CW Smith Computer Services

10/10/2025

The three most important rules for data continuity:

• Backup
• Backup
• Backup

On September 26, technicians were relocating lithium-ion batteries in the NIRS data center. Forty minutes later, the batteries exploded, causing a blazing inferno

09/12/2025

The current buzz is that Apple will release its newest operating system, macOS Tahoe 26, on Monday. And as always, I recommend that most users WAIT a while before upgrading, for a number of reasons.

• With any new operating system, there are bound to be bugs, and features that are not quite ready for prime time. Let Apple have some time to sort out these bugs and release an updated OS. I usually recommend people wait about six weeks, or until the "point one" update (in this case, 26.1) is available.

• Apple's servers are going to be absolutely slammed with people itching to download and install the new OS. With increased traffic comes slower downloads, and a higher probability of a corrupted download. Better to wait until the traffic clears up a bit.

• Not everyone's Mac will have enough available storage space, enough memory, or may fall short of other system requirements and recommendations. Check your machine's specs against Apple's requirements before you commit to the upgrade. If you're not sure how to do that, call someone who does.

• We don't yet know whether all the third party applications from Microsoft, Adobe, Intuit, Google and others will be ready for the new operating system. Same goes for printer and device drivers from HP, Epson, Canon, Brother, Logitech and the like. It's the third party developers' job to make sure that their software works with the new system, not Apple's job to write the system around everyone else.

• People like me are likely to be flooded with phone calls on Tuesday morning, from people who upgraded too early, and need to be rescued immediately, if not sooner. Give poor schmoes like me a chance to test the new OS, see what breaks, and develop a plan to fix it, before the tsunami of panicked calls begins.

macOS Tahoe 26 will be released to the public on Monday September 15th!

05/16/2025

Seagate has been touting itself as more of an AI player in recent years amid the rise of foundational models like those being developed by OpenAI.

01/14/2025

Support for Windows 10 will END on 14 October 2025 .. nine months from today. If your computer is capable of running Windows 11, you should upgrade your operating system soon, or ask your favorite computer tech for assistance.

If your computer can not run Windows 11 (and many PCs built in or before 2019 can not), it's time to replace your existing computer with something newer, which can run Win11. If you need help migrating your data to that newer machine, call your favorite computer tech.

The good news is that we expect most Win11-capable machines to also meet the requirements for Windows 12, which should be available later this year. (It should be noted though, that Microsoft has not yet released the final system requirements for Win12, so some older machines may not make the cut.)

Please don't wait until September or October to take these steps. If you do, you'll likely be behind a very long line of fellow procrastinators, waiting their turn for their tech to fit them into the schedule.

To check whether your computer is able to run Windows 11, a handy tool is available at WhyNotWin11.com

12/24/2024

CW Smith Computer Services will be closed Christmas Day. I wish all of my clients a very happy and safe holiday.

I’ll be out making house calls on Thursday (26), and back in the shop Friday (27).

12/06/2024

US officials urge citizens to use encrypted messaging and calls wherever they can—here’s what you need to know.

06/19/2024

CW Smith Computer Services will CLOSE EARLY at 1pm Wednesday, so I can prepare for my performance this evening at the Carlisle Christian Church. Everyone is welcome to attend .. I hope to se you there!

** UPDATE ** Due to weather conditions, this evening’s Ice Cream Social has been relocated to the church basement gathering room. Come in through the north door and follow your ears.

I'll be out on house calls Thursday, and back in the shop Friday.

04/15/2024

As of this week, we are less than 18 months from the end of service life (EOL) for Windows 10. After 14 October 2025, Microsoft will no longer offer updates, bug fixes or security patches for Windows 10 (unless you pay an intentionally high subscription fee for extended service).

If your computer is capable of running Windows 11, please consider upgrading. At this point, Microsoft isn't even charging a license fee for active Win10 users to upgrade to Win11.

If your computer isn't capable of running Windows 11 (which has some fairly strict hardware requirements), now is the time to start planning and budgeting for the computer that will repace it. Please don't wait until fall of 2025 to take that step, because you'll likely be behind a long line of fellow procrastinators.

At some point later this year (or early 2025), we're expecting Windows 12 to be available, and new computers will start shipping with Win12 installed.

If you need help upgrading your existing computer, or migrating your data to a newer one, Please schedule a time with your trusted computer tech. If you choose me, I'm in my shop most Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and I always appreciate a call ahead so I can be better prepared when you arrive.

04/12/2024

CW Smith Computer Services will CLOSE EARLY at 1pm Friday (12 April), so I can perform for the residents at the Lodge of Ashworth.