​While we typically use this article to feature technology news, how-tos, advice, and more, now and then we like to tell our readers who we are and what we do here at Yellowstone Computing.
 
Who We Are: Meet Joe & Tiffany
I began exploring computers when I was a teenager. During college I worked at Scott’s Computing here in Thorp for 6+ years, laying a good foundation of technical understanding and expertise that I continue to build upon. In 2010, I married Tiffany and together we have worked on computers for individuals and local businesses. While we focus on providing service primarily to customers within a 50-mile radius of Thorp, we have clients as far away as Minnesota and Florida.
 
If you stop by the office on any given day, you may bump into one of our little ones. Freddie is our eldest and is often in the shop helping Daddy-o or bringing in some starship to be fixed (he’s a big Star Trek fan). Not to be left out of the fun, little Abby may be rocking a dolly in my chair while watching us work. When Tiffany isn’t sewing you may find her editing pictures from one of her photo shoots. Tiffany enjoys photography and is in the process of launching her own business. In my spare time I enjoy restoring antique radios, creative carpentry, and playing with the kids.

What We Do: 
​Computer Repair and Remote Support
Whether your computer is infected with the latest trending virus, won’t restart after a lightning strike, your child broke off the charging port inside your laptop, or you are a victim of a tech support scam, Yellowstone Computing offers a wide variety of repairs for both the hardware and software needs of your computer. Our experienced staff is equipped with exceptional diagnostic tools, repair equipment, and software so that we can offer you high-quality repairs. If your computer isn’t “broken” but simply needs a tune-up, we would love to help you with that too. Did you know that we offer remote support? We sure do! We can troubleshoot and repair many issues over the Internet so you don’t have to unplug a single cord.
 
New Computer Sales
Did you know that Yellowstone Computing sells new computers and other devices? We Do! While Lenovo is our primary computer brand (we’ve been Lenovo Business Partners for nearly three years) we also sell HP, Acer, Dell, or any other brand you may prefer. If you’re looking for a new computer, we have what you need! We work with you to evaluate your needs, and work to stay within your budget.
 
Upgrades
Perhaps you’re not ready for a new computer, but you’d like to update your operating system, add more RAM or upgrade to a SSD. Yellowstone Computing has the parts you need to keep your computer working its best!
 
Backups
It’s important to back up your files if they have any value to you. Hard drives can fail at any time—whether new or 10 years old. If your irreplaceable family photos are on that failed drive, you’re either looking at a potentially costly retrieval, or living without your files. We prefer to help you work proactively, so we offer several backup solutions to you. We can install a program for continuous backups onto an external hard drive that can be maintained by you, or set you up for secure, offsite (online) back up. We encourage our clients to have both local and offsite backup solutions in place for best results. If you do find yourself with a “dead” computer drive, we do offer basic data recovery at our office and partner with Gillware Data Recovery in Madison, WI for more challenging retrievals.

Networking, Infrastructure and Internet
Are you starting a new business or perhaps expanding your existing company? Do you need to install or upgrade a wired or wireless network? Are you looking to add a server or update your current one? Is your Internet service too slow or out of reach? Yellowstone Computing has all of your business needs covered from beginning to end. This includes onsite evaluation and consultation, installation and ongoing system maintenance. 

Consulting
When you’re in need of technology advice, we’re just a phone call away! Give us a call to discuss your needs or to schedule an appointment.

Website Development and Email Hosting
Do you need a website? Does your current site need some new features or perhaps a full make-over? Yellowstone Computing now offers web development services through various partners. We also offer email hosting and many other cloud services to bring your business into the 21st century.

Laptops have become the go-to choice for most people in the market for a new computer. They’re sleek, portable and heavily advertised. But are they the best choice for your needs? Before you buy your next computer, take a look at these considerations - you may discover you’ve been dreaming of a desktop all along!

How portable do you need it to be?
Hands down, laptops are easier to move around than a desktop. You can pick them up, pop them into a backpack and away you go. That doesn’t mean desktops are bolted to the floor, just that they’re not designed to take on holidays or go with you to the local cafe. With that portability though, comes a trade-off: thin and light means your computer performance takes a hit. The more powerful your laptop, the bigger and heavier it is, and you won’t enjoy lugging that weight around all day. If that’s got you leaning towards an ultra-portable, consider this: The smaller and lighter your laptop is, the weaker it is. In fact, some laptops struggle to run the most basic apps. Fortunately, when you do choose a desktop, cloud technology means your data is mobile, even if your main computer isn’t.

What balance of power and price do you need?
The bottom line here is that a desktop will always give you more power for less money.  Their larger cases allow for bigger and better components, with more effective systems to avoid overheating. Even the most powerful laptop is going to be hotter than its desktop equivalent, and much noisier too. If you’re using power-hungry software like games or video editing, we recommend choosing a desktop. The heat control alone is worth it as frequently overheated laptops don’t survive long.

Desired screen size
As laptops are designed to be portable, screen sizes are usually small, around 11-15”. Larger, more powerful laptops often go up to 17”. Desktop monitors however, start at 17” and average at 22”. These larger sizes give you more space to work in, options to tile your applications and multi-task, and even sit back and watch an HD (or even 4K) movie. They also allow for nice big text and images, with a better ability to choose the visual experience that suits your needs. If you’re after a large screen size without the actual desktop computer, all-in-one PCs are a great option with many offering impressive screen quality.

Your working comfort
Many people buy a laptop only to get home and find it’s a pain in the neck - literally! The traditional laptop design means you’re always looking down at the screen which can put a strain on your neck. You can try to raise the screen by placing the laptop on a stand, but then the keyboard is out of easy reach. The smaller keyboards and touchpad designs may also leave you more prone to repetitive strain injuries. Many people end up connecting their laptops to external monitors, keyboards and mice, simply so they can work in comfort. Desktop computers on the other hand, allow you to create the perfect working environment for your needs and even cater for other family members. Monitors are usually height adjustable, keyboards and mice are wireless, and you’re able to place the desktop on the floor out of the way. If you’re on your computer for more than short bursts, your body will appreciate you choosing a desktop.

Are you looking for flexibility?
When you choose a laptop computer, it’s like ordering from a set menu. You get this brand, in this design, with these specifications. Changing out parts for repair or upgrade can be difficult and expensive as there’s not a spare inch of space. Some parts are extremely hard to get to, which can turn a simple swap into a dealbreaker. The extra space inside a desktop gives infinite flexibility for upgrades over time and fast repairs. This means you’re able to easily pop in more powerful components for a fraction of the price and extend the life of your computer by years.
​
Come talk to us about your next computer and we’ll find the right one for you. Call us now at 715-255-0325!

At last count, Facebook has clocked up over 2.7 billion users, which makes the platform more attractive than ever for scammers and hackers. While you may be logging in to share your latest family photos or catch up with friends, the chances of accidentally triggering a scam or malware are increasing daily. Here’s how to stay safe on Facebook and stop the spread.

Look out for freebies and surveys
Everybody loves a freebie and for the most part the competition posts on Facebook are legitimate. On the flip side though, when you see a giveaway for vouchers from a mega-store, alarm bells should ring. ‘Do this quick survey and we’ll send you a $50 Amazon Voucher!’ - it’s too good to be true. Even one click can take you on a messy journey through the underbelly of the web, picking up trackers and malware at every stop and at the end, you’re asked to share the post so your friends can get a voucher too...except nobody ever gets the reward.

Check your permissions with games and quizzes
Whenever you access a new game or quiz, you’ll need to give permissions for it to access your Facebook profile. Most people click the okay button without any thought, but if you review the permissions you’re giving, you’ll often find they’re asking for a massive amount of personal data; public profile, friend list, email address, birthday and newsfeed. Do they really need ALL this information? Sometimes the shakedown is from necessity, but sometimes the apps are preparing to launch attacks against you both on and off Facebook. For example, when you call your bank they ask certain questions like your full name, birthday and maybe which high school you went to. All that information is in your Facebook profile and now shared with your permission.

Don’t friend people you don’t know
Having lots of friends is always nice, but that friend accept could end up costing you. It might be someone pretending to know you, or a picture of a pretty girl to entice men (and vice versa). Once you friend them, they get access to everything your friends can see. In this case, it’s more than the risk of someone knowing your personal data, you’ve just given them intimate access to your life. It’s exactly how romance scams start, and there are even cases where the victim finds photos of their children circulating the internet.
​
If it’s weird, forget it
It doesn’t happen very often, but hackers find ways to take advantage of flaws in Facebook. A common hack that keeps popping up in various forms is to embed malware in a link. The virus then infects your machine and contacts all your friends with an enticing message, like asking whether a picture is of them. When they click to view the picture, the virus catches them and their friend list, and so on. Facebook is pretty good at staying on top of these flaws, but they need time to fix it. Just like if you got a weird email with an attachment from a friend, use that same level of scrutiny in your Facebook and don’t open messages or links that seem out of place.
 
Need help securing your privacy? Talk to us. Call us at 715-255-0325

When your computer is playing up or driving you crazy, the absolute last thing you want to do is lug it down to the local repair shop. So many cables. So many connections. And why is it suddenly so heavy? It’s stressful just thinking about it! Fortunately, tech support has come a long way in recent years and you now have another option: remote access support.

Just like it sounds, one of our experts will connect to your computer through the Internet and fix the problem. You can even watch the entire process on the screen or step away and we’ll call you when the problem is fixed. As long as the computer starts and has a working Internet connection, you can simply put your feet up and watch the show! Remote support isn’t just a new technology that lets you stay in your PJs for longer, it’s a better way to approach a huge range of issues, with some pretty great benefits.

High Fix Rate: While it does sound impossibly futuristic, around 90% of problems can be solved this way, quickly and efficiently. We’re sure you’ve been on the frustrating end of a call-center style support session at least once and can guarantee – remote support is nothing like that. Our technicians don’t ask you to click a hundred buttons and read the screen back, they simply identify the issue and fix it for you there and then.

Location Independent: For some people, the best part of remote support is that it doesn’t matter where YOU are either. You could be away on holiday with your laptop, at home with the kids, or under 6 feet of snow in a record-breaking blizzard, and our remote techs can still fix your computer.  Fortunately, your computer loves staying where it is. They’re actually more likely to have issues when they’re moved around a lot, so this is the perfect solution. There’s no need to pack anything up, drive across town to drop off and then back again for pickup a week later. Our technicians know you have better things to do and will remote support you in any way they can.

Complete Privacy: Remember how you can watch the technicians move things around the screen? There’s no better way to know your privacy is protected than to see exactly what’s happening. Unless they’ve identified them as the issue, our experts won’t go anywhere near your private files and photos. You don’t even need to move them to a folder marked ‘private’, our technicians are laser-focused on getting you going again and that’s all.

You’re in Control: Our technicians can’t access your system unless you allow us to. In fact, we need you to download a special piece of software before our technicians can do anything. Then we call via phone to arrange a time for us to access the computer. If you don’t want to watch and just want it done, perhaps while you’re at work, we can do that too. We’re here to get your computer issues solved, on your terms.
The next time your computer is misbehaving, or you need help setting up a new device or program, let us know. We’ll be able to jump in and get your system moving again without you leaving the house. Our remote support technicians can save you a lot of time and money, not to mention frustration. It’s never been easier to get expert help for your computer issues.
​
Give us a call today at 715-255-0325 to get started!