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We’re Back to Recycling Again

May 13, 2020 by doctordave

For our Kansas City, Topeka, and Lawrence clients, computer recycling has been a valuable service we provided. We take those computers, remove any personal information, and work with Connecting for Good to help make sure we can bridge the digital divide.

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The Need is Greater Than Ever

Then the pandemic hit. This situation caused two problems. One, we had to be very cautious about computers being contagion vectors. While we have advanced procedures to protect our clients, recycling poses a unique challenge. At the same time, the need for computers is greater than ever. They’re in short supply even to buy, and with schools closed, families need these devices more than ever.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve chatted with our recycling partner as well as other computer repair places not just in Lawrence, but all over the world, and we’ve got a solution that we think will work.

We’re going to start accepting recycling from clients – with some caveats – for the immediate future.

Our New Recycling Policies:

Just Computers And Flat-Screen Monitors

(desktops and laptops)

In the past we could take all electronics, and that included old TV/CRT style monitors as well as printers. Connecting for Good charges a small fee for that, but right now, we need to keep their focus on getting computers in the hands of families so we are not taking tube monitors or other non-computer electronics. We can make recommendations when you contact us for recycling those other devices.

Even if it’s old, not-working, cracked, damaged, or whatever, we can take the flat screen computer monitor and the cords that go with them. Laptops are in very high demand right now because they have webcams that can be used for distance learning.

By Appointment Only at Our Office

Until the pandemic, we were happy to take recycling during onsite or office service calls. It’s part of the excellent service we provide our clients.

Upon evaluating the risks, we don’t want to take a device from a client’s home, put it in our car, and then go someplace else. Although the risk is small, we are working to eliminate as much risk as possible.

Therefore, you’re welcome to make an appointment to meet us at our office. Give us a call, and we’ll set it up. No charge of course

Wrapped and Kept Outside

When you decide to recycle your computer, laptop and monitor, please place each one in a trash bag outside for 3-5 days. A back porch is fine. Don’t leave it on the front porch because we don’t want things stolen. If you don’t have a front porch, a garage is the next best thing. If you’re in an apartment, that’s okay. This procedure is a precaution, not a requirement. We do need it put in a trash bag before your appointment.

Leave it Wrapped for Your Appointment

On arrival to your appointment, we’ll direct you to leave it on the sidewalk as we watch it. After you enter your vehicle, we’ll transfer it directly to our vehicle. To prevent cross-contamination, we’ll only accept one client for recycling a day, and it will be the last person we see to minimize the time in our vehicles. We’ll spray it with a sanitizing solution and wrap it again. While it should be sanitized anyways and the virus lives on plastic bags less than metal, we’re doing the extra step. Going the extra mile to keep our clients safe is part of everything we do!

Now’s the Time to Search the Basement and Garage

With so many people spending time at home, lots of people are doing spring cleaning. I know I have. Why not securely get rid of your computers and help a family in the area work and learn from home?

We’re here to help our community!

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: computer repair, connecting for good, kansas city, ks, lawrence, recycling

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New Place to Get iMacs and MacBooks Repaired

August 8, 2019 by doctordave

Recently Apple has authorized Best Buy nationwide to do warranty work for Apple computers.  Overall I think it is great to have more warranty options to do repairs, but as someone who does computer repair on Apple computers, I have some opinions about it!

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Apple Retail Stores Want You to Buy New Rather Than Fix

Apple has been accused more than once of pushing new purchases over repairs and our client stories are consistent.  The retail stores are a disaster lately and suffer from substantial turnover, even at the top.  You’ll rarely get the same person and get a consistent answer.  It takes days to get an appointment, and Apple employees are accidentally deleting customer data too often.

Sometimes at the store, you’ll get pushed to purchase a new product even if yours is less than a year old.  As soon as they introduce a new product, they’re pushing you away from the old one.

This upselling isn’t just an Apple thing, but tends to be everywhere inretail.  Places want to sell you stuff, that’s the definition of retail, right? Office Depot was caught using deceptive sales tactics to sell people things they don’t need.  They were fined $25 million for that violation.  Office Depot is a well-known brand, and they violated consumer trust by doing this.

They Can Outright Refuse to Help

Apple Geniuses are bound by Apple rules and will follow the “company line” regarding support.  On distressing example is someone who accidentally lost pictures from their iPhone.  Apple refused to help!  That’s wrong.  However, they’re Apple; they don’t have to earn your business. They’re more focused on selling rather than support.

They Don’t Know How You Use the Product

One unique quality of using a small, independent computer repair company is we’ll take the time to understand how you use the computer.  Individualized services yield individualized results.  Apple frankly gets repairs wrong sometimes.  Recently they replaced a customer’s MacBook Pro three times because they misdiagnosed a problem of a screensaver!   The replacement didn’t cost Apple anything since they make the computer.  The customer didn’t pay because it was under warranty, but what about his time and lost productivity?  As a small business owner, I understand downtime is money lost.  Retail employees don’t always think that way.

Pick Someone Focused on Service, Not Sales

We’re not out to sell you stuff, only to fix the stuff you have. If we tell you it is time to replace it rather than repairing it, we’re talking ourselves out of work.  Sure it’s a loss of a short-term profit, but we’re in this business for the long haul.  If it’s under warranty, we’re going to refer you to someplace like Best Buy since Apple will cover the repair.  If it’s out of warranty, we’re going to help you ourselves.

Small, Local, Independent Business

I’m a big believer in support of local business.  Larger retailers don’t have to earn your business, we do.  We live and work in your communities.  If you’re in Lawrence, obviously I hope you’d pick us for computer repair, but if not, please support a local business.  Thanks for all your support over the years and let us fix your Apple computers (as well as PCs)

Filed Under: Business, Commentary, Tips Tagged With: apple, computer repair, kansas city, ks, lawrence, mac, macbook, macbook pro

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Tax Free Weekend 2019 Discount

July 30, 2019 by doctordave

If you’re looking to buy a new computer this year, August 2nd, 2019 through August 4th, 2019 is the time to do it.   That’s the Missouri Tax-Free Weekend.  If you go to a retailer in Kansas City Missouri, you’ll be able to buy computers, computer software, and peripherals (things like hard drives, printers, and scanners) and the retailer won’t charge you sales tax.

Sales Tax HOliday

If you live in Missouri, you’re golden.  If you live in Kansas, the retailer won’t charge you, but it’s possible you’ll be required to pay at tax time.  That’s between you and your tax advisor!

Tax-free weekends help cut the sting of back-to-school, but anyone can take advantage of it, even if you’re a home user or a business owner.  And if you’re a client of ours, read on to see how we’re participating.

How to Take Advantage of Tax-Free Weekend 2019

The Apple retail store on the Plaza participates.  It gets hectic there, so you might go a few days before and pick out your Mac.  Typically they’ll process your transaction ahead of time and not charge.

Another great place to buy a computer on Missouri Tax-Free Weekend is Costco in Kansas City.  They have a great selection and offer automatic extended warranty and concierge services.

Generally, we don’t recommend big-box retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot, and Wal-Mart because they don’t always have stock of the right computer for you.  They’ll sell you what they have on the shelf rather than what you possibly need.  Places like Costco and the Apple retail store won’t do that.

Our Tax-Free Weekend Discount:  Two Hours of Service

It’s fun, so I figured we should join in!  If you’re getting a new computer, you probably need help setting it up.  This type of work is one of our specialties.  We can set up the new computer for your internet connection, set up printers, and most importantly transfer your stuff.  We’ll make sure your important pictures, documents, spreadsheets, financial stuff like Quicken and Quickbooks, and even your bookmarks, addresses, and email.  Setting up a new computer is fun!

For new or existing clients, we’re offering a special.  We’re offering two hours of on-site service tax-free.  For $200 you’ll get two hours of service and two on-site visits, tax-free.  Most new computer setups take an hour, so that price covers a setup along with your annual checkup a year later.

You don’t even have to use it this weekend either.  It’s a gift card that doesn’t expire for two years, so that’s got you covered at least for your annual checkup!  You can use it in 15-minute increments for our remote support, half-hour increments for office visits, or on-site visits.

Don’t worry; we’ll still remit the taxes to the state on your behalf.  It’s just a fun way of offering a little discount for back to school.

We’re only offering it that weekend via this link.  If you’d prefer not to give your credit card online, just send us an email to let us know you want to take advantage of the offer, and we’ll honor the discount!

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: computer repair, kansas city, ks, lawrence, sales, taxes

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Have You Set Up Facebook Trusted Contacts?

April 1, 2018 by doctordave

Trust

With all the hacks out there, including stolen passwords, getting locked out of Facebook is almost inevitable. Fortunately Facebook has a way to get back in through trusted contacts.

Some people think it’s needlessly complex, but this guide as well as this one are excellent walk-through.  Even if it isn’t 100% effective, every Facebook user should set it up.

To prevent getting locked out in the first place, always set up a unique password for Facebook. It’s hard to create and track all these passwords, that’s why we recommend password managers.  One password to track them all.  We also suggest setting up two-factor authentication.  That means if someone has your password, they can’t get into your account without your mobile phone.  Give us a call, send us a text, or drop us an email.  We can help you with all of that!

Photo by Lars Plougmann

Filed Under: Tips, Uncategorized Tagged With: computer repair, facebook, ks, lawrence, security

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Fast Internet A Legal Right?

March 11, 2018 by doctordave

This is for Everyone Mosaic by Sue Edkins Mostly Mosaics at East Sheen Library photo by Robert Smith

Gotta leave it to the UK.  They take the internet seriously over there.  Now they’re considering internet access a legal right for not just homes, but businesses as well.

They’re calling it the Universal Service Obligation.  The goal is by 2020 to give everyone a target speed of 10 Mbps.  The Verge explains the details, but it’s primarily about rural access.

We’re talking about this in the US, but no firm commitments have been made by the Federal Government.  That’s a shame!  Internet is critical for everything and we should do more to make is available to everyone.

Photo by dullhunk

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: computer repair, fast internet, ks, lawrence, Municipal Broadband

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Some ISPs Give you Mandatory Ads

March 4, 2018 by doctordave

Vintage Ad 426 Coming to a Phone Near You

When you go to some websites, you expect ads.  That’s what pays for the site.  Just like commercials on TV.  Some Internet Service Providers add their own ads to your browsing experience.

Comcast was caught doing this last year.  They were adding information to web pages you visited encouraging you to upgrade your cable modem. This hijacking was before the recent change by the FCC to repeal Net Neutrality.

Now it could be a completely acceptable and encouraged way of giving you web pages. That’s kind of how TV works now with cable.  Cable companies add their own commercials to shows — even though you’re paying them for service.  They get money both ways.

Photo by jbcurio

Filed Under: Business, Commentary Tagged With: ads, computer repair, ISPS, ks, lawrence

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Your iPhone Can Block Spam Text Messages

February 25, 2018 by doctordave

Spam text messages about debt consolidation

The only thing more annoying than junk phone calls is junk texts.  I don’t know why, but they seem like the biggest violation to me.

Fortunately, Apple heard our cries and introduced the ability to block spam messages on your phone.  The tricky part is you need to download a program to help you do it.

This link explains how to use a popular program called Hiya.  Hiya is the best out there, but isn’t the only one. This link explains some others you can use.  Considering most of these programs are free, you might as use something. Hiya already blocks spam phone calls

Privacy advocates will point out that some of these programs upload your contact list to know who is a spammer.  This fact doesn’t bother me because pretty much phone numbers are everywhere.  If I had a bunch of celebrity phone numbers in my iPhone, I might worry.   Paid versions of these programs protect the privacy of your callers a bit more.

Photo by Karen V Bryan

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: computer repair, iphone, ks, lawrence, SMS, spam, text

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Just Say No to KRACK

October 22, 2017 by doctordave

You’ve probably heard about this new wireless hack called KRACK.  Just what we need after all the frustrations with Equifax! Don’t panic, just be on alert.

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Our trusted friends at Malwarebytes did an excellent overview of the likely risks to the average users.  In a nutshell, when a wireless network asks for a password to connect, you assume it’s secure.  And when I mean secure, I mean virtually impenetrable.  Think deadlock along with a chain for good measure.  There’s no way someone’s going to get into your network without lots of work.

With KRACK, your wireless password is more like your standard door lock. Someone with a little skill and the right tools can open the door.

For a home user that means you need to be a little more on alert.  For someone to KRACK your wireless network, they’ll need to be within range.  The odds are you’d see someone in your driveway hacking into your network.  If you live in an apartment or otherwise close to others, they could try to hack in without your knowledge.  The odds of that happening are pretty darn low.  Brute force attacks have always been there.  Just like a door, given enough time, you’ll eventually get in.

Even if they get into your network, they’ll need to keep connected to see anything “juicy.”  Most stuff these days is encrypted along with having a password.  That’s like the safe in your house. The burglar can break into your home but then they need to break into the safe.  So much work!

Here’s what you need to do, which we suggest regardless of KRACK:

  • Keep your computer up to date with security patches.
  • Make sure your anti-virus is up to date and working.  We recommend Malwarebytes.
  • Use unique passwords everywhere.  Don’t reuse the same password on multiple sites.
  • Update your router with security updates and replace it when you can’t get updates.

The tricky part is when you’re in public. Even before KRACK, you needed to be careful.  Even if the password on the network is secure, you never know who is looking over your shoulder or recording you with their mobile phone.  When I’m at a coffee shop, I pretend that anything on my computer or mobile device is showing on every TV in the world.

These tips are what we advise all clients.  Call/Text/Email us or send us a message from the DoctorDave app if you have any questions or need help to protect your stuff.

Photo by Hivint

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: computer repair, computer security, ks, lawrence, malware, security, viruses wireless network

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