Computer Support Blog

For many people, consumer technology often goes hand in hand with entertainment, as people listen to music, watch videos and play games on their computers, smartphones and tablets frequently.  For others, consumer tech is synonymous with work as they spend most of their time on computers in Microsoft Office or answering emails on their phones.  However, a new type of consumer technology has seen significant growth in recent years, and it fits neither of these typical categories.  Fitness trackers use motion-tracking technology and the web to help people get in physical shape.  Read more »

While software developers and computer repair professionals know the term very well, many computer users do not know what a “patch” is or what it does.  A patch is a piece of software that updates a computer program to improve or fix it.  Patches can fix security issues, get rid of glitches and bugs and even add brand new functionality to a computer program.  Patches evolve computer programs over time to both protect people that use the program from online attacks and to make the software better for their use.  Some of the most important patches that people receive for their computers are patches that fix problems with Windows, the most used operating system on desktop and laptop computers. Without these patches and updates, many people’s computers would remain vulnerable to online attacks and exploits.  Read more »

When purchasing a computer or looking to get computer repair, people often become overwhelmed with technical specifications they do not understand.  Unfortunately, video cards are one of the aspects of computer technology most commonly misunderstood by consumers when buying a computer or looking for repair.  Having a capable video card is very important to users who want to view and edit high definition video or play any sort of video games, two of the most common activities associated with personal computing.  Many parents, grandparents, siblings and friends have bought computers for their loved ones that were not useful because they did not understand what type of video card was necessary for their loved one’s activities.  Fortunately, RESCUECOM can provide help both in understanding what a video card is and in how to make sure you have one that’s best for your specific situation. Read more »

When Microsoft released Windows 8 in 2012, it made many significant changes to how users interacted with the operating system when compared with previous versions of Windows.  One of the most significant changes that occurred was the addition of “Windows Apps”, which users launch from an entirely new interface, unrelated to common “desktop” interface with which most people have familiarity.  There is a lot of confusion over the nature of both Windows Apps and the “Modern” interface that users launch them from, even almost two years after the initial release of Windows 8.  Read more »

USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is one of the most common connectors users encounter when working with computer technology. People use USB cables to charge their devices, transfer data and connect accessories.  However, there is often confusion over the different types of USB ports that different devices use.  This situation can cause confusion in the space of mobile technology especially, where many consumers are still unaware of what “Micro-USB” and “Mini-USB” ports are and the differences between them.  Read more »

For decades, the hard disk drive has been the key aspect of a computer that keeps users’ information and data saved for later access. Without a hard drive to store someone’s files and operating system, a computer cannot function.  Unfortunately, all sorts of technical issues have plagued hard drives over the years.  While people can store more information on their computers and access it faster than ever before, hard drives still fail due to mechanical issues.  Even if a data recovery service can retrieve a user’s files once a hard drive has malfunctioned, the part itself is commonly broken and unusable afterwards.  Fortunately, a new technology can replace the standard hard drive and significantly reduce the occurrence of these issues for many users.  That technology is the solid state drive, or SSD for short.  Read more »

Google Glass is one of the most hyped new pieces of consumer technology to debut over the last several years.  Many people have spoken about it being revolutionary, while others have already written it off as a fad.  However, there are still millions of people who don’t quite understand the exact nature of Google’s new tech device.  Google Glass is a mobile computer that people use while wearing it on their face like a pair of glasses. The device projects images onto the backside of the glasses so whatever apps, videos, or websites a person is viewing appear directly in front of their eyes.  People use a combination of their voice, eyes and a small touchpad on the side of the glasses in order to control the device.  Any users who have trouble handling these controls can get help from a Google Glass support provider. Read more »

While keeping up with every new product in the technology world is nearly impossible, it’s now becoming nearly as difficult to keep up with new product categories as well.  As mobile technology has expanded over the last decade, people no longer have to confine themselves to computing on their laptop and desktop computers.  The vast majority people now use their smartphones or their thin, notebook-sized tablets exclusively for tasks once only associated with traditional computers.  However, these innovations seem to be only the beginning, as another new type of mobile device has entered the technology world: the Smartwatch.  Read more »