April 1, 2025
If you're having trouble saving files to the cloud today, you're not the only one. Users across the globe are reporting "Cloud Storage Full" errors before reaching their storage quotas. Services like Dropbox, iCloud, and Google Drive still allow people to download data, but uploading files is no longer possible.
The worldwide phenomenon can only mean one thing — the cloud has reached its maximum storage capacity. Computer scientists, who for years told us the cloud provided limitless storage, are miffed at the sudden limitation. Analysts, consultants, and other "experts" are also surprised.
April 1, 2025
In honor of World Backup Day (March 31), I recommend you review your backup strategy. And I'm not just referring to your computer. It's time to check every digital device you own and make sure you're backing up your data reliably.
For example, you might have an effective backup strategy for your home computer, but are you sure your smartphone and tablet are getting backed up automatically? What about your smartwatch? If your devices aren't syncing in the cloud, you might permanently lose data such as contacts, messages, photos, and videos if you lose or damage your device.
March 14, 2025
If someone asks for your URL, they want the web address of your profile or home page. If it's a personal request, they may wish to access your social media profile, such as your Facebook or LinkedIn page. If it's a business request, they most likely want the domain name of your organization's website, such as https://pc.net.
When responding to a URL request, you can send the person a link (typically beginning with https://), which they can click to visit your page. Some email clients and social media platforms automatically convert URLs to clickable links. If you want to make sure an email link is clickable, you can:
March 1, 2025
With the rise of video conferencing, it has become common to share your screen with other people. Tools like Zoom, Slack, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams make it super easy. Just click a button and boom — others can see your screen.
The process is so simple, it might cause you to accidentally share too much. Before you click "Share," make sure you are only presenting what you want others to see.
February 1, 2025
"Do Not Disturb" (DND) is a helpful feature to maintain focus or enjoy uninterrupted moments during the day. It also keeps your phone from waking you up during your nightly sleep. But what if someone needs to reach you urgently? Conversely, what if you need to contact someone in an emergency and their phone is set to Do Not Disturb?
It's simple: Just call twice.
January 14, 2025
Every year, I back up the home directory on my Mac to an external hard drive. This process has become more difficult in recent years since I receive an error a few minutes after the copying process begins. The error says:
The operation can't be completed because "[username]" needs to be downloaded.
January 1, 2025
In January 2017, I recommended that you don't change your password. Seven years later, I stand by that advice, as juggling too many passwords is less secure than choosing a few good ones. But it is wise to change your passwords every few years in case one of them is compromised.
The beginning of the year is a great time to choose new passwords since it will help you remember when you last updated them. I updated several passwords last year, and most of my common logins now have a new password. When I log into a frequently-used account, I enter the new password, and when I log in to an account I haven't used for a year or more, I know to enter the old password.
