Paying Your Bills Online Is A Win/Win

I know a few people who still insist on paying their bills the old fashioned way.  They write that monthly check for the mortgage, car payment and numerous other payments that they have.  Even after I tell them the benefits of paying online, they still prefer to pay their bills the old fashioned way.  If only they would listen.  They would save both time and money.

I have been paying my bills online now for almost 15 years. It is faster (you can set up recurring payments. Just be sure that the money is in your account to cover the payment on the day you set it to be paid) and less expensive (no stamps and you don’t have to buy checks nearly as often).

It also is safe to pay your bills online. Yes an account can be hacked but there is always the risk of mail theft when paying bills by mail. If a payee says they never received payment you readily research your account on the bank’s website to see if the payment was made and to whom. I have had an instance or two where I got a letter saying that payment was not made and it was.  What I found out was that the name of the payee or the address was not correct.  After corresponding with the payee, the issues were resolved.

In paying my bills online, I also am helping the environment and contributing to going green. Online payments save paper. Not just from the written checks but envelopes as well.  Companies have less envelopes to open so their costs get reduced. This truly is a win/win for all.

Certain recurring monthly payments are allowed to be made by credit card. You can take advantage of rebates and  my credit card happens to offer me a 1% rebate on all purchases.  Not much but every little bit helps. If I could pay my cable bill using my credit card I certainly would do so. It would also be 1 less payment to set up every month as it is now included with my other credit card purchases.

Banks are happier as well.  Online payments reduce their processing fees. Handling it electronically is also simpler for them and merchants like it because of this as well.  Less envelopes to open. Receive their money quicker.  Paying by mail vs paying electronically at the same time.  The merchant will receive the electronic payment quicker.

I do not recommend using online payments from service providers such as electric companies, credit card companies, etc. If they make an error it can adversely affect your credit rating and per your agreement with them it may be difficult to hold them accountable. Also if there is an error it can take a while to get your money back. I prefer paying bills online through my bank.

Paying by check still has its uses. It is not recommended that you pay federal tax bills through your online bank.  My bank specifically says, “The Online Bill Payment service should NOT be used to pay your local, state or federal taxes.”  When you pay online, the money is deducted from your checking account NOT when the payee cashes the check but when you tell the bank to pay the bill.  You no longer have a “float”.  How many of us will give a birthday gift of $50 by doing it through our online account?  We probably will include a check inside a birthday card. The same goes for weddings.  

On the minus side, it is not as easy to switch banks. If you do switch banks you need to make sure all pending and recurring payments are cleared. 

If you have further questions about paying bills online, or other technology questions I can be contacted at (917) 572-3468 or email me at mike@computerconciergeny.com .

My Facebook page provides information on the current goings on in the technology field with tips to better use your technology. For timely information, please visit and "Like" my page.

Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.  Our web services are provided worldwide.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

New Orleans just had the Super Bowl but Mardi Gras is just about here and you may be wondering why I am writing about Mardi Gras in a tech blog. Well first off if you want to see what is happening on Bourbon Street check out this webcam. If you want to know more about Mardi Gras including some tradition, history and videos then Mardigrasneworleans.com is the site you want to check. The website also has a schedule of the parade.

The Mardi Gras is also visible on social media. For those on Twitter, follow it all on @NOLAMardiGras.  You can follow the many tweets which also includes parade cams.  #paradecam is the hashtag used. #NOLA and #Mardigras will be popular hashtags on Twitter. For those familiar with the city, I found by going on Twitter that there will be a cam at Fat Henry's Bar on St. Charles Ave in the Uptown section. Check out the festivities by clicking on the link.  Also the St. Charles Streetcar does not run from Downtown during the parades.

Those on Facebook can go to the Mardi Gras page there. Quite a few posts, pictures and at last count about 12,000 people who "Like" this page. By doing a search for "Mardi Gras" you will get an idea of how it is celebrated in other cities.  And if that page doesn't have enough about theMardi Gras there is another one. Mardi Gras is another Facebook page. So there is certainly a Facebook presence here.

Of course there is more to New Orleans than Mardi Gras.  http://www.neworleansonline.com/ has more information on the big event going on there as well as upcoming festivals if you are unable to make it for Mardi Gras. There is also good information on things to do when besides the Mardi Gras. On a personal note , when I was last in New Orleans my wife we made sure to visit  Mardi Gras World. You get to see many of the costumes and floats from the Mardi Gras in the warehouse as well as some of them being made.  You may even get to wear a mask or two. The tour of the warehouse was truly something we both enjoyed.

Youtube has videos of some past Mardi Gras as well as New Orleans related videos that you may enjoy watching.

Perhaps the best known bar in New Orleans is Pat O'Briens. They also have a Facebook presence as well.  When a friend of mine prior to his trip to New Orleans put on his Facebook page that he will be at Pat O'Briens that Saturday night, I called him.  Not only did I suggest that he take the post down but Pat O's is also very crowded on Saturday night.  It will be packed during Mardi Gras as well.

New Orleans also is a culinary delight with many fine restaurants each better than the last.    NewOrleansRestaurants.com has a good review of them and other sites have good reviews as well. One of my favorites is Mothers. It is one of the many restaurants with great service and where you will be guaranteed to have a real good meal.

If you're at Mardi Gras enjoy! If you are not then there is the cam I mentioned earlier as well as all on Twitter and Facebook. If you get to go to New Orleans then have a good time. It truly is a fun city as those who have been there can truly say.

Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.  Our web services are provided worldwide.

Should Your Next Computer Be A Mac Or PC?

I was talking with a client the other day who is in the market for a new computer.  He currently has an older computer, is a PC owner and is thinking about buying a Mac this time around.  Wondering whether to go the Mac route or buy a PC again.  It is a question I get on an ongoing basis.

There are advantages to both.  Approximately 12% of computers in use today are Macs and PCs (Microsoft Operating System) account for 85% and 3% are other. A big factor is cost.  If you buy a Mac expect to pay a premium for it.  This is because Microsoft licenses its operating system to Dell, HP, Lenovo among others so there is competition.  If you wish to buy a Mac, Apple is the only manufacturer. 

You also have more varieties to choose from when you are choosing a PC as the same companies Microsoft licenses its operating system to build their own models.

Macs are not as prone to viruses and other forms of malware.  Note that I did not say you cannot get a virus on a Mac. Those who program viruses are less likely to make them to affect a Mac due to their market share.  When they asked Willie Sutton why he robbed banks he responded, "Because that's where the money is."  Why go after 12% of the market when you can go after 85%? In April 2012 Kaspersky noted that Mac’s platform was a decade behind Microsoft’s when it came to computer security. Link for article.  Again the lower market share is why Macs are not as prone to viruses.

Apple is known for their exceptional customer service.  Their Genius Bar provides free technical support in person. Apple also offers free training as well again in person.  I also suggest if you are buying a Mac you purchase an Apple Care plan.  It is an extended warranty plan for both your computer and questions you have related to using it. The costs to repair a Mac are higher than repairing a PC.

The gap has greatly lessened for these two factors but the availability of software programs for PCs is greater than for Macs.  On the other side, Macs are easier to use as well as quicker to start up and shut down.  That said, Windows has greatly narrowed the gap here and will be coming out with their new operating system Windows8 in October.  Apple last updated their operating system in late July of this year.

In determining whether a Mac or PC is for you these are some of the factors to consider. Every situation is different so I cannot give a one size fits all answer. If you have additional questions about whether a Mac or PC would work better for you, I can be reached at (917) 572-3468 or email me at mike@computerconciergeny.com 

My Facebook page http://on.fb.me/MikesCCNY provides information on the current goings on in the technology field. There are tips to better use your computer and smartphone. For timely information, please visit and "Like" my page.

Computer training and many types of computer repairs can be done remotely. If you or someone you know needs either training to better use your computer or repairs I am now doing it on a remote basis in addition to in person locally.

http://computerconciergeny.com/3/post/2012/10/joinme-how-to-use-to-allow-someone-to-remotely-view-and-control-your-computer.html takes you to a narrative to use Join.me. It is a very user friendly site and it is easy to temporarily allow control of your computer. I also did an online video as well which is on the following link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyRSqpYNVQY


Except for customized Excel spreadsheets which are provided in the USA and Canada, Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.

Should You Upgrade Your Computer to Windows 8?

So you may have heard that Microsoft recently released the much anticipated Windows 8 operating system. It sure doesn’t look like those previous operating systems of Windows that you have seen. Don’t despair since Windows 8 was made with the future in mind as it works well with touchscreens and you will be seeing more touchscreen personal computers over the next few months.

One of the first things you will notice is that there is no start tab. You’re wondering how to turn the computer off. Going to either the upper or lower right hand corner will bring up a bar known as the charms bar. The bottom icon there that looks like a cog a bicycle chain goes around is the Settings icon. Either click on it or if you have a touchscreen tap it and you will see the Power icon at the bottom. Select that and select “Sleep” “Restart” or “Shut Down” You no longer are wondering how to shut your computer off.

You also by now have probably noticed that the screen instead of showing the familiar icons on your desktop show tiles. Each of these tiles represents an app (Programs are now referred to as apps like the apps on your smartphone and your friend’s Mac programs which are also referred to as apps). Some of these apps show information. The weather tile shows the weather for the location noted. You can put a calculator app to do arithmetic operations. One great thing about this new screen is if you are looking for a file, setting, or app just start typing the name of it. Once you start the search screen will show. You can see where your search query for apps, settings, files. Also expect to see more Windows 8 phones out there in the next few months. Don’t despair about not seeing a desktop. There is a desktop tile. By tapping it if you have a touchscreen or moving your mouse to it and left clicking, the old traditional desktop (without the start tab) will show.

One disadvantage of the new Windows 8 is when you go to delete a file there is no longer a confirmation asking if you wish to do so.  No last chance to change your mind. However all is not lost. By going to the recycle bin and right-clicking on it, choose Properties, and check the "Display Delete Confirmation Dialog" box. You now will have that last chance to make sure that you truly want to delete that file.  Another disadvantage is a longer learning curve going to a new operating system. The advantages however outweigh the disadvantages.

So should you upgrade to Windows 8? Windows 8 Pro is available for $39.99 but that is only until January 31, 2013. Unless you are upgrading from Windows 7 you will need to reinstall your apps. I upgraded due to business considerations since I will be setting up new computers that use Windows 8 and training people to use it. There is the learning curve I mentioned earlier and you need to get used to not having a start tab. File Explorer (formerly Windows Explorer), is a lot more user friendly, security is improved and boot time is faster making it a possible investment if you are still using Windows Vista or Windows XP. That said, given the age of your computer if you are using XP or Vista, replacing your computer may be a more feasible option. If you have XP or Vista currently, while Windows 8 requires a minimum of a 1GHz processor I would recommend a minimum of 2 GHz. Other than the tiled apps, there is not a real big change between Windows 7 and Windows 8.

If you have additional questions about Windows 8, I can be reached at (917) 572-3468 or email me at mike@computerconciergeny.com
 

My Facebook page provides information on the current goings on in the technology field. There are tips to better use your technology. For timely information, please visit and "Like" my page.

Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.  Our web services are provided worldwide.

How To Stay Safe When Shopping Online

More and more people are doing some or all of their holiday shopping online.  It can be exciting to see all the online bargains that are out there.  Shopping online can be safe if you follow the online safety tips below: 

1.    Make sure your security software which includes anti-virus protection is up to date.  Not having up to date security makes you an easy target for viruses and other unwanted intrusions.

2.    Only shop at a secure site.  A secure site has “https” at the beginning of its website address.  “https” means that the site is secure and that it encrypts the information that it sends.
  3.    Don’t use a public wireless network.  In the event there is a keystroke logger on that public computer you are using or sniffer intercepting data over a public Wi-Fi network you do not want to put information out there that can compromise your personal information. See my post on computer safety in public.  http://computerconciergeny.com/3/post/2012/09/computer-safety-in-public.html

4.    Use credit cards instead of debit cards. Credit cards offer a much better level of protection when compared to debit cards. Further a debit card may put a freeze on your bank account that is in excess of the amount you are purchasing.

5.    Always monitor your account statements to ascertain that there are no unauthorized charges to your account.  An aside here is to NEVER give out personal information should you receive a phone call, email, letter, etc mentioning that there is an issue with your account.  Hang up (if it is a phone call) and call the number on the back of your credit card.  The person calling could be trying to get personal information from you in order to steal your identity.  

6.    As more and more purchases are being made from mobile devices, password protect your smartphone and/or tablet. Should it fall into the wrong hands, personal information is much more difficult to get. 

7.    Don’t let browsers store passwords for you.  Further you should have a different password for every account you use and the passwords should be difficult to crack. See my post on creating strong passwords.  http://computerconciergeny.com/3/post/2012/06/you-need-secure-passwords-for-your-accounts-how-to-make-one.html

8.    Don’t use public computers.  They are only as safe as the security the computer is using. Again see my post on computer safety in public. http://computerconciergeny.com/3/post/2012/09/computer-safety-in-public.html   If you still decide to use a public terminal make sure that you log out after using it. 

9.    Phishing scams are more common at holiday time.  If you receive an email saying that personal information is needed (passwords, social security numbers, birthdate, etc) do not give this information out.  Someone may be trying to steal your identity. 

10.    Many credit cards offer a temporary credit card that allows you to set an amount and timeframe for using it.  Think about using one from your credit card provider if they offer it.
  11.    Don’t click on links in emails as they may not take you to the site you think you are being taken to. Many phishing scams involve emails from what seem like legitimate sites such as banks, online stores, etc  but actually send you to a phony site where they can gather your information to steal your identity. 

12.    For those who are still concerned about shopping online, when you go to a restaurant do you pay by credit card?  If so, that card goes through your waiter, cashier and who knows who else.  There are a few chances to get the information needed to charge purchases to the card.

One last thing.  Trust your gut feeling.  If something appears shady during any part of the purchase process it very well may be, do not complete the transaction.  Leave the site.

If you have additional questions about shopping safely online, I can be reached at (917) 572-3468 or email me at mike@computerconciergeny.com  

My Facebook page provides information on the current goings on in the technology field. There are tips to better use your technology. For timely information, please visit and "Like" my page.

Here’s to wishing all of you a very Happy Holiday Season.

Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.  Our web services are provided worldwide.

Google Calendar To Better Manage Your Time

In today’s world, time management is something that we all need to do and do well.  This is just one of the reasons why Google Calendar is the preferred online calendar of many. It syncs with my smartphone as well and I also can add, delete or change appointments there as well.

Google Calendar allows you to set up multiple calendars using one ID. You make the choice of which calendars you wish to see at a given time. You are able to have a calendar for business, personal, travel, etc. with different sharing settings for each. You can share your calendar with anyone having a Google account. Other calendars allow those you share with to view only or also edit. With Google Calendar I can decide what they will view.  Do they just see whether I am busy or free, or do they see the event as well? I can decide. I further can allow others to decide who a calendar is shared with.  For example I have an appointment calendar.  My wife is able to see the details of this calendar but cannot make changes.  My son can only see if I am free or busy. He does not see the details. I also have a Travel Calendar for events my wife and I have planned for when we travel. Both of us can edit that calendar and make changes as needed. My wife can also decide to share that calendar with others. I also can make any of my calendars public if I so choose. If a calendar is made public, it will appear in a Google search where appropriate. My wife can view my appointment calendar and I can view hers.  Recently friends of ours purchased tickets for a show not realizing that one of them had made plans for that evening. When my wife and I are making plans, we check both our own and each other’s calendar to see whether or not the other has plans for the date and time in question.

I like the feature of when I enter an event I put the address of the event in the "Where" field. Clicking on that field will bring up the location in Google Maps. Since Google Calendar syncs to my smartphone, this could be a stress saver if I get lost as I can get directions on my smartphone wherever I am. 

It is a great calendar for scheduling a get together as well as inviting people to an event whether or not they use Google Calendar. You invite them directly from Google Calendar without emailing them through Gmail. The options to respond are the standard "Yes", "No", or "Maybe".  In addition, for the "Yes" response there is a field to indicate if you are bringing a guest as well as the name of the guest.

Need to quickly add an event?  Use the quick add feature. Type in the event, date and time and Google calendar automatically adds it.  Type in an email address and an invitation is sent to that email address. Do the same from your phone by texting 48368 and Google calendar automatically adds the event to your calendar. You also can add “interesting” calendars such as a schedule any or all of your favorite sports teams, national and/or religious holidays.

Another feature of Google Calendar that I like is appointment slots.  Appointment slots allows you to set aside period of time on your calendar at preselected intervals for others to schedule appointments.     For example a college professor can set aside Tuesday between the hours of 1-4 PM at ½ hour intervals for those also having Google Calendar to reserve time on your calendar.

One last thing here.  I do not erase events after they take place.  It is maintained on Google’s servers and takes up negligible space on your smartphone.  A lawyer friend of mine has a client of his who is being audited and erased events as they were completed.  Had they not been erased, the client would not have to go through hoops to recreate his Travel and Entertainment events. It would be right on his calendar and he would have a lot more time and money.

You need to have a Google account to access and use the calendar.  If you are not already using it give it a try. You may want to check out some of their features such as Year view, Jump to date and World clock. Its ease and convenience are why it the preferred calendar of many. You too may change calendars.

If you have additional questions about how Google Calendar can used to better manage your time, I can be reached at (917) 572-3468 or email me at mike@computerconciergeny.com   It is truly a good time management tool.

My Facebook page provides information on the current goings on in the technology field. There are tips to better use your technology. For timely information, please visit and "Like" my page.

Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.  Our web services are provided worldwide.

The Picture Shown Around the World

By now you may have heard about the sister of Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg being upset over a picture posted on her personal Facebook account being posted on Twitter.  You may be asking how private those posts and pictures you put on Facebook really are. Apparently Randi Zuckerberg posted this picture so only her Facebook “Friends” could see it. Callie Schweitzer then posted it on her Twitter account. Callie Schweitzer while not a Facebook friend of Randi subscribes to her feeds and also is a Facebook friend of Mark and Randi’s sister. She apparently saw the picture because she is Facebook friends with the sister. Since her sister was tagged in the picture, Callie was able to see it. Callie thought that the picture was public since she subscribes to Randi’s posts on Facebook but this picture was not posted with access provided to subscribers.  It is not difficult to copy someone else’s picture that you see in Facebook. Click to open the picture and then right click.  An option to save will show among other options. Once saved, you can do with it as you wish including posting it to Twitter. On a personal note a friend of mine remarked how she was not able to download a picture of her and her daughters that her friend posted on Facebook. In a few seconds, I downloaded the picture and emailed it to her.

The protocol is to ask before posting someone else’s photos for others to see. Think of this as sending a letter to your friend who we will call “A”.  You do not expect that A will share the letter with others. A decides to share the letter with B and C. This is largely what happened here. The issue was not Facebook’s privacy settings but someone else sharing the picture above and beyond.  When you post to Facebook whether it be a picture, your writings, etc you should realize that it may be seen by those you did not intend to see it.  Note that while the picture was deleted by Callie Schweitzer, articles with the picture were posted online so it can be seen by all. I am using it in this article without compromising any confidences. And yes the man on the right side is Mark Zuckerberg himself.

The takeaway is to be careful of what you post on Facebook and other social media sites. Don’t put anything out there that you would not want to appear in a newspaper, seen by your boss, your parents, your children, etc.

If you have further questions about your privacy on Facebook and other social media sites I can be contacted at (917) 572-3468 or email me at mike@computerconciergeny.com .

My Facebook page provides information on the current goings on in the technology field. There are tips to better use your technology. For timely information, please visit and "Like" my page.

Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.  Our web services are provided worldwide.