More computer than you can currently afford?

One of the worst things that can happen is when a computer breaks or is damaged and beyond repair.  This is compounded when money is tight and you rely on your computer.

The scramble to replace the computer is a tough one, and sometimes bad decisions may result, like buying a used machine, or one that doe not fit your needs.   On these occasions I have directed clients to retailer and manufacturer financing plans so they are able to purchase more computer than they can currently afford.  Having one bad thing happen should not result in another risky decision.

Most retailers and manufactures have credit or payment plans for technology, here are the three best that I have found, 

Bill Me Later

Dell Computers

Amazon

I am not a big fan of Dell, but they do have a good financing plan.  I am more partial to Bill Me Later and Amazon, both offer a greater range of choice in product.  Keep in mind that many of these plans are similar to credit cards.  

If trouble strikes and you need a new computer but don't have the cash, check out one of these options. 

Great local internet providers

For most folks in Northwest Denver there seem to be only two choices for internet providers, Comcast and Century Link.  If you want just internet, beauce you do not need a home phone or cable tv channels, both providers offer this option, but neither is cost effective.

There are other options, 

- Your mobile telephone provider (T-mobile, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T),   they can provide a data plan and service with reasonable speed, but the cost and caping of data are major considerations. (What is a data cap?)

- Clear is another provider that specializes in Wi-Max.  Clear has reasonable speed, no data caps, and reasonable cost.   One issue is coverage, as with all wireless data providers, you might not get good coverage based on location. 

- Livewirenet, provides Wi-Max and DSL service to Northwest Denver locations. Livewirenet  has different options Wi- Max or DSL depending on your needs and physical location.   I like them because as a local company they are very service oriented and local.

If you know of other options, let me know, I could always have missed one. 

Password options

A couple of weeks ago I had a blog on password entropy. The long and the short of it, you need random passwords.

For years I suffered with trying to remeber passwords, and I used similar passwords all the time. That all changed after I found LastPass.com.

LastPass.com is a password manager that works on multiple platforms, I use mine on Windows and Android. By using a master password and random passwords for subordinate sites. This elimanates most of the security risks you encounter.

Check out Last Pass and let me know what you think.

www.lastpass.com

No need for Cable TV

For about 2 years now we have not had Cable TV.   Our bill was at one point about $170 per month, without pay per view.   Right now we pay about $40.00 per month for antenna, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and about 5 - 10 subscriptions to TV shows and movies we like.  

We watch a moderate amount of TV, my wife would have you beleive otherwise, without much sports or specialty channels, i.e. Home and Garden TV, Spike TV, etc.  We get almost every show we want, though sometimes delayed, but always at the time that we want it.  We watch on our computers, or on our Roku Player.  

Based on the cost savings and on the ease of use I would urge everyone to check out one of these options.  Is this change for everyone, no it is not, but it is worth looking into. 

P.S.   Here is a great article about this, Cutting the cable cord is a young trend going in the right direction

More indispensable Android Apps?

I run into lists of apps, services, and products all the time.  More often than not the lists are simple and do not have a lot of depth.   I ran into another one the other day and I am looking for some feedback on it, specifically does the list have value.  Take a look and let me know what you think, 

10 indispensable Android Apps