#Computer Repair Shop Chicago

[thepchero]

PC Repair in Chicago: What to Expect from a Professional Technician

When your PC stops working or starts performing poorly, it can disrupt everything from your work to your entertainment. In a bustling city like Chicago, where technology plays a vital role in both personal and professional life, finding reliable computer repair is essential. But what exactly should you expect from a professional PC repair technician in Chicago?

This guide will walk you through the process, from first contact to final fix, so you know what to look for and how to ensure a smooth experience.

Initial Consultation and Diagnosis

The first step in any PC repair process is the initial consultation or diagnostic check. When you bring your computer into a repair shop—or request an on-site or remote service—the technician will assess the issue. This may involve running diagnostics, asking you questions about recent symptoms, or checking physical components.

In Chicago, many local PC repair shops offer free or low-cost diagnostics, and this initial phase should always include:

A clear explanation of the problem

An estimate of repair time and cost

Transparency about whether the repair is worth doing (versus replacing the system)

A reputable technician won’t push you into repairs that aren’t cost-effective.

Common PC Issues Handled by Professionals

Professional technicians in Chicago are experienced with a wide variety of hardware and software issues. Here are some common problems they address:

Slow performance or freezing

Virus or malware infections

Blue screen errors (BSOD)

No power or failure to boot

Overheating and fan problems

Hard drive or SSD failure

Wi-Fi and connectivity issues

Software crashes or update failures

Broken screens or damaged ports

They may also help with data recovery, OS installation, and system upgrades.

What Sets Chicago Technicians Apart

Chicago is home to a competitive and tech-savvy PC repair market. Whether you're downtown, in the suburbs, or near a college campus, you’ll find experienced professionals offering personalized service.

Here’s what you can expect from a top-tier technician in the city:

1. Certified Expertise

Look for certifications like CompTIA A+, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), or Apple Certified Mac Technician (ACMT). These credentials ensure that the technician is trained in industry standards and best practices.

2. Fast Turnaround Times

Many Chicago-based repair shops prioritize speed. Depending on the issue, some repairs can be completed within a few hours or same-day, especially if it’s a common problem like RAM upgrades or virus removal.

3. Upfront Pricing

A professional technician will always provide a written quote after diagnostics and before starting repairs. This helps avoid surprise charges and gives you a chance to weigh your options.

4. Warranty and Guarantee

Most reliable PC repair services in Chicago offer a warranty on parts and labor, ranging from 30 to 90 days. This protects you in case the issue reoccurs.

In-Shop, On-Site, or Remote Service Options

Depending on your schedule and the severity of the issue, Chicago technicians offer several types of service:

In-Shop Repair: You bring the device in, and the techs fix it in-house.

On-Site Repair: A technician comes to your home or office, ideal for businesses or heavy desktop setups.

Remote Support: For software or performance issues, technicians can log in remotely to diagnose and fix the problem without needing physical access.

Many shops offer free pickup and delivery within certain Chicago neighborhoods to make things even more convenient.

Tips for a Smooth Repair Experience

To get the most out of your PC repair experience, follow these tips:

Back Up Your Data: If your system still powers on, try to back up important files before handing it over.

Take Note of Symptoms: Record error messages or behavior that led to the problem. This helps with diagnostics.

Remove Passwords or Share Login Info: If you’re comfortable, provide login credentials or remove passwords to allow the technician full access for repairs.

Ask About Parts: If replacements are needed, ask whether they’re using new, used, or refurbished parts.

Check Reviews: Always look up reviews of the technician or shop before committing to service.

Supporting Local Tech Experts

Choosing a local PC repair shop in Chicago not only gets your machine fixed quickly but also supports small businesses and independent professionals in your community. These experts rely on word-of-mouth, quality service, and long-term relationships to thrive—so they’re motivated to do the job right.

Whether you're a student, a remote worker, or a small business owner, finding a trustworthy PC technician can help you avoid unnecessary stress and keep your workflow running smoothly.

Conclusion

When your PC runs into trouble, knowing what to expect from a professional technician makes the repair process much less intimidating. In Chicago, experienced tech professionals provide prompt, reliable, and affordable solutions tailored to your needs.

From the initial diagnosis to final testing, a great technician will communicate clearly, charge fairly, and make your computer feel brand new. So the next time your system crashes or slows down, skip the guesswork and trust a local Chicago PC repair expert to get you back on track.

Let me know if you'd like to tailor this for a specific neighborhood or shop in Chicago, or optimize it for SEO!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Cleantech has an enshittification problem

On July 14, I'm giving the closing keynote for the fifteenth HACKERS ON PLANET EARTH, in QUEENS, NY. Happy Bastille Day! On July 20, I'm appearing in CHICAGO at Exile in Bookville.

EVs won't save the planet. Ultimately, the material bill for billions of individual vehicles and the unavoidable geometry of more cars-more traffic-more roads-greater distances-more cars dictate that the future of our cities and planet requires public transit – lots of it.

But no matter how much public transit we install, there's always going to be some personal vehicles on the road, and not just bikes, ebikes and scooters. Between deliveries, accessibility, and stubbornly low-density regions, there's going to be a lot of cars, vans and trucks on the road for the foreseeable future, and these should be electric.

Beyond that irreducible minimum of personal vehicles, there's the fact that individuals can't install their own public transit system; in places that lack the political will or means to create working transit, EVs are a way for people to significantly reduce their personal emissions.

In policy circles, EV adoption is treated as a logistical and financial issue, so governments have focused on making EVs affordable and increasing the density of charging stations. As an EV owner, I can affirm that affordability and logistics were important concerns when we were shopping for a car.

But there's a third EV problem that is almost entirely off policy radar: enshittification.

An EV is a rolling computer in a fancy case with a squishy person inside of it. While this can sound scary, there are lots of cool implications for this. For example, your EV could download your local power company's tariff schedule and preferentially charge itself when the rates are lowest; they could also coordinate with the utility to reduce charging when loads are peaking. You can start them with your phone. Your repair technician can run extensive remote diagnostics on them and help you solve many problems from the road. New features can be delivered over the air.

That's just for starters, but there's so much more in the future. After all, the signal virtue of a digital computer is its flexibility. The only computer we know how to make is the Turing complete, universal, Von Neumann machine, which can run every valid program. If a feature is computationally tractable – from automated parallel parking to advanced collision prevention – it can run on a car.

The problem is that this digital flexibility presents a moral hazard to EV manufacturers. EVs are designed to make any kind of unauthorized, owner-selected modification into an IP rights violation ("IP" in this case is "any law that lets me control the conduct of my customers or competitors"):

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

EVs are also designed so that the manufacturer can unilaterally exert control over them or alter their operation. EVs – even more than conventional vehicles – are designed to be remotely killswitched in order to help manufacturers and dealers pressure people into paying their car notes on time:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/24/rent-to-pwn/#kitt-is-a-demon

Manufacturers can reach into your car and change how much of your battery you can access:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/28/edison-not-tesla/#demon-haunted-world

They can lock your car and have it send its location to a repo man, then greet him by blinking its lights, honking its horn, and pulling out of its parking space:

https://tiremeetsroad.com/2021/03/18/tesla-allegedly-remotely-unlocks-model-3-owners-car-uses-smart-summon-to-help-repo-agent/

And of course, they can detect when you've asked independent mechanic to service your car and then punish you by degrading its functionality:

https://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2024/06/26/two-of-eight-claims-in-tesla-anti-trust-lawsuit-will-move-forward/

This is "twiddling" – unilaterally and irreversibly altering the functionality of a product or service, secure in the knowledge that IP law will prevent anyone from twiddling back by restoring the gadget to a preferred configuration:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

The thing is, for an EV, twiddling is the best case scenario. As bad as it is for the company that made your EV to change how it works whenever they feel like picking your pocket, that's infinitely preferable to the manufacturer going bankrupt and bricking your car.

That's what just happened to owners of Fisker EVs, cars that cost $40-70k. Cars are long-term purchases. An EV should last 12-20 years, or even longer if you pay to swap the battery pack. Fisker was founded in 2016 and shipped its first Ocean SUV in 2023. The company is now bankrupt:

https://insideevs.com/news/723669/fisker-inc-bankruptcy-chapter-11-official/

Fisker called its vehicles "software-based cars" and they weren't kidding. Without continuous software updates and server access, those Fisker Ocean SUVs are turning into bricks. What's more, the company designed the car from the ground up to make any kind of independent service and support into a felony, by wrapping the whole thing in overlapping layers of IP. That means that no one can step in with a module that jailbreaks the Fisker and drops in an alternative firmware that will keep the fleet rolling.

This is the third EV risk – not just finance, not just charger infrastructure, but the possibility that any whizzy, cool new EV company will go bust and brick your $70k cleantech investment, irreversibly transforming your car into 5,500 lb worth of e-waste.

This confers a huge advantage onto the big automakers like VW, Kia, Ford, etc. Tesla gets a pass, too, because it achieved critical mass before people started to wise up to the risk of twiddling and bricking. If you're making a serious investment in a product you expect to use for 20 years, are you really gonna buy it from a two-year old startup with six months' capital in the bank?

The incumbency advantage here means that the big automakers won't have any reason to sink a lot of money into R&D, because they won't have to worry about hungry startups with cool new ideas eating their lunches. They can maintain the cozy cartel that has seen cars stagnate for decades, with the majority of "innovation" taking the form of shitty, extractive and ill-starred ideas like touchscreen controls and an accelerator pedal that you have to rent by the month:

https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/23/23474969/mercedes-car-subscription-faster-acceleration-feature-price

Put that way, it's clear that this isn't an EV problem, it's a cleantech problem. Cleantech has all the problems of EVs: it requires a large capital expenditure, it will be "smart," and it is expected to last for decades. That's rooftop solar, heat-pumps, smart thermostat sensor arrays, and home storage batteries.

And just as with EVs, policymakers have focused on infrastructure and affordability without paying any attention to the enshittification risks. Your rooftop solar will likely be controlled via a Solaredge box – a terrible technology that stops working if it can't reach the internet for a protracted period (that's right, your home solar stops working if the grid fails!).

I found this out the hard way during the covid lockdowns, when Solaredge terminated its 3G cellular contract and notified me that I would have to replace the modem in my system or it would stop working. This was at the height of the supply-chain crisis and there was a long waiting list for any replacement modems, with wifi cards (that used your home internet rather than a cellular connection) completely sold out for most of a year.

There are good reasons to connect rooftop solar arrays to the internet – it's not just so that Solaredge can enshittify my service. Solar arrays that coordinate with the grid can make it much easier and safer to manage a grid that was designed for centralized power production and is being retrofitted for distributed generation, one roof at a time.

But when the imperatives of extraction and efficiency go to war, extraction always wins. After all, the Solaredge system is already in place and solar installers are largely ignorant of, and indifferent to, the reasons that a homeowner might want to directly control and monitor their system via local controls that don't roundtrip through the cloud.

Somewhere in the hindbrain of any prospective solar purchaser is the experience with bricked and enshittified "smart" gadgets, and the knowledge that anything they buy from a cool startup with lots of great ideas for improving production, monitoring, and/or costs poses the risk of having your 20 year investment bricked after just a few years – and, thanks to the extractive imperative, no one will be able to step in and restore your ex-solar array to good working order.

I make the majority of my living from books, which means that my pay is very "lumpy" – I get large sums when I publish a book and very little in between. For many years, I've used these payments to make big purchases, rather than financing them over long periods where I can't predict my income. We've used my book payments to put in solar, then an induction stove, then a battery. We used one to buy out the lease on our EV. And just a month ago, we used the money from my upcoming Enshittification book to put in a heat pump (with enough left over to pay for a pair of long-overdue cataract surgeries, scheduled for the fall).

When we started shopping for heat pumps, it was clear that this was a very exciting sector. First of all, heat pumps are kind of magic, so efficient and effective it's almost surreal. But beyond the basic tech – which has been around since the late 1940s – there is a vast ferment of cool digital features coming from exciting and innovative startups.

By nature, I'm the kid of person who likes these digital features. I started out as a computer programmer, and while I haven't written production code since the previous millennium, I've been in and around the tech industry for my whole adult life. But when it came time to buy a heat-pump – an investment that I expected to last for 20 years or more – there was no way I was going to buy one of these cool new digitally enhanced pumps, no matter how much the reviewers loved them. Sure, they'd work well, but it's precisely because I'm so knowledgeable about high tech that I could see that they would fail very, very badly.

You may think EVs are bullshit, and they are – though there will always be room for some personal vehicles, and it's better for people in transit deserts to drive EVs than gas-guzzlers. You may think rooftop solar is a dead-end and be all-in on utility scale solar (I think we need both, especially given the grid-disrupting extreme climate events on our horizon). But there's still a wide range of cleantech – induction tops, heat pumps, smart thermostats – that are capital intensive, have a long duty cycle, and have good reasons to be digitized and networked.

Take home storage batteries: your utility can push its rate card to your battery every time they change their prices, and your battery can use that information to decide when to let your house tap into the grid, and when to switch over to powering your home with the solar you've stored up during the day. This is a very old and proven pattern in tech: the old Fidonet BBS network used a version of this, with each BBS timing its calls to other nodes to coincide with the cheapest long-distance rates, so that messages for distant systems could be passed on:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FidoNet

Cleantech is a very dynamic sector, even if its triumphs are largely unheralded. There's a quiet revolution underway in generation, storage and transmission of renewable power, and a complimentary revolution in power-consumption in vehicles and homes:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/12/s-curve/#anything-that-cant-go-on-forever-eventually-stops

But cleantech is too important to leave to the incumbents, who are addicted to enshittification and planned obsolescence. These giant, financialized firms lack the discipline and culture to make products that have the features – and cost savings – to make them appealing to the very wide range of buyers who must transition as soon as possible, for the sake of the very planet.

It's not enough for our policymakers to focus on financing and infrastructure barriers to cleantech adoption. We also need a policy-level response to enshittification.

Ideally, every cleantech device would be designed so that it was impossible to enshittify – which would also make it impossible to brick:

Based on free software (best), or with source code escrowed with a trustee who must release the code if the company enters administration (distant second-best);

All patents in a royalty-free patent-pool (best); or in a trust that will release them into a royalty-free pool if the company enters administration (distant second-best);

No parts-pairing or other DRM permitted (best); or with parts-pairing utilities available to all parties on a reasonable and non-discriminatory basis (distant second-best);

All diagnostic and error codes in the public domain, with all codes in the clear within the device (best); or with decoding utilities available on demand to all comers on a reasonable and non-discriminatory basis (distant second-best).

There's an obvious business objection to this: it will reduce investment in innovative cleantech because investors will perceive these restrictions as limits on the expected profits of their portfolio companies. It's true: these measures are designed to prevent rent-extraction and other enshittificatory practices by cleantech companies, and to the extent that investors are counting on enshittification rents, this might prevent them from investing.

But that has to be balanced against the way that a general prohibition on enshittificatory practices will inspire consumer confidence in innovative and novel cleantech products, because buyers will know that their investments will be protected over the whole expected lifespan of the product, even if the startup goes bust (nearly every startup goes bust). These measures mean that a company with a cool product will have a much larger customer-base to sell to. Those additional sales more than offset the loss of expected revenue from cheating and screwing your customers by twiddling them to death.

There's also an obvious legal objection to this: creating these policies will require a huge amount of action from Congress and the executive branch, a whole whack of new rules and laws to make them happen, and each will attract court-challenges.

That's also true, though it shouldn't stop us from trying to get legal reforms. As a matter of public policy, it's terrible and fucked up that companies can enshittify the things we buy and leave us with no remedy.

However, we don't have to wait for legal reform to make this work. We can take a shortcut with procurement – the things governments buy with public money. The feds, the states and localities buy a lot of cleantech: for public facilities, for public housing, for public use. Prudent public policy dictates that governments should refuse to buy any tech unless it is designed to be enshittification-resistant.

This is an old and honorable tradition in policymaking. Lincoln insisted that the rifles he bought for the Union Army come with interoperable tooling and ammo, for obvious reasons. No one wants to be the Commander in Chief who shows up on the battlefield and says, "Sorry, boys, war's postponed, our sole supplier decided to stop making ammunition."

By creating a market for enshittification-proof cleantech, governments can ensure that the public always has the option of buying an EV that can't be bricked even if the maker goes bust, a heat-pump whose digital features can be replaced or maintained by a third party of your choosing, a solar controller that coordinates with the grid in ways that serve their owners – not the manufacturers' shareholders.

We're going to have to change a lot to survive the coming years. Sure, there's a lot of scary ways that things can go wrong, but there's plenty about our world that should change, and plenty of ways those changes could be for the better. It's not enough for policymakers to focus on ensuring that we can afford to buy whatever badly thought-through, extractive tech the biggest companies want to foist on us – we also need a focus on making cleantech fit for purpose, truly smart, reliable and resilient.

Support me this summer on the Clarion Write-A-Thon and help raise money for the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/26/unplanned-obsolescence/#better-micetraps

Image: 臺灣古寫真上色 (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raid_on_Kagi_City_1945.jpg

Grendelkhan (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ground_mounted_solar_panels.gk.jpg

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

[creative9blogs]

What to Expect During a Mac Computer Repair: Step-by-Step Process Explained

Searching for Mac computer repair near you is often the first step when your trusted MacBook or iMac stops working as it should. Whether it’s a sluggish performance, a cracked screen, or a battery that won’t hold a charge, understanding what happens during the repair process can ease the stress that comes with tech troubles. At Smashed IT, we specialize in professional, transparent, and quick Mac repairs that restore your Apple device to its full potential.

In this guide, we'll walk you through what to expect when you bring your Mac in for service, and how our step-by-step process sets us apart from typical tech repair shops. Whether you're dealing with MacOS issues or hardware malfunctions, you deserve quality service from certified professionals—especially when you're looking for a reliable Mac repair in Chicago

Step-by-Step: The Mac Computer Repair Process

When you arrive at our shop or schedule an appointment online, our team takes your issue seriously from the get-go. Here’s what the repair journey typically looks like:

Initial Check-In and Consultation We start by listening to your concerns. Whether you’re dealing with a completely dead Mac or subtle system glitches, this step helps us better understand the problem before diving deeper.

Comprehensive Diagnostics Next, we run a complete diagnostic on your Mac to identify the root cause. Our diagnostic process includes hardware testing, software checks, and battery health reports. It’s a crucial step that sets the tone for a successful repair.

Repair Plan and Estimate Once we pinpoint the issue, we provide a detailed explanation and an upfront estimate. Whether it’s a screen replacement, SSD upgrade, or battery swap, you’ll always know the cost before we proceed.

Professional Repairs Using High-Quality Parts We only use high-grade, genuine or OEM-equivalent parts in our repairs. This ensures your device continues to run smoothly, whether it’s a full board repair or a simple keyboard fix.

Quality Assurance and Return Before we return your Mac, we re-run diagnostics to confirm everything is working flawlessly. We also clean your device and walk you through the repairs we’ve completed.

When people search laptop repair near me, they want more than just a quick fix—they want peace of mind. That’s why Smashed IT emphasizes quality, transparency, and exceptional customer service.

Our Most Common Mac Repairs

If you're looking for Mac computer repair near you, it’s helpful to know the types of issues we handle regularly:Repair TypeAverage TimeWarrantyNotes Screen Replacement 1–2 hours 6 months For cracked or unresponsive displays Battery Replacement 1 hour 6 months Includes full battery health diagnostics Logic Board Repair 1–2 days 3 months For non-booting or erratic MacBooks MacOS Troubleshooting 1 hour 30 days Includes reinstallation or optimization Keyboard & Trackpad Repair 2–3 hours 6 months For sticky or non-functional keys and trackpads

Integrating Multi-Device Repairs

At Smashed IT, we understand you're likely not only dealing with one device. That’s why customers who come in for Mac computer repair near Chicago often ask us to check out their iPhones, iPads, or even Samsung devices at the same time. Our team is trained to handle:

Phone screen repair near me inquiries for iPhone and Android users needing cracked glass replacements.

iPad repair near me services for battery issues, charge port fixes, and even liquid damage cleanup.

Specialized services like iPad screen repair Chicago, perfect for local customers who want trustworthy service close to home.

Quick and affordable Samsung battery replacement near me for those with aging Galaxy phones.

We make it easy to service all your tech in one place—whether it’s your MacBook, tablet, or smartphone.

Why Local Repairs Matter

When you look for Mac repair near me, you're not just after convenience—you want personalized service from people who know your device inside out. We’re proud to be a trusted local tech solution, offering fast turnarounds, honest quotes, and reliable support. Plus, you won’t have to wait weeks for shipping or risk your data being lost in transit like with mail-in services.

And with our centralized location, you won’t need to search far for laptop repair near me or worry about where to get MacBook screen repair done the same day.

FAQs About Mac Repairs

1. How long does a Mac repair usually take? It depends on the issue. Screen and battery replacements typically take 1–2 hours, while motherboard repairs can take a bit longer.

2. Do I need an appointment for service? Walk-ins are welcome, but booking an appointment can help us serve you faster. Use our GMB link below to get directions or schedule a visit.

3. Is it worth repairing an old MacBook? Absolutely. In many cases, upgrading the SSD or battery extends your Mac’s life by several years, making it a cost-effective option compared to buying new.

4. Can you help if my Mac won’t turn on? Yes! Our diagnostics can identify whether it’s a power issue, battery problem, or logic board failure. We specialize in bringing dead Macs back to life.

5. Is my data safe during repair? We take data privacy seriously. Whenever possible, we back up and preserve your data. Let us know if you have specific concerns.

Get Professional Mac Computer Repair Near You Today

Searching for trustworthy Mac computer repair near me ends with Smashed IT. From Apple laptops to iPads and Samsung devices, we provide comprehensive tech solutions for busy professionals, students, and everyday users. Stop stressing over slow systems or shattered screens—we’ll get your devices running like new in no time.

📍 Visit us here – your local experts in MacBook, iPad, iPhone, and Samsung battery replacement near me.

Contact Us Today

📞 Call us at 3129299807 🌐 Visit us at https://maps.app.goo.gl/gZUg7QEzc2k33R179 📍 Find us: 3416 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Let’s get your device—and your day—back on track.

[djicksglobalservices]

DJICKS GLOBAL SERVICES, INC. | Computer Repair Service in Chicago IL

We are your dependable and trustworthy go-to for Computer Repair Service in Chicago IL; our professionals have thorough experience in dealing with various technical problems. Because of our skills and vast knowledge, we can identify and troubleshoot computer problems in the best possible way. You can count on us for excellent outcomes. We are highly renowned for our Remote IT Support Services in Chicago IL; our technicians can fix your IT issues efficiently. We always prioritize providing quality and time-efficient services. Throughout the industry, we have built a reputation for excellence. Moreover, we have kept our service charges reasonably affordable. So, if you need our assistance, you should call us today.

[computersrusk2]

Computers R Us - The Best Place to Shop For an iPhone

Computers, electronics, Samsung phones, iPhones, iPad's and Android phones are all known to be very expensive. If you have any of these gadgets and you are thinking of replacing them, it may be difficult for you to do so without spending more than what you can afford. But before you fret about the costs of these electronic devices, why not make use of Samsung phone repair services? The company has branches in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Phoenix, Sarasota, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Phoenix. So no matter where you live, if your Samsung phone is broken, you can easily avail of its services.

Computers, electronics, Samsung phones, iphone repair and Android phones are all known to be quite expensive. They may also break down frequently and may need replacement. For this reason, you should ensure that you purchase the right tool for the right job. There are a lot of repair shops that claim to be specialists in Samsung phone, Apple iPhone and other cell phone repairs. But how do you find one that offers the best quality service with the most competitive price?

Computers, Samsung phones, iPad's and Android phones need much more attention from a repair man than normal mobile phones do. It is not only because they are more delicate but also because they require more intensive repairs. If you go to a regular mobile phone store, you will find lots of tools but these tools will not be appropriate for your Samsung, apple iPhone or other brand of cell phone. For example, if you need to replace the screen on your Samsung laptop, then you won't be able to use the pneumatic tool that the regular Samsung store provides.

You can also get the same quality services if you visit the Computers R Us website instead. The company provides a wide range of computer services and accessories and even offers a 24 hours help desk number. Computers, Samsung phones, iPad's and other brands of cell phones are all known to suffer from water damage. However, you will find that there is no such thing as a simple repair. When you have a water damaged Samsung laptop or other brand of cell phone, you should have it repaired by an expert who has experience in water damage repair.

If you have an older Samsung phone, then you should have it serviced by a Computers R Us store as well. You will have to provide the model and telephone number of your phone in order to receive a quote. When you mention the price of the repair, you should also mention the approximate time required to complete the job. The company accepts iPhone and iPad models of the same line and even with a water damaged battery, you can receive an estimate within an hour. The company charges $30 for an iPhone, but the price includes shipping costs.

In Computers R Us, there are many options available to make the best services to its customers. There are also several features and discounts available when you shop at the site. This is why it is said to be the best place to shop for an iPhone or any other mobile phone. If you want to learn more about the company and its products, you can visit their website and check out all the products that they have to offer. The website also provides with information about the nearest Computers R Us store which is conveniently located near your home or office.

Contact Us:

Computers R Us Address: 3600 Cherokee Street Northwest Suite #104, Kennesaw, GA 30144 Phone: 678-851-9926 Email: computersRusatl@gmail.com https://g.page/ComputersRUsKennesaw?share

[thepchero]

PC Repair Chicago - The PC Hero

The PC Hero, headquartered in Chicago, is a trusted and dedicated provider of professional computer repair and IT services. We specialize in delivering high-quality, efficient, and reliable solutions for businesses that rely on technology to operate smoothly. Our expertise covers a broad spectrum of commercial IT needs, including diagnosis, installation, configuration, maintenance, and ongoing technical support. Whether addressing hardware malfunctions, software issues, or network complications, The PC Hero is committed to ensuring that your technology runs seamlessly and securely.

Beyond traditional computer repair services, we offer comprehensive IT support to businesses seeking to optimize their systems. From troubleshooting technical problems to proactively maintaining devices, our skilled technicians are well-equipped to handle diverse computing challenges. We also assist in software installation, updates, and configuration, ensuring that businesses have access to the latest technology while minimizing downtime.

At The PC Hero, we understand that technology is only as effective as the people who use it. That’s why we go beyond repairs and maintenance by offering customized computer training programs. These sessions are designed to enhance user skills, improve efficiency, and empower employees to maximize the potential of their devices and software applications. Whether it’s mastering essential office software, learning cybersecurity best practices, or troubleshooting common IT issues, our training programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each business.

Customer satisfaction is at the core of everything we do. We take a client-centric approach, tailoring our services to fit the specific requirements of each business. This commitment to personalized service drives us to continuously evolve, expand, and refine our offerings. As we grow, The PC Hero remains focused on providing high-quality computer solutions that help businesses in Chicago stay productive, secure, and ahead of the curve.

Contact: The PC Hero 6058 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629, United States 773-599-0056 https://thepchero.com/

[willowflute0-blog]

Aaa Car Locksmith As Well As Repayment Providers.

Tips On Car Key Replacement.

Content

Open Padlocks Without A Secret Utilizing Inexpensive Do It Yourself Shims.

Rekeying A Schlage Bar Lock.

Our Chicago Locksmith Solutions.

Sell Dallas For Locksmiths.

They can reprogram them, get rid of existing secrets from the cars and truck's computer, and so on . When there is something you need from your security, it is always best to trust the professionals that handle all kinds of safety. As an included benefit, our mobile locksmiths can pertain to your area, anywhere you might be. We additionally supply emergency services that allow our professionals to help you 24-hours a day.

Allowing your locksmith recognize what kind of cars and truck tricks you have is another crucial piece of information that they will need to have in order to execute the task with optimum efficiency. A conventional essential cutter can be utilized to reduce any secret that has its bitting on the top and/or bottom of the key blade. If you can make a residence trick on the vital cutter, after that it is a traditional key cutter. The equipment works by repairing the existing secret into area. This key can be scanned for its code right now, and might be removed.

Can Triple A unlock a locked car?

If you have AAA you can call them to unlock your vehicle. If the vehicle can't be safely opened or made operable, or the locksmith cannot replace the key, towing services will be provided under the towing benefit.

In some cases, it will be feasible to set an essential fob on your own. Each automobile is going to have a very distinctive programming approach. You will certainly require to have a blank remote, and also the proper guidelines for configuring it. If the remote is not blank and also has actually been previously configured to another vehicle, then this will not work. Expert locksmiths have an experience with every type of secret, even electronic ones.

Unlock Padlocks Without A Trick Making Use Of Economical Diy Shims.

Can a locksmith make a key for a Mercedes?

For the most part, locksmiths should be able to help you replace or duplicate your Mercedes-Benz key at a better price than a dealership, in part because they should be up to date with the skills and equipment required.

On top of our cars and truck lockout services, we also offer a AAA locksmith for residence lockout circumstances. We offer you satisfaction and also are constantly there when you require it most. Our professionals take care of your situation as well as work hard to provide services promptly. When you call AAA for a locksmith service, we send out a technician or got locksmith to your area. They will analyze the circumstance and also figure out the best resolution utilizing the ideal tools as well as approaches.

Is picking locks easy?

While lock picking is very simple and can be done very quickly on basic locks, the movies don't quite do it justice. To pick a lock you are going to need two tools: a pick (duh) and a tension wrench. Lock Pick: The pick allows us to lift the pins to the shear line just like the key does.

To do this the crucial blank key is simply relocated so that the opposite side can be reduced. The initial trick can be left in position, because both sides of the key will have the very same bitting pattern. He was very well-informed, pleasant and expert.

We're dedicated to preserving a network of relied on home solution organizations, and those who don't meet our criteria will certainly be rejected or without delay eliminated from our network.

The above screening process is not appropriate to Corporate Accounts, as HomeAdvisor does not evaluate Corporate Accounts or Company service experts.

HomeAdvisor makes use of a substantial testing process to display businesses and service owners/principals.

This is due to the fact that just the pins are being changed when locks are rekeyed and also it's a fairly easy as well as quick work.

We verify any type of appropriate state-level licenses, as well as we need every service to confirm that they carry the proper local licensing to exercise their profession.

Technology understood a whole lot concerning the locks and exactly how to fix utilizing one of the most efficient method.

A professional locksmith ought to be able to aid you with tricks for all makes and models of vehicles, from conventional family automobiles to exotic and luxury vehicles. In the uncommon instance that your locksmith does not work with your certain sort of lorry, felt confident that they can route you to a person that does. Many automobiles after more recent automobiles have transponder chips are programmed to a specific car. All secrets madein the last twenty years are required to be fitted with an immobiliser system.

If the equipment is extra by hand run, after that the locksmith will certainly position the bank key in the equipment in a various port. The slot for the empty key will certainly line up with a blade, and the functioning secret will be placed versus the positioning device. The cutting edge of the blade needs to be totally lined up with the leading edge of the positioning device. From there the alignment of the keys in relationship per various other demands to be examined. In order to utilize this equipment to duplicate car secrets, you will certainly have to cut both sides of the new key.

What do I do if I locked myself out of my house?

If you ever find yourself locked out of your house in the future, rest assured knowing there are a few ways you can get back in: 1. Check for an opened window. 2. Put your credit card to use. 3. Call Your Landlord. 4. Ask Your Concierge. 5. Call A Locksmith.

car key replacement dallas is, it may seem expensive to obtain one currently, specifically if it has to be programmed to your automobile, yet in the long run it repays. Because of the fact that there are so many various car designs available you will need to tighten your focus to your particular vehicle to make sure that you can get the appropriate secret. To do this, you will certainly need to offer your automobile recognition number, along with the make, version and year of your lorry.

They have a brand-new technolgy that does not need the 2 secrets to be present. It is a remarkable progression for a store to be able to execute this service for customers so promptly and set you back effectively. They sell hundres of these keys per week which will just grow as individuals discover this service is offered in the shops.

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How much does it cost for a car locksmith?

How Much Does an Automotive Locksmith in Sydney Charge to Replace Car Keys? On average, an Automotive Locksmith will charge around $250 to make you a set of remote car keys. On average, traditional, non-remote car keys will set you back by around $200.

No-- most of locksmith professionals work as the primary company of transponder key replication. Many dealers today exercise the outsourcing of this service to locksmiths.

Rekeying A Schlage Lever Lock.

As soon as you have actually decided on that you would love to reach out to so as to get a replacement secret made, you can loosen up and also breathe easy. However, you must benefit from this scenario and have an extra spare trick made.

Our Chicago Locksmith Solutions.

I understand earlier on I said I had not been going to harp on people not having extra tricks, however it is something that needs to be resolved. An extra secret is not simply some minor addition that has no value. It can be available in convenient in any type of variety of situations so see to it you have one as well as you are gotten ready for any kind of end result. If you had one then you probably would not have actually read this entire message!

Deals In Dallas For Locksmiths.

He made her a new secret and also set the fob instantly within a hr. I required a replacement crucial fob and to have the lock on my door repaired. We want you to call on us when you need a new trick as well as can offer you an affordable cars and truck vital programs price that will defeat every one of our rivals. When they commend you it is programmed and it will work.

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Emergency Situation Automobile Locksmiths Edinburgh

Is It Ok To Squirt Some W40 In The Ignition Switch?

Content

Open Padlocks Without A Key Using Economical Diy Shims.

Rekeying A Schlage Lever Lock.

Our Chicago Locksmith Services.

Deals In Dallas For Locksmiths.

Your safety as well as safety are our company, as well as we prepare to aid at any time of the day or evening. We offer a considerable variety of locksmith services and also we're well experienced with every type of secret, lock, as well as safety and security relevant situation. Whenever you require a lockout, have your locks or keys changed, rekeying, or other services offer us a call for a cost-free quote.

They get here ASAP, which is their warranty to clients, as well as they did not disappoint me with their great client service. They assess the automobile initially and unlock its door with their tools.

How do I get the key code for my car?

How to Find the Key Codes for Your Vehicle's Keys 1. Gather your vehicle title or registration that shows you are the owner of the car for which you want a key code. Have your driver's license handy as well. 2. Go to the parts or service department of a car dealership that makes your model car. the right software br/> 3. Tell the dealership representative that you want to obtain your key code.

If a piece of your crucial breaks off in your ignition or becomes stuck, we will certainly have the ability to remove it without creating any kind of damages. We can also give you with a new replacement secret. Our shop is equipped with a large selection of tricks permitting us to offer excellent valued car essential duplication services. Regularly aiming give only premium locksmith services at cost effective prices. Our experienced technicians at A-1 Locksmith understand that your North Dallas house or service is special, as well as as a result has distinct needs.

Can you get a car key made with VIN number?

With the VIN number and proof of ownership of the vehicle, an automotive locksmith can cut a key for your car. Without the original key, the key code is used to cut the key. Newer model vehicles also require a computer chip, or “transponder” to be present in the key itself.

Unlock Padlocks Without A Trick Making Use Of Inexpensive Diy Shims.

I never ever assumed that it would be so quick for Top Equipment Locksmith Dallas TX to provide a car lockout solution. With less time of waiting, I was able to most likely to my work environment without sweating as well as stressing over being late.

I absolutely advise this company for their impressive and budget-friendly solutions in Dallas. If you have lockout troubles with your vehicle, Leading Gear Locksmith is offered 24/7 so they can react on that very same day. Constantly pleased to clarify additional concerning the company's locksmith services and also to provide customers with a complimentary estimate-- you'll be surprised to listen to the competitive costs.

How much does it cost to have a locksmith open your door?

Cost breakdown for residential locksmith servicesJob typePriceService call$100 - $120Service call - after hours$150 - $200Emergency Opening$150 - $250Lock drilling + new lock installationP.O.A3 more rows•Nov 12, 2019

Rekeying A Schlage Lever Lock.

If you require a car issue addressing by a locksmith, just call us at any time of the day or night. Have you ever before stroll to the door only to realize that you forgot your home tricks at the workplace? Before you start burning out, call Locksmith Dallas currently.

SOS Locksmith provides a large range of both Residential and also Commercial locksmith solutions for automobiles, vehicles, vans and even more in the Dallas, TX area.

Furnished with sophisticated locksmith devices and tools we have the ability to promptly cut as well as set your trick.

Our locksmiths concentrate on giving budget friendly crucial replications, key replacements, ignition fixings, bike secrets therefore a lot more!

Every one of our locksmith professionals strive to offer you with the absolute best feasible automotive locksmith services that Dallas needs to supply.

That claimed, we ask that you schedule this service for actual emergency situations like being locked out of your house or auto.

Depending upon the sort of vehicle, our locksmiths can cut and set a type in much less than 20 minutes.

That's why we supply personalized solutions that fulfill every one of your issues, consisting of attractive door equipment, security systems, deadbolt locks, leave doors, and more. Naturally, we can also aid with fundamental lockout, key substitute, as well as vital repair work services also. We have the experience as well as tools required to set up, solution as well as fix one of the most sophisticated protection options particularly designed to secure industrial and also even government venues.

Our Chicago Locksmith Services.

No requirement to go to a hardware store or cars and truck dealership. Delta Locksmith Dallas has the experience and correct devices to manage a broad array of locksmith solutions as well as safety and security services. Do irving tx locksmith require a lock to be repaired, a specialist for your automotive, a domestic locksmith or any kind of various other unlocking or security solution? Thankfully, you can trust our group of certified specialists to be trusted, reliable and able to handle any kind of locksmithing work or lockout situation in a prompt fashion. Every service we offer is offered 24 hours a day, from house lockouts to industrial and industrial locksmith services.

I left my type in the auto and it is the worst experience I had. I tried to open the door yet it does not aid whatsoever. My friend once told me that they had the very best cars and truck lockout solution so I gave it a try.

We will go to your local to take the stress and anxiety away. locksmith plano consist of locks for primary doors, back entrance, garage doors, home windows, as well as various other locations that use locks. Your house is your haven, and also our locksmith professionals are educated to adhere to security protocols as well as present themselves properly at your premises. 24/7 Dallas Locksmith offer full range of locksmith services that make sure the protection of your home. We offer excellent quality locks with great solution to much better protect your house or home.

Bank vault repair as well as maintenance services are vital to both your company as well as your customers. Your demands for a locksmith might not fall within usual working hours, which is why we offer a 24 hr locksmith solution. Get in touch with us at any time of the day or evening for friendly and expert service. We enjoy to assist in an emergency situation or if you simply need to arrange a task beyond regular hours. We more than happy to service entrance locks, door locks, and multiple sorts of protection tools including locks and keypad entrance systems.

Does AutoZone make key copies?

AutoZone takes the keys and duplicates them to a precise accuracy. The keys are also cut digitally, using state-of-the-art equipment, tools and technology. Your key will be cut to your satisfaction before you leave your AutoZone, or they will cut it over again.

As your residential locksmith, we make certain our locks are superior in quality unlike a lot of locks you discover at your local retailer. For a business locksmith that focuses on customer care, look no more. We provide a total commercial locksmith service that includes fixing locks and also tricks, installation of deadbolts, and also new devices to increase the protection of your organization. Another automotive locksmith service we provide is damaged key extraction from the ignition system.

We make it very easy to locate high quality, relied on locksmith professionals. We only permit the most effective locksmith professionals into our directory site. When you need an automotive locksmith, household locksmith, industrial locksmith, or safe locksmith, phone call Opens. Acapulco Locksmith is a mobile locksmith servicing the Dallas, TX area that concentrates on Residential, Commercial, Safes, as well as Automotive locksmith solutions. If you're shut out, require tricks copied, or require other mobile locksmith solutions in Dallas TX 75214, get in touch with Acapulco Locksmith by calling.

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9 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR MOBILE DEVICES SECURE WHILE TRAVELING

From coffee shops to planes, trains, and cruise ships, we've become accustomed to having ready access to the Internet just about anywhere. The problem is, it's easy to forget how vulnerable that makes us to security threats.

I learned this the hard way recently when traveling from San Jose to Tampa, passing through four cities along the way. Even though I'm well aware of the potential for others to hack into my devices, I'd never had any problems previously. Unfortunately, there's always a first time: When I got back home, Facebook alerted me to some suspicious activity. I had been "Firesheep'd"!

Apparently someone in Chicago (using Firefox and a Windows PC) had logged into my Facebook account via Firesheep, a Firefox extension that can intercept unencrypted cookies from certain Websites on any open Wi-Fi network, making it possible to steal login credentials for sites like Facebook and Twitter, or even access your e-mail.

Think it can't happen to you? Think again. Fortunately, a combination of plain old common sense and some technology can protect your devices--quickly and fairly easily.

HOW YOUR GADGETS MAY BE VULNERABLE

Whether you're traveling with a laptop, netbook, smartphone, iPad, or all of the above, the risks and defenses against them are basically the same, according to Joe Nocera, an information security expert and a principal with PricewaterhouseCoopers. "Many of the security concerns that people think about when they think about their personal computers are applicable in the mobile world." As mobile devices become more sophisticated, they lend themselves to the same types of access to e-mail, passwords, and other secure information that PCs have done in the past.

Because today's devices are so much more powerful and can hold so much more information than ever before, the risks are increasing, says Martin Hack, information security expert and executive vice president of NCP Engineering, a software company that helps businesses with their secure remote access systems. Add to that our tendency to carry both personal and business information around with us on the same device, and our mobile devices have never looked so appealing to hackers, he says.

As specific mobile devices become more popular, they become more of a target for hackers. "Five years ago, the vulnerabilities were Microsoft-based and targeting PCs. Apple tended not to be targeted so often," says Nocera. "But, in the last year and a half or so, we're seeing a shift. More and more often we're seeing either Android- or iPhone-based vulnerabilities being targeted. We predict that by 2014 you'll see those types of vulnerabilities being the most targeted as more and more users go to those mobile devices."

The good news is it's not difficult or even expensive to protect your devices and the information on them. The fixes are simple. The problem, stated quite eloquently in an old Pogo comic strip, is: "We have met the enemy and he is us."

9 TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR MOBILE DEVICES SECURE 1. Make sure your software is up-to-date. The first line of defense, says Nocera, is making sure that all your software is up-to-date. "Almost every release of software patches a number of security vulnerabilities that are out there," he says. Before every trip, or at least every few weeks, it's a good idea to check the manufacturer's Web site (or search Google) to see if a software or firmware update is available. If there's a new one, download it, unless there's a massive firestorm of negative reviews from early adopters.

2. Employ strong passwords. "Be sure to use some combination of letters, numbers and/or special characters of 8 characters or more," says Jeremy Miller, director of operations for Kroll Fraud Solutions. "Avoid using dictionary words. Instead, [use] acronyms for things like favorite songs, restaurants or other items known only to you. And change the password frequently--at least once every six months." If you're just not feeling clever enough to create your own passwords, programs like RoboForm will do it for you.

3. Don't mess with the security settings. Nocera notes that most of the default browser settings in Android, iPhone, and Blackberry phones are fairly secure out of the box. "I recommend not going in to change browser security settings--they're pretty good already," he says.

4. Avoid unencrypted public wireless networks. Such Wi-Fi networks require no authentication or password to log into, so anyone can access them--including the bad guys. In some cases, bad guys set up an open network to snare unsuspecting people. Encrypted networks, on the other hand, are those that require an ID or password for access--you'll find such networks at many hotels and coffee shops that offer Wi-Fi services. These networks have two different types of security--WEP (wired equivalent privacy) and WPA (Wi-Fi protected access); the second is most secure. Even encrypted networks, though, have risks--it's possible for bad guys to gain access to encrypted networks at a hotel or café, for instance, so be cautious about the sorts of things you do on such networks.

Besides avoiding connecting to unencrypted networks, turn off Wi-Fi when you're not using it. This will prevent you from automatically connecting to networks (and it will extend your device's battery life).

5. Paying to access a Wi-Fi network doesn't mean it's secure. Access fees do not equal security. Just because you pay a fee to access a Wi-Fi network doesn't mean that the network is secure.

6. URLs beginning with 'https:' are safer (but not foolproof). Whenever you're accessing a site where you'll be sharing personal or confidential information--your bank's site, for example--you want to make sure that you're doing so securely. The s in https means that you're connected to the site via the Secure Socket Layer (SSL). In layman's terms, this means that all data transmitted to that particular Website over the Internet is encrypted.

SSL is not foolproof though: If you're on an unencrypted network connection, you may still be subject to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, a form of eavesdropping where the bad guy makes a connection independently with two parties and then "gets in the middle," making both believe that they are talking directly to each other.

These types of attacks are rare, but to guard against them, make sure you're both connected to a secured network and that Websites use https when you're entering sensitive information.

In addition, says Nocera, most e-mail service providers have both a clear text option (that sends unencrypted data) and an encryption (SSL) option. "Make sure you have the SSL option enabled," he says.

7. Use VPN. If you have access to a VPN (virtual private network), use it. A VPN provides secure access to an organization's network and allows you to get online behind a secure layer that protects your information.

8. Turn off cookies and autofill. If your mobile device automatically enters passwords and login information into Websites you visit frequently, turn that feature off. It's convenient, but it can also be a privacy threat. To get back some of the convenience that autofill offers, you can try third-party apps, available for most platforms, that can manage saved passwords with a higher level of security. Mac OS X, for instance, comes with a built-in password manager--Keychain. KeePass is a free, open-source password manager for some versions of Windows. For iOS and Android smartphones, there's LastPass, 1Password, and SplashID. Using them is not as secure as turning off autofill altogether, but it's one way to strike a good balance. In the end, a little inconvenience can go a long way toward added security.

9. Watch your apps! Apps are great, and many are free, so it can be tempting to download with abandon. But, Nocera cautions, you should be selective about the apps you download, particularly in the Android market, because "the Android app market is a little bit more open," without the strict developer guidelines found in Apple's App Store. Do some due diligence before downloading apps. Make sure that you trust the developer and have taken the time to review some of comments.

TaintDroid is an Android tool that can identify apps that transmit private data and notify users that a third-party application is requesting private information. However, it's not an app that's offered through the Android Market. Instead, users have to manually compile and build the app using the framework provided by an app analysis company.

IF YOU STILL GET HACKED... If you do everything right and still have your information stolen, what should you do? The damage can often be repaired simply by changing your password (to one much stronger) and sending a message via the network that was affected, explaining what happened. What if one of your devices gets stolen? Be sure that all of your mobile devices have a remote wipe or autowipe feature. For Apple's iPhone and iPad, there's Apple's MobileMe service. GoogleApps offers a solution for Android as well. If your device is lost or you know there's been a breach, you can quickly and remotely perform a factory reset from any computer connected to the Internet, wiping out all of the device's data and even locking it indefinitely.

[cover2covermom]

Goodbye April & hello May!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel & I’m running toward it…

April seemed to drag on despite the days flying by.  Does that even make sense?  Like I’ve mentioned before, my days are filled with homeschooling, home projects, mask making, and reading.  I’ve been doing my best to fill my hours to ease the COVID-19 anxiety.

I received the notification that I will be returning to work next week, which was welcome news.  I’m ready to get back a little bit of normalcy in my life.  Thankfully, our library system is reopening in phases.  Our first phase will be employees only (3-5 employees in the building at one time) and offering curb-side service to our patrons.  As of now, we will not open our doors to the public until June 1st at the earliest.  At that point in time, we will be limiting the number of patrons allowed in the building.  It is definitely going to be a learning curve to see what my new work normal is going to entail.  I’m looking forward to adapting & rising to the occasion.

» Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis

As per usual, Mindy McGinnis puts out another harrowing YA book.  I love survival stories, so I enjoyed this story about a girl that has gotten lost in the woods.  Be Not Far From Me was uncomfortable to read at certain points.

» Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

*3.5 Stars*

This was a sweet story about two kids that form a friendship while hanging around an abandoned lot.  The first half of this book didn’t grab me and moved far too slowly.  I enjoyed the second half of this book a lot better than the first half.

» Keeper of Lost Cities (Keeper of the Lost Cities #1) by Shannon Messenger

An awesome MG fantasy!  I cannot wait to continue on with this series.  I’d recommend this to fans of Harry Potter.

» Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman

*2.75 Stars*

I read this for one of my book clubs.   I think the author was attempting to write a book that would charm readers with eccentric characters & a humorous plotline, but don’t think it delivered.  Instead of being funny, the story felt odd & forced.

» A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry

I think the author did a tremendous job writing a book from a wolf’s perspective.  You can tell the author did extensive research into wolves & their behaviors.  While I think this animal perspective was very well done, I didn’t think the plotline was all that entertaining.

» The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz #1) by L. Frank Baum

I’ve decided to challenge myself to read more children’s classics in 2020.   To kick start this challenge, I started with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  This was a delightful read!  I was surprised to learn that the slippers were actually silver instead of ruby red… mind blown!

» SHOUT by Laurie Halse Anderson

This is a must read for fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak.  While you don’t HAVE to read Speak to read SHOUT, I feel like it makes a bigger impact if you read Speak prior to this.  If you didn’t know, SHOUT is Anderson’s memoir told in verse.

» Loveboat, Taipei (Loveboat, Taipei #1) by Abigail Hing Wen

*4.5 Stars*

This is a guilty pleasure type of read.  Actually, it reminded me a bit of Crazy Rich Asians a bit.  It is a tad racy for a YA book… So I’d probably recommend for older YA readers that are 16+

» Exile (Keeper of the Lost Cities #2) by Shannon Messenger

I am LOVING this MG fantasy series.  While these books are a bit chunky, don’t let the page count deter you.  I flew through the first two books in this series this month.  Also, I’m happy to report that this second installment does NOT suffer from “second book syndrome.”

» Nooks & Crannies by Jessica Lawson

Nooks & Crannies is an excellent MG historical mystery.  Some of the elements of this story gave me Matilda mixed with A Series of Unfortunate Events vibes.  The audiobook is well narrated.

» The Penderwicks (The Penderwicks #1) by Jeanne Birdsall

This is the perfect book to pick up during the summer months.  It really gave me modern Little Women crossed with The Secret Garden vibes.  The ending was so heartwarming it almost brought me to tears.

Goodreads Challenge Update: 46 books!

*I know it says 47, but I finished The Last (Endling #1) on May 1st*

March 2020 Reading & Blogging Wrap-Up

April 2020 TBR

Childhood Classics 2020: TBR

Most Anticipated Books of 2020 (May – December)

Mini Book Reviews: April 2020 – Part 1

Mini Book Reviews: April 2020 – Part 2

If you were ever curious what a bookworm’s quarantine stress shopping spree looks like, here you go…

» The Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising #1) by Kiersten White

There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom’s borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution–send in Guinevere to be Arthur’s wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king’s idyllic city fail. The catch? Guinevere’s real name–and her true identity–is a secret. She is a changeling, a girl who has given up everything to protect Camelot.

To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old–including Arthur’s own family–demand things continue as they have been, and the new–those drawn by the dream of Camelot–fight for a better way to live. And always, in the green hearts of forests and the black depths of lakes, magic lies in wait to reclaim the land. Arthur’s knights believe they are strong enough to face any threat, but Guinevere knows it will take more than swords to keep Camelot free.

Deadly jousts, duplicitous knights, and forbidden romances are nothing compared to the greatest threat of all: the girl with the long black hair, riding on horseback through the dark woods toward Arthur. Because when your whole existence is a lie, how can you trust even yourself?

» Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

The story of a deaf girl’s connection to a whale whose song can’t be heard by his species, and the journey she takes to help him.

From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she’s the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she’s not very smart. If you’ve ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be.

When she learns about Blue 55, a real whale who is unable to speak to other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Then she has an idea: she should invent a way to “sing” to him! But he’s three thousand miles away. How will she play her song for him?

» Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father’s inability to collect his debts has left his family on the edge of poverty–until Miryem takes matters into her own hands. Hardening her heart, the young woman sets out to claim what is owed and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold.

When an ill-advised boast draws the attention of the king of the Staryk–grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh–Miryem’s fate, and that of two kingdoms, will be forever altered. Set an impossible challenge by the nameless king, Miryem unwittingly spins a web that draws in a peasant girl, Wanda, and the unhappy daughter of a local lord who plots to wed his child to the dashing young tsar.

But Tsar Mirnatius is not what he seems. And the secret he hides threatens to consume the lands of humans and Staryk alike. Torn between deadly choices, Miryem and her two unlikely allies embark on a desperate quest that will take them to the limits of sacrifice, power, and love.

Channeling the vibrant heart of myth and fairy tale, Spinning Silver weaves a multilayered, magical tapestry that readers will want to return to again and again.

» Girls Like Us by Randi Pink

Set in the summer of 1972, this moving YA historical novel is narrated by teen girls from different backgrounds with one thing in common: Each girl is dealing with pregnancy. Four teenage girls. Four different stories. What they all have in common is that they’re dealing with unplanned pregnancies.

In rural Georgia, Izella is wise beyond her years, but burdened with the responsibility of her older sister, Ola, who has found out she’s pregnant. Their young neighbor, Missippi, is also pregnant, but doesn’t fully understand the extent of her predicament. When her father sends her to Chicago to give birth, she meets the final narrator, Susan, who is white and the daughter of an anti-choice senator.

Randi Pink masterfully weaves four lives into a larger story – as timely as ever – about a woman’s right to choose her future.

» The Island of the Sea Women by Lisa See

Set on the Korean island of Jeju, The Island of Sea Women follows Mi-ja and Young-sook, two girls from very different backgrounds, as they begin working in the sea with their village’s all-female diving collective. Over many decades—through the Japanese colonialism of the 1930s and 1940s, World War II, the Korean War, and the era of cellphones and wet suits for the women divers—Mi-ja and Young-sook develop the closest of bonds. Nevertheless, their differences are impossible to ignore: Mi-ja is the daughter of a Japanese collaborator, forever marking her, and Young-sook was born into a long line of haenyeo and will inherit her mother’s position leading the divers. After hundreds of dives and years of friendship, forces outside their control will push their relationship to the breaking point.

This beautiful, thoughtful novel illuminates a unique and unforgettable culture, one where the women are in charge, engaging in dangerous physical work, and the men take care of the children. A classic Lisa See story—one of women’s friendships and the larger forces that shape them—The Island of Sea Women introduces readers to the fierce female divers of Jeju Island and the dramatic history that shaped their lives.

» The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

A music-loving teen with OCD does everything she can to find her way back to her mother during the historic race riots in 1969 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in this heart-pounding literary debut.

Melati Ahmad looks like your typical moviegoing, Beatles-obsessed sixteen-year-old. Unlike most other sixteen-year-olds though, Mel also believes that she harbors a djinn inside her, one who threatens her with horrific images of her mother’s death unless she adheres to an elaborate ritual of counting and tapping to keep him satisfied.

But there are things that Melati can’t protect her mother from. On the evening of May 13th, 1969, racial tensions in her home city of Kuala Lumpur boil over. The Chinese and Malays are at war, and Mel and her mother become separated by a city in flames.

With a 24-hour curfew in place and all lines of communication down, it will take the help of a Chinese boy named Vincent and all of the courage and grit in Melati’s arsenal to overcome the violence on the streets, her own prejudices, and her djinn’s surging power to make it back to the one person she can’t risk losing.

» Escape from Aleppo by N.H. Senzai

Nadia’s family is forced to flee their home in Aleppo, Syria, when the Arab Spring sparks a civil war in this timely coming-of-age novel from award-winning author N.H. Senzai.

Silver and gold balloons. A birthday cake covered in pink roses. A new dress.

Nadia stands at the center of attention in her parents’ elegant dining room. This is the best day of my life, she thinks. Everyone is about to sing “Happy Birthday,” when her uncle calls from the living room, “Baba, brothers, you need to see this.” Reluctantly, she follows her family into the other room. On TV, a reporter stands near an overturned vegetable cart on a dusty street. Beside it is a mound of smoldering ashes. The reporter explains that a vegetable vendor in the city of Tunis burned himself alive, protesting corrupt government officials who have been harassing his business. Nadia frowns.

It is December 17, 2010: Nadia’s twelfth birthday and the beginning of the Arab Spring. Soon anti-government protests erupt across the Middle East and, one by one, countries are thrown into turmoil. As civil war flares in Syria and bombs fall across Nadia’s home city of Aleppo, her family decides to flee to safety. Inspired by current events, this novel sheds light on the complicated situation in Syria that has led to an international refugee crisis, and tells the story of one girl’s journey to safety.

» The Two Princesses of Bamarre (The Two Princesses of Bamarre #1) by Gail Carson Levine

Twelve-year-old Addie admires her older sister Meryl, who aspires to rid the kingdom of Bamarre of gryphons, specters, and ogres. Addie, on the other hand, is fearful even of spiders and depends on Meryl for courage and protection. Waving her sword Bloodbiter, the older girl declaims in the garden from the heroic epic of Drualt to a thrilled audience of Addie, their governess, and the young sorcerer Rhys.

But when Meryl falls ill with the dreaded Gray Death, Addie must gather her courage and set off alone on a quest to find the cure and save her beloved sister. Addie takes the seven-league boots and magic spyglass left to her by her mother and the enchanted tablecloth and cloak given to her by Rhys – along with a shy declaration of his love. She prevails in encounters with tricky specters (spiders too) and outwits a wickedly personable dragon in adventures touched with romance and a bittersweet ending.

» The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre (The Two Princesses of Bamarre 0.5) by Gail Carson Levine

In this compelling and thought-provoking fantasy set in the world of The Two Princesses of Bamarre, Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine introduces a spirited heroine who must overcome deeply rooted prejudice—including her own—to heal her broken country.

Peregrine strives to be the Latki ideal—and to impress her parents: affectionate Lord Tove, who despises only the Bamarre, and stern Lady Klausine. Perry runs the fastest, speaks her mind, and doesn’t give much thought to the castle’s Bamarre servants, who she knows to be weak and cowardly. The Lakti always wage war, and the battlefield will give her the chance to show her valor.

But just as she’s about to join her father on the front lines, she is visited by the fairy Halina, who reveals that Perry isn’t Latki-born. She is a Bamarre. The fairy issues a daunting challenge: against the Lakti might, free her people from tyranny.

» A Crack in the Sea by H.M. Bouwman

An enchanting historical fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Thanhha Lai’s Newbery Honor-winning Inside Out and Back Again   No one comes to the Second World on purpose. The doorway between worlds opens only when least expected. The Raft King is desperate to change that by finding the doorway that will finally take him and the people of Raftworld back home. To do it, he needs Pip, a young boy with an incredible gift—he can speak to fish; and the Raft King is not above kidnapping to get what he wants. Pip’s sister Kinchen, though, is determined to rescue her brother and foil the Raft King’s plans.   This is but the first of three extraordinary stories that collide on the high seas of the Second World. The second story takes us back to the beginning: Venus and Swimmer are twins captured aboard a slave ship bound for Jamaica in 1781. They save themselves and others from a life of enslavement with a risky, magical plan—one that leads them from the shark-infested waters of the first world to the second. Pip and Kinchen will hear all about them before their own story is said and done. So will Thanh and his sister Sang, who we meet in 1976 on a small boat as they try to escape post-war Vietnam. But after a storm and a pirate attack, they’re not sure they’ll ever see shore again. What brings these three sets of siblings together on an adventure of a lifetime is a little magic, helpful sea monsters and that very special portal, A Crack in the Sea.

» The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

A bizarre chain of events begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. And though no one knows why the eccentric, game-loving millionaire has chosen a virtual stranger—and a possible murderer—to inherit his vast fortune, one thing’s for sure: Sam Westing may be dead … but that won’t stop him from playing one last game!

» Ballet Shoes (Shoes #1) by Noel Streatfeild

Pauline, Petrova and Posy are orphans determined to help out their new family by joining the Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training. But when they vow to make a name for themselves, they have no idea it’s going to be such hard work! They launch themselves into the world of show business, complete with working papers, the glare of the spotlight, and practice, practice, practice! Pauline is destined for the movies. Posy is a born dancer. But practical Petrova finds she’d rather pilot a plane than perform a pirouette. Each girl must find the courage to follow her dream.

» Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Trees can’t tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .

Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood “wishtree”—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red’s hollows, this “wishtree” watches over the neighborhood.

You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red’s experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.

» The Library of Ever (The Library of Ever #1) by Zeno Alexander

With her parents off traveling the globe, Lenora is bored, bored, bored–until she discovers a secret doorway in the library and becomes its newly appointed Fourth Assistant Apprentice Librarian.

In her new job, Lenora finds herself helping future civilizations figure out the date, relocates lost penguins, uncovers the city with the longest name on Earth, and more in a quest to help patrons. But there are sinister forces at work that want to destroy all knowledge. To save the library, Lenora will have to test her limits and uncover secrets hidden among its shelves.

» Chains (Seeds of America #1) by Laurie Halse Anderson

As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight…for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.

From acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson comes this compelling, impeccably researched novel that shows the lengths we can go to cast off our chains, both physical and spiritual.

» The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and deliver them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.

One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule–but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her–even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known.

The acclaimed author of The Witch’s Boy has created another epic coming-of-age fairy tale destined to become a modern classic. 

Which books did you read in April?

Have you read any of the books I read or hauled this month?  If so, what did you think?

Did you buy any books?  If so, which ones?

Comment below & let me know 🙂

April 2020 Reading & Blogging Wrap-Up + Book Haul #BookBlogger #Bookworm #Bibliophile #BookHaul #Reading #Books #WrapUp Goodbye April & hello May! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel & I'm running toward it...

[contrabassconversations]

646: Jeremy Baguyos on computer music

I’ve known Jeremy Baguyos for over 15 years, and I’ve always found it fascinating how he weaves together the double bass and computer music in his work.  After playing bass full-time with the Orquesta Filarmonica de GC (Spain) and Shreveport Symphony, Jeremy moved to Washington, DC to freelance.  I met him in the early 2000s while playing in the Des Moines Metro Opera, where he serves as principal bass.

After getting a Master’s Degree in Computer Music from Peabody, Jeremy’s career pivoted into academia.  He is Professor of Music & Interdisciplinary Informatics at the University of Nebraska Omaha, and I was actually a guest speaker for UNO’s music entrepreneurship program this fall.

We talk about his first public music project in Chicago back in 2004, the unexpected twists and turns of his career, what his job at UNO is like, music entrepreneurship, and much more.  Enjoy!

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Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:

D'Addario Strings

This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.

  Steve Swan String Bass

Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor.

Upton Bass String Instrument Company

Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players.

The Bass Violin Shop

The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome!

Modacity

  Modacity is a practicing app that helps musicians be more effective at practice.  They help you get the results you want, while keeping you encouraged and motivated to stick with it and reach those goals – however big, or small, they may be. 

  Kolstein Music

The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production.

A440 Violin Shop

An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools.

nkoda

nkoda is a sheet music app for iOS, Android, and many platforms. It includes music from over 100 of the major music publishers like Boosey & Hawkes and Barenreiter. Practice, play and perform your sheet music, and mark up your parts as needed.  This subscription service has received praise from Sir Simon Rattle and Joyce DiDonato.  Start your free trial at nkoda.com.

Contrabass Conversations production team:

Jason Heath, host

Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing

Mitch Moehring, audio engineer

Trevor Jones, publication and promotion

Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging

Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Check out this episode!

[bunkershotgolf]

Space-Age Technology Transforms Golf Club Fittings Custom club fitter taps into technological advances to upgrade your game

Club Champion is not your father’s club fitter. Back in the day, a professional club fitter would apply tape to your club head and have you hit off a lie angle board. They’d eyeball your swing and suggest a change in the stiffness of your shaft, or maybe a different grip. They may have even had a swing speed meter, but that was the extent of technology’s role in the fittings of the past. Today, premium fitter Club Champion taps into the 21st century from every conceivable angle to deliver a truly professional, truly modern custom golf club fitting.

If you walk into any of the 62 Club Champion fitting studios nationwide, you’ll see the touches of modern technology everywhere. The fitting bays and putting greens are outfitted with radar-based TrackMan launch monitors, computers and ultrasound putting systems. The demo walls are lined with club heads and shafts that can be combined using a proprietary coupling system, allowing golfers to test over 35,000 hittable combinations in real time. Even the pre-fitting interview is aided by a tablet. Make no mistake that you’re in a modern golf mecca.

“We’re the best at what we do because we exhaust every tool available in the club fitting world,” says Club Champion founder and master club fitter Nick Sherburne. “You can’t get our proven results without being a bit of a golf geek, and our fitting technology takes us to that next level.”

Pardon the pun, but it’s fitting that a company like Club Champion would utilize every advancement available. Their business model is built in part on offering the latest and greatest in golf club technology, and club manufacturers are living in their own futuristic world. Titanium and other space-age materials are making their way into club construction. Robots, wind tunnels and now artificial intelligence are used to help design and test clubs before they ever see the light of a trade show floor or retailer shelf. To truly take advantage of these developments, fitters and builders have to be able to analyze and understand every element of a golfer’s swing, and be able to match the player to the club component.

TrackMan swing analysis, the gold standard of launch monitors, can be found in every Club Champion fitting bay. It is the same system the PGA Tour uses to show a pro’s ball flight on TV and to track hitting statistics. Club Champion uses it to take precise club and ball measurements in a controlled environment. One radar system tracks everything the club does before, during, and after impact, measuring parameters like club path, face angle and even swing direction and spin loft. The secondary radar system tracks the ball flight from launch to landing. Measurements there include launch angle, spin rate and curvature. Dual Radar Technology is a significant milestone in the evolution of custom fitting.

The flat stick gets its own system, called SAM (Science and Motion) PuttLab. This ultrasound-based system analyzes the 28 most important parameters of a putting stroke then displays the results in graphic reports. Within seconds, the system delivers individualized feedback and reports on even the smallest details of a putting stroke like putter path, face aim, rotation, tempo, impact spot, face angle and more. The ultrasound sensory analysis makes SAM much more precise than any other system on the market. The principle is based on measuring the travel time signals of three sensors, whose calculation of the exact positions in space makes it possible to derive movement data. Each relevant putter parameter is diagnosed in an interactive step-by-step process. The software provides automatic data analysis, allowing master fitters to determine the best recommendations for putter head shape, grip, length, loft, lie, balance and weight.

The geekiness doesn’t stop with the swing and stroke analysis; the clubs are then custom-built to exacting, unrivaled tolerances, thanks in part to perfectly calibrated digital loft, lie and swing weight machines in every studio that match up precisely with those in the build shop. This conformity ensures that the club you hit in the fitting bay is the same club you purchase. Chuck Thiry, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Cleveland Golf says, “In our experience, Club Champion represents the finest in the art of club fitting and building. We are confident that Club Champion will fit, service and support the most discerning golfers at the highest possible levels.”

Lastly, Club Champion strives for perfection all the way down to the correction of manufacturing flaws. To varying degrees, golf shafts are not perfectly straight or perfectly round. Irregularities can cause problems when the shaft twists and bends during a swing. A process called SST PUREing addresses this; the system uses proprietary computer software to locate the “neutral” plane of each shaft. By assembling the club with the shaft in this PUREd position, off-line twisting and bending during the swing and at impact are greatly minimized. The system also generates a printout for each shaft, showing its structural and performance analysis. Club Champion PUREs more shafts than anyone else in the world - there are only 70 PUREing systems worldwide, and Club Champion owns three of them.

If there’s one thing that every golfer can agree upon, it’s that no one’s game is perfect. There’s always room for improvement. Club Champion agrees - they’re always adding and updating new technology to best fit golfers into clubs that gain distance, speed, accuracy and more. Why settle for the club fittings of yesterday when you could have a future of better golf?

For more information on Club Champion fittings or technology, please call (888) 340-7820 or visit clubchampiongolf.com.

About Club Champion Established in 2010, Club Champion is a national club fitting and building company headquartered in Chicago, IL. There are currently more than 60 Club Champion fitting studios in major markets across the country, with plans to continue expansion. The studios carry all the top golf club, shaft and grip manufacturers in the industry, which allows for 35,000+ equipment combinations for customer trial. Studios are equipped with advanced analysis technology, along with highly trained certified fitters and builders who must complete an extensive training program. Services include club fitting and building, repair services, personalization, and highly engaging corporate and personal entertainment events. For more information about Club Champion, visit www.clubchampiongolf.com.

[thetruthseekerway]

Managing Our Plastic Addiction

New Post has been published on http://www.truth-seeker.info/featured/managing-our-plastic-addiction/

Managing Our Plastic Addiction

By Asma Jarad

Managing Our Plastic Addiction

The invention of synthetic plastic in 1907 by Belgian-born American immigrant, Leo Hendrik Baekeland, gradually and completely changed life for people around the world. In the search for a substitute to shellac–a natural electrical insulator–Baekeland invented Bakelite. Because it provides endless possibilities with its unique ability to be molded into virtually anything, Bakelite was marketed as “the material of a thousand uses.”

Over time, plastic evolved even further and replaced our reliance on natural materials such as metal, wood, stone, and animal tusks, becoming the material of infinite uses. Indeed, the development of plastic has proven invaluable to people and the environment. However, as with all good things, there is always a price to pay. Unfortunately, plastic products show up in places we don’t want them to; piling up in landfills, blocking our waterways, and polluting our oceans.

We are endowed by our Creator for good, so how can we utilize plastic in the countless beneficial ways it is offered without harming our health and contaminating our environment?

Plastic Everywhere

In the 1960s, plastic began gaining popularity due to its exceptionally versatile characteristics. Our lives today are saturated with plastic products; from the medical field, tech devices, furniture, toys, car and plane parts, to food containers and drinking vessels; reliance on plastic is everywhere. In addition to being precisely moldable, plastic is light yet durable, provides a practical alternative to glass and ceramics, is cheap to produce, and sterile enough to be used in medical procedures and devices.

It is indeed difficult to imagine a day without plastics because they make our lives easier, healthier, and safer. For example, safety helmets people use for riding a motorcycle or bike are nearly 100% plastic. Plastics also furnish our lifestyles; whether it’s the cellphone in our hands, the clean water delivered to our faucets, the television mounted on our walls, or the structural foundations of our homes, innumerable lifestyle possibilities would not be available if not for plastic.

As practical human beings, we know that there is no such thing as an all-around good thing. Everything has its downfalls and when it comes to plastics, there is no exception. With increased reliance on plastic as an alternative to natural resources, we gradually learn the negative result of the proliferation of plastics in our lives. As we become increasingly aware of taking care of the environment and reducing our waste, we also cannot ignore the collecting plastic debris, piece by piece occupying vast miles of ocean space, clogging our waterways, and piling up in landfills. The troubling effect of plastic waste certainly cannot be disregarded.

Since the chemical structure of most plastics renders them resistant to natural processes of degradation, plastic pollution has become a leading environmental plague. According to Rick LeBlanc, an expert in the area of sustainable packaging, “Normally, plastic items can take up to 1,000 years to decompose in landfills. But plastic bags we use in our everyday life take 10-1,000 years to decompose, while plastic bottles can take 450 years or more.”

There are solutions to this epidemic which include what I learned in grade school as the 3 Rs: reuse, recycle, and reduce. According to Laura Parker, a National Geographic staff writer who specializes in covering climate change and marine environments, “A whopping 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. Billions of tons of plastic have been made over the past decades, and much of it is becoming trash and litter.”

When we reuse and recycle rather than tossing away, we reduce the need to create more plastic products, thus helping to stave off what many experts fear will be a time in the not so distant future where the ocean will be filled with more plastic waste than fish. Roland Geyer from the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, specializes in industrial ecology and found that “The rapid acceleration of plastic manufacturing, which so far has doubled roughly every 15 years, has outpaced nearly every other man-made material.” Unlike other man-made materials such as steel, nylon, and glass, the lifespan of plastic products in our lives average under a year.

Tips for consuming less plastic as described by Stephanie R. Kinnon, a Vancouver-based freelance writer, include:

– Make an effort to purchase products with minimal plastic packaging.

– Use cloth bags for grocery shopping.

– Reuse plastic containers within your home. For example, plastic grocery bags can be reused for additional trips to the grocery store or as lunch bags, gym bags, and garbage can liners. Yesterday’s yogurt container can become tomorrow’s lunch pail. Old margarine containers can become storage vessels for an assortment of household items.

– Familiarize yourself with plastic recycling in your community.

Plastics on Our Health

In addition to the negative impact we inflict on the environment with our over-consumption, lack of recycling, and reliance on plastics, there is also a documented adverse effect on our personal health. For example, plastic containers are made with additives such as bisphenol-A (BPA), an industrial chemical that some experts claim is toxic because it binds to estrogen receptors and influences bodily processes such as cell repair, fetal development, growth, energy, reproduction, and fertility. When certain plastic containers are made, BPA is added to aid in product resiliency.

BPA is meant to remain sealed within the product, however, it commonly seeps into the food or beverages the container is holding. Given this information, BPA has been banned or restricted on several fronts, however the common replacements, bisphenol-S or bisphenol-F are similar to BPA in structure and toxic effect. To minimize BPA exposure, Aline Petre MS, RD, recommends avoiding packaged foods, drinking from glass bottles, being selective with toys, not microwaving plastic, and only buying powdered infant formula.

Whether we like it or not, plastics are here to stay. Despite the negativity surrounding them, plastics are critical to our modern lives. Without plastics, we would not have much of the technology we enjoy and depend on such as cell phones, computers, TVs, and lifesaving medical devices. Plastics’ versatility has raised our standard of living and helped shift reliance from natural materials in a safer, lighter, cheaper, reliable, and durable manner. It is incumbent upon each one of us to do our part in becoming plastic savvy to preserve our environment and protect our health.

We must reduce our waste by choosing reusable and recyclable plastics to keep them out of landfills as well as out of the water we share with other living creatures. When we are done with our plastic products, we should take responsibility for delivering them to reputable recycling centers where they are converted into other useful products. The benefits of recycling are far reaching as they include reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, conserving natural resources, preventing pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials, and saving energy.

As Muslims who seek to follow in the footsteps of our ultimate altruistic role model, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), we should heed his teachings when he advised us to hold ourselves accountable for our actions and to avoid going into excess as reported by Abu Huraira, “Verily Allah likes three things for you and He disapproves three things for you.

He is pleased with you that you worship Him and associate nor anything with Him, that you hold fast the rope of Allah, and be not scattered; and He disapproves for you irrelevant talk, persistent questioning and the wasting of wealth.”—(Sahih Muslim, Book 30, Hadith 12. Wealth comes in many forms, including a healthy environment. In the Quran, God commands us to avoid wasting resources and to be mindful of our guardianship role. He says, “But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” (Quran 28:77).

———

Asma Jarad is a Chicago-based freelance writer and editor published across multiple forums.

Reprinted from the Summer 2019 issue of Halal Consumer© magazine.

[googame5-blog]

Satan May Cry 5: Before you purchase!

gaming news Devil May Cry can be a one of a variety franchise with individuality a person won’t find in just about any various other game. Since the first game, Devil May Yowl became a cult sport for the Hack as well as Rip genre. Hideki Kamiya made and directed the actual first activity. From which point on, he has not revisit the saga upon this type of key role. Precisely what Kamiya did with the particular original ended up being bold along with revolutionary, both equally from some sort of storytelling perspective in addition to through a gameplay point involving view. Devil Killing Motion!

gaming news

Even though the other entries are great in their own, non-e possess yet amazed me personally while the first one does. Kamiya’s legacy wasn’t a easy anyone to beat. Because Kamiya presented us in order to this fantastic collection, Hideki Itsuno took typically the layer and directed each Demon May Cry video game. With the exception of for the DMC restart the pc, which wasn’t a awful online game on its individual but lacked the original touching that makes a Satan May Cry game jump out. Itsuno’s work has often been amazing, yet, non-e of the as well as within the saga had this kind of lasting impression as often the former did for myself. I am delighted to be able to say that it is usually no longer the lens case. Devilish and Stylish Characters!

This particular game saga is renowned for their superb, ultra-responsive and stylish game play as well as its beloved characters: Dante, Lady, Trish, Nero and from now on Nico to mention a new few. Every one of these characters have got bold and also robust personas that bust the shape of the common videogame characters. True, today we have good characters such as Uncharted’s Nathan Drake, the outrageous character’s in Bayonetta or maybe GTA V, but non-e of those match the actual irreverence and wittiness that will Dante and his folks bring along. Specific, weakling and certainly dead…

This specific title is indeed a piece of love from Itsuno. I used to be blown away by simply the quality connected with manufacturing for each of the particular personas. Dante, Nero, typically the new mystical character “V” and even often the sharped-personality weapon crafter Nico are generally simply stunning in each feasible way. The normal gardening to organic is definitely cheesy, yet intelligently published to match along with elevate the actual personalities associated with the demon predators many of us have grown to enjoy in recent times. Every bit regarding interaction among our game characters, the vices and a lot of bosses through the sport are all spectacularly implemented and still have that “A chicago Demon May Cry” develop which we expect. SSS List Account!

I won’t contemplate excessive into the account. It originates at the good pace, u will not want to spoil the details. If you get not enjoyed any involving the previous entries (or haven’t played them inside a while), I propose you watch the bundled short cinematic that points out all the background record connected with Devil May Meow. The very best skip details, nevertheless it will the job in addition to brings you up to date along with our favorite demon sportsman. Long story short, there is a mysterious demon in which takes Nero’s Devil Bringer (arm) and starts destructive the human world. Amazing is catagorized short here!

All these situations will start any crusade coming from Nero, Dante and a brand new unexplainable character called Sixth v for you to stop the demon pest. The story pacing right here is excellent. There’s some sort of timeline to help allocate every single mission, what you what the particular time is for every single events taking place. Anyone will alter the perspective in between these a few characters frequently, and this time frame repair shop results in each standpoint intertwining and revealing typically the motivations behind each personality and the mystery right behind often the demonic infestation on its own. Typically the Yamato of Design

Declaring that Devil Might Weep 5 looks fine is definitely an understatement. The figure models usually are gorgeously specific, and the action tend to be so masterfully executed this photo mode is a new must include and a thing you will continuously employ during this game. Often the SOVRANO Engine was remarkable about Resident Evil only two, but it really is at yet another level with Devil May possibly Cry five.

Missions jampacked with specifics deliver wonderfully designed situations. The art work direction on your own makes an individual want to continue participating in from beginning to finish in 13, 000 session. The actual HDR use for this particular title is one associated with the ideal I’ve viewed in recent game titles; the idea truly makes just about every chemical effect pop and every opponent stand out even far more. Appearance mom! One equip!

Adversaries are varied as well as flood in detail. Every single boss struggle and possibly the minor activities are usually a visual feast. A person's eye to detail in generating these grotesque and outstanding villains is outstanding. The adventure, as in usual DMC vogue, is plagued together with cutscenes of visceral still preposterous over the top rated action. Each of all these scenes elevate the aesthetic tavern for the activity as the voyage gets better, reaching absurd numbers of adrenaline and visual luxury with the last levels. There are many minor frame dips through some cinematics (we used Xbox One X variation for review), but the actual game play experience is immaculate.

Seem design matches the particular visual’s good quality. Each regarding the tunes is similar to the true essence involving the franchise's. Environmental audio design is surely an achievement in this article, bringing each and every frame in order to life with an atmospheric and compelling rendition connected with what a world infested using demons should noise. Extraordinary Action Gameplay

Given that Nero ahead software lost his provide, Nico provides you having many different arm selections for you to use seeing that weapons. This kind of mechanic final results in a wide assortment of game play styles considering that you not only command Nero but will receive the possibility to play because V and also Dante. Luttuoso alone makes it possible for a abundance of great fighting models, add to that typically the fact that V carries a different playstyle and talents and you have the recipe with regard to nonstop motion that pledges not always be dull in any second.

The customization system is actually comparable to what DMC on a regular basis fits; you use reddish colored orbs to acquire combos, updates and fresh abilities. The particular gameplay will be fast-paced along with sometimes even frenetic. That fast action pacing is amongst the few elements that may well be difficult for an individual not used to often the team. Camera movement is usually a bit challenging to be able to handle when the steps is definitely moving at any high tempo, but soon after a couple of flights, this shouldn’t be some sort of difficulty even for novices.

In terms of mechanics, controls are generally sensitive and as small as they might be. Each button smash flawlessly means to a perfectly computer animated in addition to executed move. Attaching mixtures and raising the actual stylish place meter is actually the most rewarding expertise I’ve had in a new DMC entry so much. Back to the particular Root beginnings!

Devil May Be sad a few is an homage about what makes Devil May Yowl such a beloved business. It will require what every video game is doing great so significantly, and grows and revisions those movement. All this specific while applying a 4K and HDR treatment on it. Characters are amazing, as well as there are no dull instant over the whole campaign. Typically the extraordinary and ridiculous activity this is a staple regarding the sequence is all over the place. From the initial small, until the very ending. No expenses where trim to make each movie the jaw-dropping collection associated with supremely instructed scenes.

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What to Expect During a PC Repair Appointment in Chicago

When your computer breaks down, it can feel like your whole world comes to a halt. Whether you're a student, remote worker, small business owner, or gamer in the Windy City, a malfunctioning PC can seriously disrupt your routine. Fortunately, Chicago offers a wide array of professional PC repair services that can get you back up and running in no time. But what exactly happens during a PC repair appointment in Chicago? Understanding the process can reduce stress, improve communication with your technician, and ensure a smoother experience.

Booking Your Appointment: What Happens First?

Most Chicago PC repair services offer multiple ways to schedule an appointment—whether it’s online through their website, over the phone, or by visiting their physical location. You’ll typically be asked for basic information, such as:

Your full name and contact information

The make and model of your PC

A detailed description of the issue

Whether it’s a desktop, laptop, or custom-built PC

Whether you want onsite repair, remote assistance, or in-store drop-off

Some repair centers, like Micro Center in West Loop or local tech hubs in Lincoln Park or Lakeview, offer same-day services. Booking ahead can reduce wait times and ensure a technician is ready to assist you promptly.

Arrival and Initial Diagnosis

When you arrive at the repair shop—or when the technician arrives at your home or office for an onsite visit—the first step is the initial diagnosis. This typically includes:

Visual inspection: Checking for obvious physical damage, loose ports, overheating, or component failures.

Software assessment: Technicians may boot your system (if possible) to review error messages, system logs, or software conflicts.

Hardware testing: Using diagnostic tools, they’ll evaluate components like your hard drive, RAM, GPU, CPU, motherboard, and power supply.

The initial assessment helps determine if the issue is hardware-related, software-related, or both. Common problems in Chicago appointments include:

Broken screens or keyboards

Malware infections or ransomware attacks

Failed operating system updates

Data recovery or backup issues

Overheating or power supply failure

Transparent Communication and Estimates

One of the hallmarks of a professional PC repair service in Chicago is clear communication. After diagnosis, the technician should explain:

What the issue is

What needs to be repaired or replaced

The estimated time for repair

The total cost of parts and labor

Reputable repair centers like uBreakiFix, Geek Squad, or neighborhood shops in Wicker Park and Rogers Park offer upfront pricing and no-obligation estimates. Transparency ensures you’re never surprised by hidden fees or unnecessary upselling.

On-the-Spot Repairs vs. Extended Service

Depending on the complexity of the problem, the technician may fix the issue on the spot. For instance:

Virus removal or software troubleshooting can often be completed in under an hour.

Replacing a laptop keyboard or upgrading RAM may take just 30–60 minutes.

Fixing a cracked screen or replacing a hard drive might require a few hours or next-day service, especially if parts are needed.

If the repair requires ordering components (like a custom graphics card or rare laptop hinge), the technician will provide a timeline. Many Chicago-based repair shops have quick access to parts from local distributors, which reduces downtime.

Common Services Performed During a PC Repair in Chicago

Here are some top services typically performed during an appointment:

1. Hardware Repair or Replacement

Technicians can replace damaged hardware such as:

Hard drives (including SSD upgrades)

RAM modules

Power supplies

Motherboards

Laptop hinges, screens, and keyboards

2. Operating System Repair or Reinstallation

If your OS is corrupt or won’t boot, the tech might repair Windows using system recovery tools or do a full reinstallation. They'll back up your data before reinstalling, if possible.

3. Virus, Spyware & Malware Removal

Chicago repair techs use advanced tools to detect and eliminate:

Trojans, worms, and spyware

Ransomware infections

Adware and pop-up malware They also install or recommend antivirus solutions to prevent future threats.

4. Data Recovery and Backup

If you’ve lost access to files due to accidental deletion, drive failure, or formatting, data recovery specialists may be able to retrieve them. This process is delicate and may require specialized software or clean-room service for physically damaged drives.

5. System Optimization

Technicians often perform system tune-ups that include:

Removing bloatware

Optimizing startup processes

Cleaning up disk space

Updating drivers and firmware

This ensures your PC runs faster and more efficiently after the repair.

Customer Education and Recommendations

At the end of your appointment, many Chicago PC repair services take time to educate you on best practices to avoid future issues. This may include:

How to use antivirus software effectively

Recommended backup solutions (like cloud storage or external drives)

When to upgrade hardware for better performance

Tips on laptop battery care or desktop cooling

They may also provide written documentation or a report summarizing what was fixed, which can be helpful for future troubleshooting or warranty claims.

Warranty and Follow-Up Support

Another thing to expect is some form of repair warranty. Most shops in Chicago offer:

30-day to 90-day service warranties

Free re-checks if the issue reappears

Options for extended coverage or annual maintenance plans

Many businesses, particularly those serving the Loop or North Side, offer follow-up via phone, email, or even remote diagnostics for added convenience.

Choosing the Right PC Repair Service in Chicago

While the repair process is generally similar across providers, the quality of service can vary greatly. Here are a few tips to pick the right repair shop:

Check reviews on Google, Yelp, or Trustpilot

Look for certified technicians (CompTIA, Microsoft, Apple, etc.)

Ask about data privacy policies

Verify if they use OEM parts or high-quality alternatives

Choose a provider that offers same-day service if you’re on a tight schedule

Neighborhood favorites like Chicago Computer Club, Fix It Guy, and Tech Serve have built solid reputations through years of reliable service and friendly staff.

Final Thoughts

Scheduling a PC repair appointment in Chicago doesn’t have to be intimidating. Whether you’re dealing with a failing hard drive, malware, or system lag, understanding what to expect during the process can make your experience smoother and more empowering. From initial diagnosis to hands-on repair and customer education, Chicago's tech repair scene is well-equipped to get your system running like new again.

The next time your PC goes down, don’t panic—book a repair with confidence and let Chicago’s expert technicians handle the rest.

Contact: The PC Hero 6058 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629, United States 773-599-0056