All you need is an “adaptor”…something to interpret a wireless signal into something that the computer can read. These are called “wireless adaptors” or more recently, “dongles.”  Ideally, you want one you can plug into the USB port of your computer.  Depending on the type of adaptor you choose,  a wireless adaptor can cost anywhere from $10 to $30.  The biggest difference in brands seems to be sensitivity and range, so read packaging or catalog descriptions carefully to compare.

The main thing you need to know before you go out the door is what kind of wireless signal does your computer need to support?

• If you are hooking up your desk computer to the wireless network, look at the router (not the modem)… printed somewhere on there (or in the paperwork) is the type of signal it broadcasts. (Mine is “Wireless-N” and is printed on a sticker on the bottom of the router.)
• If you are adding a wireless peripheral to your computer, like a wireless keyboard or wireless headphones, look on the box or paperwork for that device. (I am adding a wireless graphic pad to my desktop computer, which uses a “bluetooth” signal.)

After you have purchased your adaptor, installation is very simple.  They all come with a disk of “drivers” (the software for the adaptor) and a quick start guide.  Just follow the directions and you will be set up for wireless computing in a jiffy!

Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get busy on goals for the new year.

In reviewing WitchyTech, I found that the article most popular by far is Lost Your Digital Camera Cord? If you got a new digital camera this holiday season, be sure to write down the model number of your cord in case you need to get a new one!

Here in the US, there will be no more analog TV broadcasts available after February.  You probably don’t need to adjust anything to get the new digital signals if you have a modern TV and antennae. Check out THIS ARTICLE on WitchyTech for the basics.

And those of you interested in the cell phone saga.. like why I love the latest of everything but am slow to upgrade to a real cell phone.. will be glad to know that the family got all new cell phones this weekend and have joined the ranks of those who must be in constant contact.  I doubt these new phones will survive going through the wash, though. (Yes, Mr. Wonderful was STILL using that phone up until this weekend!)

Rather than tell you to watch this space for more articles, I invite you to subscribe to the site’s RSS feed or sign up for my email list! That way, the new articles come to you.

Happy 2009, everyone!

Did someone you love give you a gadget or doohickey that totally mystifies you? Perhaps it is something you think you could use, but you are dreading to learn how to use it. Maybe WitchyTech can help! Send me an email with your gadget and maybe we can talk about it here!

But first, just plug the thing in and look at it. Your techie relative KNOWS you are the non-technical type. Perhaps they have already set it up for you! Here is a case-in-point: We gave my inlaws a digital picture frame for Christmas. They called and thanked us for the nice picture frame and said they would make time to figure out how to use it. Whoa! Hold on there! Knowing they are not quite the technical types, we had already figured out the picture frame and pre-loaded pictures onto it… all they had to do was plug it in and enjoy! They can still figure it out and add even more pictures, but they can enjoy it NOW! It doesn’t have to sit in a box until then. So be sure to plug in/turn on whatever gadgets you received to check them out! At the very least, you can tell your loved one that you turned it on and explored some of the features.

As for the website, stay tuned for articles and lessons on the digital age! Thank you for reading Witchy Tech!

The new millennium has been hard on those of us who are used to the old way of doing things…writing letters on paper, calling on the telephone, playing games on a board rather than a TV screen, for example. Nowadays, our kids want to send us emails, or “text us” or challenge us to a video game.

Well, I taught myself a lot of these things because my husband and I moved all the way across the country from our parents and siblings. We didn’t want our kids growing up without having contact with our family, and we found the new technology an easy and efficient way to do this. The problem was, family back home just couldn’t get the hang of the new way of doing things. All the pictures and news seemed to be going one way… from me to them… and I still felt isolated.

I wondered if other families had similar experiences. Many of the friends I spoke to said it was similar for them.

Since then, I have helped my family and many of the others I have met online understand this new way of communicating and yes, LIVING! I still get emails, phone calls and instant messages asking how to do things.

Now I have opened up Witchy Tech! I will describe in detail and plain language how things are done in the Digital Age. I am not saying that this will be the BEST way to do anything, but you will know enough to get started and hopefully, find your own path.

Questions and comments are always welcome. If you have a question about computers, gadgets or anything else related to communicating, please feel free to post it in the comments section or on our Forum.