Computer Support Blog

Many people have a desire to help others but do not have the money to support many charitable organizations, and many feel they do not have enough to make much of an impact at all. Instead is an app that its developers built upon the premise that you do not need a lot of money to make a difference, allowing people to make a large impact with a little. Its creators claim that you can use the app to give even more to the causes that you already support, and what it essentially does is two things: firstly, it helps you to understand things you can do instead of another thing you commonly do in order to save money that you can then donate. Secondly, it incentivizes and gamifies “micro-philanthropy,” or charitable giving by an individual on a small scale. Read more »

It’s easy to forget about what happens to old and unused computers.  Technology updates so quickly that people often don’t have time to figure out what to do with their old machines and will leave them in storage, collecting dust for years.  Needless to say, this is not the best use for older technology that often works perfectly fine or could work fine with just a little computer repair.  The Outlook Foundation is a nonprofit that wants to take those old computers and technology and use them for a better purpose.  The charity takes older technology and repurposes it in order to donate it to children in need who can benefit from having access to a computer and the Internet.  The foundation also aids veterans who return from overseas without a job by giving them computers that can help them find a place in civilian life once again.  By giving technology who those who can benefit the most from it, the Outlook Foundation has found a much more effective and altruistic use for the computers that people have replaced with newer tech. Read more »

Even when people don’t have the money to donate to nonprofits and other causes, they are often willing to do anything they can to help.  Cool person in technology Mike Tang founded Raise5 in order to give people an outlet where they can use their skills to raise money for specific nonprofits and charity organizations.  On Tang’s website, people offer services for a price, but with a twist.  Rather than pay the person who provides a service directly, all money goes instead to a charitable organization of the worker’s choosing.  Users can offer services that cost anywhere between $5 and $50 on Raise5.  “Freelance fundraisers”, as Tang’s website calls them, post whatever service they want to perform on Raise5’s online marketplace.  These service providers advertise what charity they are supporting on each posting so buyers know what cause they are donating money to with each purchase.  Anyone who wants to offer services on the site, but has technical issues while creating a profile or posting, can get help from a professional cloud computer support service. Read more »

It’s probably safe to say that given the chance, most people would donate more to charity.  However, lack of resources, lack of time to do proper research, and general difficulty get in the way very often. Because of this difficulty, people overlook philanthropy in their busy lives.  Cool person in technology Theresa Preston-Werner has founded a new startup that aims to take all the potential hassle out of charitable giving.  Preston-Werner wants to make it so anyone can donate to well-run, effective charitable organizations without having to give it much thought.  Her organization, Omakase, does all the research on charities for its users.  Omakase researches to find the most effective and helpful charities so that donors never have to worry that a poorly run organization will waste the money they give.  Omakase works on a monthly basis, meaning that all donors pledge a certain amount of money to give every month automatically.  Preston-Werner likely believes this model will appeal to those looking for convenience, as it creates a “set it and forget it” mentality once someone pledges.  Users sign up for Omakase’s curated charities through the web.  Anyone who wants to donate but has Internet connection problems should call for home computer support.  Read more »

More often than not, when the mainstream media discusses the tech sector and the businesspeople within it, they convey information about executives who make hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars each year.  There is another side to the tech sector, though, and that is the charitable side.  There are many executives in the tech sector who, upon seeing the profound influence technology may have on one’s quality of life, become inspired to spread technology to the underprivileged.  Millie Liggins has seen just how great IT can improve a company and in her spare time, the works to spread technology through the World Computer Exchange! Read more »

In the tech sector, big is often considered better, at least when it comes to the size of the company.  Gadgets and computing devices may continue to get smaller and lighter, but success is often measured by one’s position in a large, well-known, technology company.  Despite that overwhelming pressure to conform, some people still strike out on their own and find success with their own small operation in the tech sector.  One person who has managed to build and sustain his own company for the past twelve years is Nicolas Vesin! Read more »

There are many executives for whom their technology business is the end of their personal or professional growth.  This can make a lot of sense, as it is a herculean task to establish a successful business within the tech sector.  So, it is always interesting to find an executive who remains close to their roots and uses their businesses success to fund the causes dearest to them.  Lorne Trottier is one such executive. Read more »

Artists and designers, as a general rule, want to make an impact on the world around them.  Artists try to open the eyes and minds of their audience to a new way to see the world.  Designers try to reshape the world by pushing the limits of convention or creating styles that intrigue consumers in a way that resonates with all who experience their designs.  There are, arguably, no more effective artist/designers in the world today than Yves Behar.  Behar is not simply trying to change the world in an abstract way; he is using technology. Read more »

There are a lot of charities that deal with helping those who have the greatest need get technology like computers.  Of course, the very existence of such charities implies that the problem persists, but as the holidays wane and you look forward to your tax refund, perhaps you are thinking of the less fortunate.  One of the charities that are working hard to make a difference is the World Computer Exchange.

The World Computer Exchange is a charity that seeks to deliver computers to impoverished countries.  Their Computers for Girls initiative is one of the charity’s biggest endeavors.  Computers for Girls is, as its name implies, an effort to provide girls in other countries with computers.  In addition to providing computers, Computers for Girls works with girls and young women in foreign countries to teach them how to use the computers.  Computers for Girls has recently teamed with the Peace Corps to help provide the education component of their mission.  So, while the World Computer Exchange has only been operating since 2000, the Peace Corps is hardly a fly-by-night organization!

The need for computer education and computer hardware for girls is very real.  The gender gap is even more severe in nations like Pakistan, the Philippines and Panama.  Liberia, which is still recovering from its last civil war, has made women’s rights issues a very low priority on its national agenda.  So, the need for an organization like the World Computer Exchange is unfortunately very real.  The Computers for Girls initiative provides real educational opportunities to girls in thirteen of the most impoverished or oppressive counties on Earth.

The World Computer Exchange is a very reputable charity and meets most of the Better Business Bureau’s qualifications to be an accredited charity.  In fact, with 86% of every donation being used to provide the services and materials of the charity, the World Computer Exchange has a more efficient operation than the March Of Dimes (75%) or the Make-A-Wish Foundation (also 75%).  It is worth noting that the element the WCE failed to meet to get its accreditation actually helps the charity run more efficiently.  The WCE’s Board Of Directors is required to meet multiple times a year to get accredited.  Because the WCE is an international effort, their Board meetings include members who have a virtual presence at each meeting.  Using computers and telecommunications devices, those board members participate in the meetings without being physically present; the BBB does not consider that acceptable.  In some ways, it is reassuring to see a charity where the leaders are so dedicated to their cause that they will not make an international trip and abandon that cause!

The Computers for Girls initiative is putting real computers in front of girls who might otherwise receive no formal education or training.  Supporting the World Computer Exchange’s Computers for Girls program is worthwhile.

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

Recently, we pitched the idea of sharing your smartphone with someone less fortunate in order to give them a holiday connection with a distant loved one.  With the holiday season behind us and the new year looming with all of its potential, we wanted to share an idea for lasting change.  A recent study found that over 100,000,000 homes in the United States are not connected to the Internet.  While politicians debate remedies and devise programs to change that, we have our own proposal.  Volunteer to help the underprivileged learn to use computers.

Why do people who live in poverty need computer access?  The Internet has enhanced the quality of life for billions of people the world over by providing reliable interpersonal connections, job opportunities and educational materials.  The poor and underprivileged have as great a need for the benefits of the Internet as any of us do.

Many communities have public Internet access, usually through your local library.  If your local library provides computers and Internet access, volunteering your time to help the less fortunate becomes very easy!  Librarians may be a great asset in finding individuals you might be able to help.

Showing another person how to use social networking tools over the Internet may give them a foothold to start their climb out of poverty.  Many poor people have friends and/or family outside their current location.  By taking the time to help a person establish an e-mail account and accounts with major social networking sites like Facebook and Google+, you may help an impoverished person become more visible to those who might be looking for them.  With an online presence, you may help another person find someone who may be able to help them.

The Internet is a wealth of educational materials as well.  Those who have basic educational deficiencies like illiteracy or the inability to do basic math are highly unlikely to approach a computer on their own.  You may make a profound difference in another person’s life by getting them online and hooking them up with Internet programs that help them develop their reading, writing and mathematics skills.  You do not need to be a teacher; online there are many teachers and programs looking to help others; they just need students!

Perhaps the greatest benefit of donating your time to helping the less fortunate get on the Internet is that you may help someone get back to work.  Many employers, especially for minimum wage or undesirable jobs require applicants to apply online.  Homeless and transient individuals seldom follow up when they are turned away from a prospective employer when that employer wants all applications to be digital.  By patiently guiding a less fortunate person through the online application process, you may well be able to help that person get a job.

By patiently guiding a less fortunate person through the process of becoming computer literate, you may provide them with a valuable skill that could change their life for the better!

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