Archive for February, 2009
Yesterday, I spent a few hours relaxing after a long day of computer repairs and network setups by watching the recently-released Get Smart movie. After all, nothing makes for a geek-evening like Steve Carell in a spy comedy. As the movie started, I did ask myself: “Why didn’t I see this in the movie theater when it first came out?”
That’s when I thought back to the last time I went to the movie theater: The release of the latest Batman installment, The Dark Knight. Sure, the movie was great, but I still remember that sent to my wallet when I saw the $10 price for tickets. After getting a medium soda, popcorn and a box of candy from the concession stand, I started to consider the possibility that I may need to start taking out short-term loans before coming back.
Doing some quick calculations in the back of my mind, I could easily see the claims from my friends about how a night out at the movies could easily cost a family of 4 nearly $75, and that’s not including the cost of industrial strength solvent you always end up needing to remove your shoes from the theater floor at the end of the movie.
Meanwhile, back in the present, I considered how much it was costing me for an evening with Agent 86, Maxwell Smart. I had spent a little over $1000 on my plasma HDTV and a little under $500 for my home theater sound system. With a Playstation 3 doing double-duty as both game system and Blu-ray HD movie player, my personal collection of audio and video toys cost around $2000.
The astounding thing is that you can get satisfactory results for far less than that. Many of my friends are quite happy with their $600 HDTVs and $300 sound systems. Suddenly, that $75 spent for that night out in a crowded theater, where you can’t pause the movie for a restroom break, let alone rewind to watch the good bits one more time, starts to bring into very clear focus why the movie theaters are worried about home theater technology.
Another advantage to a home theater setup is the simple fact that you can control how you consume content. Movies come and go at the local cinema, but you have an entire catalog of movies and television shows to watch at home. With those choices come more options in how much you want to pay for that content, now that you have the option of buying, renting or even streaming a movie or television show. The decision to rent, buy or stream often will depend on how often you might want to view a title.
If, for example, you’re going to re-watch that first season of Lost multiple, multiple, MULTIPLE times, you’re probably better off buying a copy on DVD (or maybe 2 copies, in case you wear the discs out). On the other hand, if you’re only looking to catch up on that episode of “The Office” you missed two weeks ago, you might consider watching a streaming version on Hulu.com. Or you may look into buying an individual episode of House on iTunes so that you can not only watch it on your Apple TV, but carry it with you on your iPod for viewing on the subway.
With the continuing march of home theater technology, the options available to you on when, where and even how you want to watch your movies has exploded over the last decade.
Personally, I’m just glad that Agent 3012 (that’s me) can watch Agent 86 (that’s Get Smart’s Maxwell Smart) on my own terms.
April 15th is rapidly coming! No, I’m not talking about the anniversary of the Titanic sinking—I’m talking about the yearly deadline to hand over our tax documents to Uncle Sam. So, without further ado, here are a few online filing tools.
Before you begin your online tax research, there are a few things that I would like to stress. First, please make sure your computer’s operating system has all the latest updates. Also, make sure you have antivirus and antispyware programs installed, they are updated and that you have recently scanned your system with them to make sure it’s clean. We don’t want anyone spying on your personal finance programs. Should your system be infected, back up your finances and take care of the infection before continuing.
It’s always helpful to have some context around why we pay taxes and all the rules for filing. The Internal Revenue Service’s Web site (http://www.irs.gov/) has some great information to get you started. There’s a slew of information regarding your taxes, tax codes and (my personal favorite) a FAQ. Here are a few of the other things you’ll find on the IRS site:
If Internet-based tools are not for you or you have a slightly more complicated tax structure to report, don’t fret. For a fee you can purchase software like H&R’s “TaxCut” or Intuit’s “Turbo Tax.” I have actually used both in the past and found them very intuitive. Actually, many customers tell me they use either program too. There are different versions of the software available depending on your needs, so make sure to research the product carefully so you purchase the correct version for you.
Still scratching your head? Head to http://www.yellowpages.com and type in “tax” along with your city to find a tax professional near you to help you with your filing.
My last suggestion is to plan ahead for next year. If you have complicated finances or a small business, I would recommend tracking your expenses with an accounting program. Two popular programs are “Quickbooks,” by Intuit (who also makes Turbo Tax) (business) and Quicken (personal). Peachtree Accounting also makes a nice product for you accounting gurus.
When you use accounting software, it is much easier to visualize your cash flow. In addition, most of these programs interface with common tax-filing software, tax-forms and some versions can even be used for limited filing within themselves. I’ve also found that some accountants that you may hire use these types of programs… so if you already have all your data prepared, that’s less time on the clock for the accountant and less charges to your wallet!
I hope this information helps you navigate the Sea of Tax a little easier this year. I know in the past I have used these resources and found a few dollars owed to me. I hope you wind up being as lucky as me.
Disclaimer: All information, form references and Web site links are accurate at the time of posting this blog, but may be subject to change. Nothing substitutes for a trained an licensed tax accountant looking over your return for errors. Geek Squad, Best Buy and its employees are not liable should you use one of the aforementioned tools and find yourself facing an audit or penalty fees.
Have you ever had the sudden urge to do something you were specifically told not to do? Well, this exact scenario played out thru the web via Twitter’s weblog service last week. Here’s what Biz Stone, one of the co-founders of Twitter, said about it on the official Twitter blog.
Apparently a string of malicious code infiltrated Twitter’s servers, causing many users to unknowingly post a hyperlink stating “Don’t Click Here.” Once clicked, the clicker gets their own Twitter account hacked and the shenanigans continues to spread to other fellow tweeters. Fortunately, the code was only an annoyance and didn’t inflict any damage to user’s machines or accounts. Twitter responded quickly by putting an end to the malicious code by patching it up.
Although the problem was stopped, tweeters shouldn’t let their guard down. Sure it seemed like a harmless online prank, but it shows how even popular sites like Twitter can be compromised. Rest assured, as Twitter’s popularity continues to grow, so will the attempts at exploiting the service. Here are three simple tips we’ve prepared to help ensure your tweets remain problem free:
If you feel you’ve already been compromised or if you’re in search of more tips, feel free to contact any of your local Geek Squad Agents through GeekSquad.com, call 1-800-GeekSquad or stop by your nearest precinct inside your local Best Buy.
Caregivers fill out an exhaustive series of questions to give users an understanding of their background, skill sets, and personality style. Sittercity uses a four-step screening process (online feedback, reference checks, video interviews, and background checks) to help users search for a reliable caregiver. In addition, they’ve got SpeedSitting events, where (just like speed dating) parents sit at a long table across from sitters and interview each other for 5 minutes before moving down to the next potential sitter.
Care.com provides most of the same elements as sittercity.com (matching by zip code), with the addition of Special Needs care givers, and the ability to search for a caregiver by age, gender, language, hourly rate, and more. It uses Google Maps to plot out available caregivers in a map of your area, making it even easier to find a caregiver near you.
Full subscriptions for sittercity.com are as low as $7.99 a month for an annual subscription. Care.com goes for $10 a month annually. Both are free to try, so next time you and your significant other want to get out of the house and on the town, consider using the Internet to help you find that perfect (caregiver) match.
Online matchmaking is big business. With Match.com, eHarmony, and other sites out there vying for the chance to enhance your love life (or lack thereof), it’s become a little easier to find your dream gal or guy. But should online matchmaking be limited to finding your “happily ever after?” Can’t it be used for more pedestrian needs, like finding a good babysitter, dog walker, or house sitter?
Welcome to the latest in internet advancement. Geek Squad Agents know that all roads lead to the Internet, and all ideas eventually find a way of popping up there — including finding caregivers. Enter caregiver matching sites, like www.sittercity.com and www.care.com.
Founded in Boston in 2001, Sittercity.com has grown to over half a million users around the United States, all thanks to a simple principle: giving people a safe method of finding caregivers. The site is free for caregivers to sign up for, and allows users to search by zip code for babysitters, pet sitters, dog walkers, elderly care, house sitters, and tutors of all types.
Caregivers fill out an exhaustive series of questions to give users an understanding of their background, skill sets, and personality style. Sittercity uses a four-step screening process (online feedback, reference checks, video interviews, and background checks) to help users search for a reliable caregiver. In addition, they’ve got SpeedSitting events, where (just like speed dating) parents sit at a long table across from sitters and interview each other for 5 minutes before moving down to the next potential sitter.
Care.com provides most of the same elements as sittercity.com (matching by zip code), with the addition of Special Needs care givers, and the ability to search for a caregiver by age, gender, language, hourly rate, and more. It uses Google Maps to plot out available caregivers in a map of your area, making it even easier to find a caregiver near you.
Full subscriptions for sittercity.com are as low as $7.99 a month for an annual subscription. Care.com goes for $10 a month annually. Both are free to try, so next time you and your significant other want to get out of the house and on the town, consider using the Internet to help you find that perfect (caregiver) match.
I attended a blogger conference earlier this month called Blissdom in Nashville, TN. Throughout the weekend, 250 bloggers networked, shared and learned ways to build their blogs and businesses. As Blissdom’s official tech support, three fellow Geek Squad Agents and I helped the attendees solve their tech problems. We even learned a thing or two in the process.
One of the major topics discussed was how to get your blog started. If you’re interested in starting or improving your blog, check out http://www.bloggingbasics101.com/. The site contains basic tips and tricks including this must-read if you’re new to the blogsphere.
Since the first Presidential election in 1789, we’ve seen 220 years of progress in how our appointed leaders talk to us. Our nation’s highest office has seen the advent of radio, television and the World Wide Web. In honor of President’s Day, we’ve put together a timeline of our favorite communication milestones, and the Presidents who’ve ushered them in. What communication milestones would you salute?
A few months back, we posted a Two Minute Miracle on disposing of your old tec. Since we shot this video, we’ve rolled out a recycling program to help you get rid of your old PCs and other gear, and we’ve had a lot of questions about how to safely destroy data on the hard drive. We know the stuff on your hard drive is much more than “data.” It could be your tax records, or your 8,900 music tunes, or precious pictures of Jimmy’s first steps. So here we show you how to protect your information by removing and destroying your hard drive before recycling your machine.
For more information on recycling any of your electronics, check out www.bestbuy.com/recycling .
I am asked a lot, “How on Earth do you guys keep up with all this technology? I mean, really, it changes so quickly!” Well, contrary to popular belief it is not possible for us Geek Squad Agents to ‘jack in’ like in the Matrix movies. By the way, I’ll be the first to try out that technology should it become available!
It’s simple: Geek Squad Agents tend to share a strong passion in technology inside AND outside work. Sure we have hobbies that have nothing to do with technology, but most of us spend at least a few hours a day researching the latest-and-greatest on our own time.
Let me take you on a short trip through a typical day for me. Hopefully it shines some light on what the “average” day of a Geek Squad Computing Agent looks like.
<6:45AM> Alarm clock awakes me from my dreams of robotic sheep.
<7:15AM> Post-shower snack time. I actually do not eat a full blown breakfast. During post-shower snack time, it is time to check the Geek Squad email for any bulletins that may have come in overnight from other Agents. Any big tech news is usually wrapped up in a mass email to all Agents so we are aware of the situation. After my download, I check my schedule for the day.
<7:30AM> Head online to Geek Squad’s “Agent Forums” to check out company news, see if there have been any big bug-reports or virus-reports and just check out what thousands of other Agents are chatting about.
<8:00 AM> On the road! Today I left a little early because the traffic report indicated back-up. The British sounding lady-of-the-GPS actually told me about traffic backup on I-84 CT today. My first mission: the eradication of a virus infection. The way the client described it, I’m thinking they have a fakealert virus on their computer. This is one of the latest infections I have been seeing. On the drive to the customer’s place, I am going through the removal processes, questions I need to ask and advice to give. This helps make sure the appointment goes as smoothly as possible.
<8:30 AM>Ah HA! I was correct. We have a case of fakealert! It’s trying to trick Samantha (name’s been changed to protect our customer’s true identity) into buying useless software and provide her personal information. Using our super-secret uber-virus-removing tools, I declare war on the virus. I have run across this infection before and I know where to look for it and how to remove it. In the course of battle I found a bunch of other spyware polluting her system.
Samantha and I chat about her web surfing behavior, program downloads and other related matters that help me sharpen up for future removal. For instance, if I run across several people who have reported this issue started after downloading the ‘xyz free music program,’ I will research this further on the Internet and see if other people have reported this problem. It may even warrant reporting on our Agent Forums for other Agents to share in the knowledge.
<10:30 AM> On the road again for a short trip to the next appointment of the day.
<10:45 AM> Time to set up some wireless Internet! Did you know that if your wireless is not encrypted properly, any person within range can do whatever they want on your Internet connection, even if it is illegal?
<Noonish> Insert food here. Catch up with some other peeps and use my phone to see what CNN and MSNBC are reporting on.
< The afternoon> Rinse, lather and repeat the above appointments two more times to the end of my day. Though I have helped Jennifer, Tom, Mindy and Linus (names of course changed) be the tech saviors to their respective families, my technology learning isn’t complete.
<5:07 PM> Traffic.
<5:32 PM> Still traffic.
<5:47 PM> Shut off Victoria (the name I have given to my English GPS lady, because I am tired of her sharing the dismal traffic situation).
<6:00 PM> Home. Each day I have a list of Web sites I peruse, looking for the latest news regarding Internet security, technology upgrades and other computer related stuff. Of course I also need to keep up on the latest news of two big gaming releases: Starcraft II and Diablo III! Actually most agents follow a similar routine with a list of bookmarks or RSS feeds on their news reader that deliver the latest news right to a homepage. Sound fun? Check out Google Reader or the RSS pane for iGoogle.
The end of the day is full of the obligatory surfing of social engineering Web sites, instant messaging and sharing email with colleagues, friends, and colleague’s that are friends. The computer really has become a central information and communication hub I use to the fullest. There is a constant stream of tech news coming in and out, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
<Time, confidential> I must now take a leave from you, my batteries need to be recharged so I can plug back into the Internet tomorrow morning. Goodnight.
In early 2008, I purchased a Nintendo Wii. After experiencing the Wii at a competition in a Jackson, MI Best Buy, I was hooked. It was my duty to take on the public in Wii Sports, giving those who were up to the challenge a chance to win Best Buy swag and other prizes. A video game that is fun and interactive – wow.
I connected my new Wii to my HDTV and surround sound system and was pretty impressed with the video and audio quality (considering the Wii is not an HD game console like the PS3 or Xbox360). Not only was I impressed with the picture/sound quality, but was excited that my wife (who is definitely NOT a gamer) took interest in playing Wii Sports (which comes with the system) with me. She is quite the pro in bowling by the way.
From the basic games, we expanded to some interactive games like Mario Party 8 and the Agatha Christie series of mystery games. My wife is quite the mystery-lover (she watches countless hours of mystery shows and reads any who-done-it book she can get her hands on), so it was great to see a console truly tailoring games to a broader audience.
We have entertained company with the Wii. From friends our age, to our parents and grandparents, the Wii seems to draw everyone in. It is a modern version of a board game (think of how many hours you have played Monopoly or Scrabble with the family), that helps pull family and friends together. The bottom line, the Wii is a great system to entertain all age groups and is simple to use.
Alright, I confess, there are some things a Wii can’t do. My XBOX 360 has taken my gaming and entertainment to a whole new level. I picked up an XBOX 360 a few months after getting a Wii so I could game socially on the information superhighway. Many friends and colleagues play games via XBOX Live and I felt it was my time to join the online fun. Little did I know what I was getting in to!
The XBOX 360 is as much an entertainment hub as it is a gaming console. Yes, you can play games, but you can also stream movies and music from your PC, and watch Netflix movies (with the appropriate Netflix account) instantly. This system truly integrates all possible angles of entertainment into one small package.
The XBOX 360 presents games in stunning High Definition and Dolby Digital Surround Sound, for the ultimate realistic gaming experience. The game designs tend to be more virtual reality than the simplistic games for the Wii. The XBOX 360 has taken over my gaming life – I play with friends and people from work almost nightly. From racing games, to simulators, to tactical shooter games, I could spend hours…no, days…on this system. (that is, if my wife would let me).
The 360 has some great family features too. You can download family-oriented games from the XBOX Live Marketplace and the parental controls are outstanding (if you need help, check out our
Geek Squad service.) Overall, the 360 is definitely built more for the serious game enthusiast than it is for the casual video gamer.
All in all, both systems have pros and cons, and both can be very entertaining. But you have to weigh your options. The XBOX 360 tends to be a little more expensive then it’s cousin the Wii, but it all depends on the experience you are looking for. And if you can’t decide, you can always purchase numerous systems like me!
Like millions of other Americans who have braved the extreme winter weather so far this season, I have come to appreciate doing a bit of preparation before heading out to brave the elements in my Geekmobile. A collapsible snow shovel, de-icer, scraper and portable battery charger fill my backseat, all so I can see the look of amazement on a client’s face when I make it to their appointment to fix their unruly technology.
Of course, there’s some winter preparation you can do on your own to protect your technology from winter’s adverse effects. One of the biggest issues I see on the road involves brief power outages as wind and snow hit power lines. If you have ever encountered this when the weather is bad, consider purchasing an
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS, sometimes called a battery back-up) to protect your computer and home theater devices.
The winds may also affect your Internet broadband speeds. If your Internet service seems slower than normal, first try running a Broadband Speed Test to confirm. Then use that information to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
And probably the easiest tip: keep your portable electronics out of the elements and in a room temperature environment as much as possible. Don’t leave your iPod or laptop in your cold car overnight. And when you do go out in the cold with your electronics, make sure you keep them safe and dry. If you do happen to drop your cell phone in the snow, Agents Matt Dworkin and Carmen Perez have some video tips on rescuing that snow-covered device.
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