3 Ways to Extend the Coverage of your Wi-Fi Network

Without a doubt, a wireless network has become integral to both PC as well as mobile users. However, with portable devices such as tablets, smartphones and even laptops, there are times when you won’t get reception from certain parts of your home.

So, here are 3 ways by which you can get rid of those dead spots and extend the coverage of your Wi-Fi network:

#1: Pick the best location

Probably the most important aspect of getting the best Wi-Fi reach is all about location. In this case, it is the location of your wireless access point, which in turn, is located in your wireless router too. For this, make sure that the location of your wireless AP is in the center of your home. Preferably, placing it on an open shelf will be better than placing it on the ground.

#2: Upgrade your Wi-Fi Router’s Antenna

While there are a number of strategies that can extend your Wi-Fi reach, after a point, you’ll have to spend some money for it. One such strategy involves purchasing an upgradeable antenna such as the Asus RT series or Linksys WRT1900AC, you can swap your router’s antenna for higher gain. Of course, if your router has an internal antenna, this strategy won’t work.

#3: Add a Wi-Fi range extender

Instead of replacing your wireless router altogether, it’s a good idea to install a Wi-Fi range extender. This device picks up the signal and rebroadcasts it to improve your network coverage. It should be pointed out that they work best when equidistant between the client or clients that you are trying to reach as well as primary wireless access point.

3 Common PC and Windows Issues that Users Face

There are a number of PC and Windows questions that seem to never go away, no matter how many years you have spent using a PC and Windows.

And even if there are a number of people who might have never faced these problems, reading about them can go a long way in helping you fix these issues if and when they crop up.

That said, here are 3 common PC and Windows issues that users face:

#1: Secure browsing

Totally secure browsing will never be a reality. Crooks, government and the corporations will alway try capture your information. However, there are a number of tricks that you can try in order to be as safe as possible. In fact, two ways to do this is to use your browser’s private browsing mode and a few add-ons for additional security.

#2: Blue Screen of Death

So you’re working on something important and suddenly, you’re faced with the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). Unfortunately, you have no option but to restart your computer and start over with your work. Of course, if this happens too often, then there’s something important that needs fixing. This might require you to speak to someone competent enough to fix the issue.

#3: Deleted files

Files have this habit of disappearing. Of course, this can turn out to be a problem if you’ve forgotten to backup your data previously. They have a funny way of hiding in your Recycle Bin and empty sectors of your hard drive. This is even if you have deleted them.

New Advances in Medical Device Production

Written by: Denton Vacuum, LLC

Summary: Using sputter deposition and thermal evaporation, you can manufacture almost any product a patient might need.

Medical devices have undergone some serious changes in the past few years that have made them cheaper, and also more durable. New advancements in manufacturing allow companies to make minimally invasive products, and durable replacement parts. The same techniques that go into manufacturing semiconductors are now part of the medical field. Here are just a few of the benefits they bring.

Durability

A thermal evaporation system can coat one material in the particulates of another material. This is especially useful for manufacturers of medical devices, as they can coat plastic pieces and metalize them. The end result is a more durable part. Take hip joints, for instance. These replacement parts are crucial to the elderly and disabled. Thermal evaporation allows manufacturers to produce these devices at low cost, using parts that wouldn’t normally work long-term.

Comfort

Medical device coatings allow patients to wear something in the body with minimal discomfort. These devices usually make tubes like catheters more pliable, so they can easily slide into place and set there for days at a time without the patient experiencing pain. A special process is used to coat the tubing in an aqueous substance that prevents the device from sticking to the body’s internals.

Final Thoughts

UHV sputter deposition, and thermal coatings, have dramatically changed how devices are manufactured. New devices are made with cheaper materials, then reinforced to a level of quality not otherwise possible. Eye glasses also receive this treatment to achieve the anti-glare affect. Ultimately, cheaper devices keep healthcare costs down.

3 Ways to Reinstall Windows 8

One of the biggest advantages of learning how to reinstall Windows 8 is that you can eliminate all kinds of malware, bloatware and deal with a number of system problems in one go.

Of course, you don’t have to reinstall Windows 8 in order to get it to run smoothly. However, if your PC is slowing down due to context menu items, startup programs and a buildup of junk, then carrying out this procedure is advisable.

That said, here are 3 ways to reinstall Windows 8:

#1: Refresh or Reset Your PC Option

There are two features that one can first try where both of them involve performing a Windows install in the background either by installing Windows fresh from the recovery files on your system or Windows installation disc or USB drive. One difference is that the Refresh your PC option keeps your personal files while the Reset your PC option removes it completely.

#2: Manufacturer’s Recovery Partition or Discs

Yet again, there are two options that can be used that involves either a recovery partition or discs that are provided by the manufacturer. For the former, you’ll have to press a key when your system is booting to access the recovery partition. As for the disc, you can insert it in your computer’s optical drive. You’ll have a fresh Windows-like system once you’re done with the instructions.

#3: Windows Installation Media

While a fresh install isn’t possible with the recovery tools provided by your manufacturer, a Windows installation disc will do the trick. If you’ve built your own PC, then you should put the Windows disc that you would have got to use. Or else, download the Windows 8 or 8.1 installation media from Windows.

3 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying a VPN

Staying safe when using public Wi-Fi is questionable. There’s no guarantee how safe these networks could be.

One of the best ways to stay secure on such a network is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Simply put, a VPN is an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet that protects your information from more-than-inquisitive people.

While there are a number of free VPNs, it’s still a good idea to pay for one as they’re faster, don’t have ads and have a bigger bandwidth than free options that are available.

That said, here are 3 questions that you must ask before you buy one:

#1: Are you located outside the United States?

There are a number of services such as Hulu, Netflix and Amazon on Demand that will be blocked if you’re outside the United States. Most people opt for a traditional VPn if they’d wish to get beyond these restrictions. For this, you will have to pick a VPN that has exit servers located in the United States which will make you look like a US user. One excellent sample to use is Media Hint.

#2: Do you use torrents regularly?

A number of these VPNs block torrent traffic. It’s a good idea to read over the policies of the service before you opt for it. This also includes checking as to whether you are able to download a number of Linux distributions that you’ve been meaning to try out.

#3: Is it a cross-platform VPN?

Another important aspect of picking a VPN involves whether it is cross-platform or not. Simply put, the VPN should be able to work across all devices and not just on your PC.

3 Ways by Which You Can Save Money Using Office 365

There are a number of reasons why an Office subscription might be the thing you require be it the Microsoft Office apps for the iPad.

Probably an hour of free world minutes on Skype or even 27 GB of OneDrive storage for each user which is also just as tempting.

However, you don’t have to pay $10 a month or $100 a year. You can get some time for free while also saving money on the aforementioned standard rate.

So, here are three ways by which you can save money when using Office 365:

#1: Enjoy one free month

The first thing that you should know about Office 365 is that you get one full month free of cost. For that, you’ll have to set up a free Microsoft account – your Xbox Live, Outlook.com or even your OneDrive account should do. Be advised that if you do provide your credit card, you will be charged $10 if you don’t cancel your account before the free month is finished.

#2: Don’t subscribe from Microsoft directly

By the time you are done with a month of using Office 365 for free, you’ll know whether or not it’s right for you. However, you don’t have to subscribe for this service by visiting the Microsoft website or as an in-app purchase. A cheaper option includes a discounted subscription key card for just $68 from Amazon.

#3: Subscribe for multiple years

If you wish to purchase multiple subscriptions for several years, you can do that even if Microsoft does not advertise. So, all you have to do is purchase a couple of the aforementioned cards and which works out much cheaper compared to buying it in other ways.

Explaining Diamond-Like Carbon

Diamond-like carbon is made under controlled circumstances inside a laboratory.

Written by: Denton Vacuum, LLC

There are seven varieties of “man-made diamond” to be found. These materials are meant to replicate the hardness and luster of a naturally occurring diamond, but they are produced in a laboratory under controlled conditions. As a result, the synthetic materials are usually considered “perfect.” On a molecular level, the materials are nearly indistinguishable from those of a naturally occurring diamond, but there are definite differences apparent to those in the know.

Diamond like carbon is used in materials that would benefit from the extra durability, like drill bits or saw blades for construction. You’ll also find the material inside of the housing in hard disks, and the engines of modern day sports cars use the dust to coat their parts too. The main benefit is reduced abrasion, which is especially important in high performance tools.

Natural diamonds sometimes have a hue that is barely noticeable, but does change the color of the diamond. In manufacturing, it is possible to use plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition to achieve the same goals.

Coating a substrate with these materials requires extreme heat. This is why manufacturers rely on ion beam deposition. It allows a producer to create the conditions needed to break down the diamond-like carbon, and use those molecules to produce a thin-film coating. This material can strengthen glass, making it scratch resistant.

An increased lifespan for the product is also better for the environment, because it cuts down on unnecessary waste. With diamond-like carbon, a variety of old tools can find new use with an increased durability.

3 Photo Apps That Will Transfer Your Photos Easily

Probably one of the best features of a smartphone is the ability to take pictures just about anytime and anywhere.

While that might seem simple enough, the truth is that getting them off your smartphone and on to your PC can be a real headache.

Instead of having to deal with wires, a better idea would be to use photo apps that are already on your phone or can be easily downloaded.

That said, here are 3 photo apps that makes the task of transferring photos effortless:

#1: OneDrive

This storage option offered by Microsoft is very similar to DropBox, in terms of its backup method.  Not only can you upload pictures by using Wifi but you also get 3 GB of storage completely free. With Windows 8 combining SkyDrive and OneDrive, it’s very simple to upload pictures that will end up on your PC easily. Just set OneDrive to download your camera backup folder by default.

#2: Google+

Even though there have been rumors about Google+ meeting its end, you can still upload all your pictures to this social network. Best part: they aren’t shared with anyone but kept private instead. Even though you won’t have them on your hard drive, it takes only a few clicks to download them on to your desktop.

#3: AirDroid

With this app, you don’t have to sync your phone and PC either. You can pick when you wish to connect to your PC (without a wire, of course). It’s also very simple to move files between your PC and AirDroid.

Windows 7 – A Simple Replacement for the Outdated Windows XP

No matter what you think, it isn’t safe using Windows XP anymore for the simple reason that it’s a magnet for malware.

Well, it’s almost been a decade now since the operating system has been around and so, it’s being phased out as Microsoft has released Windows 8 instead.

Speaking of which, your only options include replacing XP with Windows 7, 8 or jut opting for Linux altogether.

Among the three, Windows 7 is the simplest to try since it has the least learning curve than the other two.

Yet before you purchase a copy, it’s good to know whether your hardware can support Windows 7 or not.

In order to find out, it’s a good idea to install and run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. In more cases than not, you will have to obtain a 32-bit version of Windows as most if not all XP PCs did not use 64-bit processors.

If you’d like to be absolutely sure, then use Gibson Research’s Securable which will look at your chip and let you know if it’s 32-bit or 64-bit.

Now, once you know your processor, all you have to do is Google the keyword ‘windows 7’ and look for the cheaper upgrade option.

Once you purchase the copy, just make sure you back all your data up. Better still, use the EaseUS Todo Backup Free to create an image backup just in case something goes wrong.

After this, insert your Windows 7 DVD, boot your PC and follow the instructions to install Windows 7.

Once you’ve completed the installation, you’ll find all your old files in a folder with the path: C:\Windows.old.

Face Recognition Time Machines

Written by: Allied Time

Invest in your time and money on time systems that offers a great value on offering a hygienic, secure and fast verification of your employees’ identity when they punch in at work everyday. We guarantee that all our products are created in such a manner that each employee is secured with their identity and that it would only take them less than a second to verify themselves when they come in for work. Our leading attendance technology has been acknowledged by our long list of happy and satisfied customers because we make sure that we only create and offer a really great electronic time clock or other products that we offer. Visit our website and browse through our many featured products that have proven to be bestsellers over the years. We carry all sorts of time machine systems and we are confident that the solutions that we came up with will help any business. Any business with employees will definitely need to avail of our products because keeping track of time worked is very important in a company for the manager to process the money that should be allotted for each employee. One of our very sought after products is the Lathem time system, which is unique because it instantly detects faces of employees and it is a great alternative to fingerprint time machine systems because it is more hygienic and it is quick, efficient and highly developed with technology. Managers will be able to connect to multiple clocks to a single systems and it can store up to 500 employee faces if you upgrade the system.

Lathem time truly is a testament to our highly digital world and it is a new way for employees to punch in for work. Avail of this product and so many more when you visit our website.