I'm often asked, "I need a laptop. What should I buy?" Although the technical specifications of laptops change constantly, the basics have remained the same for years. Below are some things to consider when shopping for a laptop (AKA notebook computer). A note about netbooks: these portable computers are smaller than laptops (usually with 9 […]
I recently helped a client with a laptop that had suddenly become agonizingly slow to start up. The Windows XP loading screen stayed up for longer than normal, and it took several more minutes after that for the desktop to load and be usable; over 7 minutes total. Any hard drive intensive programs ran extremely […]
When I run across a website that's visually appealing, functional, and fast, I like to find out what technology powers that site. I've found BuiltWith.com a helpful resource for finding this information. Enter a website address, and BuiltWith lists return's the site's Technology Profile. This profile includes details such as the server software, analytics platform, blog […]
Want to know what web host is hosting a particular website? Maybe you're shopping for a web host, or you're just curious who hosts your favorite websites. I use WhoIsHostingThis.com, which answers the question its name poses. Simply type in the website address, and WhoIsHostingThis.com will try to tell you who the host is, as […]
Have you noticed that pictures sent from your Verizon phone are small and low-resolution? The fix is to change the phone's camera resolution. Read on for details. I have a Samsung Intensity with Verizon Wireless. This phone's highest camera resolution is 1280 x 960 pixels, which I naturally set it at. Imagine my surprise, then, […]
Practically any organization, whether it's a business, non-profit, or even a single freelancer, can benefit from social media. On June 16, Lakeshore Advantage hosted a social media lunch event with Jason Sadler, founder of IWearYourShirt.com. I went and listened to Jason talk about creating and growing I Wear Your Shirt, and how he uses social […]
On June 16, four West Michigan startups pitched their ideas to aimWest, a group of local professionals and technology experts. The startups are backed by Momentum, a Grand Rapids-based venture firm focused on web technology entrepreneurs. Each of the startup companies are using the web and social media for their fledgling businesses. Members of aimWest […]
Ever wonder how Google finds what you're looking for in the blink of an eye? This video (embedded below) explains how Google search works in plain English, in 3 minutes! It covers indexing, spiders, links, ranking, relevance, keywords, PageRank, and advertising. As always, contact OptimWise for more information or assistance!
In the computing world, some things are worth paying for, and others aren't. For years, I've put antivirus and antispyware software in the not worth paying for category. My current favorite free security program is Microsoft Security Essentials. Microsoft released Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) in 2009, but its roots go back to an acquisition in […]
Browser plugins are small programs that enhance your browser. For example, the Flash plugin allows you to play Flash games and watch video on sites like YouTube, and the Adobe Reader plugin lets you open PDFs in your browser. As with any software, it's crucial that you keep your plugins up-to-date. Plugins are often updated […]
Once upon a time, small businesses got along fine without the Internet. They relied on word-of-mouth and traditional media (newspapers, TV, radio) to help customers find them. As the years went by, small business owners discovered they were losing market share to competitors who had basic websites (essentially digital business cards) to direct customers to […]
Think for a second of how many links to websites you see each day. They come through email, Facebook, and Google search results. Especially if you don't recognize the name of the website, how do you know it's safe to visit? Google provides a first line of defense for search results by warning you of […]
