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Data Doctors: Zelle vs. Venmo, which is better? 09/29/2023 08:38am • Q: What’s the difference between Zelle and Venmo? A: Mobile payment systems allow you to use your smartphone to transfer money, which eliminates the need to write checks, grab cash from an ATM or purchase money orders or cashier’s checks. This convenience also benefits the recipient as the Data Doctors: Tips for clearing browsing data 09/22/2023 08:42pm • Q: Will I lose all my saved passwords if I clear the cache in my browser? A: Routinely clearing the cache in your browser is a recommended maintenance task, but in some cases, it can make changes you may not like beyond stored passwords. What is Browser Cache? A cache refers to a temporary stor What you should know about Apple's move to USB-C for the new iPhone 09/20/2023 10:08pm • Apple will release the iPhone 15 this Friday. It comes with a faster processor and a better camera, but for many, those features are not what make this version of the smartphone so exciting. The newest model becomes the first iPhone which charges via USB-C. “Apple has abandoned their proprie New iPhone 'Check In' feature can help calm anxious parents and friends 09/19/2023 11:24pm • Have you ever promised a family member that you’d let them know when you got to your destination, but forgot to? Or maybe your kids are infamous for not letting you know when they made it to a friend's house. Apple has introduced a feature which should help, called “Check In.” “It's li Data Doctors: What iPhone users need to know about USB-C charging cables Android owners have been using for years 09/14/2023 11:35pm • Q: If USB-C is a connection standard, what do the expensive cables do for me over the cheap ones? A: Apple recently announced that they’ve switched the iPhone from their proprietary Lightning connector to the USB-C standard, so Android and iOS smartphones can now use the same cable. The USB- Data Doctors: Bypass your printer when filling out forms 09/08/2023 05:20pm • Q: We live full-time in our RV and need to print forms so we can fill them out and scan them to send back. We won’t use it much, so what do you recommend? A: One of the challenges of living full-time in an RV is space, so you’ll want to choose one of the many portable options that are much sm Data Doctors: Are phones really listening to our conversations? 09/01/2023 05:41pm • Q: If my phone isn't listening to my conversations, how are ads appearing around things I was just talking about? A: I've written about the impracticality of bulk storage and secrecy requirements of recording everything you say and why Big Tech doesn't need to use such an archaic method to target Data Doctors: Hard drive maintenance tips everyone should know 08/25/2023 08:17pm • Q: What should I be doing to monitor my hard drive? A: Of all the components that make up your computer, the hard drive should be considered the most important to maintain and monitor because it stores your valuable data. Recognizing signs that it may be faltering can help you avoid a catastro Data Doctors: Why your smartphone seems to lose juice so quickly 08/18/2023 08:38pm • Q: Why do I have occasional days where my iPhone battery is suddenly low on power by midday when I’m not doing anything unusual? A: The single biggest issue for every smartphone user is battery life, and no matter what type of device you have, it’s going to diminish over time. How Old Is It? Data Doctors: 4 critical laptop security tips 08/11/2023 05:53pm • Q: What security steps are specific to laptops over desktop computers? A: Whether you’re a first-year college student or a veteran road warrior, getting a new laptop secured and protected as soon as possible is important. There are very significant threats you should protect against, and kno Data Doctors: How to schedule text messages 08/03/2023 08:23pm • Q: Is there an easy way to schedule text messages on my smartphone? A: Text messaging has become one of the most efficient communication tools, and sending them at the most opportune time can dramatically improve their effectiveness, especially if you’re in different time zones. Beyond the p Data Doctors: The simplicity of the new Outlook for Windows app 07/28/2023 05:47pm • Q: Why is Microsoft trying to get me to switch to the new Outlook in my Mail program? A: In its usual confusing way, Microsoft is signaling an upcoming major change for those currently using Mail and Calendar apps in Windows 10 and 11. The suggestion to 'Try the new Outlook' in the upper right Data Doctors: Understanding the new initiative meant to make our devices more secure 07/21/2023 05:45pm • Q: What will the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark mean for nontechnical people? A: Our appetite for smart gadgets in our homes has opened an attack vector for a variety of bad actors. Smart devices, such as TVs, thermostats, baby monitors, health monitors and security cameras can be vulnerable because they Data Doctors: Tips for cleaning a sticky keyboard 07/15/2023 05:37pm • Q: The keys on my keyboard are getting harder to press. Can silicone spray be safely used to loosen them? A: The longer you’ve had your keyboard, the more likely you’ll experience issues with sticky keys. The most common cause of sticky keys is the buildup of dust, dirt and debris over tim Data Doctors: Big benefits to using 'dark mode' 07/07/2023 04:08pm • Q: Are there any reasons not to use dark mode on my smartphone all the time? A: The default display theme for smartphones and computers is generally a white background with black text, but it hasn’t always been that way. In early computer days, all displays had a black background with either