Especially recommended for people using Vista, as most systems will be compatible with Windows 10.
If you are running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you are eligible for a free upgrade.
What if I’m still using Windows XP
If you are still using XP, it is likely that the hardware will be too old and slow to run Windows 10. Components will be old and likely to start failing, so in this case, I would recommend buying a new computer. Data from the old one can be copied to the new.
If you would like a copy, or need help installing Windows 10, give me a call on 01646 602248 or 07934 453989
This laptop is running Puppy Linux. It’s almost completely immune to viruses* and other malware. It’s running on an Acer aspire 5040. It’s ideal for Facebook, email and web browsing. Not suitable for Windows software. Recommended to people who are confident computer users. Comes with charger. Supplied with a high gain 802.11n 150Mbps USB adapter, so picks up even weak wireless signals.
*although Linux viruses exist, they are very rare and the damage they can do is much more limited than with Windows systems.
Call 01646 602248 if you want it. First come first served.
For two years running, MSSE has performed worst in Dennis Technology Lab’s anti-virus tests. This year, it achieved a detection rate of 68%. This compares to the next worst performer, Panda Free Antivirus which scored 90%.
The best free performer was Avast! Free Antivirus with 98%, followed by AVG with 93%.
While MSSE is better than none at all, it is our advice to install a better antivirus. Contact Adam on 01646 602248 if you need help with this.
Technology is a wonderful thing. To be able to video chat to your family 1000s of miles away; to be able to find and then order an obscure book and download have the hard copy the next day or a Kindle version within seconds is incredible.
Some things are not so good about technology. Kids who walk into you because they are looking down at their phones. Going to concerts and can’t see the band because of 100s of phones in the air in front of you. Texting your kids to come down for dinner (or worse, taking the dinner into “the den” because they are in the middle of an “important quest” on their game.) Parties where 80% of people are on their mobiles instead of talking, flirting, drinking, dancing..
..and generally, technology drives people into communicating in a virtual way instead of talking face to face.
So, it bring people who are 1000s of miles away closer together, but pushes people who live in the same house (or town or village) further apart.
Facebook addiction – as much a problem for older users as the young’uns
…but I’m not letting the older generations off either! All the people who talk to each other on Facebook. Married couples who says “I love you” etc etc, when there are much more personal ways they could do it!
I think addiction to technology even includes the health risks of other more recognised addictions….. neck, back and wrist stain, not to mention obesity, increased risk of heart problems through lack of exercise and so on.
We need to stop glorifying technology and this obession with the latest gadget and start to think of it as a tool, and how practical is it to do a job, just like a spade or a hammer.
Some companies have a “no internal phonecall” day. Perhaps at home, we should allow ourselves a “non-technology” day, where we turn off our phones/computers for the whole day. Could you do this?
In general, Apple and Android tablets are safer to use on the Internet than Windows or Apple Mac computers. This is because only software from the Apple or Android stores can be installed. All apps in these stores are vetted and checked for malware. With a Windows or Mac computer, software from anywhere can be installed either by the user or by an exploit on a website. This dramatically reduces the risk of malware (trojans, viruses etc) but doesn’t stop phishing (conning the user into divulging sensitive info like passwords, dates of birthday, mother’s maiden names etc)
In January 2014, a (very technical) report was published which showed big security holes in banking apps for the iOS (iPad, iPhone etc.)
A genuine secure page for a bank will be digitally signed from a trusted source – however, a malicious person can create self-signed pages too. If you visit those pages with a regular browser, like Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome or Safari; you get a warning but with 40% of the apps tested, there was no warning. So you could be typing your user name and password into a fake page. Then, the owner of the page could use those details for their own ends.
So, the best solution is to use the browser on the tablet, and if you get a warning, get the hell out of there!
Sadly, it appears that Webb Computers has ceased trading. Their webpage is down and the shop has gone. I have found no official statement, they just appear to have gone. One of their former customers, who came to me with a computer problem, says they are not answering the phone. It is sad to see a reputable Pembrokeshire firm close down. People in Tenby and Saundersfoot now have to travel much further for IT support.
They appear to target an area for a while before moving on, claiming to be from microsoft and that you have errors on your computer and that they will fix it. At least one case I know, they put a password lock on the computer to stop the person logging on and then demanded £400. This is an article I wrote on 2010
Just had a customer call me with this odd message. She is using a fresh clean install of Windows 7 with all the updates. It happened when she visited BT.com and clicked the “make BT.com my homepage” button.
Given that Windows 7 is by far the most popular operating system on desktop and laptop computers, it was somewhat surprising that BT don’t support the majority of their customers who use proper computers. When I searched the web, it appears to be a problem with Internet Explorer 11. You can click the compatibility button in IE11 to get round the issue, or you can make it your homepage (the usual way) by clicking the gear icon at the top right, and clicking Internet Options at the bottom of the menu.
But why, oh why do BT have to use a misleading, and incorrect term, when they should say “unsupported browser.”
your current operating system is not supported
Moral of the story, don’t use BT…. use gmail, livemail, or something independent of your broadband provider. There is no law that says you have to use BT mail just because they provide your broadband.
When people ask me to recommend a broadband provider (usually after a terrible experience with BT, TalkTalk or my most hated XLN Telecom, I refer them to the one I use now, Zen Internet. Many people won’t have heard of them, but they are PC Pro magazine and Which’s award winners of 2014. http://www.pcpro.co.uk/computing/1000049/the-pc-pro-excellence-awards-2014#BestBroadband
They have a UK call centre, they give a fixed IP as standard, useful if you need remote access to say, a CCTV system. They also don’t block ports or do “traffic shaping” – which is where certain traffic is “deprioritised” in favour of another type of traffic. For example, they could give video downloads a slower speed than say, Skype, which can be annoying if you are trying to watch BBC iPlayer. I found ANY type of online video was impossible with XLN Telecom. They told me it wasn’t needed for a “business service”, ignoring the fact that businesses use video, or that small businesses like mine are home-based.
Zen Internet also offer one month contracts, so you can easily get out if you want to.
I get no commission from Zen, I’m just happy to recommend them. Their website is https://www.zen.co.uk/
Especially recommended for people using Vista, as most systems will be compatible with Windows 10. 
