Computer Clubs Notes 12-28-2019

Have a Happy and Safe 
New Years Eve

There will be no class this Tuesday as the Cultural Center is closing the doors at 2:00 pm. I will be at the club from 10-2 if you have any needs. The following Tuesday is the General Meeting and I will be leading the Open Forum at 6:00 pm and will have a presentation for the meeting. I will be at the club from 10-2, then back for the 6:00 pm meeting. Hope to see you there.

Here are some articles I thought useful for you all. Let me know if there is anything particular you would like me to cover at the Open Forum at the General Meeting.

Clean up Your Windows Desktop
Simplifying the desktop contents frees up operating memory, reduces the time and frequency the hard drive is used and improves the response of your computer to programs you open and things you do. The simple act of cleaning the desktop makes your computer run faster.

I have seen some desktops so full you could not put something else on them! Better empty of all but the recycle bin. This article gives some thoughts on it and I will be talking about this at the General Meeting next week.
https://tinyurl.com/y2ozz3ks

Get the Most Out of Your Roku
You finally worked out which Roku to buy, and set up the basics: Netflix, Amazon, and whatever other services you’re subscribed to. What next? Here are the first things we’d do after getting a new Roku; give them a shot.

Some may have gotten one of these for Christmas. They are easy to use and work great. I have been using a Roku for years now. Most of my channels are free with the exception of Netflix and Prime. Netflix is where we find ourselves most of the time and it is about $12/mo. Prime is part of the Amazon Prime package.
https://tinyurl.com/ya8ejfgt

How to Scan Documents With Your Phone or Tablet
Updated features in iOS and Google Drive allow you to scan documents for free with your phone or tablet. How does it work? A program or app performs the scan using your camera and, in many cases, converts it into a PDF automatically. This guide will show you how to do it, whether you own an Apple or Android device.

I usually just take a picture of the document but this article shows some other ways to get a “scan” right from your phone.
https://tinyurl.com/ujbzqzs

Run Malwarebytes Alongside Your Antivirus
Running antivirus is still important, but these days the really active threats are from spyware, adware, crapware, and the worst of all: ransomware. That’s where Malwarebytes comes in. Malwarebytes not only protects your computer from malware but does a better job of cleaning up an infected computer than anything else on the market.

As you know Malwarebytes is one of the tools I suggest you run along with CCleaner, Supereantispyeare, and Glary Utilities. For antivirus, I opt for the one the is part of Windows 10--Windows Security (AKA Defender)
https://tinyurl.com/wnjvr99

How to Physically Clean Your Laptop
When was the last time you cleaned your laptop? Yeah, we thought so. This simple computer maintenance task doesn't just get rid of accumulated dirt and dust--it keeps your laptop running in tip-top shape.

A good article on what you should and shouldn’t use to clean the keyboard and the screen. I find a wide paintbrush is useful for getting dust and whatever our between the keys. My thought is that a clean laptop runs better than a dirty one.
https://tinyurl.com/rx3g2rb