Should I use RSS?  If you’d like to check out different sources for news, sports, or other media, then yes, RSS is for you.  It’s the lazy man’s way to acquire info.  It’s worth checking out unless you are selective about your sources, such as only wanting to use NY Times or Google.

How do I use RSS?  You’ll need to download and install an RSS Feed Reader.  This will allow you to read all of the news and weblogs out there to get your info.  This reader will let you search and organize your queries.  3 popular RSS Feed Readers are:

1. FeedDemon - lots of features and great interface, but weak with news sources
2. NewzCrawler - comprehensive, but clean and easy to use
3. Google Reader - minimalist and easy to use

RSS is easy to setup and does not require technical support.  Give it a try and wait for the news to come to you!

• What is the computer issue or IT project you’re encountering?
• Where do you work or live?
• What is your budget?

When you perform a search, be sure to be as specific as you need to be.  For instance, if you’re looking to enlist a technician just to remove a virus or spyware, make sure to be narrow with your search query.  “virus removal” or “spyware removal” are 2 good searches to perform for this.  If you have a specific project for your company, you may type in “new server install” or “e-mail migration.”  You do not have to put in quotes by the way.

Geography is very important.  You should be sure to put in your location, such as “virus removal nyc” or “new york company IT support.”  If you’re looking for company or home support for IT maintenance or ongoing support, your search should be more general such as “nyc IT maintenance” or “new york city tech support.”

Budget always comes into play for every computer user or network.  Typically, the best support will come from IT companies due to the quick response time and professionalism.  You might find cheaper prices with one-man IT folks, but the response time and skill-level could be lacking.  Be sure to choose your IT company based on professionalism, reviews, and personality.

To resolve this error, our computer experts have been able to search high and low to find the Windows 7 Ultimate not genuine fix.  Just run it and hit the button to remove the activation when prompted.  Then, the program will take care of the rest.  This program essentially removes the activation key display in the Computer Properties area, and allows the computer to download/install Windows updates again.

Hopefully, you will not have to come across this computer issue, but if you do, you’ll now how to resolve the PC problem.

Here are the top 5 ways to speed up your slow Mac:

1. Unclutter your desktop - Having tons of files and folders on your desktop can slow down your startup.  You should, instead, put these files in to folders in your home directory and create desktop aliases to them.  This will allow your computer to start without having to load these files in memory every time.
2. Clear out the temp items - As with a PC, it is very helpful to remove the files in the Caches, Log files and Temporary Items.  These temp items sometimes hold corrupted files or misdirected links.  By removing them, you refresh your computer’s cache or temporary storage.  You can accomplish this removal task by going to Home/Library/Cache. 
3. Upgrade the RAM - Over the years,  you have surely increased your applications and iTunes Library among other process-hungry items.  An easy, way to ensure your speed is increased is to install more RAM in your Mac.  You can ask a Mac hardware technician if your Mac can be upgraded and what the cost is.
4. Get rid of Login Items - If you’re not using any of your Login Items, get rid of them.  That way, your Mac won’t have to load them every time.  You can still access them later, but they just won’t be in the background taking up memory.  You can remove them by going to System Preferences->Accounts->Login Items.
5. Remove Firefox Extensions - Firefox gets a bit overcrazed with its tons of extensions.  Every time you have an extension loaded in Firefox, that makes your Internet browsing a tad slower.  Get rid of the unnecessary ones by launching Firefox->Tools->Add-ons.

These 5 tips should help speed up your Mac.  If you still need Mac support afterwards, you should bring your computer to a mac specialist to diagnose possible hardware issues as well as a full system check.

Extra power:

• Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter - Connect your Mac charger at 40,000 feet so you don’t run out of power on the plane.  It’s just $50.
• Belkin mini-surge protector - Add more wall power outlets in your hotel with this 3-outlet + 2 USB charger ports.  You can charge your blackberry or iPhone while also charging your laptops.  This is so much more convenient - all in one wall outlet versus struggling to play scavenger hunt with all of your hotel outlets.  Only $25.
• Universal Travel Adapter - If traveling internationally, be sure to purchase this $10 slim-line travel adapter.

Nice-to-have USB items:

• Keyboard light - Plug in a usb-light so you see your keys or not disturb your travel partner by turning on the room light.  Just $10.
• Mini speakers - Enjoy better sound than your laptop supplies with these iHome USB speakers.  $50.
• Humidifier - Feel dry on the flight or in the room.  Plug in this USB-humidifer.

Having the right supplies for your Mac or PC will give your computer enlightenment..  If you’d like some more tech support tips for traveling, feel free to contact one of our computer experts.

Yahoo has set up a deal where it will feature Twitter in the search results.  Google and Microsoft already announced they would do the same.  The real question is: “Is this too much info?”  And is this info meaningful and fresh content?  Well, the fresh content part cannot be denied.  Twitter’s “tweets” are a frame of consciousness way of writing so this is not duplicated text.  Is spur of the moment updates for sporting events, weather, social events, and news.  The place where it will come in handy is when you want up-to-date info for subway lines, weather, and sports. 

The cool factor comes in when you search for the NY Knicks score, and you’ll get as a result a Tweet from someone courtside who talks about the score as well as Nate Robinson getting into a shouting match with Spike Lee.  You can’t get such gossip or real-time info from ESPN…well not all the time at least. 

The point is that Twitter can provide the elements of the game, weather, and other events with a real-time buzz.  Regular news sites and TV can provide updates, but not as fast or actively live like Twitter.  Twitter will add a nice complement on search results as long as it doesn’t overpower the foundation of the other websites’ results. 

Here’s where the major e-mail software clients are stored:

• Outlook - In Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<Profile>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook; In Windows Vista/7: C:\Users\<Profile>\AppData\Local\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
• Outlook Express - C:\Documents and Settings\<Profile>\Application Data\Outlook Express\{ID} or C:\Documents and Settings\<Profile>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{ID}\Outlook Express.  Contacts are found in: C:\Documents and Settings\<Profile>\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
• Windows Mail - C:\Users\<Profile>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail.  Contacts are found in:  C:\Users\Contacts
• Thunderbird - C:\Users\<Profile>\AppData\Local\Thunderbird\Profiles\xxxxx.default\Mail
• Entourage - Home\Documents\Microsoft User Data\Office X Identities\Main Identity\Database
• Mac Mail - Home\Library\Mail

To back up your e-mail, make sure you are out of the program you backing up from or else it won’t let you back it up.  If you need further help with backing up, you can contact an e-mail specialist.

We recommend to change your password first right away if you have a Hotmail or Windows Live account.  If you cannot access your e-mail account, then reset your password by answering one of your security questions.  If you are unable to perform either of these tasks, then you have one other option which is filling out a request to Hotmail to change the password account and they will e-mail your previous e-mail account the steps to take.  If this last option fails, you are at a loss if you signed up to a free account since free e-mail accounts do not have phone support. 

If you purchased an e-mail account with extra storage, you can call Hotmail for further support.  It is sad that you only get phone support if you purchased extra e-mail storage, and when your account has been hacked.  Well, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, especially when someone steals it!

Also, if you sign up for any free e-mail account, such as Yahoo or Google, you should always make sure to export your contacts.  This will make sure your important friends and family info are safe even if your e-mail account is hacked into.  Further, make sure that you install anti-virus and anti-spam software to prevent possible hacking and infections.

1. Find out the exact error message.  You can do so by: Right-Click My Computer and Properties.  Select Advanced Tab->Startup and Recovery and turn off Automatically restart under System Failure.  Click OK from the 2 boxes.
2. Re-create the issue and document the error code.  Reboot and re-create that nasty blue screen of death so this time your computer will give you enough time to read the error message.  Look for the name of a file that is causing the issue (i.e. usbport.sys) that is located on the bottom of your screen. 
3. Reinstall the problematic driver.  Since this error refers to a driver issue (software installed for hardware component (i.e. wireless card, sound, video, etc.), we now have to find which driver is associated with the file (i.e. usbport.sys) indicated on your blue screen.  Go to My Computer->Properties->Hardware->Device Manager and from here select the problematic device.  If you see any yellow ! exclamation marks, this device might be the problematic one.  If you’re not sure, you can search the file / driver issue by clicking the device, select Properties->Driver->Driver Details and you’ll find all the files that make up the driver.  Go through each driver until locating the same file listed in your blue screen.  Once you found the same file name, reinstall the driver by right-clicking the driver and select Update Driver.  This will allow you to reinstall it or search on the Internet for a newer one.

If you need further technical support for this computer repair, be sure to contact your local NYC computer repair shop.

Now, GoToMyPC has gotten into the VPN game with its own GoToMyPC Hamachi VPN technology.  Just like any VPN access, it allows mobile or home users to connect into servers, network files, and database files.  Better yet, for non-commercial use, you can use this VPN technology for free for up to 16 computers.  This software is easy with the tech setup since no VPN hardware is required; it’s a secure connection; networking is easy; and it’s free.

If you have ever used LogMeIn or GoToMyPC, you’ll know it’s easy to setup.  You install it on your target computer or server you want to access, and then access your remote computer with your username and password.  Then, you’ll be able to select your target computer to access the info.  The same way is applied for the VPN setup in terms of accessing the network files.  This is definitely recommended for a cost-efficient VPN solution.