Dear Geek;

My current cellphone is a flip phone, so I never had to worry about the screen getting scratched.  However, I’m planning to upgrade to a smartphone, and I’m worried about the screen scratching.  Someone told me you can get ‘screen protectors’.  What are they, and how do you use them?

Signed,

Want to Use Protection

Dear Protection,

Your 5th grade Family Studies teacher was right…protection is key!  Smartphones are built with tempered glass, which they say can withstand the slight bumps of daily use.  However, if you’re a typical cell user, your cell phone is going to go through more than the occasional small bump.  The screens are not protected from scratches that can wreck your screen and make it difficult (and annoying) to read what’s on the screen.  A screen protector is a thin, transparent, protective strip of plastic that adheres to the screen and takes the scratches that would otherwise be directly on your screen.

With phones rising into the hundreds of dollars, the price of a screen protector is well worth it.  Applying the screen protector is fairly simple, but you will be very glad you took the time to do it.  Follow the steps below, and you should have the protection you seek:

1.  Select a screen protector that is specific to your phone.  Many screen protectors are designed for a specific phone, and feature ‘cutouts’ for the buttons, speakers, etc on the front screen.  There are generic screen protectors available, which cost less then the cell phone specific screen protectors, but you have to ensure that the screen protector is large enough, and has the cutouts you require for your cell phone screen.

2.  Clean your screen.  If you don’t, the screen protector won’t adhere properly.  Plus, the screen protector will be on your screen for a while, and there’s no use putting a protector over a dirty screen.  Clean your screen with screen cleaner (specific to electronics – do not use window cleaner) and a microfiber cloth, to make sure finger prints, lint, and any other marks are gone.

3.  Follow directions.  Yes, you have to read the instructions.  Screen protectors come with instructions specific to the application of that screen protector.  Some screen protectors have an ‘adherence spray’ that you spray directly onto your cellphone screen, to enhance the adhesion of the screen protector.  Some screen protectors also come with 2 protective films which ‘sandwich’ the protective screen in between.  To apply this protector, simply peel off the back film (there should be a tab to pull), line up the protector with the cellphone screen, then peel off the top film.  Use the applicator that is supplied to eliminate any air bubbles.

4.  Don’t touch your phone for at least 45 minutes.  This includes putting your phone into a case.  I know you’ll probably go into cellphone withdrawal, but this is important.  This allows the screen protector to adhere securely, especially in the case of the screen protectors that come with ‘adherence spray’.

Now your screen is protected against daily wear and tear.  However, a screen protector does not protect against deep gouges that go through the depth of the screen protector.  This means that you need to keep your keys and other sharp objects in a separate pocket.

Now that your screen is protected, you should look into a case for your phone that will protect the rest of it against bumps and drops.

If you have a question for our Resident Geek, send it to:  geek@tbyd.ca.  We’ll translate it from Geek-lish to English, so it actually helps!

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Dear Geek,

I keep my computer updates current.  However, when I try to shut down my computer, Windows still attempts to install the same updates.  When my computer reboots, I check for my update list and it indicates that they haven’t been installed yet.  Am I doing something wrong?

Signed,

Not Updating

Dear Updating,

Try to brace yourself, but Windows isn’t perfect…I know, a shocker!  Neither is the Windows update process.  This is especially true if the update happens to be corrupted, or if something interrupts an update while it’s installing.  Admitting their imperfection is a difficult thing indeed, but Microsoft does offer a ‘Windows Update Fix It’ utility that scans the updates for problems.  This means you won’t have to worry about missing updates or waiting for the same updates to install each time you shut down the PC.  You can download the utility by visiting:  http://support.miscrosoft.com/mats/windows_update/.  Click on the “Run Now” button, and follow the directions to fix the problem with the updates.

If you have a question for our Resident Geek, send it to:  geek@tbyd.ca.  We’ll translate it from Geek-lish to English, so it actually helps!

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Dear Geek;

I travel a lot for work, and the radio gets a little old after a while.  I’d like to listen to my own playlist in my car.  The only problem is, my car is about 15 years old, which means it doesn’t have an input for a MP3 player.  My pc does have a CD burner.  How do I make a CD for the car?

Sincerely,

Stuck in the 90’s

Dear Stuck;

I’m sorry to hear you’re either stuck listening to the radio play the same song for the 10oth time, or your Glass Tiger CD that doubles as an ice-scraper.

If you travel a lot in the car for work, you may want to check out after-market MP3 inputs that can be installed into almost any car, unless you’re still running an 8-track.  Go to your nearest audio store to check out what they have for audio inputs, and most can do the install as well (for a fee).

Until your car stereo is brought into this decade, you are stuck making mixed CDs.  Ahhh, the memories of making mixed tapes for that girl/guy you were trying to impress…But I digress.

To burn an audio CD:  Go to “Start”.  Type in “Windows Media Player” in the search bar, then click on it.  Click the “Burn” tab (should be on the right side of the window).  Then click and drag the music you want on the CD, from the music library into the “Burn” list.  Put a blank CD into your computer’s drive, and click “Start Burn”.

The next step?  Toss the Glass Tiger CD and buy an ice-scaper.

If you have a question for our Resident Geek, send it to:  geek@tbyd.ca.  We’ll translate it from Geek-lish to English, so it actually helps!

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