Hole punched in Walmart
Cop cleared after cyclist hit
Seniors in the housing crisis
Tracking bird flu in cows
Alberta braces for drought
Premiers want co-operation
Trump jurors express anxiety
Iran fires at attack drones 
World's largest election 
Apple pulls apps from China
Oil and gas leases restricted
Indigo needs turnaround 
Warriors ready for Round 2
Kalamalka Bowl cancelled
Rockets live to fight on
Hilton teams up with Sia
Swift still 'can't forgive' Kim
Grimes to ‘cap the disarray’
As we careen madly toward Christmas, I find myself reflecting on the past year. I hope you will enjoy these tips from past columns.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all the best 2018 to everyone!
Is my Internet slow?
You can easily find out the actual speed of your connection. You don’t need to download any programs to do this. (In fact, you shouldn't download any programs to do this. They’re probably crapware at best and malware at worst.)
Here are the three easiest way to check your speed.
- Open Google search, and type in speed test. Click on Run test. You’ll see the results presented clearly in text.
- Browse to Fast.com. You don’t have to click on anything else. You’ll see the results of the download speed test.
- Browse to the Internet Speed Test. Click on Test now and watch a beautifully presented set of test results come back to you. You can scroll down the page to learn how to interpret those results.
Now that you know what speed you’re getting, you can compare it with what you’re paying for. Check your Internet Service Provider’s bill or call your provider to get this information. “High Speed” and “High Speed Lite” are not speeds, they are names of products. You are looking for a number to compare with the number for download speed in the speed test.
Why is this important? Well, because if your test results show you’re getting six mbps and you’re paying for 30, someone needs to fix something. If you’re getting six and your paying for six, then you might want to pay for faster Internet.
What happened to my FreeCell game?
I’ve mentioned several times how to get your old Windows 7 games onto your Windows 10 (and Windows 8!) PCs. I don’t care much for FreeCell, but I’m addicted to playing Mahjong Titans while on hold.
It seems that every time there’s an upgrade to Windows 10, it breaks those games. But, do not despair. All you need to do is reinstall them. Visit this page. Download the file. Unzip and install the games you want. Be sure to decline the toolbar if you don’t need or want it. Enjoy!
Miscellaneous Advice
If you need to know how to do something, I might have written about it.
How to Get out of Trouble
If you need to know how to reboot your router or modem, how to turn off your computer the polite way, or find out what operating system your computer is running, take a look at this column from November 2016.
Why can’t I get online?
Is the problem with your computer? With something “out there”? Another column from November 2016 might be helpful.
12-Second Fixes
Stop your Internet connection dropping every time you turn your back on it for a few minutes, and make your desktop icons the size you want by following the instructions in this column from August 2016.
Christmas Tech Checklist
Still struggling with connecting things? Last week’s column might help a little.
Merry Christmas!
Do you need help with your computer? I'm here to help you and your home or business computer get along!
Cate Eales runs Computer Care Kelowna, a mobile service helping home users and businesses get along with their computers. To arrange an appointment phone her at 250-764-7043. Cate also welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send email to [email protected].
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
