FAQS - CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Some things to Know
WHICH PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?
We can take card payments in person with a mobile card reader, we will take cash if that is the only option. We can request payment using PayPal, and PayPal can be used when invoiced to pay online with a card or PayPal funds. We will also accept direct bank payment, we supply payment details on all invoices. We also can setup a Direct Debit monthly payment for certain services, or for outstanding invoice amounts.
DO YOU DO WORK HERE AT MY HOME OR DO YOU HAVE A SHOP?
We generally work at your home, in person, sometimes by remote access, if working on a computer. If a task is going to take a long time and I think it would be better and cheaper for us to take equipment away to work on it further, we would discuss that option with you.
No, we don't have a shop or premises that clients would normally come to. we do have some office space on a business client's premises, but that is not for receiving client visits.
I'M NOT SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT INVITING A STRANGER INTO MY HOME.
We understand, and we try and work with people by recommendation, if possible. But for clients who don't know us we have 2 things to help with concerns:
We have paid to have a DBS criminal background check on anyone you invite into your home - with associated certificate showing lack of convictions, what used to be a CRB check.
We can provide a reference from our accountants, and long-standing client (10 years), to vouch for our character and integrity
Also, this is a small area, I'm sure if we tried we might find someone in common that we would both know.
FAQS - GIFT SOMEONE HELP FOR CHRISTMAS
HOW DOES THAT WORK?
Simple: They need the help, you can't think of what to get anyway, so you Gift our time to help them with Tech they already have or don't know how to use, and we help and/or teach them.
or
You are giving a Tech Gift to someone and you know they will need help setting it up, or using it, or even ongoing support to keep it up and running - so you also Gift our time to do all that.
or
You need help yourself, so gift our time to yourself, very smart!
Think of us as Santa's little helpers.
WHAT DO I GIVE THEM?
You could give them a card with what you are Gifting written in it, setting up your new mobile, getting that laptop on the internet, getting that Games console setup and online accounts linked, etc.
Or we could supply you with a simple Gift Certificate that you could give.
It could show how much you spent, or just how much time they get or what service they get as a complete service to do something.
You can even give our regular monthly services, which you can pay for monthly by Direct Debit.
You can if you want start saving with us for next Christmas, by paying regular amounts to us or by Direct Debit, ready for next year and spread the cost. We are not a savings organisation but can take advance payments for services you then gift.
FAQS - HELP BUYING TECH PRESENTS
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
Options:
1 You know roughly what you want to get - but you need help getting the right model/specs/price
2 You are not sure, what would you recommend for - 8year old, 12year old, 35year old, 65year old!
3 You want to get things online but are not sure how to do that, we help get you setup, help get you started, and you can do the rest, or we can continue to help
4 You want or need to get second-hand or new off eBay or market place etc - Again I get you setup and accounts online, help you get started and then we go from there.
SECURE SHOPPING THIS CHRISTMAS
Get a PayPal account and stop entering your card details into all those websites.
Get a password manager so you have easy access to all those online shopping accounts, and make sure you activate 2-factor if they offer it.
Setup a new Google/Gmail account just for use in setting up online accounts, so your normal email doesn't get all clogged up with SPAM, Sales emails, newsletters, vouchers, offers, etc, etc.
Stay safe and secure this Christmas
FAQS - KEEPING YOUR FAMILY XMAS SAFE
SHARING THE JOY WITH FAMILY ACCOUNTS
Options:
1 Make everyone more secure with a family sized Security package
2 Indulge them in online security with family sized password manager accounts for all
3 Share the joy of all those movies and music and books, etc with family account linking and sharing
4 Get a nice family account for YouTube and stop everyone from having to watch all those annoying ads! Also be able to download content, among other benefits
BE MORE IN CONTROL THIS CHRISTMAS
1 If you can change the settings on your router to restrict unwanted internet content, sometime by age level, you may have to go online to your provider to do this
2 Change you DNS settings on your router if 1 doesn't work, to a family safe and friendly internet connection - OpenDNS - That would help protect all at home
3 Adjust parental controls on computers and devices to protect family from things they should not see or be able to do
4 Add security software to protect them and to help stop unwanted activity
5 Install full nanny software to control what a device can do, when it can do it, what it can view and where it can connect and how
6 Build trust and respect and educate your family on the dangers, what they can do to avoid them and what you are doing to protect them and slowly start to trust them to.
FAQS - LUCKY YOU! A NEW PHONE
MAKING IT EASY
1 Make sure you are connected to your eco-system main cloud - that your main data is backed up there and you have checked
2 Backup all those apps that you can to a cloud storage area or if you have one a removable SD card, or you may have to hook up to a computer
3 Email - please make sure that they are backed up, or that you use IMAP or exchange, to make this easy
4 if your phone allows plug in to a computer and do a system and data backup to the hard drive
5 Put your account details into your new phone along with the SIM card - which you have made sure is the right size for the new phone - right? The see what comes over
6 You do have a password manager with all your accounts in to make setup easier don't you?
Set-up all your apps and get linked back up
7 Make sure you backed up WhatsApp and transfer it correctly or you might lose everything!
EVEN EASIER, IF AVAILABLE
Connect both phones to a computer and use syncing software to transfer all the data across to the new device in one step.
Life is not always that easy, and this kind of thing doesn't always go to plan, but it can make things easy in certain situations.
It can make conversion from one eco-system to a new eco-system easier.
You do have to pay for this kind of software so factor that in, or let us help you.
Don't forget, don't sell your old one until you know all is well
Don't sell your old one without a factor reset, and may be even a full system reinstall
Don't forget to remove the SIM and the SD or memory card (You think that is funny, we once bought a phone off eBay and it came with an SD card full of photos !)
FAQS - NEW COMPUTER FOR XMAS! WOW
NEW COMPUTER WHAT DO I DO?
If you don't have much data to transfer:
Get your data transferred to an online storage area, Dropbox, Google, iCloud.
Backup your email if you still use POP. Put that in the online storage.
Collect all your software setup files and licences and put them in the online storage.
Then on your new computer, install security software if it needs it, you can even put antivirus and malware software on a Mac.
Install your online storage on your computer or if it's built in, then watch as all your files are downloaded onto your computer.
Install all the software you need, re-setup your email account and data files.
Re licence software as needed, getting all the updates for them.
WHAT ABOUT ALL MY PERIPHERAL DEVICES
Modern computers will do a lot of the basic set up of peripherals for you. Basic drivers to get you going.
What you often need is the install software to get the most out of a device.
Also, Basic drivers don't always play well with others over a network connection, so a complete software install for a peripheral device may be needed.
You also have to watch your security software and or Apple OS, as they can stop or get in the way of setup, updating software and can cause lots of connection issues and drop off.
FAQS - NEW GAMES CONSOLE! GREAT!
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ONLINE GROUP PLAY!
Have you setup the online gaming account?
Have you paid for the subscription for the online play and new games downloading?
Have you got the right headphones and mic?
What about the other things like are you going full VR with a Goggle head-set?
Are you going big or multi TV setup?
Or
Are you, computer online playing all the way, consoles are for the masses?
MAN CAVE, HA! MAN HOUSE!!
Are you sick of being relegated to the back room or loft?
Want to be able to listen and make stuff happen where ever you are?
Then may be you are looking at going Smart house?
Or interactive with Alexa or Google?
You need google Wi-Fi and a fast router to get the most out of that kind of set-up.
Deep pockets are useful but you can get started with a few Echo Dots, 3rd gen are the ones to get, to start to get a feel for house Smart! Communicate around the house, or even between houses with family or friends using similar devices.
Get that Xmas party going with Smart linked speakers around the house, up the power with Echo speaks linked to stereo system via 3.5mm cable (Note Google home doesn't have this, only Bluetooth, which can add delay and affect listening experience)
FAQS - HELP WITH YOUR MOBILE AND OTHER TECH - HOW TO USE THEM
NEW OR OLD MOBILE - NEED A LESSON?
What's the point in having something that you can't use because you don't know how?
Or
You're not getting your monies worth out of it, as you only use the basics and could be doing so much more...
Messaging - Video messaging - Sat-Nav - Playing music - watching TV & Movies - Managing your Bank - Sending money to someone - Authenticating accounts - the list goes on
HOW WOULD THE TRAINING OR LESSONS WORK?
Couple of options here:
1 You tell us what it is you want to learn, we estimate how long that is going to take, tell you how much that costs and you either agree or we work out how to reduce the cost - Some recommended online learning, some YouTube videos that might help - so you could do the learning yourself - then we could just help where needed
2 You decide there is a lot to learn, it's going to take time and you are fine with that - you can either buy a bulk lot of time or pay for a monthly plan and the learning is done over weeks or months at a pace to suite you
3 You see one of the Task options that are mentioned in the Pricing Tab - we do that, you learn a new skill, happy client