TechnologyTips.com Frequently Asked Questions
1. I just found this website. What exactly is TechnologyTips.com?
First of all welcome to the site. We’re happy you found us, and we are eager to assist you in any way we can. TechnologyTips.com is technology advice website founded by tech journalist Andy Walker. On this site you’ll find no nonsense advice on dealing with computer issues each and every one of us can come across on any given afternoon. From computer motherboards to video cards, and RAM to operating systems. If it has to do with a computer, it’s here. So please look around, enjoy the site, and we hope you enjoy the experience as much we do having you here.
2. Who is Andy Walker?
Andy Walker is one of the premier tech journalists in North America. Andy became involved in technology while working at the Edmonton Journal newspaper. His fun and friendly tech help column “TechnologyTips” became syndicated across the Southam newspaper chain across Canada (now owned by CanWest Global). The “TechnologyTips” column was named by his brilliant editor Peter Collum. Andy launched TechnologyTips.net in 1998 and added the TechnologyTips.com domain a few years later. Since then Andy has worked on many technology based projects including a 2-year stint at MSN.ca, a digital lifetsyle magazine start up in Berkeley called Dig_iT and and co-host of the internationally known show “Call for Help”. Andy’s recent endeavors include hosting “Call for Help, Web Gems”, co-founder of the vidcast “Lab Rats”, and author “The Absolute Beginners Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware, and Viruses.”
3. Lab Rats? You mean you guys do animal testing?
No, PETA members need not be concerned. Lab Rats is a video-cast about technology you already own. If you are curious how your DVD player works, or which audio format is best or even how a codec works then LabRats, a TV show on the Internet, is where you can learn more. It’s technology done informatively, and with all seriousness set aside. It is available for download via the Lab Rats web page, or through iTunes and other podcast directories.
4. Andy seems to be a really busy guy. He must have had some help. Is there anyway I can see Andy’s team?
Yes, you can. We appreciate you asking. Andy had the help of many talented individuals in bringing this website to you. The members of the TechnologyTips Team can be seen at the preceding link.
5. I’m eager to look around. Is there anything special I need to do?
All you need to do to start your TechnologyTips adventure is start clicking around. There’s plenty see right from the start. It ranges from featured articles which cover a wide variety of topics, to the TechnologyTips Software Library. We recommend you sign-up and become a TechnologyTips member to get the most out of the site.
Becoming a TechnologyTips basic member allows you access to the full array of articles and provides access to the TechnologyTips newsletter and discount coupon bulletin. The options to receive the newsletter and coupons are right there on the membership sign-up page. Simply click on the items you wish to receive, and your done. And the best thing of all is, it’s free. As with any time you deal with the Internet, TechnologyTips recommends you read our privacy statement. No, we won’t be collecting and selling your private personal information to spammers (we promise), but we recommend you read the agreement when installing or signing up for any Internet services, including our own. See our privacy statement.
6. I signed up, but I forgot my password. Can I get a new one?
Simply use the password reset form and enter the email address you signed up with. We’ll email you a new password shortly.
7. I’d like to look for articles on specific topics. Can I do that?
There are scads of useful articles and information available here at TechnologyTips.com. There are two ways to find exactly what you are looking for. First you go to the home page. There is a list of words along the top of the page. If you click on the one that reads “TOPICS” it will bring you to a list of list of generalized subjects like “SPAM”, “EMAIL” or “FIX YOUR COMPUTER”. You can look through these articles and see what kind of pertinent information is there. Or, there is a search box in the upper right corner of the home page. Simply type in what you are looking for and through the magic of the Internet you’ll be presented with the specific information your longing for.
8. Wow, you even have a software section here. Do you sell software on the site?
No, the software section of TechnologyTips.com is a reference site. The software presented on the page has been sought out by the TechnologyTips.com staff. We spent a great deal of time using many of the titles listed ourselves so we can give you an honest review of the products. These products include applications for security, privacy, spam, and many more. Much of the software is either freeware or of the “try before you buy” variety. If you decide you wish to download or purchase the software TechnologyTips refers you to the appropriate publisher or affiliate site so you can complete the transaction.
9. I’m looking for some software for to copy my records to MP3’s, where do I find it?
When you first visit the TechnologyTips Software Library you will see two sections at beginning of the page. One with the most popular software and the other is the most popular freeware. You should check these sections first. These are highest user downloaded programs, which should speak for itself. There is also the Browse Categories section. This will provide you with software listed by categories. If you are looking for a program which does a certain task, here is the place to look.
10. I found spyware on a piece of freeware you advertised on your site. What should I do?
TechnologyTips makes every attempt to ensure the products listed do not include spyware or adware. However, it is impossible to guarantee due to the fact we are not responsible for the end product. If spyware or adware is found on any product we have listed please contact us immediately via [email protected]. Please include the name of the product, the page it was downloaded from, and what anti-virus program you used to detect it.
11. In the world of computing things change all the time. Is there a newsletter I can subscribe to?
Yes, Andy sure does. If you are interested in receiving the TechnologyTips newsletter, just simply fill out the membership form and you’ll be receiving your first newsletter shortly. The newsletter is filled with tips and tricks, all designed to maximize your computing experience.
12. I tried to sign in on the forum page, but it would no accept my TechnologyTips log-in. Why?
The TechnologyTips.com log in is based upon an email address. The forum is a combination of the TechnologyTips.com and the Lab Rats websites. The forum requires you to register and choose a user name. With the user name you can sign into the forums. At this time the two are not interchangeable.
13. What does the forum contain?
There are many things that you can access from the forums page. Both the TechnologyTips.com blog and Lab Rats blog is accessible from the page. The TechnologyTips Software Library is also accessible from here. The main function of the forum is to provide an area for members to placing postings about tech issues, advice, or to just discuss what is going on in the computing world.
14. I see the forums have Usergroups. What are they?
Usergroups are a way in which board administrators can group users. Each user can actually belong to several groups at a time. Each group can be assigned individual access rights by the administrator. This makes it easy for administrators to set up several users as moderators of a forum, or to give them access to a private forum, etc.
If you wish join a usergroup click the usergroup link on the page header, and you can then view all the available usergroups. Keep in mind not all usergroups are open to everyone. Some may be closed, or even hidden. If the usergroup is open, then you may submit a request to join it. The group moderator may approve your request. If your request is denied please do bother the moderator, we are sure they are reasons. Every request to include everyone will be made.
15. I really love your site. I would love to share it with my friends. Do you have any suggestions?
Funny you should ask that. After all the effort and thought we put into the site we knew you would love it as much as we do. Being the considerate people that we are we just happened to include a little handy-dandy button to push which will enable you to tell your friends about TechnologyTips.com. It is located right at the bottom of our homepage. It is easy to locate and easy to use. So do not delay.
16. I have a comment or two I would like to share with you. Who do I contact to let you know my thoughts?
We have even a simple way for you to let us know what you think. The Contact button on the right upper area of the home page will put you touch with us. Please feel free to email us with your thoughts and we’ll do our best to get back to you within twenty four hours, if not sooner.
17. I don’t see the answer to my question listed here?
Make contact with us, by emailing your question via the Contact page. We will try to make every possible effort to get your question answered in a prompt manner. Please use the subject dropdown bar to signify the subject of your email message.
18. The words on the page seem so small. Is there any way I can make them larger so I don’t get wrinkles from squinting?
Just like Goldilocks, everyone has their preferences. We have included on most web pages a function which will allows you to choose from three different settings for font sizes. You can locate it on the web page in the upper right hand side. It is a grey box with the words text size and three different sizes of the letter A. Simply choose which size font you would like and all the text on the page will convert automatically to the correct size. The default font size is the smallest available.
19. What is RSS?
RSS or Real Simple Syndication, allows users to subscribe to a website. The RSS readers will periodically check a website for new information, which is then displayed the subscriber’s web page.
You can use of the following RSS readers to have TechnologyTips.com content displayed on your page.
RSSReader,
MediaScooper,
Tristana,
RocketInfo, or
JetBrains
20. Where can I buy Andy’s book?
You can purchase Andy’s book “Absolute Beginners Guide to Security, Spam, Spyware, and Viruses” from [link removed].com, Chapters, or any major book outlet. And keep an eye out there are more books due out by Andy soon.