Your Virtual Library Can Save You Big Bucks

Did you know you can add new songs to your music library for free? Just check your local library’s website for music and many other free resources.  Here are some popular items you can get for free:

Music: Many libraries offer “Freegal” which is a free, legal way to download music.  Often times, you can download five free songs every week.  The library has an extensive online collection including some of the newest billboard chart toppers. It is easy to see if your library has some ofyour favorites by searching the database using the artist, title, or genre.  If you want the actual CD, you can also request it online so it is available on the shelf with your name on it at the library, ready to be checked out.  The computer makes finding the music you want much quicker than searching through those dusty shelves for hours.


Books: Libraries now have the ability to check out digital copies of books to you.  These books are available to download as an audio file or digital file that goes straight to your computer, Kindle, iPad, or other device.  You will receive an email when your book download is available and you will usually have up to 21 days to read it.  No late fees can be accrued because the book just disappears from your device the day it is due. You can also read this book across several devices, it syncs each time and updates to your current page.


Videos: If you have ever wanted to learn to play the piano or take a cruise to Alaska, you can do it by downloading an electronic video provided by Overdrive.  The latest blockbuster is not going to be available in this format, but you might be able to learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby.  Just reserve and download these videos through your local library’s website.


Podcasts: Podcasts are digital media consisting of audio, video, or written files which are available through the library’s website or the internet.  They offer a wide variety of topics and are often subscription based.  You can subscribe to latest NPR program or learn how to fly fish.
Resources for Kids: In addition to checking out eBooks, many library websites offer free online homework help.  This assistance might be via online resources, digital downloads, library databases, etc.  There are also online practice tests and quizzes.  Although, taking your kids to the library is a valuable field trip, the online tutoring and lessons can be a asset when you are at home or looking for resources beyond your library’s regular hours.


The library used to be a building that houses books, but today libraries offer so much more to our community.  Many technological advances digital media form are available at the library as well as from a stroke on your computer keyboard.  Don’t forget to utilize this community resource to its fullest.

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Written By: Amy Murphy, TLC Computer Solutions, Las Vegas, NV

Controlling Your Home from the Internet – Is the Convenience worth the Risk?

While still at work, you unlock the front door for your teenager when he arrives home from school using your smart phone.  It sounds futuristic, but the time has come…many of your household devices may be controlled through your wireless network.  This sounds great, but one family learned about the dangers of wireless monitoring the hard way. A Texas couple, Marc and Lauren Gilbert, heard a voice coming from their daughter’s room and  when the father went into her room to investigate, he realized someone had taken control of the video monitor and was cursing and saying sexually explicit things to his sleeping little girl.  Fortunately, in this case, the daughter did not hear any of this because she was sleeping and requires cochlear implants to hear.  This case illustrates the importance of making sure your connection is secure before using any home devices over your wireless network.



What am I able to control via the internet or my smart phone?  This list is expanding every day, but here are some popular ones:
Video Surveillance – You may remotely monitor your home or business with cameras that are accessible on your computer.  From your computer, you may turn them on or off and change the directions of the camera.


Computer Monitoring – There are many programs that allow you to monitor your computer remotely.  This might be especially important if you have children.  You are able to monitor access and content so you can keep close tabs on your child’s computer habits even when you are away.
Thermostat Control – From your computer or smart phone, several programs allow you to adjust your thermostat.  This may be most helpful for vacation homes, rentals, or extreme changes in the weather while you are away from your home.



Locks – The locks on your home may be locked or unlocked wirelessly.  Some programs even send you an email every time the lock is accessed.  This is another safety feature for rental homes or when you are on vacation.
All of these remote access tools may be very handy, but make sure you pay attention to the Gilberts’ story and only use these devices on a very secure wireless network that is protected with a strong password. For the most secure connection, contact a professional to help you set up your wireless network.


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Written By: Amy Murphy, TLC Computer Solutions, Las Vegas, NV

Digital Photos…How Should I Preserve Them?

Do you have fun taking tons of digital photos because they are free? The more you take, the less chance you have to miss that special moment, right?.  Now, what do you do with those tens, hundreds, thousands of digital pictures?  In order to preserve them for future use and generations, it is important to make sure they are stored securely.


First things first, before you store them, come up with a way to organize the photos that makes it easy to find what you are looking for quickly once they are stored.  One way to arrange photos is to keep a folder of photos for each year and organize them in that folder by month.  If you label the months numerically, for example “01January2013”, they will stay in order.  You can also use the sorting future on Windows of iPhoto to automatically organize your photos by day or month.


Now for storage, make sure it is reliable and permanent.  Many people believe CDs are a great permanent storage, but they are unaware that CDs can start to degrade over the years and eventually become unusable.  One place to store your photos is on an external hard drive.



This allows you to put a large amount of photos in one secure place.  Just make sure you regularly backup your current photos to your external hard drive.  The other solution is to use a cloud storage site.  Many companies that archive your photos are free and a great place to print your photos or make photo books as another way to preserve your memories.  Here are a few popular cloud storages companies:


Flicker - This service allows you to store, organize and tag photos. In addition, there is a messaging system that allows users to comment on photos. First terabyte is free.

Smugmug  - A service that allows you to upload photos from your computer or mobile device.  It keeps the geotags and allows for easy organization.  Pictures may be shared and printed on this site. Monthly pricing starts at $5
.
Shutterfly – This site allows you to upload, organize, print, and make books and gifts with your photos.  In addition you can share photos by creating a personal webpage.  The basic service is free.

JustCloud – Users are able to upload, organize, share, and view photos from everywhere using an internet connection.  You can also click on a picture and start a web slide show. Basic accounts are free.

Sugarsync – This photo storage site allows you to upload photos from your computer or through a mobile app.  Sharing is easy and can be separated into groups.  First 5GB are free.

Photo archiving may be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you develop a system, it can take as little time as a couple minutes each month and your irreplaceable snapshots will be accessible and able to be enjoyed for a lifetime.

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Written By Amy Murphy, TLC Computer Solutions, Las Vegas, NV

“Falling” for iOS7

With the release of iOS7 sometime this fall, Apple users will see big changes in the most popular operating system for phones and tablets.   Although not all the new features have been divulged by Apple, they have shared some significant ones.

Control Center

Icons on the control center have been given an overhaul; most noticeably, they appear more flat and have slight changes to their colors and fonts.  One of the bigger changes is a translucent bar that you can swipe from the bottom.  It allows you to control more items quickly such as airplane mode, brightness, and the integrated flashlight.  The music options will still be available on this tool bar.  In addition, a full-screen notifications bar is available in the lock screen so you don’t have to go into individual apps.

Camera and Photos

The camera feature has some new options including adding different shapes to pictures and using different lenses to change the appearance of pictures.  Zooming in on videos will now be available by pinching the screen out just like on the camera mode. The photo gallery will now organize your pictures into “moments” by location, putting all the pictures from a specific event together for easier viewing.

Music

The music from the cloud will now be visible on your phone alongside the music stored internally.  When holding your phone horizontally, you will be able to see all your tracks by swiping sideways and touching the albums you want to zoom in on.  With the new iOS7, Apple will also be releasing iTunes Radio, an integrated music system that has been in the works for quite some time.

Safari

This browser look has changed slightly, most evidently in the URL bar design which has been condensed, allowing for more to be seen on the screen.  Also, being limited to 8 open tabs is no longer a concern, with the cloud, tabs are almost limitless.

Siri

Siri will no longer be only a woman; you will be able to change her voice to a male voice or to different languages.  Siri will also be “smarter” and understand more commands such as “turn up brightness”.

Along with all of these new changes in the operating system arriving this fall, you can be assured that Apple has some more features tucked up its sleeves.

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Written By:  Amy Murphy, TLC Computer Solutions, Las Vegas, NV

In the Market for a Tablet? Tips for the Consumer

Size

Tablets range in size from 7 inches to 13 inches, with the most popular tablets being 7 and 10 inches.  Choose a smaller tablet if you are looking for a device that is easily portable, can be slipped into a purse or jacket pocket, and is less expensive.  Go the larger model if you plan on using it more like a laptop.  This means you might be typing documents or storing large amounts of information on it.  The larger tablets are also better for watching movies and gaming.

Operating System

Two main operating systems dominate the market.  Apple’s  operating system (iOS) was the original and is very intuitive and user friendly.   In addition, Apple has a greater selection of apps and which are vetted by Apple to prevent harmful apps from being installed on your tablet.

Android, the largest competitor, is the operating system for companies like Google, Amazon, and Samsung.  The two biggest advantages for choosing this operating system are a lower cost and ability to customize.

Connectivity

Can you live with Wi-Fi or do you need 3G or 4G connection? Wi-Fi is available on all models and works in your home or office when connected to your Wi-Fi or in public places with Wi-Fi availability.  If this works for you, it is definitely the cheapest route.  A 3G or 4G connection allows you to use your tablet anywhere almost seamlessly.  The downside is that the tablets cost more and you need to pay for a reoccurring data plan.

Storage

Typical tablet applications don’t require much storage, but video, pictures, and large files might require more than the 64GB allowed on the tablets with the most storage.  In this case, it is important that there is some type of removable storage or cloud storage available.

Battery

The battery life is a major advantage most tablets have over laptops.  The industry standard, the iPad, has a 10 hour battery life, other tablets range from just over an hour all the way to 22 hours.  They are meant to be portable, so it’s important that your battery last several days for your type of usage.

Input Options

Some tablets rely on Bluetooth connections while others have USB ports.  If you plan on storing and moving a lot of files, you want to go with a USB port or more commonly found micro-USB or micro-HDMI ports found on tablets.

Camera

This used to be a luxury and the initial iPads didn’t include this component, but it has become a necessity today with video-conferencing for professional and personal contacts.  You may also want to consider that your tablet has a front-facing camera and video capability if you want the whole package.

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Written by Amy Murphy, TLC Computer Solutions 

Facebook Phone Flop

Looking for a great deal?  Well, the HTC First, which many people have deemed the Facebook phone recently dropped from $99 to $0.99.  Although it seems like the greatest cell phone deal to come along in recent years, there are some important reasons why is did not hold its value.

Not for Me - Not everyone is a Facebook junkie and that is the selling point of the phone that ATT poured advertising money into.  The phone dedicated to Facebook Home could not attract a big enough crowd, especially when Facebook is just a click away on most smart phones these days.

Lack of Technology - Each new phone seems to offer some new hardware or technological advance that warrants investing in a new phone.  The HTC First made no such promises.  It has a nice steel design, but where it matters the most, inside the phone, there were not any new innovations.

One Carrier - Exclusive contracts have lost their effectiveness in recent years.  Many companies, including Apple, have found that opening up the phone to different carries s profitable.  The days of a single carrier agreement are not showing the same results as with the launch of the iphone through AT&T many years ago.  Facebook might have been better off marketing under their own name through various carriers instead of AT&T.

Pricey – Many phones are offered for free with a two-year contract.  So, Facebook could have appealed to its users with a lower starting price or free with a special contract.  When, buying a new cell phone, carries have become so competitive in price that buyers are looking for a great deal or an impressive phone.

Timing – The HTC First was launched just before the Samsung Galaxy X4 which also is capable of using Facebook Home and has captured more buyers with its new features. Many companies look for a whole in the market or a specific time period (such as before a holiday).

It doesn’t look like the end of the HTC First, but definitely some changes in marketing and most obviously price.  This was one of the first attempts to use the obsession with social media to sell a phone.  Although it didn’t work this time, there are bound to be many other attempts to make social media a bigger focus on some new smart phones.

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