After having spent several years supporting people and their various electronics, I thought I'd throw together some tips.

Turning something off and back on again gives it a chance to be refreshed. Imagine if you had to juggle without ever having a moment to stop - you'd start processing conversations pretty slowly, right? Similarly, your computers, phones, tablets, and software can often be sped up by occasional power cycles. I like to make sure to shut my computer off fully (not sleep or hibernate, but full restart) at least once a week.

Would you teach someone how to use a rotary phone and then expect them to know how to use an iPhone? I didn't think so. As technology is constantly evolving, your computers and mobile devices need to be updated so that they know how to interface with new web technology, new apps, new security threats, etc.

While I don't recommend trying anything that sounds super complicated or that messes with anything that sounds dangerous or foreign, looking up steps online can often help you figure out how to accomplish a number of tasks immediately. Need to know how to email a photo, set up a printer, restart your iPad, etc? Those steps are usually pretty easy to find online.

I know this immediately contradicts my last slide, buuuuut... If you're looking up an issue online and find a forum of other peopler reporting the same issue, don't worry. It doesn't necessarily mean that your technology is broken, or that everyone online is a victim of the same terrible fault in the software you all use. There are a lot of people out there with similar issues, just like there are a lot of people out there who don't know how to do something properly and blame it on technology. Just because they report the same problem you're experiencing doesn't mean you're screwed!

You don't want to change a whole bunch of settings, or delete a whole bunch of files, and end up breaking something by blindly throwing solutions at it. If you apply fixes one at a time, and you find one that works, then you know more about the issue and can hopefully avoid it in the future.

I know it's great to have a friend or family member who knows about "computers and stuff" so that they can answer your tech questions. However, it's good to keep in mind that there are often professionals available who know a lot more about your technology and can offer safer, more effective, more informed and product-specific solutions.

I know how it feels to be angry at my computer, or my stupid phone (WHY does my battery keep dying at 34%, anyway?!), or the ridiculously long hold I was on with tech support, or the email newsletters I unsubscribed to that are still filling my inbox each morning. But when reaching out to get help, treating others with respect and staying calm can go a long way. Everyone I've always worked alongside in tech support LOVES helping nice people. (I can't say the same for the folks who seem to think that screaming will get them everything they want.)

The list is endless: fire, flood, dropping it in a parking lot, simple hard drive malfunction, falling into the toilet, theft, software issues and corruption, kids accidentally deleting stuff, etc. etc. etc. If there's anything important on your computer, phone, tablet, etc, *back it up.*

You know how many times I see people just walking their dogs, in the rain, on the phone? Well, I live in Seattle, so I can assure you - I see it frequently. But it's a terrible idea! Just like you wouldn't want to drizzle water on your laptop keyboard, you shouldn't be handing your unprotected phone to your drooling, teething, adorable little baby. It takes very little for liquids to short out electronics, often causing permanent damage, especially when they're not water (milk, wine, soda, juice, etc.) and will leave a residue inside of your electronics.

It's not something to be afraid of. Technology is surrounding us with increasing popularity, developing rapidly - try to stay up on it and learn something fun and new to do with your electronics once a week. If you spent the money on them in the first place, you might as well know how to use them, right?