Microfiber cloths are very common tools for cleaning computer screens. They are touted as the safest and most effective cleaning materials. But are there other tools available that work just the same?

Although buying a microfiber cloth and cleaning solution might be the safest bet for cleaning your computer, phone or eReader screen, many people use old t-shirts without inflicting any damage. This can be a quick and easy way to clean your computer screen that doesn’t require purchasing a microfiber towel.

Homemade cleaning solution

You may also make your own safe screen cleaning solution with everyday household items. You simply need:

• ½ cup of white vinegar
• ½ cup of distilled water
• a squirt bottle

Cleaning your screen

Simply spray a 100% cotton t-shirt with the cleaning solution just until the t-shirt is moist and wipe the screen in a circular movement. Wipe the screen with a dry section of the t-shirt for a streak-free finish.

If you’re concerned about the safety of your screen, microfiber cloths and cleaning solutions are fairly inexpensive, and readily available for purchase at electronic stores. However, the t-shirt method is an excellent, simple substitute that can certainly help you out in a crunch.

As the Verizon iPhone makes its way onto the current market, a lot of folks are talking about personal hotspots and tethering. But exactly what these hotspots are and how to employ them are still mysteries to most people.

What they are

A mobile hotspot is fundamentally a mobile broadband gadget that can connect to the Internet anywhere. People may set up their smartphones to work as mobile hotspots too. Tethering is the action of using your smartphone as a hotspot in order to hook up your computer or some other device to the Internet.

Why they’re great

These hotspots are especially handy for anybody who does a considerable amount of work on the road or even at coffee shops. The free Wi-Fi that is available at many locations is not secure, making any data you transmit vulnerable.

A mobile hotspot reduces that security dilemma because it is a closed network that, in the case of a smartphone, will only be available to one user. 

How you may use one

Thankfully, many mobile providers make available mobile hotspot and tethering features in their wireless plans. In the case of the new Verizon iPhone, hotspots will come at a price of $20 per month for 2 GB of data on top of the mandatory $30 data plan for the iPhone.

Because hotspot and tethering options come at a price, they aren’t perfect for everyone. If you use the Internet mainly from one location, it may be more practical to utilize standard broadband Internet, which usually allows for unlimited usage.

There’s a lot of talk out there about 4G networks, and whose is the biggest and fastest. If you’re like most people, you’re probably a little confused about the concept of 4G. So, what exactly is a 4G network?

While each of the key wireless providers, such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint, have recently introduced smartphones with a “4G” network connection, it appears the definition of 4G changes from network to network. Let’s discuss the various definitions of “4G”.

HSPA

Both AT&T and T-Mobile have been using HSPA for their 3G networks and HSPA is essentially the same network with enhanced capacity. T-Mobile is currently offering the improved technology in more major metropolitan areas than their HSPA competitor.

LTE

This is the technology that is currently being adopted by Verizon. The LTE network is based on Global System for Media (GSM) technology, rather than Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), which Verizon has always utilized. LTE has a higher capacity and features download speeds of 5-12 Mbps, the equivalent of a typical home broadband connection.

In Verizon’s case, the LTE network is completely separate from the network that Verizon’s current users are on, lowering the chances of overcrowding.

Wi-Max

Wi-Max is also GSM-based, and it was initially considered to be the major contender for a 4G standard. Unfortunately, Wi-Max is not as fast as Verizon’s LTE network, but it is faster than AT&T and T-Mobile’s HSPA .

Unlike the other mobile carriers, Sprint’s version of a 4G network has been around for many months, meaning that their users were able to benefit from this technology long before users of other networks.

As you can see, there is no standard definition of a “4G” network. Luckily for us, the options are improving and the coverage is growing. Pretty soon, every carrier will have an enhanced network to choose from.

For more information on 4G networks and what they really mean, check out this Popular Science article.

A keyboard shortcut is a seemingly simple notion. It is a combination of keystrokes that shortens a task, such as opening up a browser or saving a document. Interestingly, many individuals don’t utilize these quick time-savers.

Many programs, such as Microsoft Office and most web browsers, have built-in keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts can shorten and simplify tasks such as:

• Launching a new browser window
• Searching for a document
• Saving a document
• Attaching a document to an email

While these tasks aren’t too time-consuming when performed with a mouse, the combined time you could potentially save by utilizing keyboard shortcuts is pretty substantial.

If you find yourself doing lots of repetitive tasks, knowing their shortcuts could absolutely be worth the effort. If there isn’t already a built-in shortcut for that task, creating your own shortcuts can be rather easy, depending on the program.

For tips on how to create your own keyboard shortcuts, check out these articles on:

• Windows XP keyboard shortcuts
• Microsoft Outlook keyboard shortcuts
• Firefox keyboard shortcuts

Talk of receiving an “SMS of death” has many people concerned about their cell phones’ susceptibility to viruses. Surprisingly, this supposed deadly message is very different than one would imagine.

How does this affect me?

As opposed to most viruses that threaten cell phones, this attack targets “feature phones” instead of smartphones. Feature phones are more basic cell phones that have one particular feature that distinguishes them, such as an MP3 player or web browsing capabilities.

Because feature phones rather than smartphones are at risk for this virus attack, most phones employed for business purposes are out of danger. In order for the attack to be effective, the hacker needs to know the make and model of the phone, otherwise the text would simply be read as spam.

Possible symptoms of an attack include:

• The phone can shut down without warning
• Some phones may then be rendered useless and the SIM card must be placed in another phone to be functional

Luckily, because of the nature of the ”SMS of death” hack, it will be very difficult for hackers to insert their own code into the phone and steal any data. Those types of attacks are commonly reserved for more high-tech smartphones.

How can I protect myself?

These SMS attacks are avoidable simply by updating security software, something that most people with basic feature phones don’t do. Updates usually need to be purchased since most feature phones don’t come with USB cables to update security software.

For more information on this “SMS of death” and how to keep your phone safe, check out this IT World article.

This year’s Consumer Electronics Show highlighted many great ideas and devices that will impact businesses of all sizes. Now that the show is over, let’s reflect on three of the top products that could have an impact on small businesses in 2011.

BlackBerry Presenter

This mobile presenter connects to any standard projector and enables you to run PowerPoint wirelessly from your BlackBerry. This reduces the need for a laptop, which is great for one-day trips. It also eliminates the common issues that come with hooking up a laptop to an unfamiliar projector.

Splashtop Remote app for Android

The Splashtop Remote program first popped up on the iPad and is now ready for use on Android devices. This application enables you to log in to your home or office computer and perform many essential functions such as:

• Maneuver around the desktop
• Use programs and applications based on your computer
• Watch videos
• Access documents, images and videos that are stored on your computer

This application is particularly helpful for people who do a lot of work on the go. The Splashtop Remote app currently works on Android 2.2 and up.

For more information on the application, check out the Splashtop website.

PlasticLogic QUE proReader

Called a “wireless briefcase” by PlasticLogic’s CEO, the QUE proReader is much more than just an eReader, as it was initially intended to be. The QUE proReader:

• Syncs with Microsoft Exchange
• Allows for “print-to-device” technology
• Reads PDFs and Microsoft Office documents
• Lets BlackBerry users transfer information from their phones
• Already has deals in place with all of the top business periodicals

The QUE ranges in price from $650 to $800, making it a little steep for some small businesses, but with all of the functionality it offers, it will likely prove itself to be worth the money.

These are just three of the many great products that were showcased at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, but they are sure to be some of the most valuable to small businesses. For more information on devices and services that were popular at this year’s CES, check out the Consumer Electronics Show’s “Trends” page.

Accidentally deleting essential files is a common mistake and can cause you quite a bit of trouble. The good news is that if you discover the mistake quickly enough, the file will most likely still be on your computer and in one piece. Keep reading for tips on how to undelete files before they’re gone for good.

Before you panic:

• Check to see if you inadvertently saved the file to a different location. People frequently save files to their Downloads or other folders without realizing it, so do a search of all your documents before assuming that it’s gone.

• Look for recovered files. Often, if you close a program or your computer shuts down without warning, there is a recovered files folder that saves whatever you were working on. Search your system for those files before losing hope.

• Search your email. If you emailed a version of the file to somebody, it may still be in your Sent Messages folder. Checking here first can save you a lot of time and stress.

• Check your Recycle Bin, as this is where many files hang out until they are completely removed.

When those don’t work

There are some times when these tricks simply won’t be able to recover the files you need. If this happens, your best bet is to contact your IT services provider for help.

Losing files can be scary. Fortunately, they’re usually not totally lost. These tips are simple and easy to follow – and when they don’t work, your IT services provider is usually just a phone call away.

Project and portfolio management, or PPM, solutions are becoming quite popular in all types of businesses. Why? Because PPM software provides organization and collaboration tools to businesses that can help them command their business’ projects more effectively.

Are PPM solutions just for big businesses?

There are quite a few varieties of PPM solutions available today, so there is really an option for nearly every sized business. These programs are especially useful for small businesses looking to get more organized with their projects.

How can I utilize the software?

PPM programs such as Basecamp enable you to generate and share tasks lists and project schedules and give you and your coworkers an overview of what the project is and each task involved.

Because PPM software allows you to centralized project information and can be viewed by everyone, it’s easier for a team to troubleshoot problems with a project before it gets started; if there is a miscommunication somewhere, someone is likely to find it faster through these collaborative programs.

Once a project has started, PPM software is a great way to make sure that all of your employees are on the same page and on track when working on collaborative projects. And since they are centralized, they can keep a detailed record of all communications during the project.

Overall, PPM solutions can really boost a small business’ effectiveness since they streamline otherwise complex projects and make them easier to manage. If you are interested in learning more about PPM software and want to see how to utilize it for your business, click here.

Technology, like everything else, is continually evolving, making it difficult for already busy small business owners to stay informed about the trends. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of some of the top, easily adopted trends in business technology for the new year as picked by Gartner, Inc.

Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a phrase that many business people have heard, but don’t necessarily know the meaning of. Cloud computing is Internet-based and employs shared software and resources to store, create, and edit information.

Most people don’t realize how valuable cloud computing can be for their business. Since more software and equipment is going to be cloud-based, the need for software and equipment in the home or office is diminished. In the next year, the variation of services accessible through the cloud is expected to grow, making cloud computing more sensible for businesses than ever before.

Mobile Applications
Smartphones and mobile devices are utilized by just about everyone nowadays, which is why they are such a great medium for connecting with your audience. More and more businesses are recognizing the value in building an application for mobile devices.

One of the crucial advantages of building an application is the personal experience that can be created based on location, motion and behavior of the user. With the variety of platforms for building mobile apps growing, the reasons for not building one are quickly declining.

Social Collaboration and Feedback
Social media is a broad term that covers almost any form of online communication that is collaborative or interactive, and it has become a new method of communication for a great number of consumers – many people now go to a company’s Facebook page to communicate praise or concerns before calling a customer service line.

Social collaboration consists of crowdsourcing and collaborative programs as well as wikis and blogs. We are all aware of Wikipedia, the go-to informative site for many people, where content is created by the users. The popularity of this site, and websites like it, goes to show just how powerful social collaboration can be.

Word-of-mouth is a surefire way to boost business and a social media presence is one of the most effective ways of growing word-of-mouth about your company. Many social media websites are making themselves more business-friendly, which is why they’re sure to be one of the top business trends in 2011.

These are just 3 of the top 10 strategic technologies for 2011. Many of them are already used by small businesses, but with their popularity growing, it’s becoming more useful for businesses to begin to adopt these technologies. For Gartner’s complete list of the top trends for 2011, including futuristic concepts like “Context-Aware Computing” and “Fabric-Based Infrastructure and Computers”, click here.

As an IT company, we like to keep an eye on innovative software and online applications that can save time and money while offering ways to add new capabilities.

One nifty program we’ve encountered recently is Pixetell (http://www.pixetell.com), an on-demand screen recording software that permits you to create voice and screen recordings (including videos from a webcam), and then email the files to customers, partners, vendors, etc.

Set up on the freemium business model (you can download and use the basic software for free or can upgrade to the premium version and pay for use on a monthly basis), Pixetell allows you to produce visual, detailed messages that are far more clear and effective than a basic email. Screen images are instantly captured into a video which you can edit and combine with documents or additional video and then email to recipients.

Pixetell is really very easy to download and use – and unlike comparable software from the past, you can try it out and use it a couple of times a month for free. It’s a great way to boost technical support, send business documents, demonstrate new products, etc.

Pixetell messages can be played on Mac, Linux and Windows systems and on most smartphones with no additional software. The most recent addition to Pixetell is the ability to quickly add files to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, which will allow you to share your files quickly with your customers and associates.

Overall, Pixetell is an incredible way to get out a clear, professional message quickly and affordably.