ASK Gen-E: Your Tech Questions Answered!

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DEAR Gen-E:

I used my mom’s computer yesterday and I couldn’t believe it but she actually installed a Web Bar! I mean, seriously. Now there’s ads popping up about skin care and miracle weight loss. It’s so dumb, my mom’s already borderline anorexic. And now every time I search the web it stalls and ads pop up. I bet it’s stealing my data or something too. When I asked her why she even added it to the browser, she just looked at me and said, “What’s a browser?” Arg!! What can I do? I am in high school and need to get homework done. My internet can not be this slow! Help! STUCK SARAH IN SCOTTSDALE

DEAR STUCK:

First, how nice of your mother to share her computer with you. Yes, we all know how frustrating it must be for teens dealing with parents and technology. Most adults didn’t grow up with Google and actually used... books. For many older people, tech is something they have to learn. But for young people, born watching shows on tablets using tech is just another thing you already know all about. I’m surprised you haven’t already watched a YouTube video on how to uninstall the web bar? Adware is annoying and opens gateways for potential viruses. So just uninstall it already! And since you’re such a caring daughter, you can also get a legititimate adblocker like Malware Bites. Reboot the computer and voila! A faster computer and happy family. Who knows? Maybe your next birthday will find you unwrapping a new laptop of your own.

DEAR Gen-E:

Man, am I stressed out. I am an accountant and I use a lot of Office software at work but I have a lot of distractions there so I don’t get everything done. I end up staying at work and now my wife is on my back. “Why do you stay so late?” “Why can’t you just finish at home?” The problem though is I can’t get my Office software to work on my home computers. We have an Apple imac something and one of those Chromebooks. I’m feeling the pressure both ways. STRESSED OUT

DEAR STRESSED:

Take a deep breath and kiss your wife. There, that’s a nice start. Truly the correct answer is don’t take your work home, but that’s not the solution you want. The good news is there are several options for getting Office programs available at home. One way is to get Office for Mac software for about $9 a month or $200 to purchase. If that’s too painful on the wallet, try using Google apps. It’s all free online and works with any device. With a Gmail account you have access to open source programs very similar (and sometimes preferred) to popular Office software. Even better, you can collaborate with colleagues and share the work. Access your documents at home and work in Google Drive. So what will you do with your extra time and happy wife? Couples Massage?

Ask Gen-E

Do you have tech questions eating away at you? Want your letter featured in the Moon Valley Tattler? Send a note to Gen-E at GEN-E@gentechsupport.com All questions are great questions and Gen-E cannot wait to help!