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Looking forward to a great year!

2/1/2021

We look forward to seeing you in the coming year. Photo by Moritz Knöringer on Unsplash

Happy New Year. We are proud to continue providing you with compassionate, effective assistance for your home and office technology needs. We are now in our ninth year of operation. Thank you for helping to make Asheville Digital Lifestyle a success! We look forward to seeing you in the coming year.

Computer Maintenance Checklist

Time to double check your tech!

Have you checked out these important components of computer maintenance lately? The beginning of the year is a great time to double-check your tech and make sure it’s in shape to serve you all year long.

Are you up to date? Some technology updates itself, but many devices require your assistance.

Drivers and firmware

Computer operating system and drivers
WiFi router operating system
Printer firmware updates

Technology Health

Hard drive check
Backup systems for computer and smartphone
Is your computer still supported by the manufacturer?

Don’t wait for unpleasant surprises. Contact Asheville Digital Lifestyle for your maintenance check today.

ADL App Spotlight: Woebot

Feeling alone and isolated? This app shows how artificial intelligence can help people in the absence of human contact. We all love having another person to help us out, but for all of us there are times when human contact is simply not possible. Enter Woebot, which asks how your day is going and provides feedback based on proven Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to give you tips on how to deal.

Check out Woebot. It’s a free app for iPhone and Android.

Greetings from Muckaluck!

Muckaluck is here to remind you to take some time to enjoy life. Find your joy!

ADL Holiday gift cards add tech help to your gift-giving options

12/10/2020

Give the gift of tech help this holiday season.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Give the gift of compassionate, effective tech help and teaching! We offer gift cards! Gifts cards start at $85, which provides a 30-minute remote help session – the right length for a conversation to help a loved one purchase a new computer. Does your loved one need a computer checkup? That is perfect for a 1-hour session ($130). And of course, don’t forget that we offer a free 15-minute phone consultation for anyone you would like to introduce to us.

Ready to order a gift card? Send us an email, let us know if you would prefer a digital or physical gift card (mailed to you USPS), and the amount, and we will take care of it for you.

Curiosity is for cool cats!

Curiosity is a virtue to be celebrated!

Are you curious about our pricing policy? Feel free to check it out at this link.

ADL Holiday Hours

The holidays are almost here! We will be closed December 23 - 28, and on New Year's Day.

Jensen, Beth, and Muckaluck wish all of you a healthy and joyous holiday season, and may 2021 be everything your hearts desire.

ADL Tech Tip
Want to stay fit this winter? Technology can help

While Fitbit is the best known wearable technology to track your steps, heart rate, and other measurements of fitness, we have been testing the Whoop fitness system over the past year.

It’s great for people who are trying to do more than accumulate steps, as it uses the concepts of Strain and Recovery to give you recommendations based on how your body is reacting (based on quality of sleep, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability).

We have been using Whoop for the last year, and found that it has inspired more workouts, better sleep, and better habits for health. Unlike Fitbit, the Whoop band does not have a screen, but displays all fitness information on your smartphone. It’s not for everyone, but it is a revelatory device that really helps you to hone in on fitness goals.

Photo by Whoop.com

Jensen talks tech for business on the Home Business Success Show

11/11/2020

Jensen shares insights on tech for business on local WPVM radio show

Check us out on Hank Eder’s Home Business Success Show. This half-hour interview covers common technology questions, how things have changed since the pandemic began, and more! Click here to watch.

Do you run a home-based business? Find about an online support community for home business entrepreneurs. Click to learn more.

Get virtual help in a virtual world

We can help with most issues remotely.

We are continuing to successfully help our clients remotely! Most issues can be solved via a phone call, including the ability to share what’s on your screen in real time via TeamViewer.

For situations where you need on-site help such as installing a new wifi router, we are happy to make a referral. We look forward to serving you in person again after the public health situation improves.

ADL Tech Tip: Don't panic!

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Computer emergency? Sometimes people call us in a panic. Something disturbing has popped up on their screen, they are worried it may be a virus, and not sure what to do next.

Remember that it is impossible for a virus or hacker use your computer while it is turned off. When in doubt, turn the computer off. This will give you the time needed to reach out to a trusted techie and determine the next step, without having to worry that you are racing against the clock.

Your old PC can be transformed into a Chromebook!

9/17/2020

Convert your old Windows 7 computer to a Chromebook.
Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash

Got an old computer with Windows 7? It can still be a productive machine for someone! For those who are adventurous, you can convert it into a Chromebook - a computer that only runs Google Chrome. This is accomplished through a free program called CloudReady. Bonus: most computers feel a lot faster as Chromebooks than they ever did running Windows. This would be considered a “moderate” difficulty DIY project, with the risk that if the conversion doesn’t go over properly, the computer may no longer function at all.

Learn more here.

OR, would you like to donate your computer and not have to go through a technical process? That is where local nonprofit Disability Partners (located on New Leicester Highway in West Asheville) comes in. You can donate your old computer to them, they will erase the machine, install a working operating system (Windows 10 or CloudReady), and provide the computer to a local individual with a disability. Contact them at ‭(828) 298-1977‬ (please allow 2-3 days for them to return your call due to increased demand and changes in their office protocols due to the pandemic).

Remote support for your new computer purchase & more

Buy a new computer remotely the hassle-free way with ADL at your side.

We are continuing to accept appointment requests for remote support via phone and TeamViewer. We are not providing in-person service at this time. However, we are able to offer our signature White Glove New Computer Service to take care of your new computer purchase and setup.

Pre-pandemic we would normally provide an in-person tutorial or data transfer for the new machine, but at this time those services are provided remotely via phone and TeamViewer. Considering purchasing a new computer? Try it the hassle-free way with an experienced, compassionate techie by your side every step of the way!

Click here to book an appointment.

ADL Tech Tip

Wanting a new computer? Wait for prime season
We keep an eye on the computer industry and convert that knowledge into practical advice for you. Considering a new computer purchase? Market inventory is currently low due to the back-to-school rush of buying computers. However, we are entering the prime season for manufacturers to announce their latest computers, in plenty of time for the holiday season.

Photos from the Trail

Jensen and Beth spent their honeymoon hiking the John Muir Trail in California. Enjoy some photos from the trail!

Jensen and Beth got married!

8/21/2020

Jensen and Beth at their wedding on Max Patch Bald.

Thank you to all for the well-wishes!

We had an amazing honeymoon hiking 150 miles on the John Muir Trail. Our romance started in 2016 when we hiked 100 miles of the JMT together on what might be considered our second date. For our honeymoon we finished the trail. Today, we have wedding photos to share. Next time, we will have photos from the backpacking trip.

See more photos here.

You are welcome to donate to our registry: https://www.zola.com/registry/jensenandbeth

ADL Tech Tip

Disconnecting from technology completely on a regular basis is one of the most effective strategies for being productive with your tech when you do choose to use it. While a three-week backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail is an extreme example of this, even taking a couple hours with your cell phone and notifications silenced can be tremendously rejuvenating. As someone who spends large amount of time with technology, take it from Jensen… breaks from technology are not a luxury – they are absolutely necessary to keep your mind sharp and balanced.

Click here to learn more about how disconnecting can make you more productive.

Big News from Apple at WWDC

7/4/2020

Apple announces custom chips and new operating systems

Apple dropped a big announcement at its recent World Wide Developers Conference. Apple’s Macs are officially transitioning from using Intel chips to using Apple’s own silicon chips, which they've already been doing on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Apple will release the first Apple Silicon Mac later this year, and plan to transition their entire lineup over the next two years. It appears that moving to custom chips will allow Apple to create faster, more power efficient computers. It will also allow Macs to learn new tricks, such as running iPhone apps side by side with Mac apps.

New operating systems are coming out, too. The new Mac OS will be called Big Sur. Like its predecessor, Catalina, the new Big Sur operating system will not run your older 32-bit applications. If you are still running Mojave or an earlier system, and you are unsure if you have 32-bit apps, book an appointment with Jensen to assess your system before making the switch to a new operating system.

Is your device compatible? See the charts below:

Jensen on BlainesWorld Radio Show

BlainesWorld Radio host Blaine Greenfield interviewed Jensen on his show June 24. Jensen appears in the second half.
Click here to see the interview.

Remote Internet Safety & Security group classes now available

5/11/2020

Treat your group to Jensen's remote Internet Safety and Security Class.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

We have been giving an updated Internet Safety and Security Classremotely! This presentation is designed fit all audiences regardless of tech savvy (we all want to be safe on the internet), and for remote presentations is typically 30-60 minutes in length, depending on your needs. Recent presentations include Kiwanis Club of Asheville and the Asheville business networking community.

Would your community group like to have Jensen as a speaker? Please get in touch!

Click here to contact us.

Senior Shout-Out!

ADL Tech Tip!

Always keep a backup browser set up on your computer.

Web browsers are finicky creatures, asked to perform all sorts of acrobatic tasks to properly display web pages. Sometimes, a web browser doesn’t work properly. Before getting into troubleshooting or even calling ADL, your best bet is to try the same site on a different browser. The site may well work better, and save you a bundle of time. This is why we always recommend that you have a second web browser installed and ready, even if you rarely use it. Your backup web browser should be one of the “big 4”:

Safari
Edge
Chrome
Firefox

Having tech issues? Let us help solve your problems remotely

4/1/2020

Don't let tech issues keep you isolated. We can help you remotely. Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

We’re all frustrated that we can’t meet face to face. “Social distancing” is not fun, but it’s so necessary at this time to keep us all safer and healthier. So, what do you do when your tech links to the outside world start acting up? Call us for remote help.

We’re pleased to report that we’ve been having great success helping people with their iPhone questions, and iPhone screen sharing has been working like a charm, along with Mac and PC remote support. You will need TeamViewer to receive remote help. Please download it by clicking the links to your devices below:

Not sure whether your needs can be handled remotely? Reply to this email with any questions, or click here for o ther ways to contact us.

Where you get your news really does matter in a time of crisis

Misinformation spreads like wildfire. Be careful what you share. Photo by Elijah O'Donnell on Unsplash

Misinformation machines have gone into a frenzy with the Coronavirus. Learn how a small scientific study was misinterpreted by a national health minister, and the army of misinformation experts that magnified the resulting misleading message about the safety of over the counter pain medications. Where you get your news from matters!

Click here to read the story.

Tech Break: Tub Time!

Take time away from your screen, and let the healing powers of water soothe your muscles
Have a bathtub? Use it! A hot bath is a great cure for muscle tension & stress. Let your head and neck float freely in the water, and feel tension melt away. For an extra relaxing experience that your muscles will thank you for, dissolve 2 cups of epsom salts in the water.

Don't have a bathtub? No problem! Use your shower's water pressure directly on neck, chest, and back muscles.

Book an appointment!

Which web browser is most private?

3/12/2020

FIrefox is the most privacy conscious of all the major web browsers.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Have you tried the Firefox web browser?

Firefox is the most privacy-conscious of the major web browsers. Google Chrome has risen in the ranks by being speedy. However, researchers have found that users of Chrome inadvertently share more information with advertisers than users of Firefox, due to the way the web browser is designed.

This makes sense, as Chrome is made by Google, who make the lion’s share of their profits through advertising, while Firefox is maintained by a nonprofit collaborative. Furthermore, Firefox is speedy enough that most users won't notice any difference.

Click here to learn more.

Working from home? Protect your #1 asset

Working from home? You need reliable, fast internet.
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

With all the talk about Coronavirus lately, more people are working from home, or soon will be. If you're among them, please keep this in mind:

The number one asset to your ability to be productive is a speedy internet connection. For most folks, this means a WiFi system running at its best, combined with a quality internet connection that is running as it should. This isn’t always as simple as it may seem, and small things can impact the connection.

Just last week we did some in-depth troubleshooting to discover that a faulty cable was damaging our client’s ability to be productive on their home WiFi.

Do you need help setting up or troubleshooting your home internet connection? Click here to contact Asheville Digital Lifestyle today.

News Flash! Apple Updates iPhone Cleaning Guidelines

Apple now recommends wiping iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices with70% alcohol or Chlorox Wipes. Please keep in mind that different phone screens have different technologies, so always check with your manufacturer first. But for Apple devices, it’s now officially okay. Click here to read more from Apple.

The Technology Curmudgeon

1/21/2020

Tech is supposed to make your life easier. Sometimes it doesn't!
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Technology is supposed to help us, lower stress, and make life more enjoyable. However, is there such a thing as too much tech? An Atlantic reporter visiting the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas came away with that feeling. There are so many gadgets out there, to ostensibly help with virtually any problem you may have, but where is the line between solving a problem and adding additional complexity to your life? From smart toothbrushes, to computer aided meditation, to smart toilets, there is a gadget out there for every need. But, how do we find balance between the latest in technology and the things that will actually improve your life while keeping it simple and easy?

I have been keeping up with computers and their associated gadgets since age 5. I was one of the first users of the Palm Pilot, which brought handheld computing to everyday people (my first Palm perished in my pocket during an especially intense Coney Island roller coaster ride). I am always interested to understand the latest technological advances and how they can help our everyday lives. However, there is a lot of “beta” (low quality/not ready for mass consumption) technology out there, and there are plenty of devices that simply don’t do enough for us to justify the expense, inevitable effort spent troubleshooting when it doesn’t work, and rare earth metals that are necessary to build computers of all shapes and sizes.

I consider it my responsibility to keep up with the latest technology and use my understanding to guide people regarding what’s worthwhile and what’s not. It’s based on each person’s values as well as the quality and design of any given device. For example, many people are seeing value in smart speakers and assistants such as Alexa or Siri, which they use to ask questions without having to sit at a computer, or control the home temperature and lighting. However, some people see these assistants as intrusive and invasive to privacy. Anytime I give a recommendation to a client, I always combine my knowledge of technology, with my understanding of each client’s personal preferences, to give you the most valuable advice possible.

ADL Tech Tip: Windows 7 is obsolete – Your computer may be, too

If you're still running Window 7 on an aging PC, it's time to get a new machine.

By now, you've no doubt heard about the demise of Windows 7. Does this mean your old Windows 7 computer will stop working? No. What it means is that Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft.

Windows 7 no longer receives security updates and bug fixes
This is important for anyone who uses a Windows 7 computer on the internet
In almost all cases, the right path for someone who’s currently on Windows 7 is to purchase a new (or refurbished) machine with Windows 10
Windows 7 machines can still be used productively if they are not connected to the internet, and can be donated for useful purposes to Disability Partners or Goodwill.

Ready for a new computer that will run Windows 10? Let Asheville Digital Lifestyle help find the one that's right for you. Click here to make an appointment with Jensen.