How to Tell if Your Computer Has a Virus
Is my computer infected with a virus? It’s a scary kinda question! Over the last few years, it feels like the threat from viruses has…
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How To Troubleshoot a Printer
Finally, you’ve found it, the perfect Star Wars-themed cocktail recipe. But it’s complex. Far too complex for mortal mind to handle without a trusty printed…
How to Repair a Slow Computer
You notice it one morning when you realize you’ve downed half your morning coffee waiting for your laptop to boot. Then you notice those annoying…
How to Backup Your Computer to an External Hard Drive
If only! This is the two-word refrain of anyone who lost hard drive data without having a solid backup waiting in the wings. Learning how…
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Laptop Screen?
Cost to repair a laptop screen? Laptop screens are remarkably fragile! While most modern laptops are equipped with an impressive array of design features to…
Online Scams: How to Spot & Avoid the Worst
While we can probably all collectively resolve not to respond to those incessant extended auto warranty calls, identity theft and phishing scams grow ever more…
How to Prevent Malware
When it comes to malware, prevention is definitely better than cure. In this article, we’ll explain what malware is, and give you a handful of…
How to Use PayPal, Venmo, Cash App and other App-based Payment Services
App-based payment services like CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay are super common these days. In fact, many service businesses like barbers, nail…
What To Expect From a Computer Repair Service?
This guide, we think, is long overdue! In our fifteen plus years of repairing computers, we’ve noticed there’s a lot of uncertainty about what you…
How to Stay Connected With Loved Ones With Tech
We would always prefer to see our loved ones face to face everyday. That’s not always possible. Especially if we are under a shelter-in-place order.…
How To Work From Home: Tech You’ll Need
Working from home is awesome. Probably the easiest commute to work you are ever going to take. You can wear sweats pants all day and…
Back To School Tech
Whether the upcoming school year will be homeschool, distance learning, hybrid or onsite, there’s no question that it is going to be unique. We recently…
Gadgets to Make Working From Home More Fun
Studies continue to show that what we see and interact with directly influences our well-being. With so many of us still working from home that…
Easy Ways to Find FREE Online Enrichment
These days most of the stuff online to be just draining and heavy. Here are several FREE online enrichment content for you to better yourself.
Unique Tech Gifts for Everyone on Your List
Whether you’re looking to show some love to a friend or family member that loves gadgets and electronic toys, or seeking inspiration for that hard-to-shop-for…
Subscription Boxes for Foodies!
We love giving subscription boxes as holiday gifts for two key reasons: there are about a million different ones, so you’re sure to find a…
Smart Baby: Gadgets for the Connected Nursery
In a house where everything is connected, from your auto-dimming lights to your auto-adjusting thermostat, there are ways to make parenting “smarter” too. We recently…
The Nerds On Call 2020 Tech Gift Guide
As the holidays are upon us, it’s hard to imagine being more excited to see a year come to a close. 2020 has created a…
Subscription Boxes Make Great Last-Minute 2020 Gifts
Looking for the secret to the perfect last minute gift for every “hard to buy for” person on your list? Subscription Boxes!While the fact that…
Best Online Games To Play With Friends
What are the best online games to play with friends? We are social creatures; being deprived of time with friends & family can be hard.…
Resources For Homeschooling
Going from dropping your children off at school to semi (or fully!) taking over their education is not easy. Not only do you have to…
Tech Tools to Level Up Your Career
If you’ve ever spent any serious time on an epic adventure computer role-playing game (or even if you’ve dabbled a little in the princely nerd…
Tech Gear for an Epic Spring Break
A true nerd among nerds, Robert Heinlein said, “there is no such thing as luck. There is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope with…
Subscription Boxes for Everyone on Your List
When you look at the sheer variety of subscription boxes available this Christmas, it’s easy to forget that these delightful gifts that keep on giving…
Can Best Buy Fix My Laptop?
Best Buy Fix My Laptop: Yes or No? Most folks with a computer or smartphone will have set foot in a Best Buy at least…
Smart Gadgets for Seniors
Smart technology is everywhere. Just spend a few minutes browsing through any home appliance brochure, and you’ll likely come across many smart technologies. But there’s…
Tech Gifts for Teachers
Teaching is not an easy job, and we’re fully on board with anything that can make a teacher’s day a bit more manageable! With many…
Facebook’s Election Protection Plan for 2020
If the weird and turbulent journey of social media this last decade has taught us anything, it’s that we probably shouldn’t believe everything we see…
New 2019 Uber Safety Upgrades
Remember the days when traveling without a car required either an encyclopedic knowledge of local public transport or sufficient intestinal fortitude to endure that…
New Echo & Microsoft Products for Christmas 2019
It’s the siren call all technocentric nerds long to hear, whispered on the wind: “New gadgets!” Yep, that’s right. As we gear up for yet…
Best Sites for Job Hunting
Best Sites for Job Hunting: What to resources to use? Job hunting is something almost all of us will do at some stage in our…
Digital To-Do’s for Stress-Free Travel
Living a life of nerdish excellence at home is a wondrous thing. But let’s be honest. It’s also easy. Modern home life encases us in…
In Case of Emergency
We often hear the joke that people these days couldn’t live without their smartphones. While that’s an exaggeration most of the time, sometimes having a…
Easy Smart Home Upgrades For A Lazy Weekend
Smart home upgrades are kind of a big deal these days. There’s just so many ways to add a dash of convenience and coolness to…
Got Kids? 3 Tips on How Not to Get Locked Out of Your iPhone
Written by: Mark Lambert Like leaving a bumper assortment bag of candy bars just lying around, leaving young kids unattended with an iPhone is kind…
Finding WiFi on the Road
Finding WiFi: Getting internet access on that road trip Back in ancient times (OK, the ‘80s and ’90s), all you needed for sensible road travel…
Travel with Technology
Whether for a business trip or for a vacation, the process of travel can be fun. But it can also be … well … a…
Cell Phone Alternatives for Kids
Written by: Mark Lambert Cell Phone Alternatives: Power Of A Phone That Not A Phone Recent studies have shown that 112% of American kids and…
Wedding Planning Apps
Weddings are a kind of odd cultural phenomenon. On the one hand, they’re meant to be romantic — and to be fair, more often than…
How to De-stress Your Family With Tech
While our modern, technology-filled lives are certainly more convenient, they can also be deeply stressful. The stress hits the whole family, too. Work life seems…
Basic Computer Parts Explained
Computer Parts Explained: What Is Inside Your Device If you’re new to computers, (or even if you’re not and you just don’t have much interest…
Windows 7 End Of Life – A Few Things You Should Know
The march of progress can’t be stopped! This is as true of your computer’s operating system (OS) as it is of trouser fashion trends. Things…
How To Sleep Better with Tech
If you suffer from a chronic lack of sleep, you’re not alone. According to the National Institute of Health, a full one-third of adults suffer…
The Nerd’s Guide to Finding Your Valentine
Our culture is an odd place when it comes to “finding a romantic connection” (I always wanted to use that phrase). On the one hand,…
Valentines Day Gift Ideas for Women
Valentines Day Gift Ideas For That Nerdy Woman In Your Life There’s a delicate balance to finding a romantic tech gift. It’s all very well…
Valentine’s Gift Ideas For Guys
The overwhelming majority of guy-nerds seem to have a fascination with tech toys. If it requires batteries, goes beep or has one of those tiny…
Ultimate Fitness Tracker Showdown
Ultimate Fitness Tracker Showdown: What Is The Best? Once upon a time, fitness for the average home athlete involved a fair bit of guesswork. Sure,…
Apps To Unleash Fitness Beast Within
Well, we’re getting close to the end of January. If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to get fit in 2019 and you’ve stuck…
Help Your Kids Find Calm With These Mindfulness Apps
Technology is great for broadening kids’ minds. All this enrichment comes with a downside though. Kids can easily get overstimulated. Temper tantrums, distraction, irritability—these may…
Keep your Video Gamer Playing Safely
From Fortnite to the latest Call of Duty, there’s a ton of video game options out there, all vying for the attention, time and (of…
How to Reign in Your Phone Use
Smartphones are designed to be small, useful and convenient—and it seems like they can help with almost any daily task. It’s probably not that surprising…
9 Nerdy Stocking Stuffers Under $35
Written by: Mark Lambert When you think about gifts for nerds, it’s easy to kind of drift into the $100 and above price point. Technology…
Cool Smart Gadget Gifts Under $100
Gadget gifts under $100? There’s an art to purchasing the perfect nerd gift. A geek gift is easy. Anything with a blue telephone box on…
Subscription Boxes – the Art of the Last Minute Online Gift
What if I told you that there is a gift that you can get last minute, which is perfect for anyone on your list, and…
Is Your Kid Ready For Alexa?
Ready for Alexa? Smart home assistants are one of the fastest growing corners of the tech consumer market. In quarter 1 of 2018 alone, over…
Insta-Marketing and the Age of Influencers
Chances are, you’ve heard the word “influencer” being bandied about recently. If you’re a bit puzzled why this perfectly harmless verb has suddenly become a…
Scoring Black Friday Deals from Home
Black Friday is one of those days a lot of folks equally love and hate. On the good side, it’s a day where, with just…
Introducing The Verizon 5G Experience
Sacramento just leveled up its cellular data service in a big way. Partnering with Verizon, Sacramento is in the process of launching Verizon 5G service…
5 Ways to Improve the WiFi in Your Home
When WiFi works, it’s quasi-miraculous. You just connect the Internetty box to the WiFi makery thing and bam! Your home is magically surrounded in a…
How to Use Public WiFi Safely
I recently read an article titled “Why you should never EVER connect to public WiFi,” but come on, really? I mean, we all know there…
4 Ways to Clean Up your Twitter History
Clean Up your Twitter History: What You Can Do Can you clean up your Twitter history? Love it or hate it, Twitter is a lot…
How Populous is Sacramento?
How Populous is Sacramento? We’ve been involved in computer repair in Sacramento for quite some time (ahem, since 2004 if we’re going to get down…
How Large Is Sacramento?
Ever get lost in a place you thought you knew like the back of your hand? Computer repair in Sacramento is a travel-intensive business. Our crew…
The Windows 10 Update Disaster And What You Should Do About It
Windows 10 Updates: What Happened? Computing is getting faster and I’m not just talking about the processors and graphics cards churning away in your computer’s…
Encourage your Young Photographer without Breaking the Bank
Photography is a wonderful hobby, and it needn’t be just for the adults! Our 6-year-old is obsessed with taking photos and videos. She’ll fill up…
The Latest Screen Time Studies Might Change Your Parenting Choices
How much screen time we give our kids has become a hotly contested topic in recent years. In this article, we’ll walk you through some…
What Should You Pay for on a New PC?
New PC: What Is The Ideal Price? New PC? Let’s be honest here. Buying a new PC is exciting. Absolutely, it’s a decision best made…
6 Apps That Pay You Back
For the shopper-types, there are a bunch of apps designed to “pay you back” for money you’re already spending or about to spend. We all…
Date night apps: Don’t head out for a night on the town without them
Written by: Mark Lambert Going out for a night on the town is cool. Well, it can be. Is it just me or can it…
How to Prepare for the Worst
Recently, the news has been aswarm with pictures of devastating fires in Northern California. The stories from survivors and firefighters were scary and moving. Now…
Apps to Get Your Kids Back on Track for School: Learning Apps for Kids
Well, Summer vacation is just about over. Time to jump start our kids’ brains back into learning mode! But before you gear yourself up to…
Should You Shutdown Your Computer or Leave It On All The Time?
Shutdown Your Computer or Leave It On: The Great Debate You may have heard around the water cooler that it’s better for your computer to…
Six great freeware tools to get your PC school-worthy
Back in the day, getting a kid ready for school involved purchasing exercise books and assorted stationery. The hardest decision was deciding on an A-Team…
Essential College Tech
Before your ship your kid off to college, it’s a good idea to kit them out with a few technological essentials. Of course, they’re going…
How to Sell Your Electronics Online
What is the best way to sell your electronics online? When you find yourself purging the house of older or no longer useful gadgets, the…
When is the Best Time to Buy New Electronics
Best Time to Buy New Electronics: How To Know When Is Good Bargain hunters everywhere swear by shopping seasonally. Buy when demand is lowest or…
Tech to get your kids off the couch
After several weeks of Summer vacation, you may have noticed your couch has developed permanent child-sized indentations. Let’s face it – kids love their console…
iPhone Tricks That’ll Make You Love Your Phone Even More
IOS 12 has arrived, and with it, a bunch of new snazzy features that you may not be aware of. Many people, including myself, have…
Is Living In Sacramento Expensive?
Is Living In Sacramento Expensive…Maybe? Since Nerds On Call began doing computer repair in Sacramento way back in 1994, we’ve had a lot of customers,…
Tech to Keep Kids Sane on a Plane
Dreading that long flight or car trip with your kids? All that crankiness from being cooped-up can drive even the most patient parent insane. Sure,…
Mouse Basics: Left vs. Right Click
Left vs. Right Click: Know the Difference The standard mouse has two buttons, plus a scroll wheel in the middle which sometimes is a button.…
9 Free Ways To Clean Up Your PC
Does it feel like you can make a pot of coffee and clean the kitchen all in the time it takes for your computer system…
Spot & Remove Stalkerware
Remove Stalkerware: What To Look For? It’s bad enough that your online activities are being tracked by your ISP, Google, Facebook and various websites for…
Sacramento STEM Summer Camps
Summer always sneaks up on me. It feels like I just make it through Spring Break and suddenly I have to figure out what to…
Home Theater Made Easy
The words “home theater” can evoke a lot of emotions. The excitement of enjoying a movie theater-like experience in your own living room. The calm…
Best Travel Deals On the Net: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Travel Online
When it comes time to plan a getaway, most of us turn to the Internet to research, plan, dream and – eventually – book reservations.…
Do Video Games Encourage Violence?
Do video games encourage violence? The answer may surprise you. Video games get a lot of bad rep in the media. When it comes to…
Personal Safety Apps & Gadgets
Personal Safety Apps & Gadgets: Using tech to be save yourself There are situations in our day to day life that can make you feel…
Level Up Your Romance Game This Valentine’s Day With The Perfect Gadget
Valentines Gadgets Gadgets get a bit of a bad rap when it comes to Valentine’s Day, and we at Nerds HQ think this is kind…
Tech to Keep Your Health & Fitness Resolutions
Another New Year, another chance to resolve to make some changes. Leading a healthy life and losing weight are goals millions of Americans set every…
Manage Your Online Reputation
Have you ever Googled yourself? If the results are cringe-worthy, it’s time to take control of the situation. You need to manage your online reputation.…
Tips to Tame Your New Technology
Were you the lucky recipient of an awesome tech toy this holiday? I’m sure you couldn’t wait to get it up and running. But…
Net Neutrality is Officially Dead
On December 14th, the FCC officially overturned net neutrality protections. In spite of persistent outcry from those in the media, those in the tech industry,…
Connected Kitchen Gadgets: Take Thanksgiving to the Next Level
Smart gadgets can make cooking and clean up in the kitchen a lot easier. From having recipes and cooking videos at your beck and call…
Apps To Rule Your Thanksgiving
These days, there’s an app for (just about) everything. And with Thanksgiving around the corner, you’d best believe there are apps that will help you…
Should You Spy On Your Kids Online?
Any parent of young children can attest that the Internet is both wondrous and scary. Google makes you the master of knowledge, able to answer…
Tools to Improve your Netflix Experience
In the era of streaming media, you can watch just about anything you want, whenever you want. This is nothing short of amazing! But when…
Millions of Computers at Risk from Malware Infected CCleaner
Cyber-security team Cisco Talos reports today that recently installed and updated versions of CCleaner (a computer performance optimization tool used to remove temporary internet files…
Ditch Your Takeout Habit: Apps For Meal Planning
Ready to save money and eat healthier? Ditch your takeout habit and put your kitchen to use with some good ol’ home cooking. Who knew…
Essential College Tech
As the summer draws to a close, college students are preparing to head back to campus. Before they leave, consider stocking them with some nifty…
Family Organizer Tools To Stay Sane This School Year
Keeping your home and family organized can be stressful. From school activities and assignments to sports, appointments and play-dates, adding kids to an already busy…
MoviePass: Is Unlimited Theater-Going For Real?
In the past half-decade, media consumption has undergone a drastic change. YouTube and Netflix have changed how, when, and where we watch television shows and…
Run! Fitness Apps That Turn Exercise Into Adventure
Fitness Apps: What Are The Best? Need some motivation to get moving? You know it’s important to get moving for health and wellness. Heck, maybe…
Don’t Buy A Back To School PC
After a summer of downloading questionable content, streaming from who-knows-where, and social media heavy lifting, your family computer has probably seen better days. If it’s…
Stepping Into Smartphones
As another school year approaches, the thought of buying a smartphone for your child crosses the mind of every parent. Smartphones come packed with benefits…
Net Neutrality 2017 – The Quest for Equal Internet for All
Want free access to the sites you love? Then you MUST care about Net Neutrality in 2017. Net Neutrality is under attack yet again. The…
Games and Gadgets to Get Kids Off the Couch
You know it’s summertime when the house gets loud. The kids are at home creating a ruckus and your furniture is becoming permanently marked with…
Land Your Dream Job Using Social Media
Dream Job? Using Social Media? Facebook and Instagram are good for more than just trolling your old high school crush and laughing at silly memes.…
Nerds on the Radio: Video Gaming News!
Ryan Eldridge stopped by KQMS Radio in Redding, CA to chat with Steve Gibson and Clark Schopflin (on Mornings with Schopflin and Gibson) about the…
Tech To Improve your International Travel Experience
Ready to see the world? Before you set off on your journey, you should familiarize yourself with some truly great apps that’ll make your international…
E3 2017 Excites Gamers with New Games and a New XBox
Xbox One X Formerly referred to as Scorpio or Project Scorpio, the latest generation of Xbox is “the most powerful gaming console on the market.…
All The Tech You Need To Set Up Your Side Business
These days it seems everyone’s got a side gig. Whether it’s selling your handmade soaps at your local farmers market or spinning tunes as a…
Carpool Karaoke
Ready to channel your inner James Corden? Whether you’re a secret shower singer or a belting out the tunes singalong star, everyone loves carpool karaoke.…
Nerds on the Radio: Protect yourself from Computer Viruses
Ryan Eldridge stopped by KQMS Radio in Redding, CA on Mornings with Schopflin and Gibson to talk about Ransomware viruses and how to avoid any…
Waterproof Gadgets to Make the Most of Summer
Water and electronics usually don’t mix. Just in time for summer, we have some cool waterproof gadgets that will let you bring your handheld electronics along…
Tips from a Travel Blogger
Are lack of time and money holding you back from seeing the world? 23-year-old travel blogger “Elona the Explorer” travels the world on…
How to Spring Clean Tech Properly!
How do you spring clean tech properly? Ahh Spring. It’s that time of year again. The sun has returned after months of gloomy and grey…
GoFundMe Scams: How To Spot Them
GoFundMe Scams: What Should You Know We’ve all heard the tragic story of 72 year of Grandpa Robert Godwin Sr who was shot in cold…
Nerds on the Radio: Nerdy Stuff and Online Security!
Ryan and Andrea stopped by KQMS in Redding, CA to talk about the new Star Wars and Thor Trailers, the Note s7’s battery problem, Windows…
Facebook Feed: How Best to Filter Content
Facebook Feed and Unwanted Content If Facebook’s constant political posts have you fatigued and frustrated, we are here with some tips for filtering the politics…
Ditch Cable, Keep Your Local Channels
Local Channels: How To Keep Them Without Cable If you’re itching to ditch your cable or satellite commitment, we are here to explain how to…
New Facebook Features – Is Snapchat Worried?
Facebook recently rolled out a new set of SnapChat-like features, including “Stories.” We are here to show everyone why this vanishing daily video feature will…
Could Your Electronics Explode?
Electronics Explode! What To Be Aware of It’s not just Galaxy 7 batteries that are exploding. Earlier this year a California teen was charging his…
Nerds on the Radio: Dark Web and Online Security
Ryan and Andrea stopped by KQMS in Redding, CA to talk about the Dark Web. They covered how to get on the Dark Web, what’s…
Hands On With The Nintendo Switch
One of the most anticipated consoles in recent history, the hybrid handheld/console Nintendo Switch was released on Friday March 3rd at midnight. This is the…
Filter Politics From Your Facebook Feed
Filter Politics: Getting Them Out Of Your Social Feed Believe it or not, Facebook was once a place where you could connect with family and…
Easy DIY Computer Upgrades
DIY Computer Upgrades: Everyone Can Do These These days, everything about computers is getting smaller, lighter and more portable. People are migrating from desktops to…
Apps to Make Saving Money Simple
We all know we should be putting money aside for emergencies, retirement and your next vacation, but saving money when you don’t have a lot…
Wireless Wars: How Do You Pick the Best Plan for You?
Cell phone wars heated up earlier this month with each major carrier releasing new pricing plans. Is it worth making a switch? Here’s our guide…
Are Your Smart Devices Spying On You?
Earlier this month, Vizio agreed to pay $2.2 million in penalties to settle a lawsuit brought by the FTC for tracking its customer’s viewing habits…
Making Your Home Smarter
Are you ready to make your home smarter? We have some tips for getting started with smart home gadgets. Let’s break it down into three…
Rideshare Rundown: Uber vs. Lyft
Digital car insurance company The Zebra spent a month ridesharing to compare Uber and Lyft. What they found might surprise you. We were inspired by…
Can You Really Train Your Brain?
In recent years, there’s been a wave of apps, games and brain activity tracking modules that claim to improve cognitive function. Yet critics call it…
Immediate To Dos If Your Kid Has A Tablet
Great! So your child now has a tablet or smartphone. We have put together a list of things you need to do immediately. These are…
Refresh That Old Laptop
If you were the lucky recipient of a lightly used, new-to-you laptop this holiday season, we have some easy, inexpensive ways to improve an older…
Goodbye Windows Essentials
Microsoft have now completely dropped their support for Windows Essentials 2012, this includes the popular Windows Live Mail 2012 program. The DeltaSync protocol was discontinued…
Tech to Keep Your Resolutions – Budget & Organization
Are you already struggling to keep those New Year’s resolutions? According to The Sun, “Get Organized” and “Spend Less/Save More” are the 2nd & 3rd…
Tech to Keep Your Resolutions – Health & Fitness
Losing weight/getting fit is the #1 resolution of Americans year over year. Yet research shows that only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s…
Got WiFi Dead Spots? A Mesh Network Could Help!
When everything from your Smartphone to your toaster is needs an Internet signal to function, WiFi deadspots can grind your smart home to a halt.…
Tech To Improve Your Commute
Americans spend an average of 290 hours each year in their car. So how about some cool gadgets and tech tools to improve your commute?…
Snag The Best Deal on Amazon
Best Deal Amazon Has For You With holiday shopping knocking on your door, any tools to help you save some money are a welcome gift.…
Why Choose Us?
WE GUARANTEE OUR WORK If ANYTHING goes wrong with a repair we’ve done, we’ll happily fix it. We may not be tall, but we stand…
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Keep Your Kids Online Activities Under Control
How to Use PayPal, Venmo, Cash App and other App-based Payment Services App-based payment services like CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay are super common these days. In fact, many service businesses like barbers, nail… Read article Is Living in Sacramento Expensive? Since Nerds On Call began doing computer repair in Sacramento way…
Anonymous Apps – Why You Should Use Them and Your Teens Should Not!
Anonymous Apps: Why You Should Be Careful Apps that allow you to send self-destructing texts or photos are a great tool for adults that want…
Cool Ways To Repurpose An Old Smartphone
We know you’re itching to upgrade to that new iPhone or Google Pixel. But before you toss your old smartphone in the trash, we have…
Before You Sell Your Old Smartphone
If you’re the proud new owner of a new iPhone 7 or Galaxy S7, chances are you’re ready to get some cash back by selling…
Teens Use Internet For Evil
Cyber safety these days is about more than ensuring your child doesn’t stumble upon an inappropriate site or stay online too long. Today we talk…
Essential Smartphone Accessories
You can’t leave the house these days without your smartphone, but there can be some frustrations – limited space, insufficient battery life, fragile screens. The…
Keep Yourself Aware of Credit Card Skimmers
Credit card skimmers are nothing new, but we all need regular reminding that criminals are always looking at ways of capturing your private credit card…
Take control of your iPhone storage space
iPhone Storage Space Full? What To Do? Running out of space on your iPhone is a common problem. Everyone knows at least one person who…
Apps That Make College Finances Easier
College can make AND break you – financially, that is. Managing your money when you’re juggling student loans, limited work time, and shared expenses with…
Introducing the Xbox One S
Just three years after the release of the Xbox One, Microsoft has released a new console – the XBox One S. So what’s new I…
Use Tech To Get Your Kid Off The Couch.
If your kids have spent just a bit too much of this summer zoning out to TV or video games, we are here with some…
The Coolest Dorm Room Gadgets
As our kids get more and more “connected,” sending little Jane off to college can feel like the first step toward bankruptcy. Don’t despair! We…
Tech To Get Your Kids, Or Yourself, Outside!
You may not think of Nerds as particularly outdoorsy folks, but there are so many cool gadgets and games these days that could get you,…
Laptop vs Tablet – Can an iPad Pro or Microsoft Surface Replace your Computer?
UPDATE 2016: We’ve updated this blog post from 2012 – Tablets and gadgets change constantly! While this article has a student-focused angle, including the benefits…
3 Things To Do Today To Protect Your PC
Keeping up with technology can be overwhelming, particularly when it comes to protecting yourself from viruses, hackers and online criminals. Although you can carry out…
Essential Apps for your Disney Vacation
Ahh Disneyland. The quintessential summer vacation destination. Even the regular visitor will learn something new each visit, give yourself a head start with a bit…
DIY Home Security
From user-installed alarm systems to motion-sensor video cameras, is a do-it-yourself alarm system right for you? Let’s talk about the pros and cons, as well…
Save Your Gadgets from Summer
You may love the sun, sand and surf of summer, but your electronics most certainly do not. Ryan Eldridge, Nerds on Call is here to…
Road Trip Tech
Nothing quite screams summer like, “Road Trip!!” and these days, gadgets and apps can make your voyage far more enjoyable than they once were when…
Spring Cleaning Your Tech
Spring has sprung, and if you’re just now gearing up to tackle your spring cleaning to-do list, Nerds on Call is here to make sure…
Perfecting Your Selfie
Wait! Before you post another blurry, duck face, bathroom mirror picture of yourself, we here at Nerds On Call would like to show you how…
Alternative Alarm Clocks
Do you have a love-hate relationship with your snooze button? Everybody loves 5 or 10 more minutes of sleep, but sometimes the consequences are dire.…
Dirty Dozen IRS Scams
For those of you asking yourself: “What does a Nerds know about taxes?” the fact of the matter is, many IRS scams involve criminals using…
The Truth Behind Online Quizzes
Online Quizzes: What You Should Know Although it may be tempting to find out which Disney princess you are, online quizzes are often just pages…
Identifying and Preventing Ransomware
Even the most savvy of internet users might have trouble defining what exactly ransomware is. Ransomware is very similar to malware in the sense that…
A Nerd’s Relationship Advice
Most people reading this will probably think to themselves, “What do Nerds know about relationships?” The answer is: more than we should. Nerds are known…
Pet Tech: Gadgets for the Connected Pet
For many of us, pets are like family. If you’ve ever wondered what Mittens is up to while you’re stuck at the office all…
iPhone Encryption Defended by Apple’s CEO
As a result of the mass shooting in Southern California late last year. the Federal Bureau of Investigation has requested that Apple assist law enforcement…
Apps To Spice Up Your Love Life
Apps To Spice Up Your Love Life: Download For A Good Time With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, there is no better time to…
Apps to Help you Keep your Resolution
January is usually the month of change, as the new year dawns many people set goals for themselves for the coming year and call them…
How To Safely Dispose Old Tech
Safely Dispose Old Tech When old tech is thrown out, it is known as eWaste. E-waste, or electronic waste, can be extremely harmful to the…
Terrible Passwords of 2015
As Nerds, we know the importance of internet security all too well. When you use the internet for personal or important tasks such as online…
Microsoft Support Ends For Windows 8
For those dedicated PC users that have stuck with a Windows OS throughout the evolution of computers, Windows 8 was probably a bit of challenge…
Online Dating Sites
Online dating sites such as Match.com and eHarmony find that January and February are the busiest months of the year. According to a study published…
Safely Meet Someone Online
How do you safely meet someone online? Connecting with strangers over the internet has become a common practice in this day and age. Whether it…
The Best Holiday Greeting Card Apps
Holiday Greeting Card Apps To Use Around the holidays, it is a tradition to send greeting cards to friends and family updating them on what…
CES – Kids Tech
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 The LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is a robotics kit that teaches elementary school students the basics of coding. Children use bricks to build…
CES – Fun & Future Tech
PicoBrew Pico The PicoBrew Pico is the Keurig of homebrewing. You can simply load a ready-to-brew ingredient kit, attach a keg of water, and start brewing your…
Paying Extra for Internet Speeds: Is It worth It?
Paying Extra For Internet Speeds: Why Fast Internet Is Needed Everybody enjoys a good cliff-hanger at the end of a TV series. Since Netflix has…
How Targeted Advertising Works Online
If you have ever looked something up online or visited a few similar websites only to be plagued by ads related to what you were…
How To Spot Email Scams
Over 205 billion emails are sent every day around the world. These messages include hellos from friends, updates from work, advertisements, spam, viruses, or sophisticated…
Best Cyber Monday Deals
Cyber Monday, the internet’s answer to Black Friday, is here. The Nerds from Nerds on Call have a few tricks up their sleeves for getting…
How To Prepare For Black Friday Shopping
The day of Thanksgiving now marks the start of a shopping frenzy that is known as Black Friday. For the truly dedicated Black Friday deal…
How Online Venting Can Cost You
Online Venting: Why It Can Cause More Problems Whether it involves a terrible day at work, an argument with a spouse, or just a day…
How To Give Back Online
How do you give back online? With the holidays fast approaching, it is indeed the season for giving. The fact that there are so many…
Laptop Vs Desktop: Maintenance and Upgrades
Laptop vs desktop: Which is worth more to own? When it comes to computers, everything is becoming smaller and lighter in order to increase portability.…
Online Streaming: Get Started Today!
With thousands of TV shows and movies available for online streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon just to name a few, it is…
How To Shop Cyber Monday Like A Nerd
With Black Friday quickly approaching some people have already mapped out their shopping battle plan, and packed their tents to camp out in front of…
Road Trip Gadgets
Everybody loves a good road trip. The worst part about a road trip is the hours of sitting idly in the car with nothing more…
Organize Your Holiday Gift Giving
No matter what type of shopper you are – the early bird who has everything wrapped up before Thanksgiving, or the mad-dasher that goes to…
Music Streaming: Which Service Is Right For You?
Apple released its own music streaming service in mid-summer of 2015. Apple Music joined the ranks of entrenched competitors such as Pandora, Spotify, and Google…
Digital Gift Guide
The digital age favors the last-minute holiday shopper. Be it getting Mom and Dad that new movie streaming account or setting up your children with…
Mac Virus Protection: Can Macs Get A Virus?
Many Apple users have taken their Mac virus protection too lightly since there is a rumor that Macs cannot get a virus. With the continual…
Which Personal Safety App is the Best?
Personal Safety App: What Should You Download Ladies: have you ever feared for your personal safety when you are walking to your car in a…
What is Sexting and How to Talk About It
Ah, the good old days… when the only uncomfortable sex talk you had to have with your kid was about the birds and the bees.…
Easy Smart Home Upgrades
The home of the future is available today; they are energy efficient, they protect you and your family, keep you updated when you are away,…
Not-So-Secret Facebook Hacks
Facebook has become the world’s largest social media network with nearly one and a half billion users around the world. Just because Facebook is popular,…
How To Tell If A Viral Story Is Fake
A viral story is fake!?! If you have been on Facebook in the past month, chances are you have seen the viral story about Facebook…
Is It Time To Ditch Your Landline Phone?
Pretty much everyone these days has a cell phone, including some people who probably shouldn’t. With the popularity and commonality of cell phones ever increasing,…
Top 5 Tips to Save Printer Ink
Everybody who owns a printer and prints color documents at home can confirm the fact that over the period of one year, your printer ink…
How to Improve WiFi Signal
We have all experienced that frustrating moment when Netflix suddenly stops loading and the room goes silent. For some reason, the WiFi signal dropped again,…
Personal Data Protection Gadgets
The modern criminal is not necessarily after physical items, but rather credit card numbers and personal information. This private data is worth big money to…
Cool FREE Things You Can Get Online
We all know that the Internet is a treasure trove of information… and cat videos. Well, we say it’s SO. Much. More. There is a…
Summer Programs For Kids With a Passion for Tech
There have always been camps and summer programs for kids who are interested in sports or recreation, but what about those who have a passion…
Essential Apps for Vacationers
No matter the scale or magnitude of the trip being planned, travel is without a doubt easier in the digital age. Our resident nerds have…
Your Gadgets Are Causing A Slow Death
Gadgets Are Causing A Slow Death? Today the Nerds are here to share some tips that might just save your life. The way that we…
Digital Detox: Save Yourself From Your Tech
It is no secret that Americans are more distracted by their smart phones than ever before. The amount of time we spend interacting with our…
Protect Your WiFi Network From Neighbors
Wifi is a valuable commodity these days; with people living closer to one another than ever before, it is no surprise that any wifi network…
Protect Your Online Identity
From Target and Home Depot, to Apple’s iCloud, Google and DropBox, it seems there’s a new security breach announced every month. Keeping yourself safe online…
New PC Setup: A Nerd’s Best Checklist
New PC Setup: What To Do The feeling of powering up a brand new PC for the first time is quite satisfying. All the new…
Apple Event: iPhone 6s, iPad Pro, and Apple TV
On September 9th, attendees of the Apple event saw the unboxing of the new line of Phones, along with a new, larger iPad, and an…
Quick and Easy Tech Hacks
You certainly do not have to be a nerd in order to own and use your tech gadgets like a boss. The Nerds from Nerds…
Top 5 Social Media Mistakes: Stop Making Them!
What originated as a way for college students to connect with one another has become an international sensation that set off a firestorm of social…
Top 5 Tech Mistakes: Stay Up To Date
The internet is a wondrous place. With virtually unlimited amounts of information flowing around the world, it is no wonder that the internet is also…
Choosing the Best Back-To-School Laptops for Students
It is that time of year again; the weather is starting to cool off, the leaves are beginning to change colors, and the kids are…
Top 5 Myths About Babies and Screen Time
With technology becoming such a huge part of American culture, it is no surprise that cell phones, tablets, and computers are changing the lives of…
Email Whitelisting
Modern companies know that almost everybody has an email address that they use regularly. Be it for online shopping, registering for your favorite services, or…
Easy Photo Edits
Digital photography has given us the ability to take a lot of photos. Sometimes we post shots that look like they came direct from a…
Social Media Backlash and Vigilantism
The internet outcry against Minnesota dentist Walter Palmer after his involvement in the killing of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe was fast and furious. As…
Must Have Back to School Gadgets
For today’s college go-ers, technology is all about mobility. Whether you’ve outfitted your co-ed with a laptop, smartphone, tablet, MP3 player, or all of the…
Windows 10: Should You Take Advantage of the Free Upgrade?
Windows 10, Microsoft’s highly anticipated operating system update, is finally set to roll out to the public on July 29th, and for most people currently…
Organize Your Digital Photo Collection in a Weekend
Organize Your Digital Photo Collection in a Weekend The problem: You have about a gazillion digital photos, and they’re everywhere. How do you find the…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Should We Be Afraid of Artificial Intelligence?
Some of the greatest minds in technology – Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates and Elon Musk, among others – have recently issued public warnings about advancements…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Is that App Safe to Download?
Mobile devices like Smartphones and tablets are made infinitely better – or worse – by the apps you install on them. With well over a…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Beware of Public WiFi!
When you pay by the megabyte for data through your cell service provider, the free WiFi offered at your local Starbucks or McDonalds provides a…
Nerd Chick Adventures: You’ve Been Hacked!
At our computer repair company, Nerds on Call, we frequently get calls from customers concerned that they’ve been “hacked.” It’s a term all over the…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Net Neutrality Scores a Win
On Thursday, February 26th, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 in favor of a proposal by FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to reclassify broadband Internet…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Bogus Tech Support Companies Targeted by FTC
On November 12, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida signed temporary restraining orders filed by the Federal Trade Commission and…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Decoding Router Specifications
If you’re in the market for a new router, you probably already realize it’s one of the most important hardware components of your wireless connection…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Best Apps For Parents
We all remember the days-long-past when calling home to Mom or Dad meant you had to find the nearest payphone, and hope that you had…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Can Online Reviews be Trusted?
Online Review: What Can Be Trust Worthing? Online reviews can be a lifesaver. When I recently needed to get my car fixed while out of…
Nerd Chick Adventures: IRS “Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams for 2015
Every year the IRS releases its “Dirty Dozen” list of the most prevalent tax scams, many of which use technology to take advantage of victims.…
Nerd Chick Adventures: Why In-App Purchases will Bankrupt You
Would it surprise you to learn that the top-grossing mobile apps are “free” games? While games like Clash of Clans, Candy Crush and Kim Kardashian:…
Understanding SnapChat
You may have never heard of SnapChat, but if you have teenagers in your household, then you can bet they have.You may have already spotted…
Top Three Easy Smart Home Upgrades
Smart home technology offers ways to make your home more state-of-the-art than the Jetsons’ abode. They can offer better energy efficiency, innovative security systems and…
Apps for Health and Wellness
Our handy smartphones improve our lives in so many ways, from providing a source of entertainment to keeping us conveniently connected with loved ones and…
Amazon Kindle Unlimited Can’t Beat the Public Library
Amazon Kindle Unlimited: What You Need To Know As a reader of three or four novels a month, purchased primarily through my Kindle Fire, I…
Three Free Programs Every Windows PC Should Have
You probably already know how important it is to have virus and malware protection on any computer that gets on the Internet, but with so…
New PC Must-Do Checklist
Whether your reliable old PC was finally beaten down by the kids this summer, or you are springing for a new laptop for your back-to-schooler,…
How to Get Better Tech Support
Despite my “Nerd Chick” credentials, I’ve had to call technical support many times in my life, and I can’t say that it’s always been a…
Tech for Toddlers: How to Help, not Harm
In their book, “Toddlers on Technology,” Patti Wollman Summers (early childhood educator and Head of the Parenting Program at the Mandell School), neuropsychologist Ann DeSollar-Hale,…
Tech Gifts for Dad on Father’s Day
He’s always there to help you out of a jam, be it a flat tire or first date advice. There’s one day a year dedicated…
What Does Computer Desktop Mean?
What does Desktop Mean? What is your computer desktop? The answer can be confusing because there are three different desktops involved with a computer. Here’s…
Parts of a URL Explained
URL Explained: What Does That Link Mean? URL Explained: You’ve seen hundreds or thousands of URLs in your life, but they might still seem like…
What does Open Mean?
What does “Open” mean? You’ve probably heard the term “Open” in reference to a lot of things on the Internet. Just like any word with…
What does 404 Mean?
So what IS a 404 page? Whether you were linked here from a missing page on our website, or you just want to know what…
What are Software, Programs, and Apps?
Since you’re on a computer right now, you’ve doubtless heard the terms “app,” “program,” and “software.” But do you know what the difference is? The…
What is Defragmentation?
If you’ve been using a computer for a while, you’ve probably heard talk of “defragmentation.” Maybe you’ve even run a defragmentation utility. But what does…
What are Bytes & Their Units?
Everything on your computer that’s not hardware is software, and in the same way that you can measure hardware in ounces, you can measure software…
What is the Windows Key?
The Windows key is that key with the Windows logo that always makes your computer act weird when you press it. It’s the one usually…
What’s the Difference Between Memory and Storage?
Difference Between Memory and Storage: Confusion Between The Two One of the most confusing sets of terms in everyday computer usage is “‘Memory’ & ‘Storage’.”…
What is a Web Browser?
Before the Internet was a part of everyone’s lives, people used their computers in a very different way. Instead of connecting to a “service” in…
What are Cookies?
You may have heard of cookies, and know that people get upset about having cookies they don’t want. But why wouldn’t you want a cookie?…
What is The Cloud?
“The Cloud” is a popular term in the tech world and much like a cloud it doesn’t have a clear definition. People have personal clouds,…
Recovery Vs Reset
Recovery Vs Reset: What is the difference? Recovery and Reset are both techniques used to fix a broken computer, but they are vastly different. They…
What is Wifi?
What is WiFi? It seems to be everywhere, but it’s invisible so that makes it hard to define. Many people think of WiFi as a…
Kid-Proof your Tablet for Summer
Even if you aren’t ready to accept that summer vacation has arrived, it’s here. Before your kid has way too many free hours to surf…
Read Your eBooks Anywhere
When I bought a Kindle Fire, I went from my book-a-month habit to about a book-a-week, practically overnight. This could be a costly endeavor, and…
Review of Oleg at Nerds On Call
Sirs/Madams: Excellent Work Over the past two weeks, your staff spent many hours helping Patricia and me get our PC’s Email working after I had…
Amazon Fire: Cable Killer?
Amazon Fire TV is just the latest debut in a number of streaming devices on the market allowing you to stream content from video applications…
Make Awesomely Secure Passwords Easily
Remembering a unique login and password for every website you frequent on the internet requires either a genius-level photographic memory or a really cool trick.…
“Heartbleed” Bug Discovered – Affects 2/3 of Internet
Researchers today discovered a serious flaw in the security software that keeps two-thirds of the web private. The bug, called “heartbleed,” has been a part…
Apps for Children with Special Needs
Note: I have updated this article with reader feedback at the end. Please read it and my response Are there apps for children with special…
Share Secrets on New Social Network
Secret is the latest social media site to garner buzz. It’s different from Facebook or Twitter because you post anonymously to a pool of people…
IRS Releases Top Tax Scams of 2014
On February 19th, the IRS released its annual list of the top tax scams for 2014. As more taxpayers prepare, file, and store their data…
Is Facebook Depressing You?
While Social Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have been shown to increase a user’s feeling of connectedness with friends, family and their community,…
The Muse Headband Exercises your Brain
Last night I was startled awake with a bad dream. I found myself staring at the ceiling at 4 AM, unable to get back to…
NERDS ON CALL: ARE YOU SPREADING MALWARE?
California, (January, 2014) – Have you ever had this happen to you: Often you receive emails from people who haven’t contacted you in years, with…
Is Your PC Spreading Malware?
I often receive emails from people who haven’t contacted me in years, with a subject line such as “check this out!” I open the email…
Review of Jeff at Nerds On Call
RE: Mr. Jeff Jackson We are writing this letter to commend the exceptional work and customer service we have received from Mr. Jeff Jackson. We…
NERDS ON CALL: STOP USING WINDOWS XP
California, (January, 2014) – In April 2012, Microsoft announced that it would stop supporting Windows XP in April 2014. After April 8, 2014, Microsoft will…
Should You Remove Windows XP?
In April 2012, Microsoft announced that it would stop supporting Windows XP in April 2014. After April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer write software…
Manage Gift Cards with Online Services
There’s nothing I hate more than wasting money. Yet it seems as though every time I need to return something at Target or Macys they…
Internet Addiction: Is it real?
I play World of Warcraft – a massive, multiplayer online role-playing game. My husband and I have friends that we enjoy playing with regularly, and…
Target Credit Card Breach
If you were one of the thousands packing Target stores on Black Friday or if you’ve shopped there since, you may be the victim of…
Last Minute Tech Gifts
Now that the deadline to have something shipped and arrive before Christmas has officially passed and the truly desperate are combing the malls, you may…
Live Online Help Resources
The Internet provides a wealth of resources to find information, but sometimes you need a little one-on-one assistance for a specific question. Launched in November,…
Sites to Make Santa Real
When I was a kid, Santa visited our neighbor’s house every Christmas Eve, at midnight, to deliver presents. He hopped down off the roof with…
NERDS ON CALL: LIVE ONLINE HELP RESOURCES
California, (December, 2013) -The Internet provides a wealth of resources to find information, but sometimes you need a little one-on-one assistance for a specific question. Launched…
Fix or Replace Your Old Computer? Best Decision To Make
Fix or Replace Your Old Computer: What Should You Do? When I talk to customers about the work needed to fix their ailing computer they…
NERDS ON CALL: CRYPTOLOCKER RANSOMWARE
California, (November, 2013) – There’s a new and nasty “ransomware” virus called CryptoLocker sweeping the web, taking computers hostage and demanding that users pay an exorbitant “ransom”…
CryptoLocker Ransomware
There’s a new and nasty “ransomware” virus called CryptoLocker sweeping the web, taking computers hostage and demanding that users pay an exorbitant “ransom” to get…
What is Bitcoin?
A new digital currency called “legitimate” by SEC – but what is it? The Securities Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice declared bitcoins a…
Avoid Online Scams
As the holiday shopping season gains momentum, those looking to swindle online shoppers get creative in their attempts to lure victims. I consulted with Scambook…
NERDS ON CALL: AVOID ONLINE SCAMS
During the holiday shopping season California, (November, 2013) – As the holiday shopping season gains momentum, those looking to swindle online shoppers get creative in their attempts…
Benefits of Reducing Screen Time
I’m a mom who lives a life surrounded by technology. I struggle every day with the desire to do the best for my kids (Crafting!…
Review of Tim’s Crew at Nerds On Call
Tim, Please accept this as a token of our thanks for your awesome crew. It took 3 days of 6+ hours each day to figure…
NERDS ON CALL: DIGITAL DISCONNECT
California, (November, 2013) –We all struggle every day with the desire to do the best for our kids (Crafting! Healthy meals! Limited TV!) juxtaposed against…
Smartphone Fingerprint Security
Smartphone Fingerprint Security: What To Know? Apple’s iPhone 5S includes fingerprint scanning technology called Touch ID to unlock the phone and make purchases in iTunes.…
Review of Garrett at Nerds On Call
Sirs/Madams: EXCELLENCE! Once again, the expertise and performance of your staff has provided superb resolution of four computer concerns. GARRETT L. Corrected and revised four…
NERDS ON CALL: DELETING DIGITAL MISTAKES
California, (October, 2013) –It’s nearly impossible to impress on children the permanence of things they share online through social media, emails or via text. Once…
Spot Fake Online Reviews
How do you spot fake online reviews? Online reviews can be a great tool to help find a hotel for your next trip, a reputable…
NERDS ON CALL: SOCIAL ADVERTISING
California, (October, 2013) –Have you noticed a curious phenomenon on Facebook? Suddenly it seems like your friends are posting ads for companies like Starbucks, Walmart…
Smartwatches Reviewed
Samsung’s commercials for their new Galaxy Gear “Smart Watch” (www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote3-gear/, $299) tell us that the future is here. After growing up watching Captain Kirk and…
Make a Personal Website
From promoting your small business to getting yourself noticed by a potential employer, having your own website can allow you to better control the information,…
Can Minors Remove Content Online?
It’s nearly impossible to impress on children the permanence of things they share online through social media, emails or via text. Once they click “send,”…
Chromecast Review
There are bevy of devices on the market aimed to allow you to stream content from the Internet to your TV, most notably Roku and…
NERDS ON CALL: GOOGLE CHROMECAST
A Top Contender in Video Streaming California, (October, 2013) –There are bevy of devices on the market aimed to allow you to stream content from…
Chromebook 11 Announced
Google added to its collection of “Chromebooks” yesterday, with their announcement of the HP Chromebook 11. If you haven’t been following the search engine giant’s…
NERDS ON CALL: IOS7 REVIEWED
A Nerds-Eye Review California, (October, 2013) –Apple released iOS 7, an update that CEO Tim Cook called the biggest change to the platform since the…
NERDS ON CALL: CLEAN UP YOUR INBOX
California, (October, 2013) –Many of us established an email account many years ago. In those days, email was something to look forward to, usually a…
Clean up Email
Clean Up Email: How To Clean Your Inbox I established my Yahoo email account many years ago. In those days, email was something to look…
Make Money With Apps
California, (September, 2013) – Most kids this time of year have a serious case of the “gimmes.” From every toy friends have to things on the…
Find Charity Online
The other day I was sitting in the Starbucks drive-through line. I pulled up to the window to pay and I was informed that the…
Back to School Apps
While I’ve consistently proclaimed that no student needs a tablet or Smartphone to succeed, handheld internet-enabled gadgets can serve a purpose. From downloading textbooks to…
NERDS ON CALL: TABLETS 2.0
California, (September, 2013) – Not all tablets are created equal, but there are some great options available that will give you the functionality that you’re…
Choose a Tablet – Part 2
Tablets are growing in popularity. Lightweight, ultra-portable and with a user-friendly and immersive touch-screen, it’s no wonder that more and more people are wondering if…
Choose a Tablet – Part 1
Last week, Christina P. sent me a great question about how to choose a tablet and what they do, an inquiry I receive regularly so…
Nextdoor – Facebook for Neighborhoods?
If you live in a Nerdy Neighborhood, you might want to check out the newest web service that’s making a buzz. It’s called “Nextdoor,” and…
NERDS ON CALL: SAVE MONEY ON TECH
California, (August, 2013) –If there’s one thing we Nerds learn early it’s that technology doesn’t come cheap. Even after you shell out the dough for…
Hard Drive Diagnostics
Hard drive failure can be devastating, particularly if it’s been a while since you backed up your data. It can lead to costly data retrieval…
Mac vs Windows
The debate over which PC platform is best, Mac or Windows, has waged for years with both sides equally passionate about which OS reigns supreme.…
Best Online Tutoring Resources for 2013
When I was in high school, the subject I struggled with most was Biology. There was a mysterious step between how atoms became cells and…
NERDS ON CALL: ULTIMATE MATCHUP
California, (August, 2013) – The debate over which PC platform is best, Mac or Windows, has waged for years with both sides equally passionate about which…
NERDS ON CALL: REPAIR YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Media ContactShawna Bell1-800-919-6373 marketing@callnerds.com NERDS ON CALL: REPAIR YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION With a Few Simple Tips California, (July, 2013) – When you enter…
Repair your Online Reputation
When you enter your name into Google (or the search engine of your choice), are the results flattering, or at least accurate? Even if you…
iPhone Electrocution: Shocking News
This week our very own Ryan Eldridge appeared on the Brandmeier show to talk about phones and electrocution. Read about the iPhone electrocution. Listen to…
Increase Laptop Lifespan: Get More Life Out Of Your Laptop
Increase Laptop Lifespan: What You Can Do In today’s technology landscape, computers and gadgets are becoming more and more disposable. In fact, laptops have an…
NERDS ON CALL: SIMPLE LIFESAVING TIPS
California, (July, 2013) – The compact, mobile excellence that is a laptop brings with it a shorter lifespan than a typical desktop PC. On average,…
Android Phones Vulnerable to Hackers
Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, installed on three quarter of a billion devices. Having a master key to all…
Can Facebook Give Me A Virus? Best Social Media Practices
Can Facebook Give Me A Virus: Things To Look Out For One of the questions I get asked a lot is, “can Facebook give me…
5 Easy Ways to Prevent Identity Theft
The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. According to data compiled by Zone Alarm, maker of…
NERDS ON CALL: PARENTS BEWARE
California, (July, 2013) – According to a study commissioned by Internet Technology specialist McAfee, “The Digital Divide: How the Online Behavior of Teens is Getting…
HD Antenna Makes it Easy to Get Rid of Cable
HD Antenna: What You Need To Know One of the home theater questions I get asked most often is how to get rid of cable…
How Your Teen is Hiding Online
Hiding Online: How To Found Out What You Child Is Doing According to a study commissioned by Internet Technology specialist McAfee, “The Digital Divide: How…
Teens Hiding Online: Study Reveals Shocking Data
A 2012 Teen Internet Behavior study commissioned by the security technology company, McAfee, reveals a surprising chasm between the number of teens hiding what they…
Zeus Trojan Steals Bank Account Info via Facebook
UPDATE: The Zeus Trojan has been neutralized by the U.S. Department of Justice. A nasty Trojan virus nicknamed Zeus has been spreading quickly through social…
Tech Gifts for Dad on Father’s Day
Father’s Day, aka “Dad Appreciation Day,” is rapidly approaching and there are some great online resources that can help you to show dad (or help…
Job Hunting after Graduation: Manage your Online Reputation
Once your proud graduate has grown up too quickly and has left the podium with her diploma, she’s probably ready to jump into the “real…
Learn About Two-Step Verification and Which Services Use It
A lot of online services have announced recently that they’re introducing two-step or two-factor verification for their users. It all started when Google implemented the…
NERDS ON CALL: PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER NOW
California, (June, 2013) – Summer is the season for computer mayhem. The kids are home from school, often unsupervised, and boredom does not bode well…
Bing vs Google: The Challenge
When it comes to searching the net, Google is the far and away market leader. In the U.S., Google captures an average of 67% of…
Nerds On Call Complaints and Reviews
No one likes getting complaints, but it’s what you do about them that matters. What we want to do is be totally honest. Here at…
Nerds On Call Reviews
Hey there. I’m Andrea Eldridge, Owner and Founder of Nerds On Call Computer Repair. If you type “Nerds On Call Computer Repair Reviews” into Google right now,…
NERDS ON CALL: XBOX ONE ANNOUNCEMENT CAUSES CONFUSION
California, (May, 2013) – On May 21, 2013, Microsoft revealed details of their highly anticipated new game console, the Xbox One, scheduled to be available…
Nerds On Call Complaints
Hi, I’m Andrea the owner and founder of Nerds On Call Computer Repair. We want to hear your complaints. We’ll make them disappear into wholehearted…
Don’t Trash it: Use a Monitor to Watch TV
Note: How to use a monitor to watch TV is one of the most popular posts I’ve written – and I’ve written a LOT of…
Get the Most out of Travel Booking Websites
Hopefully you’ve set aside time this summer for a nice vacation in between summer school and the kids’ band camp. Many of us have already…
Google IO Conference Keynote Rolls out Amazing New Features
Remember watching Star Trek, where the crew members could just speak to their computer and it would instantly know what they were referring to and…
Cyberbullying Infographic: The Facts & Statistics About Online Bullying
We’ve covered cyberbullying in a previous article, but it can be difficult to slog through technical talk on the subject. Here are some numbers and…
Nerds On Call Redding Origin Story
Nerds On Call Computer Repair Redding began in February 2004, although its exact location has changed over the years. When we started the company near…
Helping Mom Out With Mother’s Day Tech
The best Mother’s Day gifts are often those that don’t come wrapped with a pretty bow. It’s great when you’re able to buy Mom the…
NERDS ON CALL: BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS
California, (May, 2013) – The best Mother’s Day gifts are often those that don’t come wrapped with a pretty bow. It’s great when you’re able…
Facebook Home Initially Disappointing; Will Evolve
Facebook recently released a new kind of app called Facebook Home, and the reviews are lackluster so far. But if the tech giant’s history proves…
NERDS ON CALL: CHOOSING THE RIGHT COMPUTER MONITOR
California, (April, 2013) – Your computer’s monitor can make or break your ability to work comfortably, enjoy high quality media and efficiently manage multiple processes…
Smart Mobile Games for Kids to Download
Anyone stuck in line at the grocery store with a cranky toddler can’t deny the sweet nirvana to be had by simply handing over your…
Smartphone Driving Apps
You certainly shouldn’t ever use your phone to text while you’re driving, and making calls is possible with Bluetooth but risky. However, there’s no reason…
NERDS ON CALL: TOP TIPS TO FIX YOUR HACKED FACEBOOK
California, (April, 2013) – Anyone who’s received a message from a friend’s Facebook account urging them to click a link or “like” a page to…
Make Money Online… No, Really
If I tell you that you can make money using the Internet without leaving your PJs, you’d probably expect me to continue with a sob…
Facts about Google Fiber
There’s nothing Nerds love more than fast internet access everywhere, so that’s why we’ve been excited to follow Google Fiber. They’ve just announced they’ll be…
Teen Facebook Usage Declining
If you use Facebook to keep tabs on what your kids are doing, you may need to resort to more traditional methods…like talking. A report…
Facebook Account Hacked? Don’t Panic.
Facebook Account: What Should You Do Facebook account hacked!?! Anyone who’s received a message from a friend’s Facebook account urging them to click a link…
Read the Facts about Facebook Bullying
Facebook bullying and cyberbullying is a topic on the minds of most parents with Internet-using youngsters. That’s just about all parents, by the way –…
Spring Clean your Computer and Improve Boot Time
One of the most common questions I get from customers, family and friends alike is how to improve system start up time. When your system…
New Game Console Launching in June
There’s a new kind of video game platform coming out, and you guessed it – we Nerds are excited about it. This isn’t just any…
For April Fools’: Best of the Web
Last year, I completely forgot about April Fool’s Day until I was listening to a news story on the radio and thought, “That’s odd. Is…
Google Keep Launches, Offers Tough Competition to Evernote
In its carefully-plotted quest to take over the entire internet, Google yesterday released their “Keep” service. It had been previously rumored and “accidentally leaked” a…
Boost WiFi at Home, Part 2
After last week’s article about how to boost your WiFi network, I’m sure you headed straight out to buy a Wireless-N, dual-band router and removed…
Been Hacked? Here’s What to Do
Headlines have been shouting out, that the FBI recently investigated a website which had obtained personal information of high-profile people, and posted it online. Their…
Tired of Spotty Reception? Boost WiFi at Home
Wi-Fi makes connecting to the Internet seem like magic. There’s a wonderful signal passing through the air that makes my phone work faster and unplugs…
Computers For Seniors In Your Life
Computers For Seniors: What Are The Options? When you think “cutting edge technology,” you probably don’t think “senior citizens,” but recent advances in technology are…
Speed Up Boot Time on Your Computer
My system takes FOREVER to start up. Is there any way to make it boot up faster? Fully powering off your computer when you’re done…
Your Common Computer Questions Answered by a Nerd
Common Computer Questions And Answers Every week I receive questions from readers – anything from what wireless mouse I would recommend to how to edit…
Catfishing Isn’t What it Used to be: Online Dating Safety
Many looking for a partner this Valentine’s Day will turn to social media or dating websites to make a potential love connection. If you’re wary…
Nerds On Call Reviews Blackberry 10
The BlackBerry used to be the undisputed queen of mobile computing. In the days when “smartphone” wasn’t even in the culture’s lexicon, a little company…
CES 2013 Part 2
There were many exciting product announcements and prototypes demoed at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, but few so plentiful as next generation gaming innovations. Whether…
Bits Vs Bytes Explained
Bits vs Bytes? What’s the difference? If you’ve ever shopped for internet packages or tried to buy storage, you’ve run into the bit/byte issue before…
Java Virus Vulnerability Discovered
You may have experienced this situation before: out of nowhere, a friend messages you on Facebook or via email with a link. You instinctively click…
Andrea In Action
Andrea has been busy writing content for our blog and Ryan’s TV appearances. Here are a few examples of her work: CBS 13 News Good…
Nerdy Women You Should Know
Nerdy Women In Media Most people think of goofy looking guys in horn rimmed glasses when they think of geeks, bloggers, or businesspeople, like the…
Daily Dose of Funny Websites
Funny Websites: Where To Find The LOLs When I was working in an office, the latest joke email circulating was always there to give me…
Files Gone? Could be a Hidden Files Virus
Hidden Files Virus Hits Victims Hard Imagine starting up your system one fine morning only to discover that everything appears to be missing – your…
Speed up Windows – Software Alternatives
“My computer is so blazingly fast I can hardly keep up with it!” – said no one, ever. The complaint I hear voiced most often…
Great New Year’s Resolution Websites
Whether you’ve dreamed of making delicious meals like a professional chef or would like to become fluent in French, this is the year you’ve resolved…
What is Siri, Really?
What is Siri? Apple made headlines in December when it introduced Siri with the latest iteration of their iPhone, the 4S. Siri has been billed…
Antivirus Problems: Overzealous Scanning
Antivirus Problems? Whether you’re a Nerd who’s adept at surfing the web, or an amateur who has yet to learn the ins and outs of…
Use Amazon at Your best
Whether you’re in the market for the latest hit movie, coffee, electronics, or even a drum set, Amazon.com has just about anything you can imagine…
What is Twitter: Microblogging 101
What is Twitter? Well, when I think of Twitter, the first thing I think is: too much information. Do we really need to share the…
Computer Won’t Turn On? Check for Viruses
If you’ve ever had a virus that kept your system from booting at all, you know how infuriating it is. One mistake and your computer…
Borrow eBooks: All of the Library, None of the Late Fees
Whether you read them on an e-reader, tablet, smartphone or your computer, e-books are growing increasingly popular, and with good reason. Instant download capability lets…
Internet Printing with Google Cloud Print
I refuse to replace my old, ailing printer because I believe it’s a dying technology, like landline phones and fax machines. Yet just as a…
Security for a Mobile Generation
California, (December, 2012) – Whether you’re one of the millions of Americans that already owns a mobile handheld device (like a Smartphone, tablet or iPod…
Wireless Security Breach: Reaver
Having wireless internet access is awesome, especially with how many devices these days use the technology. And with proper network security, we can be sure…
Malware Primer: Deciphering the Digital Devils
You’ve probably heard the terms “virus,” “malware,” “spyware,” and others all used interchangeably. However, these are actually all different types of bad software. The blanket…
Slow Computer Myths and Fixes
“My computer is running so slow!” – said everyone who’s ever owned a computer. It’s true: your computer never quite runs as fast as the…
Internet Speed: Netflix Takes A Test
It’s hard to find an unbiased comparison of various internet service providers. If you’re one of those fortunate enough to have a number of choices…
Why You Need a Router
While most of us have less than fond memories of dial-up Internet – gritting teeth through the high-pitched squeal while your computer connected, heading to…
Bring Your Own Device To Work
California, (December, 2012) – Now that almost half of all Americans own a Smartphone and roughly a quarter of all Americans own a tablet computer,…
Video Editing for Beginners
Ours is a video generation. We grew up with parents shooting camcorder footage of every birthday and graduation, and most of us have hours of…
Video Chat to Connect this Holiday
Video Chat With Family & Friends The holidays are all about connecting with loved ones, but it can be a challenge when you’re separated by…
Netiquette For The Digital Age
California, (December, 2012) – As children we were taught that there are a few cornerstones to polite social interactions: don’t interrupt someone when they’re speaking,…
The 6 Best Christmas Card Gift Ideas
Despite my best intentions to give personalized gifts to everyone on my holiday list, at least one or two people always end up with a…
3 Easy Ways to Save on Gift Cards
Gift cards are a ubiquitous staple of the holiday season. Whether you’re looking to show some appreciation to someone you don’t know very well (like…
Use Tech to Conquer Black Friday 2012
California, (NOVEMBER, 2012) – For the truly dedicated Black Friday deal hunters, Thanksgiving marks the start of a shopper’s frenzy. With sales starting earlier and…
Use Pinterest to UP Your Holiday Game
California, (NOVEMBER, 2012) –The holidays are usually everyone’s favorite time of year – gathering with friends and family over special meals, showing you care with…
ALERT: Top 5 Ways to Save on Your Holiday Shopping
California, (NOVEMBER, 2012) –November seems to sneak up on us every year. You’re minding your own business, working out costume details and sugar coating trick-or-treaters…
Review of Kiel at Nerds On Call
Dear Kiel, Yesterday you helped me sort out a few things on my Apple computer, and you helped me in a very friendly and professional…
The ZeroAccess Rootkit Trojan
California, (NOVEMBER, 2012) –The ZeroAccess Rootkit Trojan is the latest rootkit virus to gain widespread infiltration into a huge number of computers. While traditional viruses…
The ZeroAccess Rootkit Trojan
ZeroAccess Rootkit Trojan: What Should You Know The ZeroAccess Rootkit Trojan is the latest rootkit virus to gain widespread infiltration into a huge number of…
FBI Virus is “Ransomware”
I never thought I’d look back fondly on the days when malware just caused annoying pop-ups. The newest bug crawling the Web is called “ransomware,”…
Keep Your Credit Cards Safe From Skimmers!
Seventeen percent of Americans have been the victim of card fraud, whether credit or debit. Worldwide, card fraud costs people almost six billion dollars annually.…
Review of Peter at Nerds On Call Computer Repair
Dear General Manager: This letter is intended to express our appreciation for the service Peter gave us on August 6, 2012. Peter was professional and…
Windows 8: Worth the $40 Upgrade?
California, (October, 2012) –In just a few days, Microsoft will release the newest version of its flagship product: the Windows operating system. Named Windows 8,…
Never Worry About Losing Those (not-quite) Smart Devices Again
A laptop is stolen every 53 seconds. This means that one tenth of laptops ever bought are either stolen are lost, usually along with all…
Under-Utilized Windows 7 Features
California, (October, 2012) –Most of us utilize a Windows PC regularly enough that we navigate through our go-to functions with little exploration or modification. Yet…