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A Tribute to Curiosity

8/19/2019

At Asheville Digital Lifestyle curiosity SAVES the cat!

What’s an essential trait for a techie? Why, a heaping serving of curiosity! While there are plenty of times when simply having a baseline of knowledge can fix a problem, many clients come to us after a previous technologist (either paid or part of the family) has thrown their hands up in frustration, or explained that the problem is simply something you have to live with.

At Asheville Digital Lifestyle, we pride ourselves on being able to get to the root of the problem through a combination of curiosity and persistence that has paid off time and time again in the nearly 7 years that we have been in business. Curiosity is not something that can be trained. Either you have it, or you don’t…and with our passion for tech surfacing at the tender age of 5 and stoked throughout the decades, curiosity about technology and the tech hurdles of everyday people is what led us to found Asheville Digital Lifestyle!

So forget that other saying about curiosity and the cat. We believe curiosity and persistence can SAVE the cat!

Take note: We take notes!

Do you want us to take notes during the session to document useful protocols?

Did you know? We can write down the steps to complete tasks that we teach you during a hands-on session. Please ask at the beginning of the session if you would like us to take the extra care to document protocols, and we can provide them to you at the conclusion of the session.

ADL Tech Tip

You can close mobile apps in the blink of an eye. On the iPhone, double click the Home button to bring up a list of apps, and swipe up on the app you'd like to close. Contrary to popular belief, this is not something you need to do regularly when you are finished using an app, and you can save battery life by only closing apps as a troubleshooting step if an app is not working correctly.

On an Android device, you can close all your recent apps. Double click the Home button, and choose the option to close all recent apps. This feature is only available on newer Android phones.

Get a Fall Tech Tuneup

Ready for Fall? Get a technology tuneup. We can make sure your devices are up-to-date, have antivirus protection, and are totally ready to be productive so you can run your life smoothly!

Click the button below to book an appointment.

Learning or having it done for you? ADL adapts to your style

6/24/2019

Do you want us to teach you the skills, or would you rather have us take care of it?

What is your "style" when it comes to tech? We always strive to hit the right balance with each client of how much technical skills you want to learn in order to use your computer and smartphone effectively vs simply having us take care of it for you.

We always appreciate when you tell us if you have a strong preference for learning vs "just take care of it." And we're always happy to explain what we're doing anytime so you can help yourself... or we simply solve any problems you may have for a stress-free experience with your technology.

NEWS FLASH!

You can now get your Apple products repaired at more than 1,000 Best Buy stores.

Apple announced that Best Buy has certified over 1,000 its stores with Apple for repair of Macs, iPhones, and other Apple products. While we recommend utilizing your local small business whenever possible for your technology service needs, this means it will be easier than ever to find a place to repair your Apple equipment no matter where you are in the USA. Click here for more.

IS Cellphone radiation harmful?

6/10/2019

New studies recommend using the speaker or headphones to avoid cellphone radiation.

I have had several clients ask me about cell phone radiation. It is a sensitive topic, as some people discount the idea entirely, while others fear a government conspiracy. Let’s explore this issue.

We live with radiation all around us at varying frequencies coming from radio and television stations, power lines, microwaves, and even light bulbs. We have heard concerns from clients about radiation coming from cell phones. New research from the US Government's National Toxicology Program has found evidence that large amounts of cell phone radiation has a health impact on lab animals.

There is much left to be studied, especially since the study looked at 2G and 3G cell networks, and we now mainly use 4G (LTE) phone networks. We’re even at the dawning of 5G, which is stirring some controversy across the Internet.

If you desire to reduce cell phone radiation as a precaution, the agency recommends you keep your cell phone away from your head by using the speakerphone or headphones, and store the phone apart from your body when the cell phone antenna is turned on.

Check out this fact sheet on radio frequency radiation from the National Institute of Environmental of Health.

Get more information here, and you can sign up for email updates at the bottom.

Tech Tip: Microsoft Office and Cloud Storage

Cloud storage lets you access your files easily from multiple devices.

Have you considered putting your files in the cloud so you can access them from computer or smartphone? You can use Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive, etc.

For those who use Microsoft Office a lot, OneDrive lets you store your files, and also activate an “auto-save” mode in Microsoft office that automatically saves every change you make in office documents without having to hit the “save” button. It also lets you rewind any changes in case you make a mistake. Plus, since Office 365 subscriptions include 1TB of storage, OneDrive has become a solid value for our users who depend on Microsoft Office.

Need help setting up your cloud account? Asheville Digital Lifestyle is always ready to help. Click the link below to book an appointment.

Giving back to the community is an important part of ADL's mission

5/14/2019

Mountain Bizworks offers a host of talented coaches across all areas of business.

Did you know that Asheville Digital Lifestyle provides services as a business coach for Mountain Bizworks? With a host of talented coaches across all areas of business (technology, marketing, finances, operations), Mountain Bizworks coaches provide their expertise at discounted rates to qualified small business owners. Find out more at the Mountain Bizworks Coaching Program.

We also volunteer through the Council on Aging of Buncombe County(CoA) to serve older adults in need. If you know some elders in need who cannot otherwise afford technology service, please direct them to the Council on Aging at 828-277-8288 to qualify for free technology teaching and troubleshooting.

ADL tech Tip: Space bar double tap

Here’s a little-known tip that can make your tech life easier. Just tap the space bar twice on your cell phone to end a sentence.

A period will appear as if by magic, and the next letter you type will be a capital letter. This works on emails, notes, and text messages on iPhones and Android phones.

Help Me...Help You!
Create a strong foundation for your Personal Technology

What sets the table for an efficient, enjoyable tech help session? We can help you faster than ever if you already have these taken care of.

A reliable Wi-Fi system
A Solid State Drive (SSD) in your computer
A password manager (e.g 1Password or Dashlane)

Are you missing one or more of these? Have no fear - We can help you get all of the pieces in place! And your reward will be a reliable technology system that empowers you ... and your tech guy!

Real world tech tip: scam alert

4/8/2019

Here's a bright idea from Asheville Digital Lifestyle about when to check email.

More of our clients than ever are experiencing a flood of spam email, tech support scams, and numerous other nefarious schemes. Real world tech tip: Refrain from checking email first thing in the morning or late at night. Your reduced alertness can lead to clicking on a fraudulent link.

Not sure what to look for? We can help! Schedule a 75-minute security checkup for us to teach you the fundamentals to protect yourself, and perform a checkup on your computer to take care of it.

Verizon is third carrier to offer spam call blocking for cell phones

You can get spam call blocking for your cell phone by carrier.

Spam call blocking update: Tired of time wasted on spam callers? Verizon has released a free spam blocking program for your smartphone, becoming the 3rd major carrier to do so after AT&T and T-Mobile.

Download spam blocking from your carrier. Verizon Call Filter, AT&T Call Protect, T-Mobile Name ID

IS IT TIME TO REPLACE THAT AGING DINOSAUR YOU CALL A COMPUTER?

3/4/2019

Windows 7 support will be phased out January 2020, and soon older Macs that
can't run High Sierra will no longer receive critical security updates from Apple.

Is it time to spring forward with a new computer? Find out soon, so you don’t fall back! Here’s what you need to know to make a plan.

For Windows: Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 in January 2020. For Windows 7 owners, be sure to have a plan to purchase a new computer by the end of this year. Click here for more.

For Mac owners, Apple has phased out support repairing many 2012 and 2013 computers, which means if your machine breaks, you will likely need to purchase a new one. If you are using an older Mac, it must be updated to MacOS Sierra (10.12) or higher to receive important security updates from Apple. Learn more.

Time for a new computer?

Which computer, software apps, and peripherals will best suit your productivity? Asheville Digital Lifestyle can help you find the best system for your needs. Click the button below to make an appointment with Jensen.

ADL Tech Tip

Did you know that you can use your smartphone’s screen as a digital trackpad to easily move the cursor? It's built into all iPhones on iOS 12, and many Android phones.

Click here to learn about this feature on your iPhone.

Android users click here.

ADL Searches for new TECH gadgets At THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

1/31/2019

Jensen scours the wilds of the CES show to learn about the latest tech gadgets.

Jensen visited the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month with fellow Asheville techies to absorb as much knowledge about cutting edge tech as possible, and bring that knowledge back to Asheville to help clients! The show had everything from Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence to the latest in Televisions and Smart Homes.

Among Jensen’s greatest interests are Digital Health and Wearables. This is technology that can help us achieve healthy goals, or warn us when something is wrong. Apple spearheaded new health technology last year by introducing an Apple Watch with integrated ECG which can inform you if your heart develops a dangerous condition. At CES there was a flood of new health technology, such as:

- Muse, a meditation aiding headband that can sense brain activity (via EEG) and give you audio feedback help your mind slip into a more relaxed state.
- Aura Band, a wristband that tells you whether you are sufficiently hydrated by measuring the electricity flowing through your body (Bioimpedance)
- EZ Oxygen Breath Checker - Breathe into this device to check your respiratory functions. Useful to help guide workouts, or if you live in a high-pollution area

Honorable mention: MedSense massagers, because It’s hard to reach your own back, and there’s a robotic solution for that!

Also: Please stay tuned for a review of the Muse 2!

Breathe New Life Into Your Tech Gear
Has your computer stopped talking to your Smart Phone? Do things seem to be moving more slowly than molasses going uphill? Time for a tech tune-up with Asheville Digital Lifestyle. Click the button below to make an appointment.

ADL turns 6! Look who's partying

12/10/2018

Time really does fly when you’re having fun! Asheville Digital Lifestyle is celebrating its sixth birthday. Here are just few of the highlights of Jensen’s six years of customer support:

Helping a client in her 90s use a computer and search the internet for the first time - the ability to get thousands of pictures of “flowers” from simply typing in the word was a major paradigm shift.
Having 5 computers in front of me at once and caring tenderly for the computer herd.
Lighting up a client’s 9,000 square foot rural lodge with WiFi in every corner.
Hearing the relief in a client’s voice who hasn’t needed help for years, but realizes I’m still in business when she needs help!

One little guy who’s celebrating big time is the company CEO, Muckaluck Gelfond, Jensen’s Corgi. “Muck” is always ready to party! How about you?

ADL Tech tip: update your router

Is your router a "hidden zombie warrior" for hackers?

Wi-Fi Routers have been in the news quite a bit lately. Hackers have learned to exploit a weakness in many router brands. In fact, 116 router models are affected, and as many as 100,00 home and small office systems are infected by a "bot" which silently hijacks popular email services to spread itself even wider. Click here to learn more.

You may not need to manually update your router if it is provided by your Internet Service Provider (Charter or ATT). If you have a modern Wi-Fi System like ADL’s preferred router, Eero, it will automatically keep you safe. Read more about Eero in our blog. Otherwise, you may need to log into your router and update it yourself, which can be a difficult process. We can handle this for you!

Don't let your router be a zombie warrior for hackers! Call "tech ninja" Jensen Gelfond at Asheville Digital Lifestyle today for the protection you need.

Get a computer tune-up before your hard drive starts knocking

10/23/2018

Don't wait for a breakdown. Get a computer tune-up from Asheville Digital Lifestyle.

You can tell when your car needs a tune-up. It runs rougher, slower, and starts to burn more fuel. By the time it gets to such a noticeable stage, you’ve put it off way too long. What about your computer? Is it running rougher and slower? Do routine tasks, such as saving a file or loading a website, seem to be taking forever? If so, then your computer needs a tune-up.

Your computer has no spark plugs and doesn’t need its oil changed. So what’s involved in a computer tune-up? Everyone’s needs are different, but here are some typical steps in a computer tune-up:

Checking whether your computer is up-to-date and determine where is it in its lifecycle
Diagnosing hard drive health
Finding which programs are set to run automatically, and disabling any that are slowing your computer unnecessarily
Ensuring that your virus, malware, and spyware security software is working properly
Checking your web browser to ensure it’s up-to-date and does not have any advertising extensions
Testing and verifying your backup system

A computer tune-up often extends beyond your computer to include potential issues with your Smartphone, Wi-Fi Router, Smart TV, or other technology.

So if your PC or Mac is running so slowly that you feel you are growing old waiting for it to open or download files, it’s time to schedule a tune-up session with Asheville Digital Lifestyle. Click the button below to make an appointment.

Make your passwords as unique as you are with a password manager

9/24/2018

A password manager keeps all your passwords in one safe place.

Of the many challenges in the tech world, one of the most daunting is password management. There are two major issues:

Keeping track of what a password is for a given site can be very hard, given how often we have to change our passwords.
Even if we know all of our passwords, most of us are still not secure. To be secure, each confidential login should have a password that is randomly different, so if one website is breached, hackers will not be able to get into your other accounts as well.

A great solution for both convenience and security is to start using a password manager. Two good password managers are 1Password and Dashlane. Both work on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android.

A password manager solves your password security problems in two stages:.

Install the password manager and use it to save all of your current website logins (some of this can be done automatically).
Once you’re confident using the password manager, use the manager to suggest randomized passwords for each website. This improves security, and you only have to remember one password: the password to get into your password manager.

Need help installing a password manager? We can guide you through the steps and make managing your passwords safer and easier. Book a remote support session with Asheville Digital Lifestyle today!