Talk Tech with CTI

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Last episode we talked about cleaning the physical hardware. This episode I talk a little about how to clean up your PC from a software standpoint.

I suggested using Speccy (http://speccy.com), using this utility to evaluate whether you should upgrade or replace your PC.

If your PC is more than 5 years old it needs replaced. I use the guideline of 3-5 cycles. It just depends on the use case. Laptops I recommend every 3 years, but desktops can go up to 5 years.

If you have a computer that is running Windows Vista, then upgrade to Windows 7. Your computer will perform better, with Windows 7 than it does with Windows Vista. Always. Always. Purchase the Professional version of Windows for business use. Trust me it will save headaches in the long run. If you choose not to purchase Professional, it more time and license money to upgrade to Professional after the fact.

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Programs talked about in this episode.

CCleaner (http://ccleaner.com)
Defraggler (http://defraggler.com)
Malware/Bytes (http://malwarebytes.org)

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1. Clean-up Temporary Files

2. Remove Old Programs

3. Organize your files

4. E-Mail

5. Web Browser

6. Organize your bookmarks

7. Defrag

8. Scan for Viruses and Malware/Spyware

9. Install Updates

10. Back up your data

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If you are uncomfortable doing any of this or just don’t have the time, Call and Schedule to have Computer Technique, Inc. take care of it for you. Schedule one of our technicians to on your site to take care of your technology. Call Computer Techniques, Inc. at 217-824-6398. Schedule your onsite service, Today.

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Spring is the perfect time to clean out all of the dust bunnies that are hibernating in your computer.

Before you clean your PC hardware, keep these general tips in mind:

Shut down the computer

Remove the battery (if applicable)

Unplug the power cable

Ground yourself

Do NOT Spray anything directly onto the computer.

Never use cleansing agents like window cleaners, soap solutions etc. on screens.

Do not use Tissue paper, newspaper or paper towels

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1. Clean Your Keyboard

2. Clean Your Mouse

3. Clean the Fans

4. Clean Your Monitor

5. Clean your Network Equipment

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If you do not feel comfortable doing any of these things, call Computer Techniques, Inc. at 217-824-6398

We can have one of our technicians come out and perform these spring cleaning duties for you.

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Jeff Durbin talks about using your new web site or blog to build your reputation.

Use your blog or web site to put the personal touch into your web presence. Share your opinion on industry related topics. Build a community around your web presence. Start a conversation with your readers.

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This week on Talk Tech with CTI Jeff Durbin and Adam Vocks talk about RSS Feeds. RSS Feeds or Web Feeds allow you to subscribe to your favorite web sites. Using a feed reader such as Outlook or Google Reader you can keep up on all the new content from your favorite web sites.

RSS Feeds save you time by allowing you to get all the new content from the web in one place. You no longer have to visit every site just to see if there is anything new.

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This week on Talk Tech with CTI Jeff Durbin and Adam Vocks talk about web hosting. How to host your web site can be very confusing. Adam and Jeff lay out some of the options and what they mean to you and your business.Web hosting can be as simple as buying space on a shared hosting provider or as advanced as buying a server and hosting it yourself.

Every business has different needs for web hosting. Plan your web site and then pick the option that suits you best.

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This week on Talk Tech with CTI Jeff Durbin and Adam Vocks talk about creating web sites. Adam and Jeff talk about the things you need to know to start planning a web site. Should you do it yourself? Should you hire a professional.

Create a plan. Decide on what you want it to do. Make a decision on whether to do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you.

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This week on Talk Tech with CTI Jeff Durbin and Adam Vocks talk about domain names. We talk about how to register your own domain name and why. Promote a more professional image by registering your own domain name.

Your domain name should be registered in your name not your hosting companies name.

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This is part three of a multi-part series on backups. Jeff Durbin and guest host Adam Vocks talk about the many ways we should be backing up.

You should have at least four ways you are backing up your data.

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This is part two of a multi-part series on backups. Jeff Durbin and guest host Adam Vocks talk about what we should be backing up.

Any activity that creates data is a good candidate for backing up.

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This is part one of a multi-part series on backups. Jeff Durbin and Guest Host Adam Vocks talk about the many reasons why you should backup. Adam and Jeff give a few examples of real life situations where having a backup was invaluable.

It’s not a matter of IF we will need a backup, it’s a matter of WHEN we will need a backup.