GeekSugar

More Seniors Are Taking the Plunge Into Tech

GeekSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:17:24 -0800

I may have a game-loving gramps, but he doesn't really venture into the Internet without a little assistance. I'll cut him a break since he's in his eighties, but a recent study shows that more and more seniors are taking the plunge into Facebook, blogs, and tech in general than ever before. Stats show that the senior population (age 65 and over) that uses the Internet has tripled since 2005.

Back in the day, it used to be nearly impossible for the older set to get a handle on tech, but it seems that as times progress and technology is a little easier to grasp, senior citizens aren't afraid to jump in and get their feet wet online. Even if your dad still needs help with his WiFi, you can give him props for at least having an email address. Do the seniors in your life use technology? Share your hilarious family stories with us in our Funny Tech Stories group, or brag about how quickly they got the hang of Twitter below!

Wal-Mart Builds Their Own Geek Squad

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:33:46 -0700

Need some tech support? Normally I like to troubleshoot my computer and technology woes myself (there's nothing like reading the instruction manual to learn how to operate something while in distress), but on rare occasions, I do have to call a company's tech support hotline to get some help with an issue. However, out of all of the gadgets I've purchased from Best Buy, I've never called upon the Geek Squad's services when I'm in need. Why? Well mostly it's the fee that it costs to utilize their 24-hour support. But that's not to say they aren't used - how many of those little Geek VW Beetles have you seen driving around your town? Exactly.

Someone else has been taking notice of the fleet, and is preparing to take on the blue and yellow big box. Find out about Wal-Mart's plans to compete when you read more.

Wal-Mart is enlisting the help of a third-party company called N.E.W. Customer Service to provide similar 24-hour tech support for their electronics customers. Instead of requiring a subscription fee to utilize tech support expertise like Best Buy, Wal-Mart will be offering up a prepaid card for purchase for any over the phone or in-home installation service. Buy one for yourself, or give one as a gift to your less-than-tech-savvy friends or family to use year round. The service should be ready to go nationwide by the upcoming holiday shopping season.

GeekSugar's Labor Day Survival Guide

GeekSugar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:10:00 -0700

Today is all about getting outside and soaking in the last ounce of Summer before we head back to school this Fall. Since you can usually find a geek locked away inside her office, tapping away on a computer, I thought I'd give you all with social phobias a little hand. You don't have to completely give up your gadgets for poolside relaxation and outdoor barbecues (although it does sound pretty good to me) - you can take your tech with you. Check out my tips for surviving the outdoors this holiday when you just can't let go of your gadgets.

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Have You Ever Been Guilted Out of Using a Technology?

GeekSugar — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:13:19 -0700

When people ask about when my boyfriend and I moved in together, I wax nostalgic on one thing. No, not my independent living or some mushy story about commitment. My VHS tapes.

See, as much as I love to adopt new formats and tech, I was holding onto a small collection of VHS tapes, not because I thought the format was still good (please, I frown on people who don't appreciate Blu-ray yet), but because of the titles. I knew I'd have to replace these faves, so they were staying with me.

However, my boyfriend's relentless teasing about the "ancient" format led me to dump the movies, especially when he was right - I rarely pulled them out and turned on the VCR.

I find that this method of teasing and guilting has caused a lot of people to upgrade from one technology to the next, rather than a genuine desire to adopt the latest thing. I admit that I've guilted people out of using MySpace and Friendster, and urged people to drop the dumbphone and go smart.

Tell me, have you ever been guilted into feeling your tech was too old and needed to upgrade?

What's Your Biggest Tech Frustration?

GeekSugar — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:04:31 -0700

Being so comfortable with technology that I consider myself quite tech-savvy, it's a huge bummer when technology doesn't work the way it's supposed to.

You adopt a new online service and give it your support - but it crashes incessantly, making it impossible to appreciate their innovation. You adopt a new gadget early only to be the one to have to deal with the bugs. You make a service call for a broken or malfunctioning machine - and have to face off with someone who knows less than you patronizing you (don't even get me started on the gender thing).

No, there's not much worse than technology not working when you need it or how you need it. We all have our tech pet peeves. What's yours?

How Well Do You Know Your Gadgets?

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:42:48 -0700

Although we can all be caught lusting after the latest shiny object to hit the tech world, how well do you pay attention to the details? I mean sure, it may look nice, but do you know how many megapixels are packed into the Pre's camera, or the weight of the HP Mini? Wrack your brain and find out how well you pay attention to the little details of the newest gadgets when you take this fun quiz!

Take the quiz

Who's Your Favorite Eco Geek?

GeekSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:33:45 -0700

In honor of Earth Day, I was originally going to offer up my favorite eco geek and feature them in their own post. But once I got digging, I really couldn't decide on just one! Sure, the term "geek" may apply to more than gadgets in this case, but not only are these ten people lovably geeky in their own right, they all have one thing in common: they're passionate about our planet! Check out some of my favorite eco-minded geeks, and then be sure to vote for your favorite on the last slide! Source

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If You Had To: What Technology Would You Give Up For Lent?

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:43:27 -0800

You don't have to be Catholic to celebrate Mardi Gras today, and you definitely don't need the excuse of Lent to give up a habit. CNET suggests giving up Facebook, and even has some guidelines for how to do it.

I don't know that I'd give up Facebook, as I'm not painfully addicted, and I certainly would not give up my Twitter, since I feel like I'm just getting started. What I could give up is using my cell phone in places it might not be appropriate, and trying not to have meaningful conversations over text messages.

What I definitely am too addicted to give up are my TiVo, whipping out my iPhone to solve all my problems, and playing video games to unwind. Some things are just non-negotiable.

So tell me, if you had to (or are going to), what technology would you/could you give up? What could you definitely not?

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Geek Out: What Technology Are You Hesitant to Adopt?

GeekSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:45:45 -0800

Even though I always tell people that the Kindle will never replace books, but just supplement them, I never fail to hear people say that they will never get a Kindle because they like the feel of paper books so much.

But geeky as I may be, there is technology I'm not inclined to adopt either (not yet anyway).

Last week I lamented a world with only digital versions of magazines, since I love seeing fresh new issues in my mailbox each month. And even though I tout digital picture frames as excellent gifts, I couldn't see my hallway lined with changing digital images.

I think there's some tech out that even the geekiest person isn't ready for, be it eBooks, digital picture frames, or even smartphones (gasp!). What's yours?

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Technology Ushers In a New Era of Campaigning

GeekSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:30:42 -0800

Early on in the election season, I had a feeling I knew which of the two candidates was more tech savvy - Obama sent me a text message to tell me who his running mate would be! Little did I know that both candidates would rely on the vast reaches of the Internet (not to mention video games, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, and Eventful) to connect with people from across America and get them into the voting booths.

I came across a story recently on MSNBC that told me exactly how supporters from both parties got organized on the campaign trail - they totally geeked-out! And for one nominee, it paid off in a big way. Check out this video describing the new way political campaigns can benefit from technology.