Monthly Archives: November 2014

Working with Windows 8

And getting through the fear of the new and unknown

It seems whenever a program, website, or game is given an update, the first thing consumers like to do is gripe about all of the new changes to which they have to adapt. Nobody seems to like it when Facebook changes its layout, or when Nintendo or Microsoft come out with new consoles like the WiiU and the Xbox One. We all like what we know.

Such an event happened about eight months ago when the Windows operating system underwent a huge face lift with the release of Windows 8. From the new Start Screen to the simplified, tablet-like design, everyone found something they didn’t like. We at Hogan’s Systems understand our customers concerns for what new features Windows 8 has brought, and so we have used it and tested it out so that we can better help those who have doubts about upgrading their computers.

Windows 8 is ideal for those looking to get a tablet and a computer at the same time, because they will be using the same operating system when they get both a Windows PC and tablet. It is also good for people with lots of programs on their computer that they may have a hard time keeping track of. With the Start Screen, you can place and organize all of your most frequently used programs in one place, without taking up the entirety of your desktop screen with shortcuts.

One aspect of Windows 8 that understandably makes a lot of people nervous are the apps found on the Start Screen. These apps make it seem like Windows 8 is run only through them and not through desktop programs like on Windows XP, Vista, and 7; but this is not true. The apps are optional, and easily hidden for those who do not want to use them. One of these apps is the desktop screen, and it is with a click that you can return to the same familiar desktop that you are used to seeing.

There are, however, many apps that make using the computer easier, and with these apps can come program organization. One example of this is with chat clients like Skype. Sometimes when you have many programs open on your desktop, you can lose track of your chat client and have to hunt through many windows to find it again. With Windows 8 apps, Skype can be pinned to one side of the screen where it is separate from the desktop and cannot be lost among other windows.

It is true that Windows 8 seems intimidating at first, but you only need to give it a chance to see the great features it has.

©2014 Hogan’s Systems Consulting, LLC

How Do You Know When You’re Being Scammed?

When a seemingly innocent phone call turned into a disaster…

In this age of scams, we have learned how to be skeptical of emails, friend requests, and offers from people and companies that we do not know. Unless we engage in business with someone first, we are wary of their intentions.

Unfortunately, even the best of us can be caught unaware or even fall for something because it impersonated a company or person that we were expecting to hear from. For example, we have one customer who, before they found Hogan’s Systems Consulting, had had their computer fixed by another company. They later got a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, who said problems had been found on their computer that needed to be fixed immediately. Thinking this was a call from the company that had just fixed their computer, this customer gave the caller remote access to the computer. However, they became suspicious when the caller started asking them for a debit card number and for an outrageously large amount of money as payment.

After this customer refused to pay the caller, they found that their computer had been encrypted and they could no longer access their account on it. When we were called to take a look at the computer, we found that the computer could not be unlocked or restored as some of the most important components of it had been what was locked away. The data, however, was still salvageable, and we were able to back it up before having to wipe everything and re-install Windows 8.

From this experience, this customer learned about being skeptical of unexpected approaches from people and companies. They learned the importance of having someone they can trust with their computer and have said that they will be sticking with Hogan’s Systems Consulting from now on, because they know we can get the job done and keep their computer and information safe.