

While the hardware of the TASCAM iM2 Stereo Microphone is impressive, the software support it comes with truly sells the product.  The TASCAM iM2 Stereo Microphone includes an app for your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.  The app provides you with graphic representations of the audio levels as you are recording them.  The indicators allow you to make adjustments to the iM2 Stereo Microphone to achieve the optimal location and sound levels for recording, without losing any of the material you wish to record.  Because you have access to second-by-second indicators of volume, channel and recording length, you may make adjustments to preserve the material in ways that you could not before.  In fact, in the hands of a skilled audio recorder, the iM2 may make a recording that fixes the problems often experienced by lousy sound engineers!

For recording interviews, conversations or mundane dialogue, users do not need a stereo microphone.  Those who love the depth of sound that comes from a stereo music performance, those who want to be able to listen to that performance with its entire nuance, need sophisticated equipment.  The TASCAM iM2 Stereo Microphone is exactly the right equipment for those recording music they want to play back with the proper stereo sound as the artists intended.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

If you missed the latest GOP debate when it aired live on television, don’t worry because these days you can stream just about anything that appears on television, even news, to your computer, smartphone or tablet. Taking full advantage of such streaming options is often as easy as upgrading a media player and having a fast Internet network service. If you’re interested in following politics, keep in mind these tips to avoid the pitfalls of being an online political fanatic.

News websites tend to break down lengthy news events, such as an hour-long political debate, into a series of three or four minute clips. When watching these clips via your smartphone, you might hear a candidate say something dumb or offensive that is often taken out of context. So remember, context is king.

Keep in mind that news websites love sound bites because they work very well with our increasingly short attention spans. In this busy world, we’re always in a hurry to get the latest news while at the same time trying to balance doing a variety of other online tasks. So whenever you hear a strange or shocking “sound bite” try to look for background information. Newsprint is especially good at providing this because it doesn’t have to follow the same limiting structure as news video footage.

Use a variety of online resources to get a well-rounded idea of candidates’ viewpoints, ideologies, activities, and records. Try to read news commentary about a political event such as a debate from one site and get the raw footage of the actual debate from another.

Finally, there are hundreds of thousands of apps for iOS and Android for every imaginable purpose, and politics is no exception. Based on your specific interest, you can find apps to follow your favorite—or least-liked—candidates or poll read numbers political documents, link to news outlets, track international political spheres, and much more. Many apps are free and can add a little bit of fun to what can often be a stressful area.

The abundance of media through which we can interact with the political sphere and remain involved and informed is a two-pronged sword. It’s easy to read small bits and pieces of news or listen to decontextualized sound bites. Instead of letting technology limit what we hear to three minutes or less, we should take full advantage of resources to stay in touch with the bigger picture.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

Days ago, an expedition from the International Union for Conservation of Nature began in the Indian Ocean.  While the human explorers have the drive and interest to spend the months on the ocean that this mission demands, it is the KIEL 6000 ROV that will be doing most of the work.  Made by Schilling Robotics, the KIEL 6000 is a Remotely Operated Vehicle designed for use in depths down to 6000 meters below sea level.

With its 6000 meter depth rating, the KIEL 6000 may explore depths where the water pressure would crush a human being.  Operated from the ship, the KIEL 6000 has a sophisticated computer network that allows it to respond to multiple commands simultaneously.  Far from being a glorified remote-controlled submarine, the KIEL 6000 may follow a preprogrammed flight plan or be controlled from human operators.  Those human operators control more than just simple navigation.  The KIEL 6000 has banks of video cameras and two mechanical arms for taking samples.

The mechanical arms are a real feat of engineering design and computer programming.  The mechanical arms on the KIEL 6000 are highly dexterous and have collected specimens like rare squid and other marine life found only on the depths of the ocean floor.  The mechanical arms manipulate collecting nets and then move the nets into a bio box.  The bio boxes loaded on the KIEL 6000 store tiny marine samples and manipulating the mechanical arms to get the samples from the water to the net to the bio box requires an incredible amount of skill and training.  Even with that training, sometimes the samples themselves resist, as a 20cm lobster recently fled one of the 30cm deep bio boxes before the box closed!

The level of computer control needed to make the KIEL 6000 a viable remote vehicle is substantial.  The KIEL 6000 must be able to react quickly to unforeseen events.  The computer system aboard the KIEL 6000 is designed to react with near-instantaneous precision so the rare images of the ocean depths are not lost and so life forms previously undiscovered may be captured and catalogued by researchers.

Without the sophisticated computer support system that allows the KIEL 6000 to react quickly over 6000 meters below sea level, the KIEL 6000 would be just another remotely operated vehicle.  As it is, though, the KIEL 6000 remains the cutting edge tool for undersea exploration and our best chance at understanding a vast portion of our world.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

In an age of seamless global connectivity thanks to increasingly powerful network services, it seems that the last remaining communication obstacle is language. Aside from the actual costs, travel across the globe in a day is no longer a problem, while high quality, instant, audio-visual communication is quickly becoming a matter of clicking a button on a tablet or smartphone. Language, on the other hand, still limits how we communicate. Tourists and travelers often face a hard time communicating with others if the two do not speak a common language. Of course, there is always the good old pocket dictionary, but anyone who has ever tried to rely on that while on vacation knows that it’s hardly any help. Free online translation tools also have limited usage. They require a computing device, an Internet connection, and the ability to enter and read a language that you don’t speak!

Fortunately, if you don’t speak a word of French and are planning a trip to see the Mona Lisa, or if you regularly need simultaneous interpretation in a work setting, Jibbigo can make your life easier. Jibbigo is a speech-to-speech translation app that works on Android and iOS operated devices. To use the application, you simply record what you need to translate while pressing a record button. Jibbigo then says it back in the target language. The application is currently available in nine language pairs. Jibbigo can translate between English and Arabic (Iraqi dialect), Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Tagalog. It can also translate between German and Spanish.

Jibbigo uses advanced Speech Recognition Technology and has a vocabulary of over 40,000 words. The apps’ website states that it uses statistical machine translation and natural voice output using SVOX speech synthesis technology.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of Jibbigo is that it works offline without an Internet connection. It is self-contained and does not rely on cloud computing or other services that require a connection. This is especially useful for tourists who do not have access to Internet tech support or who do not want to get billed with massive roaming charges.

The app is founded on advanced scientific research in language at Mobile Technologies. Jibbigo and Mobile Technologies, in turn, continually collaborate with InterACT, the International Center for Advanced Communication Technologies at Carnegie Mellon University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany.

The New York Times has praised the app as one of the most advanced on the market, and it has been featured in travel guides. The app is quite inexpensive, costing under $5 for most languages. For a few bucks, it might even be fun to just buy the app and test it out at home.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

When an especially nasty virus strikes and erases valuable data from a computer or when someone accidentally deletes important photos, documents, or videos off his or her device, the usual reaction is utter shock. Data loss can be emotionally and practically devastating. Fortunately, there are often ways to retrieve lost data even in complicated situations. Data recovery is not exclusive to laptops and computers; smartphones and tablets are also susceptible to data loss, and their users sometimes need data recovery, too. Computers and smartphones aside, when it comes to USB recovery, know the 5 DON’Ts of data recovery.

1)  Don’t give up: Data recovery is possible even for the smallest of storage devices like the USB Drive. Getting lost data from a USB device is just another form of data recovery that experts can handle. To the casual user, the task may seem impossible. It is easy to be pessimistic and say, “There’s just no hope—I physically deleted those files!” Like most things technological, though, professionals know how to handle seemingly impossible tasks in ways that average users do not know about.

2)  Don’t try any fancy tricks: Though USB data recovery isn’t impossible, it’s not necessarily easy. Amateurs should not attempt to install free or do-it-yourself programs to retrieve data. Unlike other software or hardware problems, USB recovery is capricious. There is a small window of opportunity to perform data recovery, and if that opportunity is misused, there is no easy fix.

3)  Don’t add new data: When a USB flash drive loses data, it does not magically disappear. Instead, the space it previously occupied is marked as free to make room for new data. Saving new files can overwrite the recently deleted ones as they linger in their limbo status and make your USB recovery efforts complicated, if not impossible. So once you realize that you’ve accidentally lost or deleted something important, immediate stop using the device.

4)  Don’t delete in bulk: Knowing that you need to pay for data recovery that was completely avoidable makes the whole process even more upsetting. Take your time when deleting files off a USB flash drive. Don’t delete in bulk, as you might overlook a file or document you need! Also, avoid permanently deleting files (shift + delete), which deletes files even out of your recycling bin. There’s a reason files aren’t automatically permanently deleted. They go to your recycling bin first in case you need to recover them.

5)  Don’t wait: If you’re hesitant to get USB recovery because you’re worried that it will take too long or is an inconvenience, then think again. If you know where to look, you’ll find that service providers like Rescuecom can recover your lost data remotely. Data recovery professionals can connect to your USB flash drive via a secure Internet connection, so you don’t even have to leave your home or office.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

Last week, Apple issued a statement describing a minor problem that can occur with some first-generation iPod nanos. One All Things D writer notes that whereas other companies might initiate a recall, the iPod manufacturer initiates a “Replacement Program.” As is often the case when it comes to Apple PR, the company is handling the issue smoothly, and to its credit, quite effectively.

According to Apple’s website, the company has determined that the battery in some 1st generation iPod nanos can, in rare cases, overheat and pose a safety risk. From the company’s statement, it doesn’t seem as though the recall—sorry, replacement program—is the direct result of regular battery problems, but rather a mere precautionary step. “While the possibility of an incident is rare, the likelihood increases as the battery ages,” says Apple’s statement.
Apple’s website advises users to stop using the iPod nano and send it in for a replacement, free of charge. Users whose iPods are potentially faulty will receive a replacement iPod within six weeks, though they are still responsible for their own music transfer. At-risk models are determined by serial number.

In many ways, Apple is going above and beyond to tackle this problem. Sure, it’s spending some money on replacements, shipping and a little bit of damage control, but the company sure knows how to do all these things well. Apple has always been fairly transparent about problems with its products, always offering replacements or upgrades to fix them. But it’s not just the reparative steps that Apple takes in response to tech support problems that make its PR so effective; many would argue that it’s the company’s attitude towards customers.

The company has succeeded in establishing a following so dedicated that it’s hard to imagine how badly Apple would have to screw up in order to lose some of its fans. Apple customers trust one source of authority when it comes to judging Apple products, and that source is their tried and tested interactions with Apple’s products, all of which continue to prove to be solid, powerful, incredibly user friendly, and elegant.

From Apple’s perspective, having such a loyal following is naturally a great thing. It means that users are more likely to tolerate company mistakes, which in turn means that mistakes are more likely to cost less. From the customers’ perspective, belonging to a familial kind of organization (familial on a very large grand scale) means that they can expect better treatment and better products. In the end, Apple’s tactful PR and customer care attract loyal users, and loyal users push the company to keep its high standards. Everyone wins.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com

One of the most common problems computer repair companies encounter is with customers who have slow running computers.  A slow running computer can require computer support, but the need for computer repair may be prevented through some simple general maintenance.  General maintenance is limited to actions on the computer that a novice with a limited understanding of how computers work may accomplish without harming the computer.

Slow running computers are computers that lag during functions that had once been mundane.  These are not problems that require computer repair, just vigilance in general maintenance.  Most computer users are unaware that the tools needed to solve slow running computer issues are on their computer already.  Computers run slow because they lose space on the hard drive due to information and programs, some of which run independent of the user, like malware and viruses.

But not all slow running computers require significant computer repair or computer support.  Instead, users may easily eliminate many of the problem files through tools available on their desktop.  The easiest way to stop a slow running computer from developing problems that require computer repair or additional computer support from professionals is to run a Disk Cleanup.  In the Windows Accessories tools, there is a Disk Cleanup option.  By cleaning out temporary Internet files, the recycle bin and Downloaded Program Files, even a computer that has only been in use for three days may free up 2 GB of space!

Many computer repair experts recommend removing unwanted applications as well.  Without additional computer support, you may simply remove unwanted or unused programs through the “Add Or Remove Programs” function on the Start menu of Windows computers.  This is an easy process, but computer repair professionals will recommend that you do a full back up before making changes to programs, just in case you accidentally remove a program that you actually need.  After you remove programs you no longer use and find your system working faster, you may want to make a backup of the cleaner version of your hard drive.

The other general maintenance procedure that requires no additional computer support or aid from a computer repair service would be running a Defrag of your registry. After backing up the registry, use the Advanced Registry Optimizer to eliminate files, programs and applications that your computer no longer uses and should not look for.

Finally, you may prevent a call to a computer repair service simply by installing and regularly using an antivirus program.  With several antivirus programs on the market, there are many options that novices may load without requiring additional computer support from professionals.  Eliminating viruses, spyware and malware is a great way to get a slow running computer back up to speed.

If you are a novice, you need not become an expert in computer repair to keep your computer running fast.  Without additional computer support, you have the tools to protect your computer!

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman, CEO

315-882-1100

david@rescuecom.com