If you have recently invested in a new laptop or tower computer, you may be looking for a way to offload your old one. Be sure to clean off your personal information or you may be handing out your company or personal information to thieves.

Startling facts about e-waste.

Consumer Reports reveals that 3 in 10 consumers replaced their computer in 2007. Nearly 2 in 10 consumers that disposed of a desktop computer or monitor threw them in the trash. According to the New York Times, approximately 1.8 million tons of discarded computers, printers, cell phones and other electronics wound up in landfills in 2007. That is a lot of e-waste!

So, if you have unwanted electronics or e-waste, please consider donating it to a good cause, selling it to someone who can reuse it, or recycle your e-waste.

Donate, sell or recycle your old computer, but keep your data and identity safe.
Deleting files and information just isn’t enough these days. Your computer holds on to deleted data so it can be recovered if necessary. So, how can you be sure your information is properly removed from your computer before you get rid of it? Use a program that is designed to overwrite the hard drive on your computer to wipe it clean.

Removing the files yourself using disk-cleaning software is not too difficult. Many free cleaning utilities are available to download online for free such as Active Kill Disk, Disk Cleaner, or even Sure Delete. If this is just too much work, you can always send your used computer or other devices to a refurbishing company that will wipe the devices clean and donate them to a worthy cause for you.

Beware… printers can also hold critical data that criminals love!  Did you know that many printers save data on a hard drive, and that data can be reused when plugged into a computer? Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if the printer even works. The hard drive may be unharmed and useful in the hands of a criminal. Just like a computer, your printer can be used for identity theft. There are software programs that can overwrite the data if you feel strongly about donating or selling your printer. However, destroying the hard drive is the only 100% guaranteed way of keeping your data safe.

Prepare your cell phone before handing it off…  If you are selling, donating or recycling your cell phone, don’t forget to delete your personal and company data first. A cellular device is much like a printer it holds traces of the information so it can be restored if necessary even if the phone is broken.

If you are planning to upgrade to a new phone or just have an old one taking up space in your desk drawer, see your cell phone manual or wireless provider’s website for details regarding permanent information deletion. Don’t forget to remove your SIM and memory cards too before donating a cellular device.

Ready to donate? Determine if your device can be reused.  A good rule of thumb to follow is, if you have a computer or device that is less than five years old it can usually be repurposed. The chances are very good that a non-profit or charitable agency could reuse your unwanted electronics to train individuals who are new users or even use your device within the organization.

Tips for donating unwanted electronics to a good cause.  Donating your devices to a local charity or a community group can have a great impact on others. Be sure to call the group you have in mind first to be sure they have a need for the equipment you intend to donate.

If you cannot find a local organization, try searching for an agency that fits your interests online. Remember to check the agency’s policy regarding data on the devices to ensure proper handling of your critical information. Here are a few safe non-profit organizations to consider:

Christina
Accepts computer donations to reuse the technology to support training and greater independence for disabled individuals and other people in need.

PC For Schools
A non-profit organization that refurbishes donated Pentium PC’s and late model Macintoshes, then distributes them to needy schools.

World Computer Exchange
A global education and environmental non-profit that helps connect youth in 67 developing countries to the skills, opportunities, and understanding of the Internet while keeping working computers out of landfills.

Selling unwanted electronics can be a win-win too!  Not only can you clear out devices that have been cluttering your home or workspace, but you can make a few bucks in the process. A great way to sell unwanted electronics is to include them in a garage sale or post them on your favorite classifieds website like CraigsList.org or ClassifiedAds.com.

If you have a little extra money to invest, look into upgrading your device before putting it up for sale. You may be pleasantly surprised at how quickly your devices will sell with current software or programs and how much more you can earn with such a minimal investment.

Recycling locations in your area are easy to find!  Now you can find e-waste recycling locations quickly with Earth911.com. This website holds information for over 117,000 locations and programs for more than 240 materials, and that is just the beginning of their service. Earth911 is also geared toward education, teaching visitors why they should recycle, on top of how and where. If you’re short on time, call for information and locations near you:

Earth911  •  1-800-CLEANUP

Or visit Earth911.com and download their FREE iRecycle application for your iPhone and start recycling today!

Recycling improves the health of our planet.  So, let’s work together to keep our planet green! It is up to us to reduce the amount of waste piling up in our landfills. Take a look at the Recycling 101 section on Earth 911.com today to learn more. You will be amazed at how many items can be recycled. You just have to learn how and where. Go GREEN!

Search engine optimization is a process that requires time.  If your business needs more traffic NOW, then a pay per click or an eMail campaign (or both) may be required to jump start sales.

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While customized search engine marketing solutions can be costly, it sometimes is the only way to increase sales immediately.  Our program often includes a mix of social networking on sites like Twitter and Facebook, along with classified ads strategically placed and pay-per-click advertising.

Call today for more information.

• Keyword Research and Selection
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We measure success by a marketable increase in web originated sales. We seek a deep understanding of your business, target customer, and marketing strategies. If you don’t have these, we will help you develop them!

Working With You

Working collaboratively in the optimization process, we teach you how to correctly create new page content from the beginning. This lessens the need to hire us for on-going site support. We become your sounding board for ongoing site development and growth, saving you money and making your website a stronger, more cohesive marketing tool.

Search Engine Optimization Takes Time

Optimizing your website is not like turning on a light switch. The search engines will take their time indexing your site as a precaution to protect their user base. We follow industry guidelines very closely and work with search engine developers throughout the country to stay on top of current trends.

Never Ending Change

Search Engine Optimization is the beginning, not the end. Search engine technology changes, internet traffic changes and your competitors are always changing; your web site must grow and change with the times.

We keep our prices low so you feel comfortable turning to us when needed. We work with you on a month-to-month basis and communicate with you in advance for each task.

24/7 Monitoring  PC & Server Maintenance

•  24/7 Network Monitoring
•  Remote Desktop Support
•  Virus Scans & Removal
•  Spyware Scans & Removal
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Read the complete story at:
http://lastwatchdog.com/unstoppable-phishing-attacks-blanket-facebook-twitter/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/8297237.stm

The gist is this – Iceland has more electricity than it can use, and its produced from geothermal, so there’s no carbon produced by making it.  Plus, the cool temperatures can help keep all those servers cool with no air-conditioning costs.  Iceland is busy laying fibre optic cables to North America and Europe so they can house big server farms and bring those jobs to the island.  Seems like a good idea to us!

First, what is a business blog? It’s a type of web site. It presents writing, pictures, videos, links to other websites, and eMail accounts in a conversational approach.  The true power of a business blog is actually in the software running your website…

We’ve all driven down Highway 1 or 101 and seen the billboards.  Those billboards work just like many current websites.  They are static marketing elements you must pass by in order to see.

On the internet, we all use search engine to find things we are interested.  Pew Internet & American Research Project concludes 82% of American Adult Internet Users go to search engines to find information on products or services.  The search engines, wanting to keep searchers, scourer the internet looking for information to present (i.e. index).

Going back to our billboard analogy, the search engines must drive by your billboard (i.e. visit your website) on a regular basis and “read it” to know of any changes.  The true power of the business blog site resides in the technology that “notifies” the search engines of changes to your website.

Changing your website over to WordPress, like I recently did for Computer Studios,  is inexpensive. In the long run, will help your business gain more consumers of your knowledge.  Expanding your perceived level of expertise is the primary effort of business blogging.

Happy Blogging

Ed Bejarana
Computer Studios

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch,

“Who’s on first?” might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: Thanks. I’m setting up an office in my den and I’m thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don’t own a computer. I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name’s Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don’t know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let’s just say I’m sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue “W”.

COSTELLO: I’m going to click your blue “W” if you don’t start with some straight answers. OK, forget that. Can I watch movies on the Internet?

ABBOTT: Yes, you want Real One.

COSTELLO: Maybe a real one, maybe a cartoon. What I watch is none of your business. Just tell me what I need!

ABBOTT: Real One.

COSTELLO: If it’s a long movie, I also want to watch reels 2, 3 and 4. Can I watch them?

ABBOTT: Of course.

COSTELLO: Great! With what?

ABBOTT: Real One.

COSTELLO: OK, I’m at my computer and I want to watch a movie. What do I do?

ABBOTT: You click the blue “1″.

COSTELLO: I click the blue one what?

ABBOTT: The blue “1″.

COSTELLO: Is that different from the blue “W”?

ABBOTT: The blue “1″ is Real One and the blue “W” is Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: But there are three words in “office for windows”!

ABBOTT: No, just one. But it’s the most popular Word in the world.

COSTELLO: It is?

ABBOTT: Yes, but to be fair, there aren’t many other Words left. It pretty much wiped out all the other Words out there.

COSTELLO: And that word is real one?

ABBOTT: Real One has nothing to do with Word. Real One isn’t even part of Office.

COSTELLO: STOP! Don’t start that again. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That’s right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What’s bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn’t it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later)

ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on “START

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The Robot Arm of the Law Grows Longer
by Noel Sharkey