Showing posts with label online computer support. Show all posts
Showing posts with label online computer support. Show all posts

Monday, July 4, 2011

Onsite Vs. Online Computer Support- Which Is Better?

Many of our day to day activities are dependent on computers. Most people cannot afford to have a malfunctioning computer. And no matter what methods of prevention you do to stop your computer from malfunctioning, it cannot be avoided. When this happens, you have a few choices to either have it repaired through an online computer repair company, by manually hauling the computer into your nearest computer repair shop or having a computer repair technician visit your home.

If you are confused on which methods are better, it is always best to compare the benefits of each type of computer repair saving you money and time.

The most common way to fix a computer involves hauling your computer down to the nearest repair shop this method is the most time consuming and physical constraining. When a computer technician goes to your home or office, this is considered as onsite computer repair. This type of repair is usually best when the issue is a hardware problem since they can personally inspect the malfunctioning parts. The biggest disadvantage is that it is the most costly. The technician has to spend time driving to your home and in some case back to the repair shop and back again, most technicians are charged by the hour so this method would be the most expensive, onsite repairs may take longer for the repair as customers must wait until a technician is available to drive to your home and even longer if the repair requires the computer to be taken back to the office, then finally bring it back home provided that the technician has time to fix it right away or if there are no other customers waiting.

Another disadvantage of onsite computer repair is that you can never be sure if your computer is in the hands of an expert. This is perhaps one of the biggest advantages of an online computer support. Most online computer support companies are strict when it comes to hiring their technicians. To make sure that they provide the best service to their customers, they hire and train their technicians to become experts on Apple, Microsoft, Red Hat Certified, CCNA experts and more. So no matter what computer you have, whether it is a PC or MAC, customers can be sure to get the best service by knowledgeable experts in the computer field.

Online computer support is the most convenient type of computer repair as you don’t have to leave the comforts of your own home to have your computer fixed. Here, you don’t have to manually haul your computer to a computer shop. The computer repair technicians will help you fix your computer remotely or by telephone. Your computer can be fixed instantly even if it’s at out of office times since most of the online computer repairs companies are open 24/7. Depending on the severity of your computer, it can be fixed in a span of five minutes to just a couple of hours- no need to wait for days.

Online computer support technicians will fix your computer through remote support. So you can see what they are doing right before your very eyes. They can also explain the steps they are undergoing which is actually a great advantage for you. You not only get your computer fixed but you also get to learn how to fix it in the future. These technicians would also give you advice on how to prevent future issues.

The cost for online computer support is generally more affordable than having your computer serviced by onsite technicians. The next time you experience a computer issue, go for convenience, practicality and fast service. Get in touch with an online computer support right away and see the difference.

Aericle Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Onsite-vs--Online-Computer-Support--Which-is-Better-/2567136

Monday, June 6, 2011

Remote Computer Support - A New Standard of Computer Repair

In today's computing world, remote computer support is gaining popularity and undoubtedly, it is here to stay. It is now proven to be the new standard of computer repair for such systems as desktops, notebooks, servers, and connected devices.

The complexity and sophistication of today's technology have finally advanced the way computer service and support are delivered to end-users. Gone are the days whereby if your computer experienced technical issues, you would disconnect it and haul it over to a repair shop down the street where you would be promised to return for a pickup in about 48 to 72 hours, assuming no hardware replacement was needed. But today, that same computer issues can be resolved in about 1 to 3 hours or less via remote computer support accessible 24x7. You no longer need to haul your computer over to a repair shop, rather, computer repair comes to you. That's the "beauty" of today's technology that you and I are privileged to experience!

Remote Computer Support providers can help you troubleshoot and fix your computer problems such as software errors, blue screen of death, boot up errors, slow computers, slow internet connection, system crashes, outdated device drivers, low virtual memory notifications, virus-spyware issues, web browser related issues, browser hijacks, and much more. Also, they can assist with wireless network setup and support, pc tune-up, computer optimization, online data backup, e-mail setup and support, expert software install, virus-spyware removal, windows 7 upgrade advisement, Microsoft windows and office support.

How Remote Computer Support Works!
o You Call the support provider's service center via toll free number
o Your assigned support expert will Connect to your computer via secure internet access
o Your support expert will complete the Service and ensure that your computer is working well again

Read more: http://goo.gl/Zjskf

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Online Computer Support - A Must For Everyone

Generally, people call a computer technician to take care of any issues that arise during normal working with the PC. These might be slow processing, virus attack, hard disk crash, etc. There are also a multitude of hardware problems that not everyone can fully understand, and thus it is required for everyone to have professional help. However, calling a technician often leads to quite a few pain points.

The first issue that you might have with a technician is obviously whether he would always be available or not. This is particularly a major point of concern for people living in remote areas, or in case the problem is such that delay would only make it worse. Since there might be many more households that would require his services, there may be days when you would have to wait for hours and hours together to get him to first have a look at your problem.

The next problem which calls your attention is that your technician might not always be qualified to handle all kinds of problems. This basically means that technology is changing everyday, and your local technician might not be skilled or updated enough to handle all kinds of problems. This might also lead to him further complicating the problem!

The third point of concern could be the fact that he could charge you exorbitantly for services and hardware, marking his own commission in the latter. Since he is a single person with nobody to report to, he might as well charge according to his wish, and in case he knows that you don't have any other option, you are in for a treat!

This is why it is best to go for online computer support services. The professionals are well-trained, which makes them proficient enough to handle all kinds of requirements wart. handling computer-related issues. Further, since they are governed by a company, their charges are fixed, and much lower than independent technicians, thus negating the need for you to pay extra. Finally, since the company has many technicians on its payroll, you would never face a problem related to availability. So what are you waiting for? Go get your computer secure now, with online computer support.

Source: http://goo.gl/7bVbz

Monday, May 23, 2011

Keep Your PC Healthy With Online Computer Support

Computer is a basic requirement nowadays and to meet pace with the modern lifestyle, your computer must be equipped with all the latest advancements and technology.

Computers are borne with few problems occasionally and at those moments online computer support helps you and everybody look for resources providing computer technical support.

Multiple reasons are there due to which popularity of remote computer support model has been increasing rapidly. The prior supportive reason is its reasonable and much cheaper on-site tech support, which saves travel time and cost of fuel as for even minor issues you need to take your computer or laptop to the repair center.

Online support is available 24×7 and all through the year, just required to dial the number of the service provider. And to avail online PC support it is required to pay very small amount for enjoying state of the art diagnostic and troubleshoot service for hassle-free computing.

The support works efficiently for all issues either software or hardware. You require computer to carry normal tasks like browsing the internet, checking your email, using Microsoft office and similar tasks, you just need to ensure that your computer remains updated on the software front. Updating and installing relevant software on your computer will benefit you significantly.

The supports services ensure not only the protection of equipments but also create a back up for your data, and protect your network from cyber crimes such as hacking, e-mail bombing, unauthorized access and virus attacks.

Online computer support services are the most preferred alternative of millions of customers. They assist in fixing all the problems pertaining to your computer at the software end. The most attractive part is its availability which is throughout the day, 365 days an year at relatively cheaper payments.

Online services provide you with every kind of computer services like computer and laptop repair, PC maintenance, networking solutions, and several other IT enabled services. Online services are exclusively advantageous for small businesses which cannot afford to hire a full fledged IT department.

Online support resolves all types of PC problems including most critical problems too, which may be Operating System Support, Internet Setup Support, Virus Removal Support, PC Security Support, Software Support, Computer Optimization support, are just few from the list.

Online technicians resolve all the issues of the customer's PC at their level best and help to satisfy the customer's needs and enhance their goodwill too. Almost all online support providers hire best tech support technicians for the job.

Multiple online service providers are competing in the market with their outstanding services, but it is suggested to conduct some research before choosing any of them.

Online computer support is gaining its share of importance from the popularity by providing secure online remote tech support for our customers, so just sit back and relax as our technicians will solve just about any type of computer problem you may have.

Source: http://goo.gl/0dBuq

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Computer's for Dummies Author Releases Top Ten Tips to Extend Remote Computer Life

1) Clean out the case – Especially when you have pets, you may find lots of non-electronic things dwelling inside your PC’s console. Clean it out; all that fuzz and dust helps trap heat, especially when it clogs the PC’s fan and air vents. But do take care: unplug your PC before opening the case. Then use a vacuum or can of air to blast away years of crud.

2) Clean up the digital detritus – As with cleaning out the inside of the remote computer support case, you’ll want to clean up the digital leftovers on your remote computer’s hard drive. The Disk Cleanup tool that comes with Windows is ideal for this. For your own stuff, you should go through the things you’ve saved to disk and ensure that there aren’t things lurking there taking up space that you no longer need. If so, delete ‘em!

3) Add more memory –Your remote technical support Christmas when you add more memory to the system. Unless the PC is already packed with RAM, buy more. Heck, if it’s packed with RAM, remove it and add RAM to the maximum capacity. Your computer support will love it. You will love it.

4) Backup your files – As remote computers age, the hard drive goes. The hard drive is where you store all your stuff, and that stuff should be precious to you. To help keep that information around, run a backup program on a regular basis. That second, just-in-case copy, of your stuff will come in handy some day.

5) Add a second hard drive – The hard drive in your old PC will die someday. Before then, add a second hard drive. For example, you can add an external hard drive and use it for backup. Or add an internal hard drive and start saving your stuff there for the big, sad day when the original hard drive bites the digital dust.

6) Get a new mouse, keyboard, or both! – Like the hard drive, your PC’s keyboard and mouse are mechanical things. They will suffer from wear and tear someday. Before then, do yourself a favor and buy replacements. A new mouse can add some happy zip to your computing day. A new keyboard, well, you can see the key tops again.

7) Perform regular maintenance –The computer support does have the ability to fix many of its own problems, but you must be an active participant. Regularly run disk utilities on the drive: defragment the drive to help improve speed and performance. Run a disk- checking utility to ensure that information can reliably be accessed on the disk.

8) Upgrade the optical drive – Rather than live in the 20th Century with a plain CD-ROM drive, get yourself a DVD drive, or a recordable drive. Replacement optical drives are inexpensive and easy to install yourself. They also come with the software necessary to use the new drive, even if Windows lacks those features.

9) Upgrade the video adapter – Video technology has come a long way since you bought your PC. A new video adapter, packed with abundant video RAM and a high-speed graphics processor, can make your PC look brand new. Well, on the screen at least. (Do ensure that you get an adapter that can plug into your remote computer support.)

10) Buy a UPS – Your remote computer support relies on power to keep it going. With an Uninterruptable Power Supply, you can ensure that the power is not only always there, but conditioned as well. The UPS will help keep your computer's aging bones from breaking during a snap outage.

source: businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080708005246&newsLang=en

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Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Remote Computer, Computer Jobs Hit Record High

Monday, July 7, 2008

Firms Need More remote computer support Professionals to Log On

The world is full of youngish people who know everything there is to know about computers and the Internet, right?

Wrong.

In fact, industry sources say there are shortages worldwide of the people who know how to make that entire blinking, beeping cyber-universe go.

All those high-tech jobs that went to India, Pakistan and so on? They were mostly low-level support jobs, according to more than one professor of Computer Help and Support science.

Today, just about every company has a Web presence, said Kelly Lewis, president of the nonprofit Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania.

"There are not enough skilled people in the world to do this kind of work," Lewis said.

In the greater Harrisburg area, Lewis said, the industry is short 500 to 1,000 technology professionals, with companies raiding one another for techs and engineers.

"It's an international competition for talent, the scientists, technologists, engineers and project leaders," he said. "The demand will only get greater."

GeoDecisions Inc., a division of Gannett Fleming Inc. in East Pennsboro Twp., has had such a tough time finding qualified Web developers that the company helped Harrisburg University of Science and Technology create a curriculum to meet this specialized need, said Eric Darr, university provost.

GeoDecisions has hired three of the university's 20 graduates in the last two years. Five GeoDecisions employees teach at the school, Darr said.

Bob Scaer, president of GeoDecisions, said the motivation behind the company's commitment to the university is to add entry-level high-tech workers to the region. The company must still rely heavily on recruiters to scour the country and find workers who possess the advanced skills that GeoDecisions needs.

"We struggle to find these people," he said.

GeoDecisions isn't the only company that has come to Harrisburg University with a need for more talent, Darr said. Smart & Associates, a regional technology consulting firm, created two internships for Harrisburg University students just to support a contract Smart has to develop a Web portal for the state Department of Education.

Part of the looming problem in the networking field is that many of its earlier experts are retiring.

"The real challenge in the midstate is that 30 percent of the work force right now at all the Department of Defense facilities in our area is eligible for retirement," Lewis said.

Employers are desperate for workers in the networking field, said Kenneth Yarnall, a professor of math and remote computer support science at Lebanon Valley College. Reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that there will be tremendous growth in the next decade for jobs in the computer support science and math industry.

Despite the need, the number of students majoring in computer science has not kept pace.

David Hutchens, chairman of Millersville University's introduced new computer support automation utility software for science department, said enrollments have dropped in the past seven years, leveling off in the past two to three.

"We have half as many incoming students as we had in 2001," he said.

At Shippensburg, Carol Wellington, chairwoman of the computer science department, said it's a national trend that fewer students are enrolling in computer science programs.

At Lebanon Valley College, Michael Fry, a math professor who also teaches computer support science courses, believes the decline in students has stabilized.

"There is more demand for our students than there are students," he said.

But why the ups and downs?

"I think there is a misconception in the general population that there are no jobs to be had in computer science because they're all being shipped overseas," said Lewis.

"That's not true. There are more people working in the field than in 2001, and the job market seems very strong," he said.

Some companies, like California-based Cisco Systems, have created partnerships with government and non-government organizations, schools and industry designed to teach students how to build and maintain computer networks.

Cisco's Networking Academy is now in its 11th year, said Gene Longo, who manages the program. Pennsylvania was one of the first states where the Cisco program caught on, and Carlisle was one of the first districts to adopt it, Longo said.

The 90 or so academies in schools across Pennsylvania have put 11,000 students through the Cisco program, including Jon Strine, 24, systems engineer at The Patriot-News. Strine went through four semesters of the academy at Carlisle High School, graduating in 2000.

"For me, it was the first entry into data networking at a deeper level," he said. "I fell in love with data networking. It opened up a lot of doors."

Abner Vargas, 22, came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic when he was 11. He just graduated from Harrisburg University and has gone to work for Highmark, for whom he interned while he was working toward his computer science certification.

"I am working on Highmark's legacy modernization program, which means basically that I am helping to modernize their system, and automating some of the processes," Vargas said.

He said there is clearly a shortage of people trained in the computer sciences and technology.

"We have some contractors from other countries working here now, because there aren't enough trained people over here to do everything they need done," he said.

He added that bringing engineers and other technical people from overseas to work is expensive, time-consuming and requires whole forests of paper work.

"They would much rather have people from here. But there has been a real shortage in the past few years," Vargas said.

According to figures provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, a software engineer in the commonwealth can earn between $55,000 and $96,000 annually.

A computer support specialist can make between $28,000 and $48,000, and a network administrator from $41,000 to $78,000.

The industry has been working for some time to boost interest in students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses network professionals need. But Hutchens said there is no easy answer as to how to get that done.

Hutchens said incoming students could use a better math background in high school. He said his department even visits middle schools to spur interest among students. At the college, he tells students there are jobs everywhere.

At Shippensburg, Wellington said, there are usually 25 to 50 graduating with a degree in computer science.

"Everyone who graduated who wanted a job had a job," she said, with many in the midstate. "Students need to know computer science is fun."

Source : redorbit.com/news/science/1435567/firms_need_more_web_professionals_to_log_on/

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Keep in touch with online computer support

When you're out of the office, 01 Communique's I'm InTouch 6.1 lets you access your computer from afar. With I'm InTouch 6.1 installed on a Windows XP or Vista host computer, you can access that host computer from any remote Windows computer support on the internet via a web browser.

Now you can take control of the host's desktop, view its attached webcams, access its files and print them to your local printer. There's an option to access the host in Stealth Mode, which is handy when you want to check up on people. One impressive feature is the ability to access the Outlook inbox on the host via a webmail-style interface, which is more responsive than using the full remote desktop.

You would be better off setting up webmail access to your email on the server, but I'm InTouch could be useful if your email provider doesn't provide remote access to your inbox.

New features in version 6.1 include audio support and multi-monitor configurations, letting you view all of the host's displays even if your remote computer support services has only one monitor. When you take control of a host you can choose to view its desktop or a Windows Explorer-like view of the hard drive's contents. When you're viewing the desktop, a small drop-down menu lets you access features such as file transfers and switching to full-screen mode. I'm InTouch is also designed with hand-held devices in mind and is optimised for Pocket PC and Blackberry devices. A

long with remote access, it offers basic collaboration features such as chat and a whiteboard. Up to 10 remote users can access the same host simultaneously, which means you could use it for training sessions and online meetings - although if this is your primary requirement you might be better served by dedicated offerings from the likes of Citrix Online or Cisco's WebEx. One of I'm InTouch's drawbacks is that it is very Windows-centric. Not only are hosts restricted to running XP or Vista, but 01 Communique only supports remote users running Windows using ActiveX or Java via Internet Explorer or Firefox.

We managed to access files on our Windows XP machine from Safari and Firefox on our Leopard MacBook, and Safari on our iPhone but we couldn't view the host's desktop. I'm InTouch does the job but its biggest problem is that competitors such as LogMeIn and Citrix Online's GoToMyPC are more user friendly, more flexible and offer remote connections from more platforms. For example, unlike LogMeIn and GoToMyPC, I'm InTouch's web interface doesn't show you a list of all your host computers and their status (we're told I'm InTouch Premium will offer this, available in June). Nor does I'm InTouch's web interface make it easy to add new host computers.

Source : http://www.theage.com.au/news/upgrade/keep-in-touch/2008/05/27/1211653953797.html

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

How to get online computer support

Steve Duncan, East Carolina University director of military programs, was honored May 3 with the General William E. DePuy Award, presented by the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

The award is considered the most prestigious honor given by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the parent organization of the Army ROTC program, and has been presented only to two other individuals.

The award recognizes an individual who has provided significant support to the local or national Army ROTC program.

Brig. Gen. Arnold N. Gordon-Bray, the deputy commanding general of Cadet Command, officiated at a ceremony that honored this year's graduates of both the Army and the Air Force ROTC programs at ECU. Also present at the event was Col. William T. Wiseman, the commander of the Fourth ROTC Brigade.

Gordon-Bray praised Duncan for his continuing efforts on behalf of the ROTC program at ECU. He noted that Duncan's previous service as the deputy commander of the U.S. Army Training Support Center and in other key governmental assignments also had significantly contributed to the success of the Army.

While a civilian employee of the federal government, Duncan earned the Superior Service Award, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service – the highest award presented to civilian employees of the Army's Remote technical support program recognized ECU's online master's of science program in Computer support Science and Technology Systems was named a "best buy" from an organization that evaluates online degree programs.

GetEducated.com, which serves as a clearinghouse to showcase and evaluate accredited online degrees, employs college experts to review each online program. In 2007, ECU's online MBA and education degrees ranked one and three, respectively.

ECU's master's program in computer support science ranked seventh out of 68 programs nationwide. Housed in the College of Technology and Computer Science, the program offers four master's of science degrees: computer science; computer networking management; data communications technology; and information security.

Program seeks to help veterans

A program to assist mental health professionals working with returning war veterans will be offered May 29-30.

The May 29 session will focus on mental health of service members returning from active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will be held at 5:45-9 p.m. at the Edwin W. Monroe Eastern AHEC Conference Center, 2000 Venture Tower Drive, Greenville. The program is aimed at primary care physicians, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

The May 30 workshop will help mental health professionals apply clinical skills to their work with these veterans and their families.It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Pitt County Agricultural Center, 403 Government Circle, Greenville.

Speakers for these events include Dr. Harold Kudler, mental health coordinator for Veterans Affairs medical centers in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia; Dr. Vince Arnold, retired Navy and director of the Deployment Health Center at Camp Lejeune; Dr. Kristy Straits-Troster, clinical psychologist with Veterans Affairs.

The events are sponsored by the Eastern Area Health Education Center, the Southeast Area Health Education Center, the N.C. Citizen Soldier Support Program, the Veterans Administration and others.

For more information, call (910)-792-5560, Ext. 100 or visit http://eahec.ecu.edu/calendar/mental.cfm?category=mental_health.

Engineering grads donate

ECU's first graduating class of 22 engineers donated $1,500 to ECU's Engineering Foundation. The announcement was made at the College of Technology and Computer Science Recognition Ceremony on May 10.

"This generous and forward-thinking gift is the start of alumni involvement in the engineering program," said Paul Kauffmann, chairman of the engineering department. "Our first graduates have demonstrated their commitment to enhancing engineering access by this donation which will focus on scholarships and financial support for future students."

Business sets scholarship mark

The College of Business recognized 96 undergraduate and graduate students with scholarships at an awards banquet on April 29.

The scholarships totaled $120,000 for the 2008-09 academic year – almost doubling last year's sum of $65,000.

"These scholarships reflect the generosity of our alumni, faculty, and friends – they have shared their success so that others can succeed," said Frederick Niswander, dean of the College of Business,

Trujillo named chair of OT

Leonard G. Trujillo has been named chairman of the Department of Occupational Therapy in the College of Allied Health Sciences.

Trujillo, who holds a doctoral degree, has been an occupational therapist for 30 years with the majority of his clinical experience in the U.S. Air Force. He was the only USAF officer to have held the position of program director for the Tri Service OT Assistant Program at the Army's Academy of Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Prior to joining ECU, he was an associate professor and associate dean at the School of Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman's University in Dallas.

source : http://www.reflector.com/local/content/news/stories/2008/05/19/ecunotes.html

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Monday, May 12, 2008

New Computer Support Automation Utility

Menlo Park, CA May 2, 2008 -- Digital Support Technology, Inc. (, a pioneer in automated computer support over the Internet, announced the release of PC Fixer, a proprietary computer support automation utility today.

With an innovative Reverse Search Engine and a comprehensive knowledgebase of support procedures, Digital Support Technology has the ambition to empower individual computer user to diagnose and fix problems on a computer. By downloading and installing PC Fixer, a computer user connects the computer to the Reverse Search Engine, which not only detects problems on the computer but also explains the problems to the computer user. After going through details of the computer problems, the computer user may decide which problems to be fixed by PC Fixer. At present, Digital Support Technology fixes the majority of computer problems and solution for free and charges a nominal fee for some specific fixes.

Since the beta release of the automation utility, thousands of computer users have tried the simple, secure, fast and easy-to-use tool and provided enthusiastic feedback. One user of the tool acclaims, "Great job in fixing my problem. I only wish I had discovered your service sooner, I could have saved myself a lot of time and frustration. Kudos to you!"

Although the online computer support landscape is already crowded with established players like Geek Squad and Firedogs, and new comers like iYogi and Support.com, Digital Support Technology intends to differentiate itself as the most innovative and the most cost-effective online technical solution provider for millions of computer users. In addition, the company commits itself to protecting privacy and security of computer users and builds its software on the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

source :prweb.com/releases/2008/05/prweb908264.htm

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Monday, April 21, 2008

How green is your computer?

Last week, we talked about using the Internet as a tool to make your life more eco-friendly (if you missed that column, it's online at statesman.com/lifeguide). But what about the power all that computer use takes up? According to PC maker Lenovo, the average American is on the Internet about 33 hours per week. And even when we're not online, we often leave our computers on — burning up more power.

With Earth Day coming up on Tuesday, here are ideas for cutting that power total.

Buying electronics

Get a list of energy-efficient computers at energystar.gov. "Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping the consumer save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices," says Peter Mann, CEO of Austin-based Alen Corp., which makes Energy Star-rated indoor air-quality products.

The book "MySpace/Our Planet," from the popular social networking site, also suggests looking for the EPEAT certification (epeat.net), which evaluates computers based on both how they run and how they were manufactured.

The Consumer Electronics Association's Web site mygreenelectronics.org features an energy calculator for home electronics products and a database of energy-efficient products.

Saving power

In a survey commissioned by Austin-based tech support service site support.com, more than half of computer users almost never turn their computers off or turn them off only when they go to bed. A video on the company's Web site talks about "greening" your PC and the free power-management consultation Support.com offers.

Set your computer to go into sleep mode if you'll be away more than 10 minutes, says Gillan Taddune, the chief environmental officer at Austin-based BeGreen (begreennow.com), the carbon offset arm of Green Mountain Energy. Turning your monitor off or putting it in sleep mode can save you about $50 a year, according to "MySpace/Our Planet."

Also, don't forget about the energy-saving settings on your computer, according to Lenovo or do you know how much greener is your PC ? If not call the technicians from the company like iyogi, microsoft, norton etc they will guide you. Through the end of April, you can get a free consultation on your computer's power settings at www.norton.com/gogreen or by calling (877) 788-4877.

Put appliances or printers in hibernate mode, Taddune says, or just turn them off when you're not using them. To make this more convenient, try to concentrate your printer use in the same time frame.

Smart charging

Unplug chargers when they're not in use, says Taddune. Even if the device is fully charged or turned off, the charger is still drawing energy. The same is true of your computer and other office appliances. Taddune says roughly 12 million tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere from unnecessary electricity use.

Or, Taddune says, plug devices into a power strip so that you can turn them all off by switching the power strip off. Belkin (belkin.com/conserve) makes a surge protector that keeps power flowing to a couple of outlets, for things like a DVR that need to stay on. Green tips site idealbite.com recommends Smart Strip power strips, which turn themselves off.

The Dallas store Current Energy (store.currentenergy.com) sells solar chargers such as the Solio, which powers devices such as MP3 players, cell phones and PDAs. The Solio is a favorite of the bloggers at Ideal Bite. They use it for charging devices during plane flights. Last week, we talked about using the Internet as a tool to make your life more eco-friendly (if you missed that column, it's online at statesman.com/lifeguide). But what about the power all that computer use takes up? According to PC maker Lenovo, the average American is on the Internet about 33 hours per week. And even when we're not online, we often leave our computers on — burning up more power.

With Earth Day coming up on Tuesday, here are ideas for cutting that power total.

Buying electronics

Get a list of energy-efficient computers at energystar.gov. "Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping the consumer save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices," says Peter Mann, CEO of Austin-based Alen Corp., which makes Energy Star-rated indoor air-quality products.

The book "MySpace/Our Planet," from the popular social networking site, also suggests looking for the EPEAT certification (epeat.net), which evaluates computers based on both how they run and how they were manufactured.

The Consumer Electronics Association's Web site mygreenelectronics.org features an energy calculator for home electronics products and a database of energy-efficient products.

Saving power

In a survey commissioned by Austin-based computer support service site support.com, more than half of computer users almost never turn their computers off or turn them off only when they go to bed. A video on the company's Web site talks about "greening" your PC and the free power-management consultation Support.com offers.

Set your computer to go into sleep mode if you'll be away more than 10 minutes, says Gillan Taddune, the chief environmental officer at Austin-based BeGreen (begreennow.com), the carbon offset arm of Green Mountain Energy. Turning your monitor off or putting it in sleep mode can save you about $50 a year, according to "MySpace/Our Planet."

Also, don't forget about the energy-saving settings on your computer, according to Lenovo. Through the end of April, you can get a free consultation on your computer's power settings at www.norton.com/gogreen or by calling (877) 788-4877.

Put appliances or printers in hibernate mode, Taddune says, or just turn them off when you're not using them. To make this more convenient, try to concentrate your printer use in the same time frame.

Smart charging

Unplug chargers when they're not in use, says Taddune. Even if the device is fully charged or turned off, the charger is still drawing energy. The same is true of your computer and other office appliances. Taddune says roughly 12 million tons of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere from unnecessary electricity use.

Or, Taddune says, plug devices into a power strip so that you can turn them all off by switching the power strip off. Belkin (belkin.com/conserve) makes a surge protector that keeps power flowing to a couple of outlets, for things like a DVR that need to stay on. Green tips site idealbite.com recommends Smart Strip power strips, which turn themselves off.

The Dallas store Current Energy (store.currentenergy.com) sells solar chargers such as the Solio, which powers devices such as MP3 players, cell phones and PDAs. The Solio is a favorite of the bloggers at Ideal Bite. They use it for charging devices during plane flights.

Support: statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/other/04/20/0420guide.html

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