NorthJacksonComputers

If you want to have prints made of digital pictures stored on some type of media, here are tips.

1. If you have a "picture" disc and cannot view the pictures on a computer, check the "disk type". Is it a DVD data disk or CD. DVD data disks are not "video" disks but are simply large capacity CD's. These require a PC with at least a DVD reader also some of the newer video DVD's players will display the pictures on a TV. 

2. The Picture DVD disks we produced for the 2008 Bridgeport Tigers have over 1,100 pictures on them. These would not fit on a CD therefore we had to put them on DVD data disks.

3. You can take these to Walmart to print pictures, but here's a great tip --- it's slow. With over 1,100 files it takes the photo machine forever to load the thumbnails for you to select from. Here is what we suggest -- place the DVD in a computer with DVD reader, pick out the ones you want and copy them to a folder on your your computer. Copy these to some media type - CD - memory stick - or thumb drive. Thumb drives are great! they are now cheaper than ever, they are fast, and the most Photo machines (like the ones at walmart) accept them. The photo machine works best when you have 99 or fewer files at a time with any media.

4. When you do print at a photo machine, review the picture for print. The machine sometimes crops or clips some of the photo -- but you can adjust this.

5. All of the pictures can be enlarged, but night time pictures tend to be "grainy" after enlarging so far. Look close at a small print before spending that $5 for the large.

6. We can add names, team names, dates, and more to the pictures for 8x10's or even larger. See the samples for ideas. If you would like one of these email us. There is a cost, but not much.

Email any questions -----

webmaster@northjacksoncomputers.net

WebSite design and hosting is not so expensive anymore just about anyone can afford one.

In some cases a single 1 page site, with limited pictures, published and domain registered for one year can be purchased complete for $50.

Multiple pages designed, scanning pictures, taking pictures, of course would cost a little more. Just ask. 

If you are interested in controlling your own site we can post a basic design which can be modified by you to your liking. This does require a general PC knowledge which most teens have today. Email us for pricing as this varies greatly with the space you need.  

We also offer WebSite Design Hosting and Administration. Example .. If you need a professional site that would need to be updated regularly, lets say like a Church which publishes weekly bulletins and or audio sermons for people to download later. We do that too. Again email for a quote tailored to your needs.

TGBATG webmaster@northjacksoncomputers.net    

Virus and Spyware “Malware”  Protection

If you haven’t already, read the “What are they” section.

Also, if you already have a “Virus” see the “Repair” section.

Many new computers today ship with “protection” loaded but we still get sick. ??

Just remember, even the best/most expensive is not effective when we click that button/banner/picture which underneath is the first line of code “cut my protection off”.

That being said, there are many “good programs” that help protect us from these “Malwares”.

Some are expensive.

Some you can get at Walmart and others..

Some are free.

Some slow your computer noticeably

Some only protect against certain things.

So which do I need ???

Answer is “It all depends”. LOL

A  typical home computer following the “rule of thumb” will be just fine with the cheapest (or even the free) one.

I will list some of these at the bottom, but first let me explain.

Typically, but not always, the cheaper the protection the less “Support” you get from them, it may require a little more computer knowledge, and/or it requires more computer resources (slows it down).

Typically, but not always, the more expensive the protection the better “support” you get from them, it requires less computer knowledge, and or it has optional features to tailor it to specific needs.

So which do I need ?????

I don’t want to loose your attention, so I’ll tell you what I use.

Almost all the above. LOL

No kidding…..

My main home PC’s which are used for Web design, kids school work, etc. has the “Mcafee three user suite” purchased at Walmart. This is good for one year.

My shop PC has AVAST virus protection from avast.com. The “free” version. Yep really free and it works good. They do have an upgrade version for purchase.

Also I have another PC with “SPY BOT” from spybot.com. This is also the “free” version. Does a great job at removing spyware. They too have an upgrade version for purchase.

There are many protection programs which work well and are not expensive.

Just remember “it all depends” on your needs, don’t fret, just ask.

We have more computers brought to us and get asked more questions about this than any other subject.

What’s the difference?

First, both can cause problems and both can cause you to loose important data.

Simple explanations are

Virus  -- a small program which purpose is to cause you problems and loose data.

Spyware – (sometimes called adware) a small program which purpose is to collect information about you or your computer and send this information back over the internet.

Both of these are called “Malware” and neither do you want!

And most of the time, once you get one,  you get the other.

How do you get them?

I could spend days and loose your attention if I tried to list them all, but here are the main ones.

Un-scanned emails

“Questionable WebSites”

“Too good to be true” offers.

#1 way --Shouldn’t be “free stuff”   (copyrighted songs, video etc..)

Rule of thumb --- if it “too good to be true”, a “questionable website” or an email from someone you don’t know,    don’t go there.

Some of these items may even have been intended to be good, real, sincere, but they are not protected them selves so they make easy targets for hackers

Hackers sit every day getting around even the best virus and spyware protection. They hack these “too good to be true” stuff and attach their “malware” to them.

But really, how do we get them?

Here’s how--- – they trick us.

When you click on that “I found your picture on the internet, click here to see it”  button or banner, the first line of code or command they write into their little program is “bypass my virus protection”.

We just told our computer to accept that “malware”.

OK that’s the scary side,

The good side -- I know people which surf the net daily and have not had a virus or spyware in years.  It can be done, just stick to the rule of thumb.

There are many programs which “help” prevent malware. Look at the section for virus and spyware protection.

PC/Computer Repair

Before taking your computer to the doctor, know these answers, it could save you a lot of time and Money!

1. Is the computer attempting to start? Any lights anywhere or any words on the screen.
2. Does Windows attempt to start at all?
3. Windows starts but computer becomes un-responsive after.

Since there are thousands of possibilities, post your problem with as many details as possible and we will try to help before you take it to repair. This save them time and you money.