Excellent question! Lots of Folks wish they would have asked this BEFORE they had problems! Only a few Biggies Here! 1. BUY A REAL SURGE PROTECTOR (with phone line protection too!) and connect to a grounded receptacle. Its no help otherwise. 2. Consult with someone (us?) on the best back-up method for your needs.. and then DO IT REGULARLY! 3. Be VERY careful who you let mess with your computer. Kids often accidentally get into the worst areas and change important settings. Friends & Family often claim to know computers, but leave you in a Jam! (Our biggest call-ins for help are after any holiday! lolol) Even watch who you choose for A Tech.. a foot doctor doesn't know your eyes! There are so many areas of expertise, and changes in the ways things are done, that MANY Techs do serious damage working in areas that are not their forte! JackMan focuses on Home & Small Business.. Try Us!

Category: Good Advice

This all depends on how you are going to use it.. Computers really don't become outdated as often as you think.. any program will tell you the minimum computer requirements.. it is good to be a tad higher, but no need to get a race car for a dirt track. If you want to "Live" on the Internet, or run highly specialized programs, then shop around and buy the best you can afford.. but if you are happy with slow-to-medium Internet speed and mainly will use the computer for non-internet activities, you will find a ton of great, used systems that will be about half price and well suit your needs. Lastly.. about Games.. Really good games take a lot of power and space.. and often crash the computer.. Its safer (and they usually perform better anyway) to stick to the TV/playstation versions.

Category: Good Advice

2 important questions here.. Do You have Kids? and how New to the Internet are You? If You have kids, you MUST protect them from the information and the people they WILL be exposed to! Don't get me wrong, the Internet is truly a Miracle in itself for kids & adults.. DON'T DENY your kids this unbelievable resource.. but play it smart. Choose an ISP like AOL that has very easy parental programs. Make a separate sign-on name for each child and set his/her age & limits! If you don't have children, then shop for ISP's by price, speed, and stability of connection. No good being Cheap or even Free if you get knocked off-line all the time. (espically during a download) Talk to other users in your area!

Category: Good Advice

Thanks for being a concerned parent. There seem to be 3 types- those don't let kids have access to the net, those that do but don't know whats going on, and those like you, who get informed! Kids SHOULD be on the net.. its the greatest resource in the world.. but just like the world, it can be dangerous. There are many easy ways now to control your kids access (and just as important, who accesses them). You MUST do this! ISPs like AOL already have excellent controls built in, that you just have to setup. (see FAQ on choosing an ISP). If you have a regular ISP, then search for products like NetNanny that will work with your browser. If you need more info, email us.. Don't stop looking until you have an answer.

Category: Good Advice