We Care Computers Newsletter

"Friendly Technology Advice "


July 12, 2007
Greetings!

Our July newsletter is chock full of useful tips for home and business computer users, all brought to you free each month by We Care Computers, your tech specialists.  

With great summer weather, and the kids out of school, find out how to stay in touch even when you're on vacation or a long weekend.  Plus, we've got additional articles on protecting yourself from the most recent “greeting card” scam, and the pros and cons of buying the brand new iPhone.   You may read the entire newsletter or “jump” to your favorite topic:

• Software:  It's July, Get Outside, and Still Stay in Touch with Your Computer
• Email: Computer Things You Always Meant To Do, But Didn't
• Hardware:  Is the iPhone Worth It?
• WCC's “SCAM ALERT:  July, 2007: Don't Click Thru on Greeting Card Emails
• WCC NEWS: Announcing the Winners from Recent Shows!
• We Care Computers' JULY SPECIAL OFFER:  Back-Up Your Information

As always, please feel free to call or email us to discuss any of your computer problems or to get some advice if you're thinking of upgrading your system or getting a new one.
And, if you've got a favorite topic or question you'd like us to include in future newsletters, please email us!  We'll get back to you personally and perhaps include it in a future edition.
Have a great summer,
Avi Smith-Rapaport, and the entire team at:
We Care Computers, LLC,
860-836-4191 or  info@wecarecomputers.com

Software Tip of the Month:  It's July, Get Outside, and Still Be in Touch with Your Office or Home Computer!

Summer in the northeast is the best time of the year to get outside and enjoy the beach, lakes, state parks, and outdoor attractions of CT and MA.  With kids out of school, day trips, vacations, and long weekends are also popular.

But, for each day you're away from your computer, you lose touch with what's happening on the job, emails don't get returned, and work piles up.

What if there was a way to “stay in touch” with your computer WHILE you are away?  Access all your files and email via any computer hooked up to the internet (or wireless device such as a Blackberry, PDA, etc.).

Yes, it's possible, and very affordable.  With the latest “I'm In Touch” software, you can stay ahead of work problems even when you're on vacation.  We've kept in touch from the beach and even from a kayak thanks to a handy Wi-Fi connection!  (although we strongly recommend against taking laptops in kayaks as a general rule).

In a nutshell, “I'm In Touch” finds your home or office computer (which must be on and connected to the internet) and establishes a fast connection that gives you access to email, files, and everything else on your computer.

We Care Computers will get the software for you, install it, and even show you how to use it in one easy service call.  Just call us or email: info@wecarecomputers.com.

Computer Things You Always Meant To Do, But Didn't: Email
CLEAN OUT THOSE OLD EMAILS!

Most of us remember to routinely delete (or at least try to) our INBOX of old messages and spam, but we've got a few tips on managing your email that will keep your system in top operating condition!  

There's more messages in your email browser than those just in your Inbox. Your SENT MAIL folder could be gigantic, and so could your DELETED FILES folder.

When this occurs (and it happens over time), Outlook and Outlook Express start to get a little crazy and do weird things.  The program can even “lock up” and freeze, or lose email messages you really wanted to receive or save!

Here are our tips:

• Routinely empty your DELETED email folder.
• Don't delete your SENT emails (they are good records), but you may want to “archive” them from time to time by creating a new folder (2006 Emails, for example) and moving the SENT mail to that folder.  This frees up space in your email program and allows it to operate smoothly.
• Very important messages should also be saved in a folder outside of SENT Mail.

If you need help in managing your email, give us a call or email us at info@wecarecomputers.com and we'll give you a hand.

Hardware:  Apple's iPhone Hits the Streets

The big news this month is Apple's long awaited launch of their innovative (and pricey) iPhone.  Is it worth it?  Time will tell, but here are some the pro's and cons:
10 Reasons to Love the iPhone:

• It looks and feels amazing.  It's fast, slick, and exudes class.
• Visual voicemail.  See your messages quickly and choose which ones to open.
• Wi-fi.  Easy to hook up to the internet wherever there is a wireless signal.
• Large Screen.  With a big high-resolution screen, everything looks pretty.
• The iPhone is also an iPod.  So music and movies are available, any time. .
• You can surf the web.  The interface for viewing web pages is the best so far on a handheld device.
• Google and Yahoo integration.  The Google maps application is great and with Yahoo you get push email (automatically picks up new emails).
• It's intuitive.  Anyone can pick it up and jump into the action.
• The iPhone has perfected text messaging.
• It's fast.  Even with loads of contacts, switching from screen to screen is quick and responsive.

10 Reasons To Run From The iPhone:

• The iPhone is in lockdown.  Currently only Apple can add or sell software for it.  You want an IM client? Not available now, and you can't add it to your phone even if it was.
• Edge and no 3G.  There is no high speed cellular network access.  For some this is the deal breaker.
• Price.  No matter what, the cheapest version is $499.
• Battery life.  5 hours of talk/video time is not so great and the battery can't be changed or swapped without sending it to Apple.
• Exclusive provider.  To get one requires a 2 yr deal with AT&T which is a bummer for many with other contracts (read your current one carefully if you decide to switch, as it might be pricey to get out of.).
• There is no MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) feature .  You can't send picture messages.  Only pictures through email.
• Tiny Storage (only 7.2 Gigs, compared to 60 on many Ipods).  You can't upgrade your storage space.  Where do all your movies and music go especially considering the price?
• No flash or Java support.  These are items necessary for the basic web experience and has many people up in arms.
• Tied to ITunes.  You can't just bring it over to a friend's house and use it as an external hard drive to share files.
• The camera is relatively basic compared to most phone cameras and has really has no options (i.e. flash or zoom).

WCC's “SCAM ALERT:  July, 2007:  Don't Open Those GREETING CARD Emails! 

Internet hackers are using email “greeting cards” to entice you to download viruses into your computer!   They appear to be from reputable greeting card companies (they're not), and will usually inform you that a family friend or relative has sent you a greeting card.  When you click on the link, it downloads the virus.

Reputable email greeting card companies will always identify (usually) both the Sender AND recipient by name. So if you get a greeting card for “Sarah M.” from “Bill Smith”, and you are Sarah and you know Bill, certainly go ahead and click-thru to your card.

But if your email does not identify a specific sender by name (just “family member”, “friend”, etc.) please don't click thru to the web link.  Simply delete the email.

If you think your computer is already infected with viruses or malicious adware (it's running slow or acting funny) give us a call to discuss it. 

WCC NEWS:  Announcing the Winners from Recent Shows!

We Care Computers gives away valuable prizes at the various consumer show we attend and recent winners from the Home Show include: 
WCC Gift Pack winners:
Brian Schulz
Frank Apuzzo
WCC 1 Hr Free Service
Maya Blake
Lane Smith
IPOD Nano Winner
Jacquie Tilden
Winners should email We Care Computers at info@wecarecomputers.com to claim their prizes.  Deadline is August 15, 2007.

We Care Computers JULY SPECIAL OFFER!   

Back-Up Your Valuable Data:  A hard drive crash, power failure when you computer is on, and any other number of computer “glitches” could cause you to lose your photos, financial data, and personal and business records.  While we can sometimes recover data from damaged computers, the prudent and sensible thing to do is back up your information.

This month, we are offering Special Pricing ONLY for the readers of We Care Computers Electronic Newsletter

$249 “Data Backup Package” includes:

Backup your data automatically, on site.  We Care Computers will  come to you and bring a 250GB (min.) external hard drive and backup software for your computer.  Then, we'll install the system, and configure the software so your information will be saved automatically.

Offer expires August 1, 2007 (as long as you're confirmed with an order we'll honor the price).  Please call or email today.
Yours truly,
Avi Smith-Rapaport
We Care Computers LLC