Rick's Daily Tips

Q&A: Will using a laptop with the lid closed damage it?

Posted on August 30, 2025

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Question from Jane: I bought a monitor and connected it to my laptop and then changed the settings so I could close the lid while the laptop is running. It’s been working fine now for about four months.

The thing is one of my friends saw this setup and he told me running the laptop with the lid closed will eventually kill it due to excessive heat build-up.

Is that true? As always, thanks so much for your advice. [Read more…]

Q&A: Does Incognito Mode really protect your privacy?

Posted on August 29, 2025

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Question from Roland: I have a laptop that’s provided by my employer for business use. I have a question about also using it at home for personal use.

I’m allowed to take the laptop home every night, and I’m wondering if using Chrome in “Incognito Mode” will prevent the guys in IT from finding out which websites I visit?

[Read more…]

Q&A: Should I buy a laptop with Windows 11 in S mode?

Posted on August 28, 2025

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Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Amber: I’ve been shopping online for a new laptop and I’ve noticed that a lot of the lowest-priced Windows laptops have Windows 11 S installed on them.

I’d never heard of Windows 11 S before I started shopping for a new laptop. And now I’m really confused.

I have a couple of questions for you: [Read more…]

Heads-up: Those ‘Your Apple ID has been disabled’ messages are scams

Posted on August 27, 2025

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An old, but dangerous scam that targets Apple customers recently started making the rounds once again.

As usual, there are several variations of the scam, but they all work something like this…

You receive a text message or social media IM stating that your Apple ID has been disabled due to an “unusual sign-in attempt” or some other pretext.

At first glance the message will appear to be legit, but if you look closer it’s usually easy to see that it’s a fake. [Read more…]

5 ways to build a successful business from the ground up

Posted on August 26, 2025

Building a business from the ground up is an ambitious and rewarding endeavor. It requires a mix of vision, determination, and careful planning. The journey is often filled with challenges, but the rewards of creating something meaningful and successful can be immense.

Whether you’re launching a startup or expanding a small operation, the key to success lies in laying a strong foundation. This includes developing a clear business plan, investing in the right education, securing funding, and more.

This guide will explore essential steps to help you build a successful business from the ground up. [Read more…]