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My last article covered a few travel tips for Wi-Fi and access to electricity. This week I want to focus on cell phones. As an infrequent international traveler, I had a bit of an education on my recent trip to Costa Rica.

Santa Monica, Columnist, Technology, Tech Talk

Travel Tech 101: Advice When Abroad

Posted Sep. 8, 2012, 11:00 pm

I’m writing this week’s article from my hotel room in Costa Rica. Intended as a pure vacation, my trip turned into a working vacation when a conversation over sushi in a little beach town in Costa Rica revealed that a local hotel had lost their Wi-Fi coverage and their tech guys had been non-responsive. Scott to the rescue! A techie’s work is never done. A couple hours of tinkering later, Wi-Fi coverage is restored and I have my first client in Costa Rica.

Santa Monica, Technology, Tech Talk

Part Three: Windows Vs. Mac: A Brief Buyer's Guide

Posted Aug. 16, 2012, 1:08 am

Over the past few weeks, I’ve written about Windows, Mac, and mobile operating systems. This week I want to cut to the chase with a decision guide for how to make a choice when buying a new mobile device. The concept here is for anyone to be able to read through this and come to a conclusion about what type of device to get.

In the land of Google, Android has altered the mobile landscape forever.

Santa Monica, Columnist, Technology, Tech Talk

Part Two: Windows vs Mac - A Brief Buyer's Guide

Posted Aug. 9, 2012, 1:04 am

In our last installment, we discussed Apple versus Windows for desktop and laptop computers. For this week’s topic, I want to open up the conversation a bit to include Google’s Android operating system.

The idea that Macs aren’t susceptible to viruses is completely untrue, as are some of the other marketing tricks in the Apple playbook.

Santa Monica, Technology, Tech Talk

Tech Talk: Mac Versus PC: A Brief Buyers Guide

Posted Jul. 19, 2012, 1:25 am

These days more and more people are switching from PC to Mac. I frequently ask these people at my seminars why they chose to do so, and the answers I get most often are along these lines of: I just wanted to join the party; My iPhone works great; All my friends love theirs; or they say you can’t get viruses.

There are a few simple rules to follow in order of increasing complexity when picking a password.

Santa Monica, Columnist, Technology, Tech Talk

Passwords 101: Computer Security Part 4

Posted Jul. 5, 2012, 2:08 am

For the last installment of this series on computer security, I’d like to focus on passwords. Passwords are absolutely essential to protect your data, whether it is banking information, email accounts, business server, or just pictures of the grandkids. Your information should remain just that – your data. And passwords are your first line of defense.

Pesky wi-fi passwords protect us from costly security issues.

Santa Monica, Technology, Tech Talk

Why 'Wi-Fi' Security? Computer Security Part Three

Posted Jun. 21, 2012, 1:06 am

When you take a laptop or iPad to a friend’s house, it has become standard practice to ask for the wireless password. “What’s the password fo...

Today backups have never been easier or cheaper with hard drive prices very reasonable for large, fast drives.

News, Santa Monica, Technology, Tech Talk

Tech Talk with Scott Bly: The Importance of Backups Part 1

Posted Mar. 29, 2012, 12:54 am

Imagine the following scenario. You’ve been working on a project on the computer for hours. No – days. You’re nearing the end. You begin to a...

The new 55” OLED TVs from Samsung at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

News, Santa Monica, Technology, Tech Talk

Tech Talk With Scott Bly: Trends For The Year Ahead

Posted Jan. 20, 2012, 12:40 am

Happy New Year to all techno-philes, gadget lovers, and the geek-curious. I’m thrilled to launch The Mirror’s Tech Talk column. Each wee...

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