Nexus 7 vs. Kindle Fire vs. Nook

Nexus 7 Google Takes on the Tablets

This week Google went and set the tech world abuzz by announcing their new Nexus7 tablet, the result of a partnership with ASUS. Recent success of Amazon’s Kindle Fire has given Google hope that the small screen, inexpensive tablet market is one worth pursuing. Anyone who has considered adding a tablet to their arsenal of tech gadgets but has balked at the price tag (or paltry performance of most low-end tablets) should take a second look at the Nexus 7.

While your first inclination is probably to compare it to the iPad, the dominant tablet on the market, in truth the Nexus 7 wasn’t made to compete with the iPad. Its $199 starting price tag and 7” screen puts it squarely in the ring with the major eReader hybrids on the market: Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Barnes and Noble’s Nook Tablet. It’s not going to stand up as well against the iPad or pricier Android tablets, but when its $200 less it would be like comparing a Honda Civic to a Mercedes. Some of the basic functionality is the same, but without all the bells and whistles.

When it comes to hardware, the Nexus 7 outpaces every other similarly priced tablet on the market. It’s faster to respond to your input, lighter weight, and has a better resolution display. It also offers a front-facing 1.2 megapixel camera for video chat (through Skype or Google+) that the Fire and Nook lack.


It’s the first mobile handheld gadget to ship with the new Android 4.1 “Jellybean” OS. They’ve added the tweak of “Project Butter” (seriously, who thinks up the names for these things?) which promises to throttle up the CPU to make the OS more responsive. It uses predictive algorithms to anticipate your next move and respond more quickly.

Since the core function of a tablet is to view media (be it streamed from the web or stored on the device) and play games, display quality is a huge factor. While comparative tablets share the same screen size (7”), the Nexus 7’s display resolution is superior. On the Fire or Nook, you’ll do a lot of “pinch-to-zoom” to get the smaller text on a webpage or online magazine large enough to read comfortably. The Nexus 7’s higher resolution allows for smaller text to be clear and easier to read, making the experience of paging through media or surfing the web more enjoyable.

My issue with all low-priced tablets is how content is funneled through their proprietary channels. They’re really just a tool to purchase content through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and now Google. If you purchase and stream content from these sources anyway, you’re going to be married to the device that supports your library. In my opinion, Amazon offers the largest selection of inexpensive content, so if you’re planning to start a library I would be hard-pressed to steer you away from the Kindle Fire. For example, while Google Play offers most of the same magazine’s as Amazon, many of them are more expensive. No one can yet compete with Amazon’s library of eBooks, music and movies.

If you want to watch your own content (movies or photos) or listen to your own music on the device, the Nook is the only low-priced tablet that supports an expansion SD card. For those that wonder why storage on a tablet matters, the first long flight without internet access to stream new material will leave you wondering why you bothered packing your 8GB Fire or Nexus 7.

Verdict? Wait a couple months for the rumored next generation of Kindle Fire to be released. If it’s closer to the Nexus 7’s hardware specs you may be glad you waited. If you don’t plan to purchase content and are just looking for a low priced tablet to surf the net, play games and check your email, the Nexus 7 is absolutely the best small-screen, low priced tablet currently on the market.

Pinterest for Parents:Top Pinterest Pages for Parents

Pinterest for Parents

From adorable onesies to DIY crafts, Pinterest is full of great links for parents looking for ideas or guidance. Therein lies the rub: how can busy moms or dads narrow down the overwhelming sea of boards to find the ones that bring a little joy, peace, or motivation to their busy family? While everyone has their own parenting style, here are some pages that offer a great launching ground to find inspiration in the images and tools that fellow parents love.

Zina: Let’s Lasso the Moon

Creator of the hugely popular “The Parent Water Cooler” and “The Weekly Kids Co-op” boards, Zina has 270,000 followers. Her boards highlight interactive, creative and sensory-driven activities to allow your kids to explore their world. Her massive following often leads to a lively discussion among the comments on her links. Followers add suggestions, or confirm if they enjoyed a project or recipe, often offering tips to improve the original idea.

“The Parent Water Cooler” is a collaborative board intended to offer a place for parents to read about and comment on hot topics in parenting. From discussions about the state of the education system, to integrating technology into childhood learning, the pins are meant to engage followers in a parenting discussion while offering creative projects and activities to do with your kiddos.

For a collection of family oriented, educational activities geared toward kids from toddlers to pre-teens, check out “The Weekly Kid’s Co-op.” There are easy recipes to cook together, links to awesome birthday party ideas, and cute craft projects.

Cathy James @ NurtureStore

Cathy James’ pages are full of beautiful and engaging images of activities, learning tools, crafts and more that I can’t wait to do with my kids. There are 80 boards to choose from, including ideas by season, cooking with kids, sensory play crafts and much, much more. Her page includes links to Zina’s most popular boards, the “Kid Blogger Network” by PlayDrMom and “Reading and Writing Readiness” by Allison McDonald.

The “Kid Blogger Network” is a collaborative board from mom bloggers that focuses on activities and crafts to do with your kids. You’ll find lots of great DIY projects and suggestions for free activities to spend quality time with your little ones.

Allison McDonald’s pages focus on crafts and activities to aid in early childhood development. The “Reading and Writing Readiness” collaborative page aims to help parents encourage youngsters to learn letters and practice reading and writing with fun games, books and projects.

BabyCenter

With 31 boards of fun and colorful images, BabyCenter will carry you from maternity through creating the perfect kid’s playroom. This board falls under the category of images that appeal to me, which is frankly what Pinterest is all about.

Zulily

If you’re looking for a shopping-centric page, Zulily maintains 27 boards of adorable clothes, art and accessories for kids and mom. Their popular “daily deals for moms, babies and kids” has lead to a following of over 24,000.


Photo used by permission: dollarstorecrafts.com

Small Business Computers: Buy This Not That!

Small Business Computers: It's Important to Spend Wisely

According to a May 2012 report by the National Economic Council, there are 28 million small businesses in the U.S. employing 60 million Americans – roughly half of the private sector workforce. The balance between budgeting and productivity can be challenging to small firms, particularly those working to get (or maintain) a foothold in today’s economy.

As I travel for appearances on TV and radio, I am often asked what technology small business owners really need and what they can live without. With no further ado, here’s my “Buy This, Not That” series for the small office environment.

Buy Laptops, not Desktops (or Tablets)

The largest technology expense in a small office environment, especially one just starting out, is likely computers. Desktop computers are typically the most versatile, particularly to those who require a specialized configuration like dual monitors, upgraded graphics capability, or multiple peripheral attachments (like cameras, custom keyboards, or audio equipment). However, desktops lack mobility, often making it a hassle to work from home or on the road.

According to a Yankee Group report published in 2008, more than 50 million U.S. workers are considered mobile (i.e. away from their primary workspace more than 20% of the time). To a small business owner or executive, the ability to access a work project when away from the office is often pivotal to success and productivity.


Instead, consider equipping employees with laptops and docking stations. This will give you the best of both worlds at minimal additional cost. A docking station allows you to connect a laptop to a multitude of additional devices with one plug, typically via USB. Look for one that includes software to allow your system to function with the top closed, so that you can utilize external keyboards, mice and monitors. When deadlines loom (and, frankly, when don’t they?), the laptop has the portability to allow you to continue working from anywhere. No need to remotely access software or data from a secondary system – everything is exactly where you left off. Yet when you return to the office, one connection lets you work under optimal conditions to ensure your comfort and efficiency during your workday.

I like the Toshiba Dynadock U3.0 Universal USB Connect Docking Station which works with any Windows-based computer and is available for around $130. Its built-in video card supports two large monitors and the HDMI-out port allows you to view 1080p HD videos or games on an external display. It supports network data transfer over USB 3.0 and surround sound through either HDMI or 3.5mm audio. Compared to the two to four USB ports on many laptops, the six USB slots will increase the number of peripherals you can connect.

This is also a great option for allowing multiple users to share a specialized piece of equipment, like a large monitor or projector. Set up the docking station and whoever is hosting today’s sales conference can get going with a single connection.

A note about tablets: while their versatility is improving with every year, they are not yet functional enough to warrant outfitting your small office with them unless you need to fulfill a specific purpose. They certainly are not powerful enough to take the place of a standard desktop or laptop in an office environment.

Stay tuned next week for the “Buy This, Not That” recommendations for your small office network. If you have questions or would like more of my recomendations for small business computers drop me a note here.

Photo used by permission: cliff1066

How To: Set Up A Wireless Network

Setup Your Wireless Network The Nerds' Way

These days, you need a wireless network to take full advantage of high-speed Internet, streaming TV, handheld electronics, gaming systems and even some appliances. But most users have no real understanding of how a wireless network works, or what to do when it drops a connection. This two-part series will address the basic components in a network, its setup, and troubleshooting tips to keep you surfing the net smoothly.

If you have more than one Internet-ready device, you'll find many advantages to setting up a network. All the computers on your network can share files, access network-capable devices (such as shared printers and backup drives), and get online through a single high-speed Internet connection (such as cable, DSL, etc.).

A router acts as a hub, enabling your connected devices to communicate with each other. A wireless router broadcasts network and Internet access within a certain range, allowing your son to get online from his room upstairs while you cruise the net from your laptop in the living room.

How To Pick The Right Wireless Router

Choosing a wireless router can be confusing because of multitudinous specifications. A basic 802.11N wireless router will serve most home users looking to get all their devices online. It will work with new systems and will be compatible with older 802.11B and G devices.

Provided that you're dealing with reliable brands such as D-Link, Cisco, Netgear or Linksys, the less expensive the router, the easier its setup likely will be. Don't get swayed by the "top of the line" version unless you specifically need heavy file sharing, business-grade security or the like.

My company typically installs D-Link routers, because we find that brand reliable, cost-effective (starting at $50) and easy to set up. The tech media website Cnet recommends the Cisco Valet Plus for a basic, single-band router, calling it "the easiest-to-use wireless router that we've seen" (prices start at $50 on Amazon).

How To Set Up A Wireless Router

Most routers come with a disk and promise to run the installation software. But setting up a network rarely goes smoothly. I'd recommend that anyone looking to set up their own wireless network review a how-to guide such as "How to Set Up a Home Network In 5 Simple Steps," by Samara Lynn on PCMag.com. It will give you a more detailed arsenal of troubleshooting tips.

When naming your network, consider using something that you'll recognize (i.e., don't use the default "D-Link," because your neighbors may do the same) but that doesn't identify you (not your name or phone number). A wireless network is inherently dangerous if you don't restrict access. An unsecured wireless network allows anyone within range to access unprotected data on the systems in your home, or use your Internet connection for illegal pursuits (transmit viruses or pirated content, etc.). At the very least, turn on WPA encryption and set a password on your router so that users must log in to connect.

If you have any questions about setting  up a wireless network check out our home network page. We're always here for you.

[transcript]
Hi, I'm Ryan from Nerds on Call and today, we're going to be talking about setting up an wireless network. One of the reasons you probably want to have a wireless network in your home is because of all the devices that can share the internet. For example if you've got a tablet like iPad or an iPod or if you've got a smartphone or even a cable box these days, it needs to get on the internet. Setting up a wireless internet allows you to let all those devices share it at the same time without running cables all over the place.

One of the first things you want to look at is buying a router. The routers range anywhere from 802.11N., 802.11G, 802.11B and all kinds of other weird numbers and letters. The reality is that you don't need to buy the most expensive on the market, but you don't want to buy the cheapest no-name brand, either. The best thing to look for is a mid-range, name brand router that you've heard of before, something like Linksys, Cisco or D-Link. At my company, we tend to use D-Link and we have a lot of success with them.

Since 2008, almost every computer comes with a wireless card already inside it, so you don't have to worry about buying extra hardware unless your computers are much older or you have a desktop machine that may not have a wireless card. If you're going to be buying a wireless card, make sure you buy one that's the same manufacturer as your router D-Link, Cisco, or something like that.

One of the last options you want to pay attention to when setting up your wireless network is making sure you choose a good wireless network name. Usually, people want to use their last name but it's better to use something non identifiable, like "Virus-Riddled Network" or "Stay Away!" and then you want to password protect it. If you live in a community with a lot of homes and neighbors, you don't want everyone jumping on and doing all kinds of weird stuff on your network. Make sure you put a password on it. WPA encryption is usually the best. I'm Ryan from Nerds On Call. Thanks for watching.
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Laptop Repair: Fix it or replace it?

Laptop Repair Can Be Costly, But Some Repairs Are Worth It.

When I made the switch from a desktop computer to a laptop, the idea that everything that previously took up my entire desk could now fit in such a small, portable device was revolutionary. However, the first time that my keyboard failed, I realized it wasn’t all wine and roses. With the smaller footprint comes the fact that parts and pieces often aren’t as easily interchangeable. I could no longer toss the old keyboard and plug in a new $30 generic version; this one was going to have to come from the manufacturer and was going to require a specifically skilled technician, in laptop repair, to replace. Before you resign yourself to the belief that any failure of a portable electronic device is going to warrant replacement, there are actually many things that are just as easy to fix on a laptop.

It’s no different to clean a virus or malware infection off a laptop than it is to repair a desktop. Software issues shouldn’t require that you spend any more than on a standard PC, or that you find a specialist. While laptop hard drives and RAM are different from the kinds found in desktop PCs, there are certain standard types and sizes, so you don’t have to get them through the manufacturer. This will allow any computer technician or even tech-savvy do-it-yourselfer to replace one. The power supply is actually external on a laptop (it’s the “brick” about half-way down the power cable), so replacing a dead power supply can be as easy as a Google search with the make and model number of your machine. However, if the connector where your cord plugs into your system has failed, that’s a different proposition that will require soldering and probably a specialist. While the card that gives newer laptops the ability to connect to a wireless network is often integrated into the motherboard, you can use an external adapter if your WiFi card fails. A wireless “dongle” plugs into a USB slot, and is about the size of a money clip.


Before you approve a laptop repair, be sure to ask if the parts will be new or refurbished, and what the warranty will be on the replaced part. It’s always best to have new parts, but sometimes older laptops no longer have new components available and require that replacements be from salvage. If your laptop is going to be shipped to a different facility, it’s best to make sure that you’ve backed up the data (if possible) before it leaves your hands. Many retailer-affiliated repair providers perform a system reformat and reinstall, effectively wiping your data, even if the repair doesn’t expressly require it. Some will even send you an entirely different machine to replace the one you sent in.

Drop me a note for more laptop repair tips if you’re still debating whether to get your portable device back up and running or check out our laptop repair services.

[transcript]
Hi, everybody. I'm Ryan from Nerds on Call. Today we're going to be talking about laptop repair. When I got my first laptop, I was shocked at how much stuff they could fit inside this little, tiny container. So a lot of times, when it comes to getting your laptop repaired, you're not quite sure what to do. When it comes to viruses and spy-ware and most software issues, there's no difference fixing a laptop and fixing a desktop, so you don't have to look for a specialty service. However, when the keyboard breaks, the hard drive fails, or you get a crack in the screen, that's when you've got to find a good solution provider, who can fix it and who's reputable.

Once you choose a company to repair your laptop, you're going to want to find out where is it going to be repaired? Are they going to repair it in the local shop, or are they going to send it somewhere? If they're going to send it somewhere, you want to make sure you get a backup copy of everything on your hard drive before it goes away. There's a technician in Kentucky somewhere who's not going to care about your pictures as much as you are.

You want to make sure that you ask the shop that you use what kind of parts they're going to use to fix your computer. Are they going to be refurbished parts, manufacturer approved parts, or generic parts? These are things you're going to want to know because you don't want to spend top dollar on a used part that's going into your brand new machine. I'm Ryan from Nerds on Call. Thanks for watching.
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Secret Benefits Of Video Games

Believe it or Not, Video Games Have Some Advantages

Anyone who has looked up from their computer to discover that they just lost two hours to Farmville or World of Warcraft would like to believe that there is some redeeming value to playing video games.

On August 3rd, PBS MediaShift published an article asserting that video games teach our kids a “new literacy”. Even though I am not personally a gamer, I would argue that there are plenty of secret benefits to playing video games.

"One benefit of Video Games is that they teach our kids a "new literacy".

While it’s not difficult to argue the merits of a game like BrainAge or Soduku, is anything gained from games like Halo or Call of Duty? One of the hidden benefits of multi-player gaming is that if you create a team and play together, it creates a need to learn to work together and cooperate to reach a common goal. “Massively Multi-Player Online” games like World of Warcraft, often make it impossible to reach certain goals or complete certain quests without working as a team. The dependence on others encourages gamers to learn to cooperate and communicate more effectively with different personalities. I think we can all agree that this is a necessary skill in real life.

Every gamer likely has a favorite genre, but I would argue that in order to gain the most benefit from your time spent playing video games it’s important to branch out. Different kinds of games foster different skills, so break out of your rut and try something new. A game like the Sims may teach interpersonal communication, economics, and social consequences. If you prefer, role playing games like Fable involve similar themes. Problem solving games like Portal or Soduku require logic, pattern recognition, and strategy. Action games (like shooters and fighting games) develop accuracy, reflexes and timing.

"In 2008, Fordham University released a study reporting that students in grades 5 through 7 improved their cognitive and perceptual skills after playing a new video game..."

In 2008, Fordham University released a study reporting that students in grades 5 through 7 improved their cognitive and perceptual skills after playing a new video game. However, just as no early reader could be handed a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird without some guidance, parents can help to ensure that their kids gain from their time spent gaming by getting involved. The PBS MediaShift article recommends that parents participate and play video games so they can communicate with their kids and highlight the beneficial parts of the game. Connect games to books, movies, TV, and real life experiences to encourage kids to link the skills they learn in-game with the outside world. Encourage kids to play with peers to learn how to cooperate and work together toward a common goal, and maybe even learn a different perspective or path to the goal than they’d have experienced alone.

Arguing the benefits of video games can be pretty controversial in some households. If you have an opinion you want to share with the world, join our debate on Facebook

[transcript]
Lisa: I know and I know I think a lot of parents kind of think "Oh, video games." It's gotten a lot of bad press recently. We brought our momma nerd in from Nerds On Call, Andrea Eldridge. First of all, how far along are you?

Andrea: I am due on Christmas time so right now it's crazy.

Lisa: It's so fun being in the hospital on Christmas. OK. So video games. Did you play when you were a kid?

Andrea: I did actually. Not nearly as much as my spouse but you know, I had my hours dedicated to Castlevanya as a kid.

Lisa: Did a lot of Mario Brothers and you do hear it can be good for hand- eye coordination.

But there actually a lot of things that maybe as parents we didn't think about that would be good for our kids with video games. Like, for example?

Andrea: There's actually a study that was released by PBS Media Shifts. It released a series of articles about our kids and media and how they're using them nowadays. And so what they talked about was what they call the new literacy. Which basically talks about, as you know, technology becomes more of a part of our day to day lives, interacting with video games whether it be on a console or on a computer does teach our kids not just familiarity with computers, but also some problem solving skills. You know that otherwise in a classroom setting, kids are over time they really learn to be afraid of failure. They learn to not answer because...

Lisa: It could be embarrassing when you fail in front of a bunch of other kids.

Andrea: It can. You have a whole class or a teacher that's telling you that you're on your wrong, probably not going to try our something new. So the ability to in a relatively safe environment try different ways to get the end results and it also teaches them that there are often multiple ways to get to the end solution, so that's really helpful too as a young adult that you learn to try things out and experiment.

Lisa: Safe place to fail.

Andrea: Yes. Absolutely. What else?

Andrea: Well, this one is a Warcraft demo so what I was interested in WarCraft that they talked about was team building and learning to work as a team. With a game like an online role playing game you have to get a team together in order to reach some of those more advanced objectives. So you have to learn to not be a jerk online, and how to have some interpersonal skills which as a young adult obviously can be beneficial. When it comes to your kids though, this is something that as adults we can get some benefit out of too. But obviously you still want to monitor what your kids are doing. You don't want to just fend them loose on an online chat line and go 'Good luck'.

Lisa: Do you recommend that parents somehow play these too? What is the other ones that you have?

Andrea: Well, this one's Fable. This one's a good example of a role playing game and there are so many different genres of games. And another thing that was interesting about this piece is that it talks about the benefits to really playing a variety of games because they can all teach you different things. So these types of games can teach you things like economy and obviously Sim's is...

Lisa: New fun.

Andrea: Sims is more like again an interpersonal skills kind of game but it will teach you the basics of economy, things about cause and effect and again the problem solving comes in over and over and over again.

Lisa: Very cool. This is like Webkins for grown up kids. All right. Andrea Eldridge. Thank you so much. She's our momma nerd from Nerds on Call. Going to stick around. Coming up we're talking about online tutoring, even some tutoring that's for free because maybe you're not that far into the school year and already you can't help your kids anymore with that. Maybe it's already above your head. That's coming up in the 9 o'clock hour so stick around. Back to you, guys.
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How to Remove a Virus

How to Remove a Virus: The Best Anti-Virus Software

Do you remember back when your computer was shiny and new, it likely came with pre-installed Norton or McAfee antivirus software. It would periodically pop up little notices that it had downloaded the latest updates, and you felt snug and secure when you surfed online.

Then that trial membership expired. You may not have even noticed the lapse in coverage, assuming that the icon in your toolbar was a sign that all was well -- or, like many, you may have been wary to spend your hard-earned cash to subscribe. This story is so common that it's one reason why Panda Security reported in January that approximately 50 percent of the world's computers are compromised by some form of malware.

While I fondly remember the days when viruses were primarily built to annoy their victims, today's viruses are far more dangerous. Infected computers attack other computers. Hackers use these vast networks of infected computers or "botnets" to send spam, break websites and infiltrate corporate networks to steal credit-card data and customer information. Before you decide to unplug your computer, rest assured that there are some easy ways to protect yourself.

The 4 Best Anti Virus Programs for removing a virus

#1 McAfee Anti-Virus:

If you're already running an anti-virus program and making sure that it is up to date, kudos! If you elected to shell out the dough to keep your Norton or McAfee running after the trial ended, keep in mind that these two programs dominate the consumer security space. This makes them the biggest targets for hackers and virus writers who study their code to find vulnerabilities. While I am not suggesting that you look for an unknown, untested antivirus for your computer's safety, there may be good reason to consider switching to one of the great free anti-virus options available.

McAfee Anti-Virus For Mac:

McAfee also has an antivirus solution for Mac Computers. I know people say that you can't get a virus on Macs and to a degree that is true. So far, Mac computers are not vulnerable to traditional viruses, however they can be targets of  malware, phishing scams, identity thieves and hackers. Anti virus software for Macs will help secure your data and keep malware off your computer. Another solution worth mentioning is Avira.  Avira anti-virus has a Mac virus protection program called MacKeeper.

#2 Microsoft Security Essentials:

One of my favorite anti-virus programs for the basic user is Microsoft Security Essentials. It's free, easy to use, updated frequently and provides great protection from most Internet-born parasites. The fact that it's made by Microsoft, the company that makes Windows, is a great benefit. Who is better equipped to know which Windows vulnerabilities hackers are targeting? Programers can then integrate the fix seamlessly into Windows.

#3 Avast!:

If you just can't get past the idea of trusting Microsoft to protect your Windows PC, or if you are running an alternate operating system, consider Avast! free antivirus. Avast is one of the highest-rated antivirus programs, according to AV Comparatives, an independent antivirus program reviewer. Avast offers both a free and a paid version, and boasts one of the fastest virus scans on the market. It also uses fewer system resources when scanning, so you can continue to use your computer normally while the scan runs in the background. Anyone who has been held hostage by a seemingly endless scan that makes everything else on your system slow to a useless crawl can appreciate this benefit. Fun side note: You can select different voices to proclaim, "Ding! Avast's virus definitions have been updated." I am quite partial to Pirate.

#4 Sandboxie:

Finally, if compromised or lost data would devastate your productivity, check out Sandboxie. Sandboxie is an applications that allows you to run certain programs "virtually," like putting them in quarantine. Essentially, you open your web browser or email in a "sandbox," so an infected website or virus-laced email attachment won't compromise the rest of your system. When you close the program, you destroy the sandbox's contents, including any infections. However, cookies and temp files go, too, so if you like to auto-login to websites you frequent, this solution will likely annoy you.

Don't surf naked -- get some protection. If you're already suffering from and nned help to remove a virus or for more ways to be safe on the scary wide web, visit www.callnerds.com/andrea. 

[transcript]
Hi, everybody. I'm Ryan from Nerds on Call. Today we're going to be talking about how to remove a virus from your PC. Back in the day, when you first got your computer, it probably came pre-installed with something like Norton or McAfee. Those are great protection, but usually they expire after about a year. Then what do you do?

One of my favorite anti-virus is Microsoft Security Incentive. Just go to Microsoft.com and search for Microsoft Security Essentials, it's free, it's easy to use, it's frequently updated, and it's really fast. If you don't want to use the Microsoft product, you can always use a program called Avast, it's also a free anti-virus software. And one of the coolest parts of it is, when it's all done scanning your system, it will say "Hey, ding, we're all done looking for viruses." And you can change that voice to anything you want. So my favorite is "Pirate" It will go "Argh, no viruses found." Thanks for watching. I'm Ryan, from Nerds on Call.
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