Tech Tips

One of the most talked about new features introduced with the latest iOS update is the ability for the respective devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) to print. This feature, called AirPrint, seems to work well in my testing, but there are some requirements to be aware of.

By specification, AirPrint requires the use of AirPrint-compatible printers. At the time of this writing, only a handful of HP brand printers are listed as AirPrint-compatible. Several other HP printers will receive updates by the end of the year to make them AirPrint-compatible. However, the other major printer manufacturers have not officially announced AirPrint support, although the expectation is that they will. The reality is that until more printers are AirPrint-compatible, not a lot of users will be able to print from their iOS devices – at least not without help. Fortunately, there is a way to circumvent the AirPrint-compatible requirement.

Through the use of a host computer (either a Macintosh or Windows PC), many more printers can be made to work with iOS devices. I won’t go into the details of how to set this all up, but at least know that there is software available that easily makes your Mac or PC an AirPrint host. I list an example of such software for each platform at the end of this article.

So if you need to print from an iOS device and you don’t have an AirPrint-Compatible printer, don’t give up until you’ve tried sharing your printer from a host computer. If you need help with this setup, please contact me and I can schedule a visit to your home or office.

AirPrint Activator for Mac

AirPrint Activator for Windows

Every year the major anti-virus vendors update their software in the early fall. By the time November rolls around, most of the software has been out for a month or more. This is usually enough time for any initial bugs to be squashed. So for the last few years I’ve been declaring November “Anti-Virus Update Month”. If you are a Windows user and are unsure about that status of your anti-virus software, now is a great time to make sure you are protected.

To encourage everyone to take care of their anti-virus situation, during the remainder of November I am offering $25 off the price of Trend Micro Internet Security software when purchased as part of a Computer Tune-Up. I can do the Tune-Up in your home or you may schedule a Tune-Up at the MacXprts store in Edwardsville. Just present the coupon at the end of this newsletter to take advantage of the offer!

If you have any concerns about your anti-virus software or any computer security topics, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

As the holiday season approaches once again, many of us will be headed for an electronics store with the intent of purchasing a new TV for our families. Unfortunately, never before has buying a TV been so confusing. Terms like LCD, LED, plasma, quad-color, 120/240 Hz, 3D, etc., can be mind boggling to someone who just wants a TV. So for the sake of everyone’s sanity, I have created an overly simple guide to buying an HDTV.

The first question to ask yourself is what will this TV be used for? In other words, is it going to be your main family TV or will it be a TV for a bedroom or a kids’ room? If the TV is not going to be your main TV, usually the decision becomes much more about value than anything else.

I won’t say too much about the size of the TV you should buy in this article, but do keep in mind that it can be easy to buy a TV that is too large for your room. Ideally you’ll match the size of your TV to how far away most of your family will sit from it. It is easy to find guides on how to size your TV to your sitting area on the Internet.

I have only one piece of technical advice. If you’re going to purchase a main TV, then try to get one with LED LCD technology. Without getting too technical, LED refers to the the type of backlighting used in these TVs. Older non-LED LCD technology uses a type of fluorescent backlight. Simply put, LED backlighting generally is brighter, more consistent, uses less power, and should last longer. However, if the TV you’re going to purchase is a “side” TV, then don’t really worry about LED. Any LCD TV should be fine.

Honestly, besides LED technology, most of the technical specs being hyped up by manufacturers will not provide much of a difference to average consumers. So the overly simple advice I have is to actually see the TV in action. Go to a store that has various models on display so you can see the TV for yourself. Ask to make sure that the TVs are being fed with digital signals (most do anymore) and if the picture quality is good enough for you, then buy based on the best value. Still, make sure the store has a good return policy, as sometimes the way a TV looks in a store is different that what it will look like in your home.

The simple truth is that the price of TVs will continue to come down and many of us will likely purchase another TV in around 5 years or so as technology improves. Because of this, my advice to simply see the TV with your own eyes and make a decision that way is valid for most average consumers. Also, because technology moves so fast, I would not worry too much about 3D technology, as it is still in its infancy.

Does the following sound familiar to you? You’re shopping for a TV or other audio/video equipment and as soon as you make a decision, the salesperson immediately jumps into selling you high priced cables. You wonder, is he just trying to make some extra money on overpriced cables, or will I really see a benefit? The debate has raged for years, but now that digital technology is firmly entrenched in the marketplace, the rules have changed. With so many people likely to be purchasing new HDTV’s or other digital media equipment this holiday season, this is a good time to consider if high priced cables are worth the cost in this digital age.

It could have been argued back in the day of analog components that very high quality (and high priced) cables would improve the quality of what we could view or hear from our audio/video equipment. Enough evidence existed that showed high quality cables would perform better than low quality cables to keep the debate going. But now we live in an age of digital signals. If you search the Internet for advice on digital cables, you will read a lot about how digital signals can not degrade and therefore you do not need anything beyond a cheap cable. This article from mint.com is an excellent representation of this line of thinking. But you will also come across articles that state that digital signals can degrade, especially over long cables. It would seem that we’re doomed to be stuck in the ongoing debate of high priced cables forever. However, I have some advice for those of you who will be faced with this dilemma soon.

Based on what I’ve researched, I tend to side with the argument that high priced cables do not make much of a difference for digital components. The data that moves though digital signals is very concise. Basically, the signal either works or doesn’t. There isn’t really an opportunity for the audio or video to lose quality as there is with analog signals. However, physical defects or ill-fitting connectors can certainly cause headaches for audio/video setups, so low-quality cables can still be problematic. Also, over very long runs, it is possible for the digital signal to not reliably transmit across the entire run depending on the strength of the signal to begin with and the relative resistance of the cable.

My advice is to buy good quality, but not overpriced cables. In today’s age, you’ll want to make connections as much as possible using HDMI cables, as this type of digital connector carries both audio and video. From a physical standpoint, as long as the connections are nice and tight, and the cable is physically able to hold up to any twists and bends your setup requires, you should be fine. If you are purchasing an especially long run of cable, quality becomes more important, but honestly, most people will not need very long runs of HDMI cable. And the good news is with digital signals you’ll easily be able to tell if there is a problem. Either you’ll get no sound or video at all, in the case of TVs you’ll see a pixelated picture, or in the case of audio equipment you’ll hear digital distortion. It is very easy to see pixelation and digital distortion sounds quite obvious. If there is a problem, you can simply test another cable and if the problem is with the brand of cable you purchased, return it and purchase another.

Do note that speaker cable still carries an analog signal and often does need longer runs. However the same basic principle applies. For nearly everyone besides the most picky of audiophiles (and even then it is debatable), good quality but not overpriced speaker cable will be indistinguishable from the most expensive cable out there.

A handful of times in the last few weeks I have been asked about the risk of data left on old copiers or printers. In fact, I was pointed to a CBS news report about this potential problem. From my research, it was this report from earlier this year that seems to be the catalyst for all the concern. This report is well worth reading or watching, and I suggest you do so, but don’t get overly alarmed quite yet. As with many news reports, it can be easy to get caught up in the story. But there are a few factors to consider in determining your risk.

The root of the problem lies in the fact that many digital printer/copiers have hard drives in them. In the case of a copier or printer with a hard drive, that drive can be used to store images of the files that were run through or printed by the machine. Just like a hard drive from a computer, it is possible to retrieve data off the drive even if the data was deleted. it’s not always possible, but it can be done under the right circumstances. So those images that the copier or printer stored could possibly be retrieved later, when the device is sold or returned from lease.

The risk is definitely real. However, the question is who exactly is at risk? The CBS report states that “nearly every” digital copier made since 2002 have hard drives in them. I question that assertion. Based on my research, the more accurate statement would be “nearly every high-end digital copier”. In the case of digital copiers and printers, “high-end” would mean larger, high-output devices that you normally only see in large offices or printing shops. The reality is that most small businesses don’t have “high-end” digital copier/printers. However, the reality also is that high-end technology does trickle down into mainstream technology over time. Printer/copiers that may have been only used by larger businesses several years ago may now be in use by smaller businesses.

So are you or your business at risk? For most small businesses, I’d say likely no, but one can’t be sure until each digital printer/copier is evaluated. The businesses most at risk are those that handle sensitive information, such as medical, insurance, or financial offices. But there are steps that can be taken to ensure that sensitive data is not retrievable from old printer/copiers. In addition, many manufacturers have encryption technology built into their devices that is supposed to make them more secure. So while the risk is real, it is relatively easy to prevent the problem from happening – if you are aware of the problem in the first place.

If you are concerned about protecting the data that is passing through your copier or printer, feel free to contact me. I can help you determine your risk and what steps you may need to take to secure your data.

This month, I’d thought I would highlight a couple of apps that run on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. One app I found to be very helpful and the other I found to be lots of fun. Even if you don’t own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, it is worth reading about these apps so you can start to get an idea of how you could be using these devices.

One thing I have a lot of trouble with is remembering when to perform routine maintenance on my car. Oil changes are not so bad because they are frequent enough, but things like tire rotations tend to slip my mind. I’m not organized enough to keep a separate car maintenance log. However, I do have my iPhone on me almost all the time. So luckily I found out about the app Car Minder, which helps you manage all your routine maintenance needs as well as a log of repairs and gas fillips. The main feature I like about Car Minder is the fact that it will remind you ahead of time when your next maintenance is due, based on either time or mileage. All the maintenance reminders are customizable so you can modify when your next maintenances are due. Because I have my iPhone on me almost all the time, it will be a lot easier to remember to record when the car is maintained and the reminders will be very helpful. If you’re like me, I would certainly recommend giving Car Minder a try. For a few dollars you could save yourself an expensive problem with your car.

Board games are fun, but seriously, when do any of us have time to sit down to play them with our friends? Luckily, with the help of technology, now we can play virtual board games with many of our friends at any time. For example, I recently started playing the app, Words with Friends, which is basically a Scrabble game. However, rather than sitting down and playing in real-time, the game is turn-based. That means when you take a turn, the other person’s device notifies them that it is their turn. When they have a moment to take a turn, they do so and then you are notified. In this way, you or your friend don’t need to carve out a lot of time to play the game. You each just take turns when you have time and the game progresses over the course of a day or more. I think I’ve played more “Scrabble” in the last few weeks than I played in my whole life combined. There is also a Chess with Friends game that uses a similar turn-based method of play. It’s almost like the old “chess by mail”, but just a lot faster and it doesn’t require stamps.

If you use any useful or fun iPhone apps, let me know about them!

The future of computing may be in the clouds – at least partially. What I’m talking about is the idea of “cloud computing”. Cloud computing is a term that can mean many things to many people. But for the intent of this article, I’ll define it as the idea of running software from and storing data on servers that reside somewhere on the Internet, i.e. “the cloud”. Probably the most visible example of a cloud computing service is something called Google Docs. It’s been available for a few years now, but I feel it is just now worth investigating. In fact, I think for a lot of situations, Google Docs may be – excuse the pun – just what the doctor ordered.

Google Docs is an office suite that can be run entirely in a web browser. Imagine being able to run a program like Microsoft Word without the need to install any software. You just open a web browser like Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer, go to http://docs.google.com, log in, and start a new document. On top of that, any documents you have previously saved are available no matter which computer you log in from. On top of that, the service is free for the standard service. If nothing else, that should make it worth checking out.

One of the more common needs I hear is the ability to access company data remotely. With a service like Google Docs, all data saved on Google Docs is by definition remotely available since it is already on the Internet. I think that with the increasingly mobile nature of workers today, a service like Google Docs starts to make a lot of sense.

Usually the first question asked about Google Docs is along the lines of, “is it secure?”. Certainly the service appears to be very secure and data can be encrypted in transmission. Without going into the gory technical details, I know that Google Docs has many government clients and obviously security is high on their priority lists. It is probable suffice to say that if Google can satisfy the bureaucratic security requirements of government entities, then it probably qualifies as secure for most needs.

Obviously, this article only scratches the surface of Google Docs and cloud computing. However, I felt it was worth mentioning as the applications can be very beneficial in the right situations. I’ve successfully deployed some Google services including Google Docs to many of my clients lately. If you have any interest at all in what cloud computing could do for you or your business, please contact me and we can discuss what options may be right for you.

Years after the introduction of Windows Vista and now Windows 7, Windows XP still runs on more computers than any other operating system in the world. Certainly the Windows Vista debacle scared many users away from upgrading their computers. Also many people simply did not need to purchase new computers so they’ve stuck with their Windows XP computers. I myself have recommended many people to not upgrade to Vista or to purchase XP if possible on new computers. But now I believe it is time for many users to start to move on from Windows XP. If you still use Windows XP, please read on to find out if you should start planning a move away from XP and what your next computer should be.

I’m going to go over a few quick points. However, the most important is simply the fact that if you have a computer that is running Windows XP, it is likely at a minimum 3 years old, if not a few years older. Older computers are more likely to start having problems and there’s always been a fine line between fixing an old computer or investing in a new one. At this point, if your computer runs Windows XP, the line has shifted towards purchasing a new one.

The second point is also important in that newer operating systems have much better built-in data backup options. With Windows XP, you must purchase 3rd party backup software, which most people never bother with. As well, if your computer is older, it may backup much more slowly, which inclines people to put off backing up if it is slow. Newer Windows and Mac operating systems have built-in backup software and newer computers can back up more quickly. These two things make it much easier to backup, so it becomes more likely that people will actually backup their data. But of course, you already back up your data, right?

The final point is that Microsoft has announced that the next version of their web browser, Internet Explorer 9, will not run on Windows XP. Internet Explorer 9 will feature support for many important new web technologies, for example HTML5. As such, it will be an important upgrade for those users who want to ensure that they can continue to visit web sites without problems. In the near future, Windows XP users will begin to have problems visiting certain web sites and they will need to decide to install a different browser (which most people will have no clue how to do) or upgrade to a newer computer.

Obviously the follow-up question is if I have Windows XP what should I do now? This question is answered in this month’s Q & A article. But I want to make sure that you understand that I’m not saying that you should immediately upgrade from Windows XP. So don’t start freaking out just yet. Just know that the curtain is coming down for Windows XP and you should start preparing for your computing future now.

If you have any questions about any technology topic, feel free to contact me today!

It is officially spring, and with spring comes outdoor activities which often involve water. But today, more and more people own mobile electronic devices like iPods and iPhones – and water and electronics don’t mix! I can’t tell you how many people told me they destroyed their device because it was in their pocket when they jumped in the pool. Or they were on a boat and they got soaked. Or they dropped it into a toilet, dog bowl, or sink of water. Others have had their devices get rained on. Especially if you have kids that own devices, the following tips might save you a lot of money!

First, I know of no warranty on an electronic device that covers liquid damage. So it’s going to cost you full price to replace your device if you soak it. Especially with fairly new phones you’re probably going to pay a lot more for a replacement because you’re not likely to get the subsidized price you got when you first bought the phone. Unless you like paying twice as much for a replacement phone, you should definitely not let yours get wet! There are potentially some insurance policies that cover accidental damage on electronic devices, but that’s an article for another time.

The bottom line, for your own sake, is to be very aware of your devices when around water, whether you are indoors or out. For example, let’s say you are in the kitchen boiling water. I would not carry your phone on your hip while doing this. Lean too far over the stove and the steam could get in your device. Leave it on the other side of the kitchen or better yet, leave your expensive device out of the kitchen altogether! There are lots of opportunities for liquid damage in a kitchen! Also, if you are outside you may not want to leave your device lying around. Rainstorms can come out of nowhere and you may forget that you left your phone outside. It may be best to leave the phone indoors depending on your activity. However, don’t forget that rain can come in through a window, so a windowsill may not be the best place for your device either! Finally, if you are in a bathroom and there is *any* chance of your device ending up in a toilet or sink, take precautions to make sure this doesn’t happen. Put your device in a bag or purse and don’t get it out again until you leave. But DO NOT swing your purse or bag over the water hazard lest it fall out and make a splash!

If you are frequently in an environment that is hostile to electronic equipment, you may want to consider a ruggedized case for your device. A common brand I recommend is Otter Box. Their products provide extra protection than most cases and some even provide some protection against liquid damage. The trade-off is that Otter Box cases are a little bulkier than most, but if you need to provide extra protection to your device, they can definitely be worth it. I have several clients that use Otter Box cases and they are very satisfied.

So again, simply be mindful of where your mobile electronic device is, especially when water is around or if rain seems likely. A little awareness could save you hundreds of dollars.

If you have any questions about any other technology topic, feel free to contact me today!

The ability to take credit cards is very important in today’s marketplace. For businesses with a storefront or an e-commerce web site, it is commonplace to set up the ability to take credit cards. However, for professionals that do on-site services, the ability to take credit cards has been an elusive target. For many years, wireless technologies were not up to the task. Also the equipment or services were expensive. Personally, as an on-site services professional, I’ve had to deal with this problem for many years. However, I can now happily state that I’ve found a great solution that is easy to use and fairly inexpensive.

The solution is an iPhone app simply named “Credit Card Terminal”, by a company called Inner Fence. The app was originally priced at $49, which is a great price compared to a normal credit card machine. However, the app has been priced at 99 cents for several months now, which essentially makes it free. More importantly, however, the monthly service fees are very reasonable. Inner Fence’s web site has more details on the service pricing.

The software basically allows you to enter in the customer’s credit card number, expiration date, CVV code, zip code, and amount of the transaction. Optionally, you may enter a lot more information about the client, including e-mail address. The e-mail address is important because you may then e-mail the client a credit card receipt. Once all the info is entered, if you turn the iPhone on its side, the client may sign for the transaction by using their finger as a pen. Turn the iPhone upright again and then simply press the “charge” button to process the transaction. In my experience, it only takes about 2 seconds to complete, which is usually faster than even in-store credit card transactions. A detailed list of features and screen pictures are on Inner Fence’s web site.

Overall, the Credit Card Terminal app has worked without problems and is extremely slick and polished. Everyone I’ve showed the app to has been very impressed with the app and wants to know more. If you need to take credit cards on-site and you own an iPhone (or are thinking of getting one), I can wholeheartedly recommend Inner Fence’s product.

If you have any questions about this product or any other technology topic, feel free to contact me today!