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PCM36: Demystifying the Cloud with No Geek Speak
We hear a lot about “the cloud” these days but do your really know what it means? Well in keeping with our approach to tech – no geek-speak – we’re here to help with the answer. Bill Fisher, instructional designer, GCFLearnFree.org – which offers free classes on computer and Internet basics – joins the show to help you understand everything you want to know about the cloud but are afraid to ask. Among other things, Bill and Mike discuss the differences between options like Google Drive and Dropbox, how safe the cloud really is when it comes to backing up and securing files, and the future of cloud-based computing. In…
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How to Clean the Clutter and Optimize Your Smartphone
Our smartphones and tablets give us access to information and entertainment faster than ever so it can be pretty frustrating when those devices suddenly start slowing down or run low on space. Fortunately, there are some simple and effective iOS-, Android-, and Windows Phone-based apps to declutter our devices. Memory & Disk Scanner Pro is for iPhone and iPad and can help declutter your device by determining how system resources are being used. The dashboard displays memory and disk use, allowing users to see detailed information about processes and apps running. There’s even a way to seen how much space is being used by junk files and easily remove them.…
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PCM26 Screen Time for Kids: How Much is Too Much?
The effects of too much screen time on kids can be serious: lost sleep, poor grades, social maladjustment, behavior problems, obesity. This list goes on and on. Then again, what are we supposed to do? Cut kids off completely? The answer, of course, is no. Rather, finding a healthy balance is more appropriate says Dr.Dimitri A. Christakis of the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, a leading expert on the effects of screen time and media on young people. Instead of cutting kids off, he says, parents and grandparents need to be smart about how they allow youngsters to use tech. And you can hear on this show just how important kids consider tech when PC Mike…
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PCM23: Coincidence or Not, Computer Glitches Show We’re Too Tech-centric
Were the so-called “computer glitches” this week at the New York Stock Exchange, United Airlines, and Wall Street Journal all purely coincidental or not? We’ll probably never know, but the bigger question is – does it matter? Fact is, it shows you how dependent we are on technology and how a coordinated hacking event could cause such tremendous chaos – and there are many working toward causing such disruptions. This episode of the PC Mike Techcast kicks off with Mike bringing you up to speed on what happened and why he thinks it’s just too unbelievable to be coincidence that three major “glitches” – plus a couple of others not getting…
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PCM003 Podcast: A Look at 2014 Tech – From Best to Google Glass
In this episode of the PC Mike Podcast, I reveal my choice of the worst tech gadget of 2014 – Google Glass. Google Glass sucks. There’s just no way to make this turkey look good. It’s the worst tech gadget I’ve used used this year, shelling out $1,500 for it just 11 months ago. It has a dismally short battery life, very few useful apps, is difficult to sync with smartphones and the public thinks those who wear Google Glass to be “Glassholes.” [spp-player]
