The Best Q & A’s of the Year

By Richard M. Sherwin with Erick Royer, Susan Davis, Gary Kaye, Jennifer Auspitz, Mike Gansl, Joab Eisenberg, Susan Ganden, Jan Jaben, David Traub, Jessie Anderson, Nicole Feit,

Tobi Elkin and Robert Plunkett.

So far we haven’t heard from one family who received a next generation HD 3D TV or any other audio-video, PC-home networking, smart mobile or even $10 accessory gift that didn’t have at least one question about their new device.

So the team from DFA went to the best experts in their respective fields to get you the answers to your most frequent holiday and post-holiday questions:

Q: My teenager got a IPhone, my little kids got Wi-Fi E-readers, my wife got a new Android Tablet and I finally got a Wi-Fi based audio sharing Home network Internet Radio. Since we already have an Xbox,  a Nintendo Wii and two of our three TVs, printers and Blue Ray Players have Wi-Fi enabled Internet Apps, we are a very wireless family. However, I noticed since December that all these devices have slowed down. Access time to get on the web is slower, browsing is slower and some of the devices don’t work at all.

My cable company (Cablevision of Long Island) claims there’s nothing wrong with our connection. But this slowdown seems to occur most often on Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

A: First of all, turn off the devices that you are not using…and we mean turn off ! Literally make sure there is no power on the extra TV, Blue Ray player, Xbox etc. and you are bound to regain some of the bandwidth that gets depleted when too many wireless devices are running. Remember, just because you are not using your Wi-Fi enabled devices doesn’t mean their built in Wi-Fi is off. If your Tablets or E-Readers are on, they usually automatically turn on their wireless adapters.

In addition, Cablevision and many of the service providers do lower the speed and power you are getting during peak times of usage even if they claim they do not.

There are also several Wi-Fi booster systems from D-Link, Linksys, Buffalo and others that are supposed to enhance weakened Wi-Fi or extend the Wi-Fi signal from one room to another. They, too, may slow down if you have too many devices running or too little service provider bandwidth.

Q: I just got the Epson Small-in-one Printer and it’s the best, most convenient small office printer I’ve ever had, but it does have some quirks. When I turn it on for the first time each day, it asks me if I want to revert to the default time and date, even though I set the time and date the day before. In addition, since I’ve installed the driver for this device both through a USB connection and a wireless App, whenever my husband prints something, it comes out of my printer.

A: You should fully install all the options for this printer so it will remember the date and time you set. In addition, since this printer is W-Fi based you need to set its options “not to share” so that others in the household do not accidentally use it. But if they don’t have as good a printer attached to their computers maybe you should let them use yours, as the Epson also uses less ink than most small business home office printers.

Q: My kids are in collage, my component stereo system from Denon is back to my use, but I no longer want to hear the deep bass in that humongous subwoofer. Can I operate my other six speakers without the sub-woofer? In addition, if I did want to add some bass, are there any subwoofers that don’t take up so much room? And why are they so big since everything else that’s computerized has shrunk?

A: Subwoofers have shrunk a little the last few years and, more importantly, they are now mostly wireless which means that you can, with some models, put them in a closet or hide them somewhere out of the way. And if you don’t want to use one at all, simply unplug it from your component receiver. If you have a subwoofer that the other speakers are attached to, then simply un-attach the speaker wire and reattach it to the component receiver itself.

Q: I got the Samsung NX 1000 mirrorless camera and then, luckily, I also got the companion close-up lens. While the day to day pictures I took were fine and the ability to upload them directly from the camera without taking out the sd card or connecting to the computer was a terrific convenience,  my business required some close-ups that included jewelry , coins, stamps and antiques. When I set the camera setting to close- up and the lens to close up, I get a sharp close-up for a single shot and then the following shot is blurry. Sometimes I can’t recreate the terrific shot I just took…even if it’s a few seconds later.

A: Make sure all the settings are manual and also realize that even this special lens has its limitations. The reason your second shot can be blurry is that the computer chip in the mirrorless Samsung (and some other mirrorless cameras) are not as fast as those in the top rated single lens reflex digital cameras.

In addition, lighting and positioning of the camera can also make a difference. While mirrorless cameras from many companies are a lower priced alternative to Digital SLRs, they do not have the same capabilities for professional or pro-sumer projects.

Q: I am about to purchase a new computer, preferably a laptop, for my husband. He really uses it to keep track of sports, get email and occasionally Skype relatives overseas. He is not computer literate at all. The only things I have heard about the new Windows 8 is that it’s confusing, not for the faint of PC heart and, in fact, is pretty much useless for those not wanting to become involved with the computer universe. I saw a few desktops and notebook Windows 8 PCs for less than $300 should I get him one?

A: Not if you want to stay married. Our computer experts and our focus groups showed us that Windows 8, while looking as easy as a Mac or having some of the same terrific touchscreen capabilities of an Android product,  is not what a computer newcomer or a person just wanting ease of use would like. In fact, the opposite is true. Up until the release of Win 8, we thought that the original Mac Tablet was the dumbest conceived product ever, (it was only good for games and couldn’t even browse the web) and recently Blackberry’s Play Book was so bad that its own company employees didn’t use it (reliable reports say the Blackberry employees were seen using Androids and iPads) and Microsoft’s short lived Vista operating system (hasta la Vista OS) was replaced quickly by Windows 7. But Windows 8 has no redeeming qualities. In an age where ease of use is paramount to survival with any device it doesn’t even deserve a full review since its Tablet OS works differently than its desktop or laptop. In the Windows 8 PC  we tested just last week, you seemingly have to do three things at one time to get an application to run. (See www.http://intheboombox.tv/windows-8-trick-or-treat-for-boomers-windows-8-product-review/)

For the first time ever DFA recommends getting a Mac or a big screen tablet instead of a new PC Win 8. And if you hurry, there are still some new Win 7 laptops available. Ask Dell, or HP or Acer if there are any left when you call their sales phone numbers or if you order online at Costco or BJs.

Q: This is not a joke but my new puppy not only ate my homework, he also ate my Roku Set top Box AC adapter, my Toshiba Satellite laptop adapter (only a few days old) and was caught red handed (or red pawed) eating my new LG 50 inch TV’s cables. Now, according to the warrantees in these products, I need to spend as ton of money to replace the AC power adapters or wires in these devices.

A: Don’t panic. Look up the part number in your warrantee book or online. While the manufacturers do charge a bundle for that particular part, Radio Shack sells a very good generic replacement part for most TV AC adapters or plugs and we’ve found very good quality replacement parts on E-Bay and Craig’s list. Even some of the non-generic or proprietary audio-video and computer parts can be found on Amazon.com. I have found TV AC connectors at Good Will and Red White and Blue thrift stores.

Q: I use my AT&T’s email site att.yahoo.com, but now I want to use Outlook on my notebook computer and/or the built-in email App on my Android Tablet. Where can I find the settings for this kind of email program? I tried to add my email account to my Tablet and mobile phone using the automatic button on the how-to screens, but each time it said there was “no such” account.

A: If you want to use Microsoft Outlook, you can usually find the proper settings for your incoming and outgoing mail and the settings at the service provider’s web sites. Recently AT@T and Verizon have also listed this in welcome kits for new customers. Once you have these instructions follow the manual install directions on your Tablet and mobile phone and fill in the required fields with your service provider information.

Q: I heard that Verizon has the finest hot spot service called MyFi and you can purchase (for free with rebate) a device that lets you use all your PCs, Tablets and even some other Wi-Fi products connected to this hot spot for only $20 a month. Is it worth it? Sometimes I work in an area where cell phone service is spotty.

A: The $20 a month plan for a MyFi device is only worth it when you are using your computer or Tablet away from home and you must have that convenience. While the Verizon (and other carrier’s hot spot devices) do handle as many as five other devices on Wi-Fi, they are useless if you have no mobile service. A better and cheaper alternative is a software icon on Smartphones that turns the phone into a Wi-Fi hot spot and you only have to pay for the days used. For instance, instead of carrying an extra hot spot device with you when you are going to stay at a hotel (usually $15 a day) or a friend’s house and you absolutely need Wi-Fi, you can contact your carrier and turn your Smart Phone into a Wi-Fi hot spot. But when you are finished with your visit, cancel the service and there is no extra charge for that service.

Q: I have been using Pandora, Spotify and Slacker to get a good all-around music collection from my IPad. My wife’s using a large screen Motorola Smart Phone. Between the two of us we have used up our allotted AT@T two gigs of online time and data usage for the month in just ten days. Any suggestions on how to save money while playing music?

A: You are both carrying around devices that can store thousands of songs without using any data time so you don’t need a data-eating music service. (Sorry about that AT@T-Verizon-Sprint). Simply copy and paste your digital music from your computer onto your phone’s micro SD card (up to 32 gigs, the equivalent of weeks of music). Come on, admit it, you have tons of legal and quasi legal music stored on your PC, so use it. If your Smart Phone or Tablet does NOT have extra storage (sorry about that IPad owners), another way to save on data charges is to use your devices in Wi-Fi mode which will cut down on your data charges tremendously.

Q: I have been using the Omron Blood Pressure device for years now. I upgraded to the Blue Tooth version which was supposed to automatically send my blood pressure results to both my Smart phone, Tablet and PC. Nothing is synching.

A: Apparently the Blue Tooth version of the device is not ready yet even though the packaging is. You just can’t do it.

Q: I have many relatives and friends overseas and I’ve noticed that my Skype bill (even when not using the video portion) gets used up pretty fast. In addition, occasionally, we do a group video and that uses up our deposits too (we are not all Skype customers). Also, with Skype, we can only do three people at a time on video. Are there any alternatives for overseas video and phone calling that are more affordable and/or better?

A: We have tried ooVoo and found that we can see and hear more people at one time in even better resolution video and clearer audio than Skype. ooVoo prices are similar to Skype (free to all members), but it seems as if because ooVoo runs smoother we spend less per call if we have to spend at all. In addition, ooVoo allows more simultaneous video users than Skype, so if you have a lot of business customers or a big family, all can participate in the live video chat. However, as far as hardware goes, the widescreen Logitech-made TV compatible video cam from Skype is still the best audio or video device to talk and see your contacts on Skype. ooVoo is working on a similar camera.

Q: I installed Skype on my new Asus all-in-one PC that comes equipped with both a touch screen and Windows 8 operating system. After the installation, the password screen said I had to use a Microsoft account in order to use the program. I know that Microsoft owns Skype, but I don’t want to join Microsoft. Any way around this?

A: Yes, you can simply go to any browser: Chrome, Opera, Firefox…anything but IE and download Skype.

It will load the same format you are used to (not Win 8) on your Desktop. And just forget about the version that came with your new PC…the Win 8 version. If you forget to forget about the version, then the request for names and passwords will pop up twice, so you’ll know you are in wrong version. To remove the version of Skype that comes with a new PC simply  click  on the start menu, right click on the Skype app tile and select ‘Uninstall’ from the bar that appears at the bottom.

Q: For the past few years DFA has been touting the Logitech Squeezebox as the best and most economical way to have Internet radio, home audio sharing and listening to your favorite digital music services. Recently they came out with a new model called the

 Logitech UE™ Smart Radio. Is it as good as its predecessor and why did they change what was such a great product?

A: The new Logitech UE Smart Radio is a very good upgrade to the award-winning Squeezebox. About the same size, it has improved audio quality and the biggest difference is that it is fully portable using a rechargeable Lithium battery along with its AC plug. Its set up and installation is also a tad easier except when you want to customize your radio stations. Now you have to go to their web site, register the unit and choose the mostly free services or individual radio stations. This process, while an extra step from the original unit, is nevertheless easier to do on a PC than the old way of hitting the tiny buttons. The UE Smart Radio also comes with easy to use Apps for IPhone, IPad and Android devices making those devices your wireless remote control for the Smart Radio if you don’t want to navigate through the unit itself. There are a few significant issues with the new Smart Radio in that you have to sign on to Pandora, Slacker, Sirius and other music services more than one time…and some of the settings like Sleep Timer, Alarm and regular time are almost impossible to find on the App and you also have to set up your own music again on a separate web site from the old Squeezebox, but all in all its still a terrific way to experience Internet radio at a affordable price.

Q: For the first time in a long time I actually listened to CDs in my car when I forgot my MP3 player. I was astounded to hear the music and words better than I am usually used to in my car. What exactly did I gain or lose quality wise when I started using MP3 more than CDs.

A: Most MP3 downloads from ITunes and Amazon.com use a lower quality audio setting than regular pre-recorded compact disks. In addition when transferring your CDs to MP3 most software programs even lower the so called “bit rate” even more otherwise converting a CD to MP3 would take hours and hours.

Q: How do I open an account on Twitter and get started using it?

A:  To sign up for Twitter, all you need to do is register with your name, email address, a username for Twitter.com and a password to log-in. After your account is created, enter the Settings menu to customize your profile and account settings. One important thing to choose is whether you want your tweets to be public or protected. If you choose to protect your tweets, only Twitter users you approve will be able to see your tweets.  If you choose to not protect your tweets, then they will be accessible by the entire public, including appearing in Twitter and Google searches.  After you get through that technical stuff, it’s just a matter of finding and following the other users you want to see tweets from! Use either the search box on your Twitter homepage or the # Discover page to find friends, family, celebrities, and others that you want to “follow” to see their tweets on your homepage. From there the possibilities are endless! Compose your own tweets, re-tweet other’s tweets, participate in conversations by using mentions (@) or hashtags (#) in your tweets, or simply soak up all the real-time information on your homepage timeline.

Q: How do you “unfriend” someone on your Facebook Friends list?

A: Go to your own Facebook  page…click on “Friends”.  When the person’s name comes up, click on the “Friends” tab right next to their name, and then click “Unfriend”.

Q: How do you delete a photo in Facebook?

A: Go to your own Facebook page.  Click on “Photos”.  Go to the photo that you want to delete by clicking on the album that contains it.  Click “edit album” in upper right corner.  Move mouse to the top right of the frame around the photo, click on the down looking arrow.  Then click “delete photo”.

Q: How do I open a Facebook account and get started using it?

A:  To open a Facebook account, all you need is your name, email address, birthday, gender, and a password to log-in. Once you’re signed up at Facebook.com, you can customize specific settings such as your notifications and privacy on your posts.  Customize your profile with a profile picture, cover photo, work, education, interests and significant dates you want to appear on your timeline such as a graduation, semester abroad, marriage, birth of a child, etc. You can always edit and add in more information later. To find friends, use the search bar or Facebook’s “Find Friends” feature. One neat feature is the ability to put your friends into custom lists (visible only to you). For example, if you want to separate your high school pals from your college connections from your family from your professional contacts, you can create a list for each group. Then you can give custom privacy settings to a status update, photo album, posts on your timeline, and more that make it visible to specific lists only, or visible to all friends except a list. Great for Grandma and those slightly risqué photos from your birthday!

Q:  I have a Macintosh. More and more people now have Macs. When do I have to begin to worry about dangerous viruses?

A: Right now! Because Macs had very little mass penetration into the consumer market space until now the crazies that launch these viruses didn’t want to spend the time to attack the Mac operating system. Now with the popularity of the Mac at an all-time high (still dwarfed by Microsoft OS), the same viruses we’ve been used to dealing with  in Windows has started to infiltrate the Apple World. The same companies that protect Microsoft OS make similar affordable protection for the Mac and the growing Android devices too.

Q: When will I finally begin to look to Apple TV or Google TV , Roku’s and Boxee’s Internet television applications and set top boxes as an alternative to my conventional solutions for television, movies, and music?

A: The major networks: ABC, Fox, NBC and CBS,  and their cable based stalwarts like USA, TBS, TNN and others, and the major pay and premium networks, HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax are still very nervous about getting their entire library on the Internet. Consequently you will NOT see everything that’s on your TV now on other devices. Instead, most TV makers are including the most popular Internet Apps like YouTube and Pandora and Netflix in their TVs. It is also unlikely that full telephone service will be available for the entire nation ie: Skype, Oovoo, Magic Jack in the near future.

Q:  I periodically see what I suspect is municipal wireless or free WiFi access on my computer – but can’t access it.  Is this available for all to use – or by subscription only?

A: When your computer or Smart phone or Tablet sees free Internet access, in most cases you still have to go the site hosting the service ie: NYC Parks Dept. San Francisco municipal access or even your local coffee house web site. Once there you will just accept the terms on the screen then you can browse to your heart’s content. But please be aware that some free web access might limit your Email access because of bandwidth restrictions.

Q: My Android Smart Phone has Wi-Fi access. How do I use this to minimize my phone bills – particularly as relates to expensive overseas calling?

A: You must have Skype or Oovoo. But make sure the person you are calling also has that type of service otherwise you may still incur some fees.

Q: I’ve seen laptops that convert into Tablets and vice versa. A good idea?

A:  There are several laptops that also convert into a Tablet. The Dell, Asus and Lenovo brands manufacturer these hybrids. They are very flexible, but all now use Windows 8. To take advantage of their flexibility you must learn not just Windows 8, but also need to know how to use the different operating systems within Win 8 to be able to access Tablet Apps, regular PC programs and to work between all the programs.

Q:Sometimes I see a green square at the bottom of my PC screen, and when I place the cursor over it, it says “CPU 100%.” what does it mean, and do I have to do anything about it? Usually when I see the PC is running at 100% everything seems to slow down and some programs won’t run at all.

A: If your PC’s CPU is operating at 100% you must stop running some programs in order to get your PC to work faster and more efficiently. Hit Control Alt and Delete and activate task manager. Within task manger, close the programs you are not using and your PC should revert back to its original power.

Q: I use some programs more often than others. Do I have to always start with the “start” button and go through 4-5 steps to start one?

A: No. Just drag and drop the program to your desktop and then it will run with just one click of your mouse.