Last year I price-checked most the “Black Friday Deals” in advertisements on computers being sold at the Big Box stores in Eau Claire. Want to know the low-down on those Black Friday Deals? They weren’t such a great deal after all. Surprisingly, if you went to the manufacture’s web site and priced out the same systems, you could get the same deal straight from them, and occasionally for a slightly better price. That’s right, you could avoid the crowds and chaos on a day when you might prefer stopping by the local Christmas tree farm with your family to find that prized spruce and sip a hot cocoa, or take another shot at that buck you hoped would be in your freezer for the winter. So don’t just assume that Black Friday deals are all they’re cracked up to be. Research has shown that most electronics (especially TVs) are usually older models that retailers want to clear out. When something truly new and “hot” is advertised, the quantity is extremely limited; this is just a lure to get you into their store. Is it really worth spending time fighting the crowds of crazies just for a chance to get some gadget? Shop smarter; the Black Friday deals are advertised well in advance so you can do your homework by checking other locations and websites for the same product. When possible, use the model number of the device to ensure the comparisons you make are accurate. Simply going by the sales description is a bad idea because they are purposefully vague. Get the model number and check the manufacturer’s website to verify what you’re getting.

Better yet, come to us for your computer needs. Why? We can offer you a better deal than Big Box Mart. Here are reasons why:

Price
Rather than sell you the highest priced device we can talk you into, we work with your budget to find the best value at that price. Not only that, but our pricing is at or below what the big stores offer daily anyway, AND we give each client truly personalized service. Customers aren’t just another addition to the sales quota, they are our friends and neighbors, people we see every week. Wouldn’t you rather shop with a friend?

Needs
Instead of simply selling you something with all sorts of bells and whistles, we discuss how you use your computer and customize our suggestions to what you actually need, not what stock we need to clear out. Computers are a tool; don’t you want the right one for the job?

Personal Setup
Want your files transferred? Need a backup of your old computer? Want virus software that is top-rated, vs. just what the store makes the most profit on? Want to remove the unnecessary programs that are advertisement add-ons to your computer? We take the worry and hassle out of setting up a new computer by doing it for you. We even offer delivery and onsite setup!

Quality
My father taught me it’s better to spend a little more money on a quality product than a little less on a cheap alternative and have to buy it twice. While many people consider a cheaper product to be a better deal, we prefer to offer higher quality products to our customers. Why? Because they are happier with a quality product for a longer time than they are with a cheaper product once the thrill of the price goes away.

Our Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales
We won’t actually be in the office on black Friday (we’re going Christmas tree hunting with our family) but we’ll offer you some deals too. Our sales will run the weeks of November 28th (Cyber Monday) through December 9th. During this time, we have demo models of some of the latest laptops and tablets from Lenovo. I’m really excited about these products, come by to see why!
Prefer another brand? We can help you make a good choice on a computer for any other brand that suits your fancy. Call to set up an appointment so we can assist you in purchasing a quality system that fits your budget and needs. During the sale, take advantage of discounted pricing on our new computer setup services!
We’re also running a sale on Emsisoft Anti-Malware, the virus software we recommend. During the sale, get $10 off the regular price with the purchase of a new computer, or 10% off when purchased with a Tuneup for your current computer!

Small Business Saturday
Finally, we wanted to wrap this up by mentioning that Saturday is “Small Business Saturday.” Visit your local businesses to check out the special sales that they have. We’re part of the Thorp Chamber of Commerce, and I know November 26th is a great day to be in Thorp!

Coming up Soon
Why did Steve Jobs, the late founder of Apple, not allow his children to have iPhones or spend time on devices of that nature? We’ll answer this question in an upcoming issue.
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Please note that our office will be closed Wednesday through Saturday this week (November 23-26th) as we spend time with our families for the Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy your time with family!

How to Minimize Data Usage in Windows 10
Last week we looked at how to monitor data usage in Windows 10. This week, we’ll show you how to minimize that usage to get the most out of your metered connection.

Postpone Windows Updates
As we have discussed in past articles, Windows Updates are very important for maintaining a secure system. So why are we discussing how to disable them? Because Microsoft has changed the way automatic updates work. In the past, Windows Updates were downloaded directly from Microsoft servers. In Windows 10, your computer can now download and upload updates to and from other computers, both on the Internet and on your own local network. This method can be more efficient due to the fact that if one Windows 10 computer downloads an update, the one next to it won’t have to. This feature can also be a problem if you’re using a metered connection as some of the Windows 10 updates (new build versions especially) can be over 3GB in size. The good news is that there is a simple way to fix this. All you need to do is to set your wireless connection as a metered connection as we showed you last week. Missed that article? Here’s how you do that. To mark a wireless connection as a metered connection in Windows 10, first connect to the network, then click on Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wifi > Advanced options and enable Set as metered connection.

Are you on a metered connection but unable to use it wirelessly? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Although Windows 10 currently doesn’t allow you to set a wired connection as a metered connection you can still disable the various Windows features that consume your data. First, you’ll need to disable the Automatic Peer-to-Peer Update Sharing feature. To do this, click on Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced Options. Now, click on Choose How Updates are Delivered and either select PCs on my local network or simply disable this option entirely.
Please remember that changing these settings will disable automatic updates. If you are using these instructions, consider making at least a monthly trip to your favorite WiFi hotspot and spend some time updating your computer.

Disable App Updates & Live Tiles
The Windows Store automatically updates apps you have purchased. As with Windows Updates, setting your wireless connection as a metered connection will disable this feature. To disable it for a wired connection, open the Windows Store app (it looks like a shopping bag with the Windows logo on it), then tap or click on your profile picture (it’s at the left end of the Search bar) and click on Settings. Click on the Update apps automatically switch so it says Off.

Next, you’ll want to turn off the Live Tiles feature in the start menu. Please note that if you are using the Weather, News, Money or other “live” apps that they will no longer show you current data until you open the app. To disable to live data feed on an app tile simply right-click on the tile then click on More, Turn live tile off.

Some Final Thoughts on Saving Data
Most large data consumption comes by browsing sites and viewing content that consumes large amounts of data. Sites like YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu are prime culprits because video needs a large data stream. You can minimize this effect by watching lower quality videos. Most video sites will adjust your video quality based on your connection speed but you can manually change the quality to save on data consumption, even if you’re on a fast connection.

Other culprits in data consumption are file-sharing programs like uTorrent, BearShare, LimeWire, etc. File-sharing programs not only download files but also upload them to other users. Using these programs can also be illegal if used to download copyrighted materials. Finally, remember that malware infections can use tremendous volumes of data because they may not only infect your computer, but they often use your computer and Internet connection to infect other computers. If you’re on a metered connection and find yourself going over your data allotment, you may want to bring your computer in for service. You should also consider investing in a quality anti-malware program such as Emsisoft Anti-malware. As my mother would say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

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Do you have a question or topic you’d like us to address? Email and let us know! ​

Data Usage in Windows 10
Many of our rural customers do not have access to cable, DSL, or fiber Internet services and need to rely on satellite or cellular data connections. While these options are better than nothing, they do have the disadvantage of offering a limited volume of data. With higher demand for streaming services Microsoft almost entirely removing the ability to turn off updates in Windows, customers on metered Internet connections are running into their data caps more frequently than ever before. Fortunately, there are ways to manage your Internet usage to help keep costs down. Read on to find out how, and be sure to check back next week for part two.
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Data Usage Monitoring
Windows 10 allows users to monitor their data usage in a similar fashion as smartphones. The advantages of this feature are that you can track how much data you are using (useful if you are on a metered connection, more on that later) and which apps or programs are using the most data. To access this feature in Windows 10, click on Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage. From this screen you can see your total data usage on either your wired or wireless connection. To see which apps are using data (and how much), click on Usage details. Keep in mind that Windows only shows data usage from the last 30 days.

Why This is Important
With the proliferation of mobile devices and the increase in cellular data speeds and coverage, more people than ever are on metered Internet connections. What is a metered connection? Simply put, a metered connection is one in which your Internet consumption is limited to a certain amount each month. For instance, your smartphone service plan includes a set amount of data that you can use each month. Whether it’s small(1GB) or large (30GB) it is limited. If you go over this limit you are either charged an additional amount to add more data or your speed is reduced (known as “throttling”). Satellite Internet connections are also limited in this fashion.

While some see this as unfair (it is) there is a reason and that is to manage capacity. As more people (and devices) connect to the Internet, more bandwidth is needed to ensure that everyone is allowed access. This means that service providers must continually increase the capacity of their service to handle more customers. A good way to visualize this is to think of a highway. When there are few vehicles on the road, traffic moves faster. As you add more vehicles (especially semis and oversized loads), the highway fills up and traffic begins to slow. There are two solutions to this problem; add more lanes to increase capacity (which is expensive and slow to implement but fixes the issue of capacity) or charge an extra fee to people who want to use more road (easier to implement, increases profits but doesn’t fix the problem of capacity).

Mobile data providers (cellular, satellite) charge customers higher rates for using more volume, (instead of charging more for faster speeds) while fixed service providers (DSL, Fiber, etc) charge customers higher rates for more speed but don’t limit the amount used. The results are the same; customers who use more, pay more.

So What?
If you are on a metered Internet connection, you will want to make sure you don’t go over that limit. Doing so will either cost you dollars in overage fees and/or see your connection “throttled,” either of which will make you very unhappy. Let’s take a look at how to prevent this from happening. In Windows 10, you can designate a wireless connection as being metered. Unfortunately, at this time you cannot do this with wired connections so if you use satellite or cellular Internet by connecting your computer with a wire, you may want to consider switching to wireless.

To mark a wireless connection as a metered connection in Windows 10, first connect to the network, then click on Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Wifi > Advanced options and enable Set as metered connection. You will need to do this to each wireless network that you want to limit but once you set it as a metered connection it will remain so. Using this option disables or limits certain features and functions in Windows 10. Items like Windows Update will only download priority updates, apps downloading from the Windows Store might be paused, Start screen tiles might stop updating, and offline files might not sync automatically. There are additional settings and services which can be disabled to lessen data usage even further and these will be discussed in our next article.

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This week we are featuring a guest article from Gillware Data Recovery about the capacity of hard drives. Gillware is the data recovery lab we partner with to recover data from damaged or faulty hard drives, solid state drives, flash drives and cell phones. If you have a faulty storage device, give us a call to review your recovery options.


Counting Bytes: Is My Hard Drive 320GB or 298GB?

Since we recently wrote about logical data recoveries from hard drives and how they structure information, it seems like a good time to tackle a question our data recovery engineers are frequently asked.

Let’s say you go to the store (or go online) and buy a new 320GB hard drive for $30 or whatever the latest special is on these now basic-level drives. Granted, you're more likely to buy larger drives these days, but just bear with me for this example. You plug the USB connection to your laptop, go to disk manager, and see the drive show up as 298 GB. Or maybe it’s 297.44 GB with a 668 MB Western Digital Smartware virtual CD-ROM partition. Either way, the question is: Where did those extra GB's promised on the box go?

The answer is that kilobytes are counted one way by a computer, and another way by people. A Windows operating system relies on binary and counts in base 2, and the marketing conventions are based on familiar base-10 numbers.

Here’s how it works: Hard drives store data with microscopic patches of metal that are either magnetized or not. One patch is a bit, and together eight of them make a byte.

So, one byte is simply eight tiny switches -- eight 1s or 0s -- resulting in 256 different combinations that can be assigned a value. In ASCII code, for example, the byte “01100101” is the letter “e.” The number “1” in the text we read is “00110001” in binary code.

As you can see, bytes are based in binary – the switches are either on or off, electricity is there or not, the pull of a magnetic field exists or it doesn’t. Ones and zeroes.

Operating systems, such as Windows, live in binary. Numbers expand by the power of 2. Under this system, a kilobyte is defined as 2 to the 10th power (2^10) of bytes, or 1,024 bytes.

The convention for the retail market, on the other hand, is to look at how many bytes there are, divide by a thousand – and bam – there’s the number of kilobytes. The advantage is that people are used to base 10 numbers, and this maintains the traditional definition of kilo. As in, kilo equals one thousand or 10^3.
In the familiar base 10 system, 1 gigabyte = 1,000 megabytes = 1,000,000 kilobytes = 1,000,000,000 bytes. Giga is billion; mega is million; kilo is thousand.

In the binary counting system, though, 1 gigabyte = 2^10 megabytes = 2^20kilobytes = 2^30 bytes = 1,073,741,824 bytes.

The difference between these counting systems explains why an operating system reports the capacity differently from how we’d count bytes in a base 10 system.

Let’s go back to our original example -- the 320 GB hard drive. The box says that there are 320 GB because there are in fact 320,000,000,000 bytes. But an operating system lives in base 2 and defines 1,073,741,824 bytes to be 1 GB. So if you divide 320,0000,000,000 by 1,073,741,824, you get about 298 GB, which is what Windows shows the drive’s capacity to be.

So when you get a new drive and the capacity displayed seems to be less than promised, don't worry. You're still technically getting all the bytes you paid for. It's just counted differently by your computer.
Relevant, over-used joke: There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who know binary, those who don't, and those who weren't expecting this joke to be in base 3.

Originally posted by Jesse Moryn on blog.gillware.com

Each week someone has a new way of fleecing people of their money, credit card information and other personal data. While most of the media coverage goes to attacks against Microsoft Windows, even Apple’s Mac computers are vulnerable to these scams.

Malvertising - Malvertising refers to the use of online advertisements to disseminate malware. Recently, major websites Yahoo.com and MSN.com were targeted with advertisements that linked to malware sites. Clicking on these ads would take the user to a webpage that would then attempt to load the malware. Many of these ads are based on the “human interest” model. These ads are designed to engage your natural curiosity and get you to click on them. Examples include titles such as “...this one weird old trick,” “Camera man watches as giant python eats boy,” and “New diet pill takes GNC by storm!”

​The best defense of course is to not click on these ads, but an easier solution is to install an ad blocking program. Unfortunately there are many fake ad blockers out there so here are a few trustworthy options:
AdBlockPlus – Doesn’t block all ads, it allows ads from companies that they advertise with. 
Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit – Actively blocks attempts by webpages to exploit your computer.
uBlock Origin – More effective and customizable than AdBlock Plus.
 
Another scam we came across took the form of a webpage claiming “serious security threats might have been detected.” The website was providing this warning to “CenturyLink Customer” and they (the customer) should call an 800 number right away to deal with the threat. This webpage used things like the customer’s IP address and location in an effort to scare them into calling the number. Calling the number on the screen would put you in contact with a representative claiming to be from CenturyLink who then gives you a second number to call for help in removing the threats. If you call that number, a technician from a “remote support company” will then attempt to gain access to your computer via remote login session.

Giving an unknown person access to your computer is NEVER a good idea. In this case, the support call would have cost anywhere from $200-$500 depending on the length of the call! In addition to being scammed out of those funds, providing such a person with your credit card can give them access to your account. While connected to your computer, they will often install back doors for later access, key logging programs to get your passwords, and other malicious software.
 
What can you do about these kind of scams? As usual, your first line of defense is a solid antivirus product, but no software can replace a cautious user. Be careful about the sites you visit and the links you click on. Always check links by hovering your cursor over them to see where they go. Never open emails from people or companies you don’t know. Never give your credit card information over the phone. Never allow someone who calls you to access your computer.

Consider buying an antivirus program. While we have long been advocates of free antivirus programs (effective ones), paid antivirus programs offer greater levels of protection against more threats than their free counterparts. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The best paid antivirus program we have used is Emsisoft Anti-malware. Contact us to get set up today!
 
If you have been the victim of a scam, there are several things you should do. To start with, if you have made a payment, contact your credit card company or bank right away to file a fraud claim. They will rescind the transaction and issue you a new card. Second, you should use another (safe) computer to update all your online account passwords. Third, contact us to remove any malicious software from your computer. Finally, don’t be afraid to call us if you’re unsure if you’ve been scammed or if you run across something suspicious. We’re happy to give input about whether your situation warrants concern or action.

While we typically use this article to feature technology news, how-tos, advice, and more, now and then we like to tell our readers what we do over here at Yellowstone Computing.
 
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 technical 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 two 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. New computers include 1 year of Emsisoft Anti-Malware at no additional cost and we also transfer the files from your old computer to your new one at no charge!
 
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. Contact us today to get your files protected!
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 our partner, Sharpe Developments in Eau Claire, WI. We also offer email hosting and many other cloud services to bring your business into the 21st century.

Here’s what our customers are saying!
Thanks to Yellowstone Computing we were able to leave all that "technology stuff" to the experts
while we focus on our business. They can be trusted to do good work without breaking the budget! We would highly recommend them regardless of the size of your business.
--At Home Care, Thorp

I knew I needed a new computer when Microsoft discontinued updates of their XP program. With Joe’s help, I purchased an Acer laptop that fit my needs, with a modified Windows 8 program that I could easily navigate.  I couldn’t be happier!
--Syl Cieslek, Local Resident

Joe and Tiffany have been wonderful friends to The Sentinel & Rural News. I'm not sure what we would have done without them, except to flounder in cyber-chaos. Whether it is fixing a buggy system, hardware difficulties or Internet connection--or just advice in advance of a purchase--Yellowstone Computing is a key ingredient to our success.
--Travis Rogers Jr., Sentinel & Rural News