Show Notes:

So you got a new computer. What are the first things you should do to ensure smooth sailing? How about that old computer or laptop, is it ready for 2014?Throughout this show we will be giving you tips on how to get your  new and old computers ready for the new year.

Hour 1

PC Mike Goes Roadtreking

Mike Wendland, a legend in Michigan TV and Radio is also  one of the most knowledgeable  commentators on technology. Mike shares his new pursuit, taking high tech on the road in his mobile home with his wife and dog.  Follow their travels at Roadtreking.

MiTechNews Report

Weekly feature with Mike Brennan, editor and publisher of MiTechNews.com, highlighting technology headlines from Michigan and around the world that impact of our state’s growing high tech sector. This MiTechNews report with Mike Brennan is brought to you by  the Engineering Society of Detroit, representing 16,000 engineers in Southeast Michigan and Warner, Norcross & Judd attorneys at law: how well protected and capitalized is your intellectual property. . 

Subscribe to our co-branded MiTechNews Newsletter in collaboration with the Internet Advisor.

 

Hour 2

First Things First

Gary, Cal and Foster share tips on getting your new device up and running as safely as possible and ready for a successful year of computing.

Get money back for old tech:

1. TechPayout
2. Gazelle    

Install and Update Your Anti-Malware Program
True most new devices come with an anti-malware program installed (Norton or McAfee typically) but they are also most often trial versions that run out in 3-6 months.

Options:

• Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) most likely has a free program tailored for their system.  Use it…for free!
• If you are using Windows 7 download MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) free from Microsoft.  It is tailor made for Win 7.  Windows 8 already has it built into the OS!  It’s called Defender and updates almost daily.

Install Available OS Updates
You’d think your brand new computer would be fully updated but chances are it won’t be because it has been sitting in the warehouse for a few months. First things first: update the OS and all your other programs.

Create a Backup and Sign Up for an Online Backup Service
You should have your data backed up in at least two (or three) places:

1. Local storage on a removable medium (hard drive, USB etc). Swap with another removable drive stored away from your home or office.
2. Online backup services are combination software tools and subscription services that automatically keep the data you want protected on secure servers.
3. Free cloud based services like iCloud, SkyDrive, Google Drive etc. often come with your OS (Apple, MS, Chrome)

#####

Sending Your Questions to the Show

Email Questions to the Internet Advisor’s tech team quickly and simply 24/7.

• Go to the Contact Us button on our homepage
• Fill in the required fields
• Click Send.

Each week we will collect the emails received and answer them on the air.  We might even invite you to be part of the program when we answer your question.  Don’t miss the chance to get your question answered by our tech experts personally. The Podcast Our podcast continues to be available each week on Sunday evenings following the show.

• Subscribe to the Internet Advisor podcast on iTunes
• Click on the Listen now to Podcasts of Previous Shows on our homepage
• Download the podcast from our homepage to your computer, iPod, or smartphone
• Subscribe to the RSS Feed of all our postings on our homepage

Make sure that you don’t miss each our great guests and information each week! Facebook Page and Twitter Feed

• Internet Advisor Forum is also open for quicker answers on our homepage
• Like the Internet Advisor on Facebook for breaking tech news, images and chats
• Subscribe to our Twitter feed on the homepage for program alerts

Welcome Michigan Talk Network Affiliates

WJRW	AM	1340	Grand Rapids	Sun 1p-2p
WJIM	AM	1240	Lansing	Sun 2p-4p
WNEM	AM	1250	Saginaw	Sun 12p-2p
WKMI	AM	1360	Kalamazoo	Sun 12p-1p
WKLQ	AM	1490	Muskegon	Sat 4p-6p, Sun 12p-2p

Your Trusted Computer Repair Shops