Google+ January 2013 ~ High Tech House Calls
Expert Computer Consulting for Homes and Small Businesses

Let there be hope...

Life has changed there is no doubt and we wanted to reach out to see how you are doing.

As we go through this interesting time, we are trying to look at this as an opportunity to focus on our family and on friends like you. Let us use this extra time to catch up and talk more. Let us cook food that is not fast, but interesting and satisfying. Let us learn to enjoy a time to try new things. Let us find ways to enjoy time at home!

Computer Security

If my client base is any experience, anyone can be a victim of a Ransomware, Malware or Virus attack.

What can you do about it?

I conduct audits of your entire computer infrastructure and apply best practice solutions to plug the security holes on your computers, Smartphones and networks.

Now offering consultations to give you the best protection possible:


404.229.0839
carlthorne@hthcatlanta.com

Jack of All Trades, Master of Many

Jack of All Trades, and Master of Many

We provide technical support for:


Homes and small businesses

Windows and the Mac OS platform

iPhones and Android Smartphones

Wireless and wired networks

New device setup

Old device upgrade or repair

One-on-one training

Remote assistance


How To Stop Malware

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Stream Music Throughout Your Home or Business

You have created an extensive music library in iTunes. How do you stream your library throughout your house or business?

One solution is from a company called Sonos. Here is a link that explains their system: http://www.sonos.com/system

As you can see from their website, the heart of any music streaming system is a great wireless network. Unfortunately, it has been our experience that during a major home remodeling, an electrician that is installing new electrical outlets and light switches is also designing the wireless network. Someone who understands computer networks should be the person designing your wireless network.

Wireless Network Rules of Thumb:
  • The wireless router should be located as high as possible in your home or office. 
  • It should be located in a central location.
  • You may require more than one wireless router to have complete coverage in your home or business. If this is the case, multiple wireless routers are tied together with a network cable. How that cable will be run from one wireless router to another is a major design consideration. Cable is much easier to run before drywall goes up or finished flooring is complete.
Having a computer networking expert designing wireless network should be part of your overall blue print for your home or business remodeling project.


Carl Thorne
Expert Computer Consulting 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Exchange Unwanted Gift Cards for Cash, Airline Miles

NEW YORK (AP) — Gift cards are easily forgotten.
      All too often they're placed in drawers or stuffed into wallets, never to be seen again. Some $1.7 billion of the $110 billion gift cards bought in 2012 will go unused, according to estimates from research company CEB TowerGroup.

      If you're not happy about the store your gift card is from, don't let the money go to waste. You have options, such as trading it in for cash or airline miles.
But the first step to take when you get a gift is to register it on the company's website, says Scott Gamm, founder of HelpSaveMyDollars.com. Registration creates a record of how much money is on the card and will protect you in case you lose the card. Many companies, including coffee chain Starbucks, offer gift card registration. Just check the card provider's website to see if it's offered.
Mobile apps can also help you keep track of your cards. The Gyft app will even alert you if you are near a store that you have a card for. It stores both electronic and plastic gift cards.

      Here are six ways to put a gift card to use:
1. TURN IT INTO CASH: If you have an unwanted gift card, websites like PlasticJungle.com, GiftCards.com and CardPool.com will pay you up to 92 percent of the card's value, depending on how easy it is to resell. For a $100 Target gift card, all three are paying $92. Depending on the store the gift card is for, you may have to mail the plastic card in, but in many cases just typing in the card number works. You're then paid through PayPal or by check. You need to have at least a $25 balance on the card to sell it on PlasticJungle.com and CardPool.com and $20 to sell it on GiftCards.com.
Anyone living near Phoenix, Chicago or Columbus, Ohio, can get hard cash quickly by trying Alula, a new supermarket kiosk that's being tested by Coinstar Inc., the company behind the RedBox DVD rental machines. Alula pays 65 percent to 85 percent of a card's value, depending on demand. The kiosk only accepts plastic cards that are inserted into the machine. They must be worth at least $20. The kiosk will print out a receipt that you can exchange for cash at the register.

2. THINK OUTSIDE THE CARD: Even though a card has a specific store name on the front, you might be able to use it in the parent company's other stores. For example, an Old Navy gift card can be used at Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta stores and on Piperlime, the company's online store. Similarly, TJX Cos. Inc. gift cards can be used at TJ Maxx, Marshalls or at Home Goods stores.

3. TRADE FOR MILES: A lingering gift card balance can bring you closer to a dream vacation. United Airlines customers enrolled in their MileagePlus program can exchange gift cards for award miles through the airline's website. A $25 gift card is currently worth 1,000 award miles. United Airlines accepts gift cards from more than 100 stores. The gift card must have at least $15 on it for the airline to accept it.

4. GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED: Many charities, such as Goodwill, will take your gift card and distribute it to those who can put it to use. Call your favorite and charity and see if it has a gift card program.

5. SWAP FOR ANOTHER CARD: Cards can also be flipped for another retailer. On PlasticJungle.com, you can quickly convert your card into an electronic gift card for Amazon.com.
PlasticJungle.com also charges less if you want to make the switch. Even though the website will pay $92 for a $100 Target gift card, it will give you $94.50 if you choose to turn it into an Amazon card.

6. RE-GIFT IT: You can always re-gift a card to someone who would appreciate it more. You'll get rid of the card and you won't have to buy a gift.

      The Gyft app, which stores gift cards on smartphones, also enables you to re-gift the cards. The recipient doesn't need to have the Gyft app downloaded. The gift card can be emailed as an electronic gift card or it can be posted on a Facebook account.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 page ZF2

Carl Thorne
Expert Computer Consulting