IT Block's very own IT Support tech Blog

Read everything technology and IT support related. We write about the latest tech news articles to keep you updated. We also write blogs designed to broaden your knowledge of IT and technology. IT Block also writes it's own style of tutorials and documentation designed to help anyone with their IT support and tech issues.

Oct 10, 2021
7 min

Easy way to connect your QNAP NAS drive to Mac

Bought yourself a QNAP NAS drive recently? Well, you're going to want to get the device set up with your Mac device. Today we'll be going through how to get the QNAP NAS showing up on your Mac, how to set up shared folders and new users/groups, how to set up storage drives (volumes and disks), and finally how to map the network drive for your QNAP device, so you can access it the same way on any remote device! Step 1: Setting up your account and connecting the NAS drive First

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Oct 10, 2021
7 min

Easy way to connect QNAP TS-251A NAS drive to Windows PC

Bought yourself a QNAP TS-251A recently? Well, you're going to want to get the device set up with your Windows PC. Today we'll be going through how to get the device visible on your laptop/PC, how to set up shared folders and new users/groups, how to set up storage drives (volumes and disks), and finally how to map the network drive for your QNAP device, so you can access it the same way on any remote device! Step 1: Setting up your account and connecting the NAS drive First

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

Do we really need smartphones?

People are driven by technology, it is what helps the modern world keep moving. One of the most important, yet controversial pieces of technology is the smartphone. Notice how we said smartphone, and not just phone, mobile, or cell phone - A smart phone does a LOT more than just the calling aspect. In fact, up to 10 percent of people who own a smartphone carry out all of their online activities via their mobile device, as they cannot get a broadband connection into their hom

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Oct 10, 2021
3 min

Should I buy or build my PC?

Having a PC, whether you buy it, or make it yourself, is very rewarding. You can do just about anything you like on them, it can be for work, for gaming, or just as a leisure tool. Let's discuss whether it is better to buy or build your PC. First of all, we know it is obviously a good choice to buy a PC from another supplier, the reasons are pretty widely known. Buying a pre-built PC enables you to save on the hours of work required to set up each component, and getting every

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

8 ways to improve your Windows experience

If you're ever stuck for ways to enhance your experience on a Windows desktop, whether it is to take shortcuts, or make things more accessible, here are 8 simple tips to improve your Windows experience. 1. Open an incognito tab with shortcuts Need to open up Google Chrome quickly for an encrypted search? Simply press Ctrl+Shift+N to open an incognito browser. 2. Disable background applications If your desktop is running slowly, open the task manager tool by pressing Ctrl+Shif

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

Top 10 tech companies in the world

If you ever wondered how the world's tech giants were ranked, here's a list so you can find out for yourself... 10 - HP HP, a shortened version of their trading name Hewlett-Packard, are a computer, laptop, printer and ink seller. Founded over 80 years ago in a single garage in California, HP are now one of the world's best known sellers of laptops and monitors, generating $58.76 billion USD of revenue in 2019 alone. 9 - Panasonic Based in Japan, Panasonic are a global seller

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

How to start a YouTube channel (The right way)

One booming hobby and trend nowadays is watching (and making) YouTube videos. How do you start out a YouTube channel properly? Have the correct motive One tutorial you'll always see floating around is how to make millions from YouTube - Although this is possible, the reason you should be joining YouTube is for the fun of making videos, and not to try and make a quick earning. YouTube doesn't allow earnings really until you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours watch time ov

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

Mobile data - How to use less of your data each month

Finding yourself getting extra charges every month for your mobile data usage? It's a problem we all have... Everyone who has a mobile phone uses it outside the house, and if you want to be able to use it anywhere, you need a mobile data plan. Relying on free public WIFI alone will leave you jumping between libraries, cafes and train stations. But how can you use less of your mobile data, without restricting the stuff you do already? Let's find out... Tip 1 - Restrict apps ru

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Oct 10, 2021
3 min

Pros & cons of cloud storage

Being able to store your data in the cloud is probably one of the best decisions your company (or you) will make. It provides a host of benefits, but if managed inefficiently, can also lead to some negative experiences. Here are the pros and cons of using cloud storage: Pros: #1 - Disaster recovery If using a cloud storage service, you don't have to stress anywhere near as much about things going missing. In the cloud, your data and files are constantly being backed up and st

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Oct 10, 2021
3 min

IT support 101: Should I buy a refurbished computer?

In the world of buying and selling, the vast majority of us will be used to buying things brand new, but when it comes to a PC, does new necessarily make much of a difference compared with a refurbished PC? Nowadays, a new PC straight out of the box might cost you just shy of $500 (US dollars that is), that's including the PC unit itself, and a bog standard mouse, keyboard and monitor - Something that works fine for your budget. The truth is that refurbished computers give yo

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

IT support 101: How do cloud desktops work?

In the world of cloud, there are many great features and benefits, one of them is a cloud desktop service - What is this, and how does it work? A cloud desktop, or sometimes called a "remote desktop" - Is essentially a private server that allows members of a group, company, or organisation to access the same virtual device from any physical device. To put it simply, if you wanted to use the equivalent of your work PC at home, you would be able to do so using a cloud desktop s

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Oct 10, 2021
3 min

Easy ways to improve your Microsoft Outlook experience

Outlook is arguably the go-to email client, both for individuals, and businesses (Outlook 365). There are a lot of things on there that you might not know are possible - Here are some easy ways to improve your experience in Microsoft Outlook. Stopping an email being sent We have all been here, we go to send an email, only to realise a couple of seconds later we forgot to attach a file, or we didn't copy the right recipients in. Luckily, Outlook has an undo send option, which

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Oct 10, 2021
3 min

Old mobile phones you'll remember from the 2000s

It's the 21st century, more importantly, it's now 2020, and the era of the smartphone is well and truly in its peak. As we know, the two major mobile phone makers now are Apple and Samsung - The latter of the two being the main manufacturer of Android based phones. Before these, and before full touchscreen phones became the normal thing to buy, there was an era of phones that 90s kids especially will remember, as they were the mobiles we grew to love, the phones we began text

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Oct 10, 2021
3 min

Clickbait - How Does It Work?

BREAKING NEWS - Something big has happened, and you instantly want to click on this news page because the title tells you to. Clickbait is an art-form, but it gets a bad reputation, not only because it over-exaggerates stories and information, but because sometimes it is an outright lie in the world of the internet. We see clickbait every day, on places like news websites, YouTube and Facebook, it is all there for one aim, just like regular posts - Attention. Our attention sp

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

Best travel tech essentials for when flights resume

If you're waiting on your next holiday to become a possibility again, it might be draining to just wait for the day to happen. Instead, we recommend you invest in some tech gadgets and apps, to make your travelling a whole lot more fun, and much easier once the time arrives - This is especially important for longer journeys, so you have the gadgets you need to make your travel a better experience. Anker PowerCore 20100 Power Bank Travelling without a portable charger is a bit

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

Best free screen recording apps for Windows 2020

Being able to record your screen is a great way to save work meetings, share YouTube videos, and create computer and browser tutorials. Here are some of the best free screen recording tools in 2020 Windows 10 built in capture In case you didn't know, Windows has its own capture tool built in - Your screen recordings are synced with Xbox game play recordings, so you can access your best in-game clips through this tool too. To activate the Windows 10 screen capture tool, hold d

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Oct 10, 2021
3 min

Easy way to make your Windows load faster

Having a PC or laptop that starts up slowly is a pain. We have things to do, jobs to complete, games to play, but when it takes over 5 minutes to start up our Windows PC or laptop, it reaches a point beyond irritating. Let's run through the best tips to help your Windows PC or laptop load up faster. Check for viruses and malware Whether you have your own third party virus protection, or you opt for Windows Defender, it is always worth checking to see if any dangerous files, m

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Oct 10, 2021
3 min

Easy way to improve your Excel skills

Got a database you need to sort, need some figures collating? Microsoft Excel is the perfect application to make your spreadsheet needs possible, here are some of the best tips to sharpen your ability in Microsoft Excel How to add up figures FAST Easy way to improve your Excel skills Being able to tally up data within tables, rows and columns is invaluable - This tip will save you so much time for when it comes to carrying out tasks like accounting, sales forecasts and large

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IT Block

Oct 10, 2021
3 min

The two dominant VR headset brand

There are two clear winners for VR headset market share. The Oculus and Vive. Why are they the best brand for VR? Lets find out. We are sure you have heard of the Vive and Oculus VR headset before. There is a good reason for that; these two VR headset brands are the best available in the market. In our opinion, there is no viable contender; HTC and Facebook have bet big with the Vive and Oculus, respectively. Their gamble is paying off big time as well. When it comes to VR or

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Oct 10, 2021
2 min

Top 5 wireless printers for small businesses 2020

Having a wireless printer saves a lot of effort, you don't need to hook up your laptop or mobile device, and you don't need an ethernet connection to your router. Wireless printers only need the power cable to get them printing out your documents. Here's the top 5 wireless printers on the market in 2020 1. Canon Pixma TR8550 wireless printer With a compact design and a 4-in-1 feature, the Canon Pixma TR8550 makes wireless printing ridiculously easy. You can use the Canon mobi

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