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#0036 Current List of Banned Companies
January 11, 2025
This is our list of companies & websites that Meyer Computer will not use for various
reasons including junk products, privacy, security, scams, identity theft & more. Some
of these companies have been prohibited by the US Government from doing business in the
United States. This list will be updated as necessary.
Websites & Apps
Wish.com - China
Temu.com - China
Shein.com - China
Alibaba.com - China
AliExpress.com - China
TikTok - China - Potential US Ban
Manufacturers
Huawei - China - US Ban
ZTE - China - US Ban
DeepCool - China - US Ban
Kaspersky - Russia - US Ban
TP-LINK - China - Potential US Ban
#0035 How Long Will My Repair Take?
January 07, 2025
This blog post was enhanced
with AI on 1/08/25.
We always aim to provide quick service, and in most cases, we’ll complete tasks in the
order they’re received. If we need to order parts, we’ll keep working on other computers
while waiting for them to arrive. Business clients DO get priority over home
users.
We also consider how old the computer is. Sometimes we get really old computers that
take forever to respond — like several minutes for a single click. We’ll still work on
them, but they’ll usually take longer because we focus on quicker repairs first.
If you have an urgent need, just let us know, and we’ll do our best to help. Our
workload can change quickly — sometimes we have no one waiting, and other times, we may
have several computers in line.
#0034 My results using ChatGPT
January 03, 2025
Astute users may have noticed that I have been using ChatGPT to aid in the content
creation of this website. I like to write my blog posts based on questions I am asked by
my clients. A client will come to me with a question that I have answered for other
clients many times in the past. Therefore, I decided to put the answers in writing so
anyone can benefit.
I start by making an outline of how I want to write the answer and what I want to
include, then I start filling in details. Now I am not the greatest writer, and my
content can come across as choppy. I will spend considerable time rephrasing and using
the grammar checker in MS Word. Try as I might, the wording still doesn't work as well
as it should. This is why I started using ChatGPT.
ChatGPT is an AI service that can be used freely or with a paid subscription. At the
prompt, I ask ChatGPT to rewrite my original article to be easier to read and to confirm
they are at a high school reading level. Then I use copy and paste to submit my original
content. ChatGPT will think for a second and spit out a revised article. It’s much like
having a copy editor, but much quicker.
Overall, I've had mostly good results. Many sentences are rephrased, sometimes the order
of things is corrected, and everything flows better. Sometimes ChatGPT will pull in
additional information that I hadn't thought to include. I like it when it does that.
You will still need to re-read the article to make sure it still gets your points across
without distorting the meaning. ChatGPT does seem to work better on smaller articles and
blog posts.
ChatGPT is not always correct. You MUST review the rewritten work carefully before you
publish the article online. I have found that rewrites of longer articles left out
entire paragraphs of relevant information or rephrased them, so it changed the meaning
entirely.
You will notice that I put a disclaimer at the top of any content where I used ChatGPT.
As of the writing of this post, I have rewritten about 30% of the blog content on the
website. I think it's better. I did try it on a couple of the reviews and ChatGPT
totally ruined them, so I did not use the rewritten content. I do plan to retry them by
submitting them differently for the rewrite. I will post an update after I figure out a
working solution. This has been a learning process.
#0033 Chrome vs. Google: What's the Difference?
January 02, 2025
This blog post was enhanced
with AI on 1/02/25.
Let's clear up the confusion between Chrome and
Google, two words that are often mixed up. Many people think they're
the same thing, but they're actually very different. This explanation will help you
understand what each one really is.
Chrome is a web browser. A browser is a program you
use to browse the internet. There are other web browsers too, like Edge, Firefox, and
Opera. Chrome is just one option. A browser is installed on your computer, and it acts
as a gateway to the internet. Most browsers are free to download and use.
Chrome is also a type of program or
application (these terms mean the same thing). Other examples of
programs include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and even games like Solitaire. A browser, like
Chrome, is just a specific type of program made to help you access the web.
On the other hand, Google is a search engine. A search
engine is a tool you use to find information on the internet. Think of it like a huge
online directory or a digital version of an old library card catalog. You type in what
you're looking for, and Google shows you a list of websites that have what you need.
There are other search engines too, like Bing, Yahoo and DuckDuckGo. These search
engines are free to use, but they often collect information about you to help them show
ads. Their job is to provide links to billions of websites.
To sum it up, you need a browser (like Chrome) to access a
search engine (like Google). The confusion happens because when you
open Chrome, it automatically shows the Google search engine.
#0032 How often should I replace my router?
December 22, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with
AI on 12/24/24.
Short Answer: Every 3-5 years
Reason #1: Wi-Fi Technology Keeps Getting Better
Wi-Fi speeds keep improving, and newer devices like laptops or tablets can support
faster speeds than older routers. Right now, Wi-Fi 6e is the newest standard, and Wi-Fi
7 routers are starting to appear. These newer routers not only offer faster speeds but
also provide a stronger signal that can reach farther than older models.
Reason #2: Old Routers Stop Getting Security Updates
When was the last time you checked for updates on your router? If you can’t remember,
you’re not alone—many people don’t check often. It’s a good idea to log into your router
every six months to see if there are any updates. If your router no longer gets updates,
it’s time for a new one. Security risks change over time, and some old routers are no
longer safe to use.
Reason #3: TP-Link Routers Need to Be Replaced
If you have a TP-Link router, it’s time to replace it. These routers, which are made in
China, are considered insecure. The U.S. government is even considering banning them.
Many internet service providers have used these routers under different brand names.
It’s best to switch to a more secure option.
Reason #4: New Routers Offer Better Features
A new router could come with helpful features that improve your network. For example,
separating your computers and IoT devices (like security cameras, smart doorbells, and
TVs) into different networks called VLANs. This segretion can help keep your
information safer. You can even create a guest network for visitors. The VLANs will keep
your primary network isolated and more secure.
Reason #5: Older Routers Struggle with Signal Competition
Older routers often use the 2.4GHz band, which can get crowded in neighborhoods or
apartment complexes. This means your Wi-Fi could slow down due to all the other signals
competing for space. Newer routers use the 5GHz or even 6GHz bands, which are much less
crowded and provide faster speeds.
#0031 Data Transfer Services
December 21, 2024
This blog post was enhanced with
AI on 1/2/25.
I often get asked, “Can you move my stuff from my old computer to a new one?” or “Can
you transfer my files to a new drive?” or even “Can you copy or clone my drive?” The
answer is YES to all of these!
If you're looking to clone your drive, we can copy
everything—your files, software, and even Windows itself—onto the new
drive. We can transfer everything to a drive that is the same size or larger, but
never smaller than your original drive.
When it comes to data recovery, we know exactly where to look for and
save your important files. For example, Microsoft usually stores everything in the "My
Documents" folder, but some people might store files in other places on the drive. We’ll
also make sure to save things like your Outlook data and
Chrome bookmarks. We can transfer your recovered data onto a blank DVD,
thumb drive, or any other storage option you prefer.
If you want your files moved to a new computer, we can do that too!
We’ll place everything in the correct folders on your new device. In many cases, we also
help get everything organized, like putting your music in the music
folder and your pictures in the pictures folder.
Got any questions? Feel free to ask!
