Company News

Showing #technology articles:

News Articles
Smart TV Terminology Can Be Confusing. We’re Here to Help Shopping for a new TV but confused about the tech jargon? Nov 14, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #tips #technology Looking for a new Smart TV this Black Friday or Cyber Monday for your streaming or gaming needs? Let us help by defining some common terms seen in Smart TV product descriptions and sales.  LED vs. QLED vs. mini-LED vs. OLED:  LED stands for Light Emitting Diode and is the most common type of... Full Article
DirectLink Community Class: 10 Basic Computer Tips & Tricks - September 21, 2023 Sep 21, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #education #community #community class #technology This Community Class was held on Sept. 21, 2023. In the recording below, our team discussed:  Keyboard shortcuts Settings: What you need to know  Personalization options  Saving and locating files How to use cloud-based file storage  And more!  Please note that this class was taught using a... Full Article
Tech Term of the Month - June 2023: bit vs. Byte Jun 19, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #education #technology Two common terms in the tech world that often get confused in meaning are bits and Bytes. A bit (b) is short for binary digit, and bits are most commonly used to measure the rate of data transfer, like when transferring files from a USB flash drive to a computer. In addition, most internet... Full Article
Umbrella Defense has your back Jun 16, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #education #technology #security #community Did you know that all devices on a DirectLink internet connection are protected by Umbrella Defense? This free service is included with every DirectLink internet subscription, and it works to stop devices from accidentally visiting known websites that may contain online security threats like... Full Article
File download times vary by internet speed Jun 15, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #technology #education Did you know that your internet speed impacts how long it will take to download files? Let’s take a look at a video game that is 50 Gigabytes (GB) in size as an example.  So, 50 GB equals 50,000 Megabytes (MB), and 50,000 MB equals 400,000 Megabits. To figure out how long it will take to... Full Article
Tech Term of the Month - May 2023: Fiber Splice May 23, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #education #technology Fiber optic splicing is the process of joining two fiber strands together. This sometimes needs to be done in the field during a construction project or at a member's home to link multiple fiber strands together in the event they are too long to fit inside a single piece of casing, or if the... Full Article
Tech Term of the Month - April 2023: WiFi Apr 20, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #education #tips #wifi #technology We sometimes hear that internet service and WiFi are the same thing, but there is a distinct difference. Internet service is the signal sent from our central office to your home over either fiber lines or copper cabling. WiFi, on the other hand, is the wireless distribution of some of that... Full Article
Keep Your Personal Information Safe When Spring Cleaning Apr 17, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #education #tips #technology #security Jenny found an old Roku in the back of the closet while she was spring cleaning. She had a neighbor that wanted one, so it seemed like a perfect fit. It seemed like the only thing to do was to plug it in and see if it still worked.  Jenny was navigating through the settings... Full Article
Tech Term of the Month - March 2023: Ethernet Mar 16, 2023 | posted by Conner Williams #education #tips #technology Ethernet is a type of cable that allows devices to be physically connected to your home internet network. While most people connect their devices to the internet via WiFi, an Ethernet connection can also be used for some devices. This can provide a better experience because a physical connection... Full Article
Stay Safe from Many Online Threats with Umbrella Defense This online safety feature is included with every DirectLink Internet subscription. Sep 1, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams #security #wifi #internet #technology #announcements DirectLink has implemented Umbrella Defense - a cyber security solution from Cisco - to help protect internet subscribers. Umbrella Defense is a complimentary, included service that protects all subscribers on a DirectLink internet connection from accidentally visiting reportedly known websites... Full Article
June is Audiobook Appreciation Month Rent audiobooks and eBooks for free with the Libby app Jun 2, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams #community #wifi #tips #technology Did you know you can use your local library card to rent audiobooks and eBooks for free on your smartphone or eReader? Download the Libby app on your phone or tablet, then log in using a card from a local library system like Libraries in Clackamas County (LINCC). Once rented, you can listen... Full Article
Create and Store Strong Passwords with a Password Manager May 5, 2022 | posted by Conner Williams #education #tips #technology #security Let’s talk passwords – it’s World Password Day! We all know having strong passwords is important, but are you reusing the same one across multiple websites? This opens the door for vulnerabilities in the event of a data breach.  Image caption: The LastPass password generator tool can... Full Article
Connection Conundrum: A Local WiFi Mystery Dec 16, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #technology #wifi Are you looking at new devices coming into your home this holiday season? With more devices comes more need for bandwidth and WiFi that can handle an abundance of devices streaming, gaming, FaceTiming, and more.  Without a robust WiFi system, there may be certain times of the day where... Full Article
Stay Connected During a Power Outage Nov 10, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #tips #technology #fiber Extreme events will happen at unexpected or inconvenient times, and being properly prepared can help keep you connected and ease the stress of the situation.  Here are a few tips to help you get ready:  Enroll in emergency alerts Opt-in to local alerts in the event of an emergency, like... Full Article
Organize Your Computer on National Clean Out Your Virtual Desktop Day Oct 18, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #education #technology #tips Is your computer's desktop full of cluttered shortcuts that are difficult to navigate? Does the above image of a scattered desktop make you as uncomfortable as us? Today is a great day to organize your virtual life as it's National Clean Out Your Virtual Desktop Day!  To celebrate,... Full Article
New System Launched to Help Block Unwanted Spam Calls Jun 16, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #news #technology #company information #voice #robocalls Tired of hearing about your car’s manufacturer warranty nearing expiration when you don’t even have one? How about that offer for a free cruise that’s completely real and not a very obvious scam? Well, we’ve got good news! As in, actual good news, not a scam claiming to have good news. Per... Full Article
Don’t pass by this password reminder World Password Day is May 6, so use this as a reminder to update your passwords! May 6, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #tips #technology #community You've heard it before, but we'll say it again. It's important to have strong passwords and change them regularly to help keep your accounts safe. Here are the basics: Don't use personal information.  This includes names of people in your family, your address, or birthdays, since this... Full Article
Gadget Review: Furbo Dog Camera with Treat Tosser Ever wonder what your pup does while you’re at work or out and about? Wish you could toss them a treat for a job well done? Now you can! Jan 25, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #wifi #technology #review The new Furbo Dog Camera with Treat Tosser is a great way to keep an eye on your furry friend while you’re away. It features an accompanying app that lets you take a photo or video from the camera’s live feed, toss a treat, get selfies sent to you, check on pet sitters, and even speak to your... Full Article
Stream away with WiFi Home Networking Jan 14, 2021 | posted by Conner Williams #technology #wifi Did Santa leave some new devices under the tree this year? Maybe you added a laptop, smart speaker, home security camera, or streaming device like Amazon Fire TV Stick or Apple TV to your list of Internet-connected devices. Think of all the new games, shows, and video calls!  But... Full Article
Check out these recommended TV shows from our staff! Oct 29, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #tv #technology #review With darker, rainier months ahead, we thought it would be fun to poll our employees and ask thoughts on binge-worthy TV shows to watch! You know, those shows where you can’t seem to hit “Play Next” fast enough. Here are our recommendations in no particular order, including the genre, a note... Full Article
City of Canby and DirectLink Offer Free WiFi in Three City Parks Jul 22, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #announcements #technology #news #company information DirectLink, in collaboration with the City of Canby, is pleased to announce they have received a national Smart Rural Community Grant (SRC) of $5,000 toward the installation of free WiFi access during open hours in three Canby city parks. The organizations have worked closely together over the... Full Article
Protect your smartphone in the heat this summer Jun 22, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #technology Summer is officially here, and that means ample opportunities for great photos out in the sun. Unfortunately, smartphones don’t enjoy the sunshine as much as we do. Follow these tips to protect your cell phone from overheating.  Keep your phone out of direct sunlight and hot cars •... Full Article
DirectLink Internet traffic up since Oregon's "Stay Home" order May 28, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #covid-19 #technology #ezvideo #tv #company information #news With the implementation of Oregon’s “Stay Home” order near the end of March, many people are at home to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. As such, we have seen a drastic increase in Internet traffic from our members that are working from home, taking care of kids, finding ways to... Full Article
3 tips to improve your home WiFi Apr 21, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #technology If you have WiFi service from DirectLink, please call us if you have any issues. Does your movie ever stop to load while watching it? Do you ever experience lag or interruptions when playing online games? What about a weak WiFi signal in certain rooms or areas of the home? Read on for a few... Full Article
Why a reliable Internet connection during COVID-19 matters Apr 21, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #covid-19 #technology Sure, an Internet connection gives us access to email, online games, social media, and streaming entertainment options. But how much of one’s life does a reliable Internet connection come into play during the COVID-19 situation?  Here's a list of a few things your DirectLink Internet... Full Article
*New* EZVideo Tutorial By Conner Williams Mar 30, 2020 | posted by Jason Nugent #ezvideo #technology #training We've created a new video tutorial covering basic setup, features and functionality of EZVideo using an Amazon Fire TV device. Click the video below to play.  Go to our  YouTube page , or our  Support Pages  for more information. Full Article
Gadget Review: Roomba Robot Vacuum From $249.99 at www.irobot.com By Conner Williams Feb 26, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #technology #review The last thing you want to do when you get home from a long day of work is to vacuum the floor after a spill or from a leftover mess. Roomba robot vacuums have become a popular item for homeowners looking to set-and-forget one aspect of cleaning their home.  There are a variety of models... Full Article
Possible TV outages due to upcoming solar flares By Conner Williams Feb 26, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #news #tv #technology #outage During the upcoming Spring Equinox and the surrounding weeks, there is a chance that television services may see interruptions due to an increase in solar flares. This happens for about one week twice per year during the spring and fall equinox seasons and could affect both EZVideo and cable TV... Full Article
Looking back at the top 5 tech innovations of the decade (2010-2019) By Conner Williams Feb 26, 2020 | posted by Conner Williams #technology With 2020 here, we thought it would be fun to look back at some of the most influential or game-changing technological innovations of the last decade. Since we are an Internet company, we thought it would be appropriate to include a list of items that all rely on or have something to do with the... Full Article
How many devices do I actually have connected to my WiFi network? By Conner Williams Nov 20, 2019 | posted by Conner Williams #technology If you've ever experienced lag or trouble connecting, there might be more happening on your WiFi network than you think. It might be because there are too many devices active at one time, the equipment is outdated, or there is simply not enough network bandwidth available. Data from Cisco... Full Article
WiFi vs. Ethernet: What's the difference and what do I need? A question we receive often is "Do I need WiFi or Ethernet at my home, and what's the difference?" By Conner Williams Aug 6, 2019 | posted by Conner Williams #technology This is a great question as the two terms are often used interchangeably. But there are differences in functionality between the two. WiFi is the equipment and technology that takes an Internet signal from the wired cord that DirectLink installed inside your home. It then relays it through a... Full Article
Gadget Review: Ring Home Security System Available at www.ring.com or other electronics retail locations – Product prices vary By Conner Williams Jul 3, 2019 | posted by Conner Williams #review #technology With everything from video doorbells to security cameras to floodlights, Ring has everything needed to keep one’s home secure. And the best part? It can all be monitored remotely through the mobile app. Keep watch over your home when on vacation, at work, or watching a movie in the... Full Article
iPhone Basics DirectLink Community Class By Doug Crawford Sep 18, 2018 | posted by Jason Nugent #community class #technology #video Welcome to our third Community Class of 2018! In this class, DirectLink IT Specialist Doug Crawford details best practices for iPhone users. He offers solutions to better manage battery usage, free up storage space, store data in the cloud via iCloud services, and more. The main... Full Article
What Is the Cloud and Why Do I Need It? Jun 26, 2018 | posted by Conner Williams #education #technology #tips It might be time to think about backing up files to a Cloud service to ensure that you will never lose  important information if you currently save everything to a local desktop or flash drive.  Saving important documents to an external flash drive in addition to a local laptop or... Full Article