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Data Doctors: How to use macros safely 01/12/2024 05:58pm • Q: What are "macros" and how are they used? A: In the world of computer software, macros are powerful tools available in programs you likely use every day. They essentially provide you with the ability to create a set of instructions that can be grouped and launched with a simple combination o Data Doctors: Tips for buying used smartphones 01/05/2024 03:34pm • Q: I'm looking to buy a lower-cost smartphone. What are the differences between refurbished and used smartphones? A: The yearly improvement in smartphone technology leads many people to get rid of perfectly good smartphones in pursuit of owning the "latest and greatest" technology. This trend Data Doctors: How to recycle your tech properly 12/29/2023 03:28pm • Q: What do I need to do to my smart TV before I get rid of it and where can I take it? A: It's that time of year when many households are replacing older technology with the latest and greatest, leading to important questions of data privacy and proper disposal. Resetting your smart TV Smart TV Data Doctors: Does my computer need more RAM? 12/22/2023 09:24pm • Q: How can I tell if my laptop needs more RAM? A: Random Access Memory (RAM) is often called the "best bang for the buck" upgrade for most laptop or desktop computers. It can provide an immediate and noticeable improvement in performance while being more cost-effective than upgrading other vit Data Doctors: How to make Windows 11 look more like Windows 10 12/15/2023 02:55pm • Q: My computer seems to have upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and I’m confused by the different look and feel. Is there any way to make it look more like Windows 10? A: When it comes to our computers and smartphones, even minor changes can be somewhat disorienting, especially if the icon Data Doctors: How to guest-proof your computer and Wi-Fi over the holidays 12/08/2023 03:12pm • Q: What’s the safest way to let guests use my computer and Wi-Fi? A: The holiday season often means guests will be visiting or staying with you, so it’s important to consider security and privacy issues regarding your home network. Depending on the situation, your guests may ask to connect Data Doctors: Why Apple's NameDrop is safe to use 12/01/2023 12:45pm • Q: Is Apple’s NameDrop option a security risk? A: NameDrop is a new AirDrop feature that is part of the latest update from Apple in iOS 17, which was made available in mid-September. It’s a convenient feature for those who want to accurately share either their phone number or their email a Data Doctors: Pros and cons of hardware security keys 11/24/2023 05:38pm • Q: What are the pros and cons of using hardware security keys? A: One of the best ways to secure your online accounts is using some form of two-factor authentication to prevent anyone that acquires your password from getting in. The two factors are something you know — your password and some Data Doctors: The problem with iPhone/Android text messaging 11/17/2023 05:43pm • Q: Why don’t some Android users get my iPhone text messages? A: Text messaging was once considered an anti-social communication method by those who grew up having phone conversations as their default. Fast forward to 2023 and everyone realizes how efficient and useful text messaging has beco Data Doctors: 4 ways to get calendar spam 11/10/2023 04:56am • Q: How are spammers putting things in my calendar without my knowledge? A: Spammers and scammers are constantly on the prowl to find new ways to get to us and the open architecture of most calendar programs is a growing target. A standard known as iCal or iCalendar (not to be confused with App Data Doctors: Tips for improving laptop battery life 11/03/2023 06:28pm • Q: What can I do with a Windows laptop with a battery that won't last very long? A: Battery life is a common frustration with all portable devices and how you use your laptop can make a big difference. The age of your laptop's battery and how many times it's been charged and discharged also pl Data Doctors: How to fix the infamous 'blue screen of death' 10/27/2023 02:30pm • Q: I had a blue screen error message pop-up while I wasn’t even using my computer running Windows 10 — what gives? A: The infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) isn’t a small issue, as it will always stop you in your tracks. It’s an indication that Windows was unable to recover from some fo Data Doctors: Google Maps vs. Waze 10/20/2023 05:26pm • Q: What's the difference between Google Maps and Waze for navigation? A: One of the most important smartphone apps we all use on a regular basis is a mapping app, but it’s become much more than getting from point A to point B. Google owns both mapping apps as they acquired Waze in 2013 but k Data Doctors: How to fix erratic mouse behavior 10/12/2023 04:26pm • Q: What can cause my mouse pointer in Windows to freeze at random times and then suddenly start working again? A: Erratic behavior from your mouse can be an indication of many things, and all of them should be investigated as soon as possible. It could be hardware, software or malware, which is w Data Doctors: Has my Google account been hacked? 10/06/2023 06:09pm • Q: I think I’ve been hacked — is there a way to see if someone is using my Google account? A: It’s an unsettling feeling when you suspect that you’ve been compromised and Google accounts are highly targeted by the internet underworld because they know that virtually everyone has one. O