Electric Sheep.
Snoozing. Slumbering. Catching some Zs. Sleep’s an incredibly important part of our lives and often one in which a lot of us will fall short either on quantity or quality. Technology as we know is generally seen as the enemy of this much needed rest, and rightly so. A technology professional myself, I’ve suffered first hand the effects of too much device time messing up my sleep schedule during busier stints. Is there a way though that we can achieve better, longer, more valuable shuteye through technology? Or has it firmly no place at our bedside?
Cellphones and tablets are the worst offenders when it comes to preventing our brains from shutting down and drifting off to dreamland. Studies have shown that both the bright light, which blocks the release of melatonin and the mental stimulation of scrolling social media or playing Angry Birds, prevents your brain from going into “sleep mode”. It’s been likened to taking a shot of espresso right before laying down. Typically the advice is to avoid screen time altogether for two hours before bed, which I agree in an ideal world would be great. It’s not an ideal world however, and two hours is a long time to not hear the dreaded ding of an email hitting your inbox.
One thing those of us unable to avoid screens completely can do is limit the temperature or warmth of the light which we’re bathing our eyeballs in. The most damaging for sleep and in fact our eyes in general is light on the bluer end of the spectrum. Switching our mobile devices to warmer color profiles, often labelled as “Night Shift” or “Night Mode” during the evening greatly helps both eyestrain and the transition from wake to sleep. It’s a feature I take advantage of all day on my computer monitors, in actuality. Modes with less blue light mean my eyes don’t get as fatigued as quickly, so I’m able to end the work day on a better note and without pain. This pesky blue light sensitivity also applies to status or power lights, which should be either covered or dimmed if living in your bedroom.
How about using technology to our sleepy advantage then? Thankfully, there’s research and resulting products readily available in this category. For actually falling asleep, there are noise generators which produce either calming white noise or other sounds conducive to drifting off. There’s also lighting which mimics the sunrise and sunset, allowing for a more natural shift between shuteye and wakefulness. Even without purchasing additional devices, there are apps which allow your phone to guide meditation or improve calmness while you settle down for the night. While some solutions do flirt with pseudoscience, most are free to try and find out for yourself if their claims hold water for your situation.
Tracking the sleep which you’re able to achieve is another area where technology shines. While the data it’s able to collect is typically limited to things like movement, heart rate, and breathing, there’s still value in it. The nice thing here is, while dedicated sleep tracking doodads exist, smartwatch owners probably already have the capability; it’s simply a case of switching the feature on. It’s clear that the future will bring us better, more connected sleep aids, but using what we have now to unlock better sleep is well within the realms of possibility for the majority of us. Step one perhaps is better self discipline when it comes to screen time. Now, just one more check of my inbox before bed…
This article first appeared in The Glasgow Courier.
Held to Ransom(ware).
There you are, going about your business, working away on your spreadsheets or your photos. It’s a productive day so far, you’ve gotten lots done! Suddenly, a popup appears on your screen. This popup claims to have taken control of your files and is demanding money to return them to you! Commiserations, you’ve just become one of the 304 million people who get infected with ransomware every year. Bummer!
So how did we get here? Well computer viruses and malicious programs in general first started appearing in the wild in the late 80s. To start out with, they really represented nothing more than an annoyance. But as the popularity of personal computer ownership grew, so did the underground practice of writing and distributing viruses, often for simply the notoriety. 1992 saw arguably the first widespread destructive iteration; the Michelangelo virus would silently spread via any floppy disk inserted into an infected machine and upon its namesake’s birthday of March 5th, rendered the host machine inoperative.
It didn’t take long for people to realize they could monetize their hobby of writing these programs. Electronic payments however were the catalyst to ransomware becoming what it is today. Mailing payments and conventional bank transfers are quite easy to track, so they’re not ideal if you’re in the business of keeping your identity unknown. Setting up an anonymous means of receiving payment online, especially with the dawn of cryptocurrency, is a much simpler prospect. It’s estimated that $350,000,000 was paid by ransomware victims last year, with the average payout being around $300,000.
By far and away the most poplar transmission method for what has now become the greatest financial threat amongst malicious software is phishing emails. These take the appearance of a vendor or service which you’d typically trust, but instead direct you to a website hosting the ransomware. Often, people afflicted with this type of digital nasty won’t know about it until a good time after the fact. It’s downloaded, installed and runs quietly in the background encrypting your data before it finally unveils itself to request payment. This payment, it claims, will yield the decryption key needed to regain access to your files.
As with most things, the best protection is prevention. The absolute simplest way to avoid falling victim to these attacks is extra vigilance when dealing with your emails. Large, multinational businesses don’t typically make the spelling mistakes people who’s first language isn’t English do. Are you expecting a package from Fedex or UPS? If not, there’s a good chance the tracking email you just received isn’t legitimate. Safer still is to head to a courier’s official website and use the tracking features there, rather than blindly trusting links in an email. If in doubt, contact a technology professional - they will be able to spot anything sketchy at a glance.
Actually paying a ransomware attacker to get your files back is a deeply contentious topic in the security community. The advice from the FBI and the majority of security firms is to not pay, as there are really no guarantees that your files will actually be returned to a usable state. Worse, it could put you on a “known to pay up” list making you more susceptible to further attacks. Organizations do in some cases resort to payment however, if the value of the encrypted data vastly eclipses that of the ransom.
In any case, you’re far better off avoiding getting caught in such a situation. Observe good practices, learn about the technology you’re using every day and give yourself the best chance of keeping your data safe.
Richard Noble
-Founder
This article originally appeared in The Glasgow Courier.
Just Browsing, Thanks.
The method in which we enjoy the fruits which the internet bears often slips by without so much as a casual thought. You click a thing, a webpage loads, you find what you’re looking for, you close that thing and carry on about your day. This browsing of websites is actually facilitated by a natty piece of software called, unsurprisingly, a browser. Just like we’re blessed with choices for airlines and peanut butter, we’re also able to be choosy with how we experience web pages. But what’s the difference? Aren’t we all just looking at the same internet?
Web browsers as a matter of fact perform a fairly important task. You see, the way a website exists in its raw form is actually just lines of code which, without a browser, wouldn’t be very pretty to look at. What’s happening when you load up a website on your computer or smartphone is, that code is being read and interpreted to give the layout, content and functionality that we all know and love from our favorite sites. The very first browser, created by a British gentleman by the name of Tim Berners-Lee, appeared in 1990. This program was called WorldWideWeb and, as our first fun fact, is where the abbreviation WWW comes from.
While Berners-Lee’s creation would serve as a springboard for innovation in sharing what would eventually become early versions of the websites we know today, it wasn’t until 1993 and the dawn of wider adoption of the internet itself that Mosaic appeared. Mosaic was the first browser intended for widespread use and for the first time gave PC owners an easy way to access sites, images and chat rooms. The following year, Mosaic became the slightly more well-known Netscape Navigator, which subsequently became the MUCH more well known and personal favorite of mine: Firefox. Perhaps the most famous (or infamous) browser of our generation was the arguably late to the party Internet Explorer from Microsoft, which actually grew from its 1995 launch to being responsible for 96% of web usage in 2001.
As it stands today the landscape for browser choice boils down to 4 main players. While what’s available will vary very slightly based on which operating system you use, in order of popularity we have Google Chrome, Apple’s Safari browser, Firefox and finally Microsoft’s 2015 replacement for Internet Explorer - Edge. What’s nice is you’re free to load up any combination of these, or branch out into lesser known examples. While your computer will insist you have a single choice for a default browser, using multiple doesn’t have any real ill affect. Given their ubiquity as a technology, it’s quite surprising how much difference there is between flavors for your internet experience.
We learned before that a web browser interprets the data from a website in order to display it. One key difference is in the way this data is handled between programs, hence you may have noticed messages such as “This site looks best in Chrome”. Small changes in the way a browser displays a site can ruin the hard work of the site’s designers, so it’s natural they might try to steer your browsing habits. Another difference is the now-commonplace plugins, which allow you to extend the functionality of your program to include things like ad blocking and page saving.
What’s most important is that, given a browser’s importance in your enjoyment of the web, you find one which best fits you. Preference, as with most technology, will also be a factor; and that’s okay! Spend some time internet exploring and see if your favorite sites really do look better in Chrome.
Richard Noble
-Founder
This article originally appeared in The Glasgow Courier.
Laptop, Desktop, Whichtop?
The day has arrived to treat yourself to a new computer. Your old one’s dutifully limped along for half a decade, obediently assisting you with your tax return and playfully withholding the mute button during Zoom calls. That testy spacebar and scheduling-worthy boot up time have become too much though, and you’ve decided to splurge. Faced now with a staggering array of choices, how do you pick a PC partner for your next period of technological matrimony? As it happens, this choice is now even less stressful than it’s ever been.
Before we consider anything else about your potential purchase of a new and shiny box of fans and blinking lights, the most important factor is what you’re hoping to achieve from it. If you’re simply looking for something which will last a few years of Facebooking and sending the occasional email, it doesn’t befit you to spend thousands of dollars on anything. Any computer purchase is an investment and like all investments, it should be a smart one. If budget is your main concern, it’s often cheaper to start out with a laptop; being that they are “all-in-one” so you don’t need to factor in the screen, keyboard, mouse, speakers and even actual desk you would with a desktop solution.
One thing the average user doesn’t have to worry about any longer is the historical drawbacks of each choice. Desktops aren’t necessarily any faster than laptops for the tasks most of us are completing, nor do they have to take up the massive footprint they used to. I regularly supply computers to clients which take up no more space than a snoozing chinchilla, with similarly amusing parallels being drawn for the amount of sound and heat they expel too. The main things to consider here is space, portability and how often you’ll actually be using this machine. It makes little sense to have a permanent fixture of a computer when all you’ll be doing is recipe hunting once a week; you’re much better off with a laptop or even simply a tablet which can be tucked away for the other six days.
What does more expensive get you, then? Put simply: the ability to do more things quicker and more space to store whatever those things turn out to be. Photo and video editing, 3D modeling, gaming and performing any complex computations will all have workflows which benefit from faster and greater hardware capacities. Another place additional dollars equates to more better is when it comes to screens. Most people I’ve encountered don’t ever use their touchscreens, so that’s a good place to save, but everyone can see and enjoy the benefits of larger and higher quality displays as let’s face it - it’s primarily how you’ll be interacting with anything you buy in this space.
So pick something well suited to you, your needs and your budget. While all of the products made by the major manufacturers will be reliable and enjoyable to use, online reviews are your friend and offer a somewhat unbiased view into what ownership of any particular model is like. For home use, I typically tell people to expect between three and five years from their machines before at least starting to think about replacement. If you rely on your computer for your income, be prepared to replace a little sooner. In summary what you’re looking for is simply a good fit from your technology. Manufacturers know the kind of people buying their products, so look for benefits laid out in language you understand. Most of all, enjoy it! You only get that first unboxing experience once, so savor the satisfaction of peeling off that plastic.
Richard Noble
-Founder
This article originally appeared in The Glasgow Courier.
Fight, For Your Right.
That sickening sound of your phone hitting the concrete. Most of us have been there, experienced the horrible moment when you reach down to turn over your device to see if you’ve been lucky enough to avoid a cracked screen this time. You should have bought a case. You should have bought a screen protector. How much will the repair cost this time? Well things are about to get a whole lot easier for those of us cursed with fists of ham.
Right to Repair is forthcoming legislation for electronics which actually already exists for industries such as motor vehicles. It basically dictates that manufacturers of products must take reasonable steps to enable owners to make repairs themselves, and not block them from doing so through software locks or specialized tooling. It means that parts and documentation to change those parts must be available to the average person wishing to carry out repairs on a device, either for themselves or on behalf of someone else. Using cellphones as an example, obtaining parts has historically been a tricky process due to manufacturers refusing to sell components to consumers or “unauthorized” repair shops. This now stands to change!
Now this sort of thing isn’t exclusive to electronics. John Deere has come under fire on numerous occasions for their walled-garden approach to maintenance and repair for their agricultural equipment. Car manufacturers have been forced to view things like routine servicing at non-dealer garages as no reason to void a vehicle warranty for years now, due to similar advances in legislation. So for industries outside of our slippery, drop-magnet cellphones this has been the norm for some time.
So why would a manufacturer be so keen to keep their customers from replacing bits themselves? Well for one thing, if a cracked screen helps nudge you into purchasing an upgrade with “even stronger glass” then one can surmise that’s a strategy someone in the business of selling cellphones might use. Another however is to do with brand perception. A botched repair, such as that of an ill-fitting or damaged screen isn’t a great advertisement of quality and user experience. Replacing a lithium battery with one of poor construction can result in a device fire, which Samsung will be the first to tell you is terrible PR. Keeping repairs in-house ensures the ecosystem stays free of these problems.
While this new movement is good news for those of us able to wield a screwdriver, it’s great news for those in the business of small device repair. Being able to, in the case of Apple, offer factory original parts is a huge win. The quality of your supply chain is assured, as you’re now sourcing parts identical to the phone, tablet or computer’s originals rather than trying to find a reliable third party manufacturer. Last week’s Tech Space mentioned e-waste; Right to Repair also benefits us here, as if a route to replace that broken screen exists, it results in one less device going to landfill. Really, those third party component manufacturers are the only ones liable to suffer from any of these new rulings.
When then can we start to order the bits we need to extend our iPhone’s life after contact with cement? 2022 looks set to be a good year for this movement. New legislation is slated to come into affect, and manufacturers are already announcing programs in preparation. It seems like the bad press from botched repairs is a lesser evil than being seen as actively spiteful toward your customers and blocking the long term use of their purchases. So if you’re planning on dropping your phone, it might be wise to briefly hold off!
Richard Noble
-Founder
This article originally appeared in The Glasgow Courier.
We don't just fix computers.
Our strength is in our ability to build solutions. This means more than just selling laptops or repairing PCs, it means that your technology helps strengthen your workflows and streamline your operations. It means your technology working for you, rather than you trying to work with your technology.
We take the time to learn your business, find out your position in the market and listen to your needs. Only then do we start to build your knowledge centered, personalized plan for success.
Want For Tech is much more than simply an IT company. We’re your strategic partner for technology. Let’s talk.
Richard Noble
-Founder
Technology & current lead times.
By now everyone would have seen the news regarding the ongoing chip shortage. Unfortunately, the technology industry is being hit just as hard as the automotive one.
Here at Want For Tech we always try to work within the deadlines we’re given, as we understand that technology is critical to the success of your new venture or current well-rooted business. But even with our strong position, we’re not immune to industrywide delays.
To avoid disappointment, our advice is to add two weeks minimum to any planned technology centric project. Prices as well as lead-times are still fluctuating, so contact us if you’ve anything on the horizon which we may be beneficial to and we can help you schedule accordingly.
Richard Noble
-Founder
Montana: Really, very pretty!
We as an organization have the majority of our clients in the Glasgow and surrounding area, but we actually do work all over the state! Here’s a few snaps we’ve taken on our travels around the vast and beautiful treasure state.
COVID-19 - Our Response.
We realize, more than ever, people are reliant on technology to keep their business afloat. This is why during this crisis, our clients are our first priority; we will be remaining operational and maintaining normal working hours until further notice.
If you site has specific infection control measures in place, we’re happy to comply with them. Stellar service is at the core of our operations and that remains true no matter what the situation.
If there’s anything we can do to assist your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Stay safe,
Richard Noble
Founder
Want For Better | Want For Tech | Want For Sky
Technology: much more than just ones and zeros.
Technology has importance in our lives. It has importance in our homes, in our vehicles and in our businesses. Without technology, a lot of what we take for granted simply wouldn’t exist.
At Want For Tech we understand the importance of things simply working as they’re supposed to. When we’re asked to look at an issue or design a solution for a client’s complex needs; the end result is something which never gets any less unexpected: Joy. When we as an organization take something which isn’t working - be that a product or a process; and make it intuitive and results-yielding, the elation which this brings is more than the sum of simply “oh good, my computer works again”. It’s the same sense of wellbeing that comes from giving a perfectly thought out gift, or knowing you started the dishwasher this morning; the happiness which is doing a job right.
In a (very) broad sense, we’re not just a technology company. We’re in the happiness business. So get in touch and find out how technology can help you happy better.
And good job on that dishwasher.
Read all about it!
Proudly, you’ll find our ads in the Glasgow Courier and the BS Buzz this week! If you’ve found our website, further advertising might be redundant, but to those of you who haven’t: welcome and thank you!
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Facebook Official...
You can now catch Want For Tech on everyone’s favorite (…right?) social media platform! Like, share or shoot us a comment via our Facebook page at: fb.me/wantfortech.
Merry Christmas!
For anyone we missed on our Christmas card list - here’s our 2019 card for everyone to enjoy!
Merry Christmas from the entire Want For Better family!
New Website Launches
With great pride today, we launch our new website! The culmination of hours of work and feedback, we hope this makes it easy to learn about Want For Tech. As part of the Want For Better family, we constantly strive to improve and it’s our wish that this new site reflects that.
Feedback, as with anything we do, is encouraged.