how-to | Tech Help Boston

OMG! A Quick Guide to Common Social Media Abbreviations. IKR?

Do you like complete thoughts? How about bullet points as well as paragraphs for clear communication? Enter Texting and Social Media Which is why social media abbreviations leave many scratching their heads. When you see three- or four-letter abbreviations in texts, Instagram, or Facebook, do you usually have to “ask the Google” to help decipher the meanings? We assume that […]

Latest Tech Trends on 2021 for Older Adults

Technology isn’t just about selfies and social media. Many advances in design and use features help the older folks live independent, safe, and healthy lives. In 2021, there will continue to be a focus on technology that will benefit an aging population. Voice Assistants Smart speakers, or smartphones that incorporate voice-command, are going to gain big interest in 2021. The […]

This is How You Repurpose Your Old Gadgets

Step away from the trash bin! There are plenty of ways to give old phones, laptops, and cameras a new life. ELECTRONIC WASTE IS a huge problem, one that’s getting worse: We’re now producing 21 percent more e-waste globally than we were five years ago. When it comes to gadgets like phones, your brand new model will likely be superseded in a year, […]

Give Your Old Computer a New Life: Here’s How!

If you’re not ready to buy a whole new system, you might be able to add new parts and upgrade your aging machine for less than a few hundred dollars. Q. My computer is old, and defragmenting the drive is not going to make it any faster. I can add memory chips, but what else can I do to speed […]

How to Launch Actions by Tapping on the Back of Your iPhone

Every year, Apple adds new and interesting accessibility features. As long as you’re running iOS 14 or higher, you have the ability to control the device and launch actions or shortcuts by double- or triple-tapping the back of your iPhone. Here’s how it works. Back Tap is a powerful accessibility feature that can come in handy for all iPhone users. If […]

How to Use Your iPhone as a Magnifying Glass

It’s a common problem: Some things are just too hard to see. Usually, they’re too far away, too dark, or too small. With a feature called Magnifier, your iPhone can function as a magnifying glass and sight aid. Here’s how to use it. What Is Magnifier? Magnifier is an accessibility feature built into iOS 10 and up that allows you […]

Should You Disinfect Your Phone? Yes! Here’s How

The onslaught of coronavirus news has a lot of people on edge—especially about the things we touch. For most of us, it’s easy enough to heed advice to avoid gripping stairwell railings. But what about the phones we handle all day? Yes, your phone is covered in everyday germs (a “portable petri dish,” as one professor recently put […]

How To Change Computer Support Firms: 6 Tips

It’s just not working out. It’s not you… it’s them. It’s time to change computer support firms. But how? Tip #1: 80% of it is just making the decisions to DO it. Not debate, not give them their 37th chance, not keep kicking the can down the road… Just do it. It’s not fun to fire someone (unless they are […]

Making Windows 10 More Like Windows 7

The dramatic changes to the Windows 10 interface along with privacy concerns are a couple of reasons that many were hesitant to make the switch until their hand was forced. If you’re concerned about the privacy issues that surround Windows 10, Wired posted an excellent article reviewing how to check all of the privacy settings at: http://bit.ly/2RIScU9 Removing Tiles One […]

Windows 10 New User Tips

Anyone upgrading from Windows 7 to 10 is likely to feel a bit lost, which isn’t unusual. If it’s any solace, Microsoft claims that this is the last major upgrade to Windows. This should mean that once you get comfortable with Windows 10, you shouldn’t have to deal with the trauma of a major user interface change ever again. Microsoft […]