Technology Tips for the New Year
By Aysë Stenabaugh
The excitement over Christmas electronics can be short lived if you aren’t sure how to use your device properly. Parents may find themselves lost on how to help their children setup devices which can make Christmas feel a few steps away from torture. For over 20 years our family at Jester’s Computer Services has provided support and insight on how to make the most of your technology. Here are a few suggestions we have that might make the weeks following the holidays with your technology more bearable.
Setting up your new device – Almost any device is going to require some basic setup. You should fully charge your device and begin to setup your device only when you have the time to walk through each step documenting any important account information. If you are using a device that requires you to create or add an account (Apple id, Google, Microsoft or Amazon account) you should attempt to login or recover any existing accounts you are using. If your setting up a new account for your device, be sure to document the email address and password/pin numbers used to create the account, answer security questions and add a valid alternative contact method (email or phone number). Once your device setup is complete you should connect your device to your wireless network (if applicable) and perform any system updates by accessing the settings from your device menu.
Protecting your device – Electronics are expensive, and accidents happen, at the very least you should invest in a high-quality case to offer protection. Most cases will provide a raised edge which can provide protection to the screen however, screen protectors are ideal. We highly recommend insuring your device by buying an extended warranty or insurance policy (for mobile devices). Most retailers will let you purchase a protection plan within 30 days of purchase.
Maintaining your device – Most of the time the issues behind electronic devices have nothing to do with the physical hardware but rather the software installed. Some devices have automatic maintenance or programs that you can use to clear storage, memory etc. For those that do not, you can easily maintain your device yourself by uninstalling unused apps, disabling unneeded notifications and restarting your device regularly. A good antivirus is always recommended for Computers but on mobile devices it may be overkill, consider a free application like Lookout Security to scan newly installed apps for security risks (subscribers of their service can take advantage of additional security features). If you find your device storage is full you can always delete data, transfer to another device or use online cloud storage.
Physically you should clean your device with non-abrasive electronics cleaner and a micro fiber cloth. If you have glass cleaning wipes they work great too! Remove your device from the case at least a few times a year to clean of dust and debris that have built up under the case. We use our electronic devices a lot but sometimes we forget just how dirty they can get! When charging your rechargeable devices you should follow the manufactures changing recommendations, most manufacturers now recommend trying to maintain between a 60-70% charge. Leaving your device plugged in once fully charged can cause damage to the battery which can result it in the battery no longer charging to full capacity.
What is this cloud? – The cloud is another term for online storage. Instead of taking up precious real estate space on your phone, having to transfer content manually to another device, or paying for a phone with extra storage space, you can have your photos, videos and more stored on a secure online server. This not only gives you the ability to save space, you can also count on always having access to your data from anywhere that you can access the internet provided you remember your coveted login credentials. So, if you properly configured your device when you set it up, and your device decides to go for a swim and drowns you can login to your account and all the information saved in the cloud can be restored.
Feeling lost on your device? – Using a new device can be challenging. Remember to take your time and read all the information presented to you. Most technology won’t come with a paper user’s guide, but some devices will have tutorials showing you how to use the device. Many times, a basic guide can be found within the device as well. Friends and family can be a great resource for support, but you may find that communication can be difficult and that support from a loved one can quickly become frustrating. If you are in need of one-on-one technology support, contact us at Jester’s Computer Services and our resident technology tutor will guide you on your way to feeling more comfortable with your devices.
For more information or support please contact Jester’s Computer Services (family owned and operated for over 20 years!) at (717) 642-6611, visit us at 5135 Fairfield Road Fairfield PA 17320 or, find us online on Facebook or www.jesterscomputers.com
