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Practical Tech Help: Utilities, How-Tos & Conversions

Welcome to your go-to spot for help with common tech jobs and questions! This page has handy explanations, guides, and info on tools to simplify your digital life. So, whether you’re scratching your head over data sizes (like converting MB to GB), need to change the size of a picture, or want to know how to mount a TV on the wall, we’re here to help.

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Home | Utilities, How-Tos & Data Conversions

Making Sense of Data Storage: KB, MB, and GB Explained

It's handy to understand digital storage sizes. Here’s a straightforward guide:

  • Kilobyte (KB): This is the smallest unit you’ll usually come across. Think of a very short email or a tiny icon on your screen.

  • Megabyte (MB): An MB is much bigger than a KB. You’ll see MB used for things like photos, short videos, songs, and documents.

    • How many KB in an MB? There are about 1,000 Kilobytes (KB) in 1 Megabyte (MB).
    • Is an MB bigger than a KB? Yes, definitely. A Megabyte is a lot larger than a Kilobyte.
  • Gigabyte (GB): A GB is much, much bigger than an MB. Gigabytes are used to measure the storage space on your phone or computer, as well as for large software programs, movies, and big photo collections.

    • How many MB in a GB? There are about 1,000 Megabytes (MB) in 1 Gigabyte (GB).
  • Converting between KB and GB:

    • You’d need about 1,000,000 Kilobytes (KB) to make up 1 Gigabyte (GB).
    • Asking “how many gigabytes in a kilobyte?” results in a tiny fraction (roughly 0.000000001 GB).

(Just a note: Technically, in binary systems which computers use, 1 GB is 1024 MB, and 1 MB is 1024 KB. However, for simplicity, especially when manufacturers advertise storage capacity, they often use the round number of 1000.)

Image Resizing Explained

Why Bother Resizing Images?

You might want to resize an image to make the file smaller so it’s easier to email, to help it upload quicker to websites, to save a bit of storage space, or if you need it to be specific dimensions (like for a profile picture). This is sometimes called reducing image size or photo sizing.

How to Go About Resizing:

  • Using Built-in Tools: Most computers come with basic photo editing software (like the Photos app on a Mac or Windows, or Paint on Windows) that will let you resize images.
  • Online Tools: There are heaps of websites that work as an image resizer. Just search online for “online image resizer” and you’ll find plenty of options.
  • Dedicated Software: Programs like Photoshop or GIMP give you more advanced options for resizing.

The Usual Steps:

  1. Open your image in the tool you’ve chosen.
  2. Look for an option that says something like “Resize,” “Adjust Size,” or “Image Size.”
  3. Put in the new dimensions (you can usually do this in pixels or as a percentage) or the file size you’re aiming for. Make sure to keep the aspect ratio locked to stop the picture from looking stretched or squashed.
  4. Save your resized image. It’s often a good idea to use “Save As” or “Export” so you still have the original picture.

Helpful How-To Guides

Step-by-step instructions for common tasks:

Guide: How to Set Up Your New Gadget

Just got a new phone, tablet, or computer? Here’s a general rundown of what to do (to set up my device):

  1. Unbox & Charge Up: Carefully unpack your new device and plug it in. It’s a good idea to let it charge fully before you start playing around with it too much.
  2. Switch it On: Turn the device on and follow the instructions that pop up on the screen.
  3. Get Connected: Choose your language and region, then connect to your Wi-Fi network.
  4. Sign In: Log in with your existing account (like your Google, Apple ID, or Microsoft account) or create a new one if you need to.
  5. Updates are Key: Let the device check for any new software updates and install them. This keeps things running smoothly.
  6. Transfer Your Stuff: If you’re moving from an old device, follow the prompts to transfer your data (like apps, photos, and contacts).
  7. Check Out the Settings: Have a look through the basic settings. Get familiar with things like screen brightness, notifications, and how to set up your security (like a PIN, fingerprint, or face ID).

Need a hand with any of this? Geeks Perth offers personalised device setup services to get you sorted.

Guide: How to Wall Mount a TV

Mounting a TV on the wall can be a great space saver and look schmick, but doing it safely is super important (you might be searching for “how to wall mount tv” or “how to install wall mounted tv”).

Heads Up: This is just a general guide. You should always follow the specific instructions that come with your TV and the wall mount you’ve bought. If you don’t install it correctly, you could wreck your TV, damage your wall, or even hurt someone. Finding the studs in your wall is absolutely critical. If you’re not sure about any step, we really recommend getting a professional to do it. Geeks Perth offers TV wall mounting services.

Here’s what’s involved:

  1. Pick the Right Spot: Figure out where you want the TV. Think about the best viewing height, whether you’ll get glare from windows, and how you’ll run the cables.
  2. Find the Wall Studs: Use a stud finder to locate the wooden supports (studs) inside your wall. It’s essential to mount the TV directly into these studs for safety and proper support. Don’t just rely on drywall anchors, especially for heavy TVs.
  3. Choose the Right Mount: Make sure the wall mount you pick is suitable for your TV’s size, weight, and the VESA mounting pattern (that’s the pattern of screw holes on the back of your TV).
  4. Attach the Bracket to Your TV: Carefully lay your TV screen-down on something soft (like a blanket on the floor). Then, attach the mounting bracket arms to the back of the TV, following the instructions that came with the mount.
  5. Fix the Wall Plate to the Wall: Hold the wall plate up against the wall, making sure it’s level (use a spirit level!). Mark where you need to drill the holes, making sure they’re centred on the studs you found. Drill pilot holes, then securely screw the wall plate to the studs using the right lag bolts (these usually come with the mount).
  6. Mount the TV (Get a Mate to Help!): TVs can be heavy and awkward, so get someone to help you. Carefully lift the TV and hook the bracket arms onto the wall plate. Make sure to follow your mount’s specific instructions for locking it in place.
  7. Connect Your Cables: Route and connect your power cord and any audio/video cables (like HDMI).

Need a hand with all that? Geeks Perth can help you out.

Need Assistance?

These guides should give you a good starting point, but let’s be honest, tech can still be a bit of a pain sometimes. If you’re still scratching your head about resizing images, making sense of data sizes, setting up your new gadgets, or you’d rather leave the TV mounting to the pros, Geeks Perth is here to lend a hand.