ITS NEWS

If you’ve recently purchased a Windows 8 PC that doesn’t have a touch screen; or if you came from a WindowsXP system to Windows 8 – you may be a bit … frustrated.  Windows 8 is an entirely new concept in Windows operating systems, and many users are having a hard time of it.

Fun Fact: You can’t install an older version of Windows, that you’re happy and comfortable with, on a Windows 8 system. Changes Microsoft made to the licensing and installation process for Windows 8 make that impossible.

Fun Fact 2: You can’t modify the registry to get rid of the Windows 8 apps screen, so that your new Windows 8 PC looks and acts more like Windows 7, Vista or XP.

Fun Fact 3: After significant frustration, research, and testing, we’ve identified an application that not only brings back the Start button you’ve been searching for on Windows 8, it also brings home many of the functions you know and loved about XP and 7 – and we will install and configure it on your Windows 8 hardware for just $50.

Give us a call for more information, or stop in with that Windows 8 PC …  not all hope is lost! We can fix that too!

P.S. Of course we’re still building custom Windows 7 desktop PCs for home and business use – it’s what we do.

I’ve been receiving requests for setting up e-mail on iPhone and Android devices that ITS Alaska hosts. To save yourself time on calling or e-mailing us and waiting for a reply, here is a short-and-sweet tutorial. ***NOTE: This is specifically for iPhone users, Android users may need to read between the lines, however, the concept is the same***

Please be aware that “Your E-Mail” needs to be replaced with your E-Mail i.e. techall@itsak.com.

1. On your iPhone, navigate to “Settings”
2. In “Settings,” navigate to “Mail” (may also be “Mail, Contacts, Calendars”)
3. In “Mail,” navigate to “Add Account…”
4. In “Add Account…,” navigate to “Other”
5. In “Other,” navigate to “Add Mail Account” under the heading “Mail”
6. In “Add Mail Account,” enter your name or the name desired to be displayed for this e-mail account
   1. Enter Your E-Mail in the “Email” field
   2. Enter your password in the “Password” field
   3. Enter a description in the “Description” field (this is not required, it is the name displayed for the account in your iPhone, helps when multiple E-mail accounts are used)
7. “Incoming Mail Server”
   1. The next screen should display “IMAP” and “POP” buttons on the top, make a selection (If you’re not sure which to select visit the bottom of this posting)
   2. Enter “mail.domainname” in the “Host Name” field (i.e. mail.itsak.com)
   3. Enter Your E-Mail in the “User Name” field
   4. The “Password” field should already be filled in, if not, enter the password for your account
8. “Outgoing Mail Server”
   1. Enter “smtp.domainname” in the “Host Name” field (i.e. smtp.itsak.com)
   2. Enter Your E-Mail in the “User Name” field (the pre-defined text says optional, it is not)
   3. Enter your password in the “Password” field (the pre-defined text says optional, it is not)
   4. Tap “Save” on the top right (this may take several minutes to “Verify,” please be patient)
9. If you received a window stating “Cannot Verify Server Identity” please read the next steps, otherwise, congratulations, your E-mail is setup!
   1. Tap the “Details” option
   2. You should see “*.bluehost.com” – “Not Trusted,” displayed on your screen. This is displayed because the E-mail host “bluehost” is not an E-mail client that is originally associated with your iPhone by default, which is why we chose “Other” in step 4.
   3. Tap “Accept” on the top right (this may take several minutes to “Verify,” please be patient)

There are several variations of the FBI Moneypak Virus out there, coming with different looks and feels when your computer is locked and you no longer have control. If you have been infected with the FBI Moneypak Virus, DO NOT attempt to pay any money and TURN OFF your machine promptly in any way. Newer variations of the Virus take a screenshot and/or start recording through any attached webcams. It is not certain whether or not this data is being transferred anywhere, however, there is a high probability that it is. Creepy… Please bring your infected machine in so that we may remove this Virus for you!

Read a news story from NBC

Our October ad in the Frontiersman was created as a result of a new client who owns a humongous desktop tower that needed a power supply replaced after the recent power outages.

An elderly gentleman, he explained that his short term memory is not what it used to be, so we offered him our $25 Pick-up & Return service, that prevented him from having to haul the monstrous beast into the shop, and also solved the problem of  his having to reconnect all the cables and cords once his PC was repaired.

After paying by credit card over the phone, less his 5% senior discount, this very nice gentleman said: ‘I didn’t even have to leave the house – now that’s senior friendly.’  It made my day, and an ad was born.

Please share this information with those in your life who:

• Shouldn’t be on their hands and knees under a desk messing with wires.
• Shouldn’t be hauling heavy things to and from the car – particularly in ice and snow.
• Sometimes can’t remember what cord goes in what plug, or
• Who may need a Geek to English translation.

A busy season here at ITS Alaska, and we’re proud to announce the launch of these important projects across the state of Alaska:

MapTEACH – Mapping technology experiences with Alaska’s community heritage.

D.A.R.E. Alaska – Teaching Alaska’s kids to resist drugs and violence.

The Children’s Place – A place to be heard, a place to be helped.