U.S. Computer's Largo Fl Store Blog

Fall 2008 - Largo Store Updates

2008-11-02T14:01:00.001-05:00

Mike Clark is back after having open heart surgery late this summer. Mike extends his thanks to each of you for your support and best wishes during the past few months.

Welcome to our many new service customers. Our service department has been busier than usual as more and more of the county's smaller computer dealers and service centers have closed. Our thanks to many of those independents who referred their customers to us and our welcome, thanks and appreciation to these new customers who have chosen U. S. Computer.

The holiday season is about here and we want to thank everyone for supporting us during the past year or years. Some of our current customers have dealt with us for 2 or more decades and they deserve our very special thanks. And we want to extend our best to each of you for a happy holiday season and coming new year.

Feedback: We invite and welcome your comments and feedback. Please feel free to click comments below and leave a message or drop by the store and tell us what you think. Click the image above for more about our company.

Try Microsoft's (& More) New Software Titles!

2008-05-27T14:00:00.002-04:00

Try full version software titles now! This is not shareware, instead its full version commercial software just like we sell at the store only you download it direct from Microsoft or the manufacturer!

Download Microsoft and other popular titles and return them within 30 days if you don't like them. That's what we said: if you don't like them you can return most of them and get your money back! Try the Full versions now!

No, we didn't forget that there is also such as thing as shareware and if you are looking for shareware instead of commercial software, please visit our shareware download site.

And there's even more. If you don't find the titles you like at the links above, visit our other download store now!

Finding Tips & Help For Your PC

2008-05-11T14:29:00.001-04:00

Separately in staff and other articles in our web portal we offer brief summaries and links to help, what's new, tips, tutorials and more.

In addition we recently started a PC Help Blog so folks could help each other. We also offer links to drivers and links to manufacturer's websites and phone numbers.

Of course major manufacturers like Microsoft offer a lot of very easy to understand help tips. Here are some links to great Microsoft starting points:

To read more on dozens of other Microsoft featured 'how to' tips, tutorials and guides visit Microsoft's Help Center use these links:

Installation and getting started	Programs and games	Music and sounds
Hardware and drivers	Pictures and video	Printing
Personalize your computer	Networking	Files and folders
Performance and maintenance	Security	Internet

Featured Microsoft how-to centers include:

Microsoft Idea Center

Windows Live	Windows Media Center
Windows Media Player 11 Windows Media Player FAQ Windows Media Player discussion group Windows Media Player 11 technical support	Mobile PC Center

Free & Safe v.s. Free & Not Necessarily Safe

2008-02-16T16:52:00.005-05:00

There's a lot of software out there on the web, much of it "free".

Fortunately some of it is really free and it is safe (containing no worms, virus, spy ware, etc.) and may be incredibly good. Under the header Recommended, at the top left of this page, you'll find links to free software we believe is safe*.

However many so called free programs found on the web contain either advertising or far worse including viruses, malware, advertising and so on.

How do you tell the difference if you want to take advantage of the truly free products but not risk your computer (and yourself to problems that won't seem to quit)?

Your fundamental and basic step is to be sure you have a real (paid) virus checker and spyware checker that should also check for worms, adware and other infringements on your privacy or even upon your credit. Yes you can get free versions of security software too, but they are usually limited and often may fail to prevent some threats.

You can buy Norton Security, Microsoft OneCare, McAfee, or other name brand protection and install it on your computer before downloading any software. Properly installed and updated, that will prevent most (but not necessarily all) damage from the bad things that can attack your computer or steal your personal information.

A good first step is to visit Microsoft or Google or one of the name brand companies web sites and see what they offer free. Downloads from Microsoft or Google or Symantec, McAfee, etc. are reasonably safe even if you have no protection installed because they are legitimate companies offering reasonable care that their downloads (and download processes) are safe and secure.

Google, for example, offers some really great software including spreadsheet, database, word processor, presentation, image and photo management, absolutely free, and if you remember to unselect the check boxes to get on their mail list, you can get the software and avoid the mail lists.

Microsoft also offers some really great software, absolutely free, including software to check for some threats as well as offering a free online scan of your computer. Symantec (Norton) and McAfee also offer free online scans of your computer.

In summary, when you download, be sure you have commercial threat protection software installed before you download. Make your downloads from such companies as Google, Microsoft, Symantec, McAfee and the like which are the safest.

For links to these sites and free software click the Google image above or visit our free products and services web portal where we offer links to online virus scans, as well as the proper links for free software at Microsoft and Google.

* Please remember though, that no one, including us, can guarantee that you won't get some kind of bad software on your computer, but if you use reasonable care, the probability is very low that you will have problems.

Also if you get a virus, worm or other bad software and can't remove it properly, call us for help at the Largo, store or bring your computer in any time for service and a checkup.

2008 New Customer Coupon - Use In Our 66th Street Store

2008-02-12T19:36:00.001-05:00

Are you new to our Clearwater - Largo area store? If you are a new customer, we'll give you a bonus gift shown on the coupon (click image to print) when you make your first purchase of any product or service (worth more than $50) at our Pinellas County store located at 13553 66th St N., (just north of Bank America and just north of Ulmerton Road on 66th Street), mid Pinellas county.

To redeem this offer, while making your first purchase of goods or services, at checkout, present a printout of the coupon to the staff member assisting you. Your initial purchase must be for a minimum of $50 and you must present the coupon below at the time of payment.

Only one new customer gift per household or business. This offer may be modified or eliminated at any time. Existing and previous customers of U.S. Computer Corporation may receive other gift offers by mail, email or other and are not eligible for the new customer bonus gift.

To print the coupon, click the image above for a jpg or click here for a .pdf, then print the coupon.

Coupon value: Ten dollars ($10.00) when used in accord with the following terms
Valid when printed and presented in person at U.S. Computer Corporation store located at 13553 66th St. N., Largo, Florida and used on an in store order for goods or services worth $50 for more.
Coupon Expires March 31, 2008.
Limit: 1 coupon per household address or business.
You must be a new customer or a customer who has not purchased from us in 3 years.
Coupon terms subject to change without notice.

Make Your Life Easier With Bluetooth

2008-02-05T13:51:00.001-05:00

There's is a simple, convenient and inexpensive way to connect computers, cellphones, speakers, printers, and more and its called Bluetooth.

Bluetooth 2.0 is a wireless technology that uses low power radio waves to communicate. For example you can plug a Bluetooth dongle into your USB port on your computer, install the software (if necessary) from the CD (If a novice, avoid D-Link dongles as they are a bit harder to install properly).

To talk to a remote Bluetooth device (cellphone, printer, speaker, keyboard, mouse, hearing aid, heart monitor, car radio, headset, ipod, mp3 player, home entertainment center, etc.), you need to either pair the device (use a code for a password) or enter the provided code (for example a Bluetooth dongle for a printer will tell you the code to enter to connect to the printer). Normally you only have to pair a given device only once for securtiy.

Most Bluetooth software lets you control how secure you want the device to be.
With Bluetooth and the proper software you can now transfer files from your computer to your Bluetooth enabled cellphone (buy your next cellphone with Bluetooth as its impractical to add it to an existing cellphone - but there are devices that claim to do it for some cellphones).

And of course you can transfer pics, videos, address books from your cell phone to your computer or from your cell phone directly to your printer or speaker (you have to have a Bluetooth enabled speaker to go direct) or to listen to the recordings on your phone or music you connect the sound of your phone to your computer and play the music through your computers speakers.

You can find a Bluetooth dongle at most computer stores for about $29 to $50 depending on the quality of the dongle, brand name etc. Same with other Bluetooth accessories.
With Bluetooth your cellphone becomes easier to use as you can listen (talk if you have a Bluetooth microphone) through a Bluetooth earphone or headset or via your car's Bluetooth system. New Ford's and some other brand cars are now coming either with Bluetooth already built in or as an available option.

Bluetooth even lets you do limited networking although the speeds, while practical, aren't the greatest.

Newer versions of Bluetooth (2.0) do go faster though, it it may continue to improve.
Bluetooth 2.0 also offers stereo, but the dongle on your computer needs to be Bluetooth 2, not Bluetooth 1 which is monural only.

After I plugged in a USB port Bluetooth dongle on my notebook, I noticed Excel and several other programs now had a bluetooth Icon to import directly from whatever external Bluetooth device (such as my cellphone) had files on it. And sure enough the pictures etc on my phone were quickly imported.

If buying a new notebook, consider one with Bluetooth built in as while a dongle works fine, it sticks out a bit from most USB ports.

For more information, visit www.bluetooth.com or www.bluetooth.org.
To check our our current online (available to ship) bluetooth inventory, go here or if you live near our stores, go here to check current in store inventory.

Do It Your Self Computer Guys & Girls

2008-01-11T10:20:00.001-05:00

Did you know?

We Sell Motherboards, Ram, Power Supplies, Cases, Parts And Components for those who prefer to fix, upgrade or build their own computers.

We think computers should be fun and understand that some of our customers like to learn about and build their own computers.

We stock a complete line of everything you need to fix, upgrade or build a computer including Microsoft Windows and other software.

We really are a full service computer store. Stop by and see us next time you are in our area!

Shop Our Clearwater Largo Florida Store With Your Cellphone!

2007-12-31T17:27:00.000-05:00

Shop Our Clearwater Largo Tampa Bay Area Store With Your Cellphone!

Well, we are trying to add mobile shopping and browsing and have a good starting point for you if your phone can browse the web.

You can search and browse our store inventory and even order online.

Note: If your built in cell phone browser does not work well on our or other sites and your phone lets you download Java Games, go to http://operamini.com using your built in phone browser and download operamini web browser which is free and does well on any web page.

In addition we have made many of our help and portal articles available to your phone even if you decide to use your phone's built in browser.

Visit us online using your cell phone browser at http://usclargo.com/mobile.htm and remember to please give us feedback on how it works with your phone by adding a comment below.

**Please note: cell phone companies may charge you extra to browse the web. If you do not have an internet plan, please contact your cellphone company.

Recent Testimonials

2007-12-18T19:29:00.000-05:00

Recently we received the following letter from a new customer which we are reprinting below.

We invite you to add your own testimonial or comment, good or bad, about our 66th St Clearwater - Largo area store and our staff......

------------------

I am pleased to inform you of my total satisfaction with the newly
acquired computer and especially, with the professional and knowledgeable
service I was given at your store.

I was having a problem and Mike Clark was beyond patient with me
and my problem as it turned out this was a modem problem with Verizon DSL. He
suggested and felt it was a connection issue and worked directly with me to
resolve the issue.

Thanks To the entire staff sales and service, U.S. computer,
Corporation.. I feel certain I would not have resolved this or any other issue
so quickly using a off the shelf unit.

Thanks, a satisfied customer

William Dore
-------------------------------------
Add your own comment to this post, or submit a testimonial online at http://www.usclargo.com/guestbook.html

Online Ordering Available For Largo Store Products

2007-12-18T19:18:00.000-05:00

We recently added online ordering for in store products and separately for products located in our warehouses nationwide .....

You can visit our Clearwater Largo area computer store site and

(1) search all 2500+ store products and order for store pickup if the item is in stock* when you search

(2) search 25,000+ warehouse products and order from our U.S. warehouses for shipment direct to your location.

Please note: payment online (or by phone) is required for items ordered for store pickup.

Payment online is required for ordering online for direct ship to your location.

However, we do accept special orders for items not ordinarily stocked, but there are no returns on special orders.

*Although our computer may show the item in stock, if ordering for store pickup, you should call us and verify the item is available.

Happy Holidays Are Here Again - Another Great Year

2007-12-10T11:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays Are Here Again - Another Great Year

To our wonderful staff members and to all of our great customers and suppliers.....

We'd especially like to thank each and every one of you who shopped with us during the past year and years. We've been in Pinellas county since 1978 and met thousands of great people.

Thanks to folks from Tampa Bay and folks from all over the world visiting our beautiful cities and beaches who just happened to stop by and say hi.

All of us wish you and yours a fantastic holiday season and a joyous new year.

Clearwater - Largo Store Products & Prices Now Online

2007-11-20T18:10:00.000-05:00

Clearwater - Largo Store Products, Product Photos & Prices Now Online!

Browse or search! Our store or our warehouses nationwide. From today's printer prices to prices on parts, memory, motherboards, systems, and you name it, we have the price, photo and quantities available online. You can even view our current store flyers. And you can now both view and search them all online! With product photos on most items!

Check the quantity on hand in our store or in our warehouses or reserve a product for pickup or buy it online. Its all here for you to access online! Visit our new products page to start.

To get started now click here.

In Store System Specials Go Online

2007-10-16T09:33:00.001-04:00

Click here to check current computer system and notebook package details, prices, flyers & specials at our Clearwater - Largo store.

Custom computer system prices start at $399 with your choice of Microsoft Windows Xp or Vista ,

We also have a solid inventory of acer notebooks that are priced right and ready to go. Acer is the world's 3rd largest manufacturer of notebooks and we think they are the best and most cost effective..

Pinellas County Store Location And Services

2007-08-04T17:16:00.000-04:00

Our Pinellas County computer store is located just north of Ulmerton Road at 13553 66th St N.

See the small computer image on the map.

Store hours are 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays and all holidays.

Phone: 727-530-4561
Fax: 727-499-0945

We have a large inventory of computer products including parts.

We offer custom computers, name brand notebooks, computer service (onsite and oursite), computer upgrades, and help. Visit our main site here.

Drop Off Your Old Monitor Or Computer ...

2007-05-04T12:24:00.000-04:00

Tampa Bay Area Residents Only:

Need a safe way to dispose of your old monitor or computer or printer or other computer equipment?

Drop it off at our Largo Store between 8:30AM and 6:30 PM and we'll utilitize it or dispose of it in a safe way for you. Our address is 13553 66th St N and we are located just north of Ulmerton Road on 66th Street next to Bank America.

As you know, most area refuse companies no longer allow you to put out old monitors and computers for the garbage company to haul away.

We now permit Tampa Bay area customers to personally drop off (we will not accept shipped items) their old computer equipment.

We may be able to recondition or salvage some of it, or give it to charity or simply dispose of it for you and we now provide this as a service to our local area customers and visitors*.

* Note: We reserve the right to cancel this service at any time in the future...

Why You Should Get One Of Our Custom Computers

2007-03-04T16:26:00.000-05:00

< < Did you know? Most folks get a standard computer case, but we also offer custom cases in addition to standard cases.

What makes one of U.S. Computer's Custom Computers different from a computer someone else builds?

Only the best quality components are used. We have been here since 1960 and building custom computers since 1969.

We started building IBM compatible custom personal computers in 1986 and quickly learned that using the best components cost us the least in the long run.

Unlike the giant computer companies we do not use a limited version of Windows, we use the same full version, licensed from Microsoft that you would buy if you bought Windows directly from Microsoft. And we give you disk to repair or reinstall Windows (which they don't).

When we sell you a custom computer built to your specs, we give you a special warranty. We don't hire someone else to fix the computer. We fix it ourselves. You don't have to deal with a host of people by telephone. You simply call or come by our store and we take care of your problems.

We still have customers today that bought bought their first computer from us back in the 1980's.

They come back because they have experienced the quality of our computers and of our staff and know we will take care of them. Read their comments. We will take good care of you too!

There are many more reasons why you should buy from us, but they are too numerous to mention here. Come by or call 727-530-4561 today or read more at our Custom Systems pages.

NEW! Build Your Own FREE Blog

2007-02-26T14:04:00.000-05:00

Like to have your own free blog?

We'll give you one plus

give you a free web site to go with it! We'll also provide a free web site builder/editor and free blog builder/editor.

That's right, there is nothing to buy, you get a free blog builder and free website builder.

You control the page graphics (upload your own or use ours), the images, and the page layout including header, footer, columns, etc... (Our sitebuilder makes it easy or use our free html editor or your own html editor.).

And you can use your own name.

For example: johnjones.usclargo.com or use (or transfer) an existing or new domain name such as johnjones.com.

Course we hope you'll buy something from us so we can keep bringing you the freebies from U.S. Computer Largo Store.

See a sample free Blog on a sample free Website.

Signup Now!

* Free means we run banner ads on the blog and website to help pay for it so you don't have to pay. And of course you can remove all our banners for about 2 bucks a month and have a website and a blog with no ads! We do run those ads to help pay for the hosting, web space and web site, but remember, for about $2 a month you can get rid of all our ads.

New Clearwater Largo Store Hours

2007-01-30T11:23:00.000-05:00

66th Street Store Hours Changed!

New Hours:

8:30 AM to 6:30 PM Daily, Monday Through Saturday. Closed Sundays and Holidays..

If these hours are not convenient for you please leave a comment by clicking comments below or call and we will try to make special arrangements!

We are located just north of Ulmerton Road on 66th Street next to BankAmerica.

We Need Photos Of Our Old New Age Electronics Stores

2006-07-16T13:08:00.000-04:00

Calling all our old New Age Electronics Clearwater and St Petersburg store customers...

We need some pictures of our old stores - inside or outside of the 28th St New Age store and inside or outside of both our old Countryside store and the even older New Age store on Belcher. Also photos of or in our old USC offices on 58th St.

Note: by providing the photo you agree that all photos sent become the property of U.S. Computer Corporation and you give consent to us to use any image, including images of you and your family.

Click Comment below to add a comment or upload your photo or photos...

Here are some memories and pics we do have...

Get Your Own Enhanced Free Website

2006-07-11T18:48:00.000-04:00

We offer you a free enhanced web site of your own.

Using our domain name free (or your existing domain name or you can buy a domain name).

Our free sites come complete with our newly revised enhanced what you see is what you get site builder plus a blog builder, online what you see is what you get editor and much much more. We also give you site and page templates and may free tools. To see a sample site with no ads and learn more about your free web site features and how to signup, please visit http://sample.usclargo.com To see a sample site with ads please visit freesites.usclargo.com.

To use our domain free you simply add your name (or any name you choose) to usclargo.com such as yourname.usclargo.com or billjones.usclargo.com.

Or if you already have a domain name you can use that or even, if you wish, buy your own domain name like oldjohn.com. To signup now for your free website and pick a domain name, please go to http://signup.usclargo.com

Our free sites are advertising supported sites. So its free if you leave the ads on (if you don't like the ads, you can remove our ads for 2 bucks a month) and comes with an incredibly easy to use what you see is what you get sitebuilder. It also comes with a built in text editor (file editor) as well as templates so you you can pick a template and be live on the web in 5 minutes!

Click COMMENTS below to add your comment to this post...

Clearwater Largo Store Drawings & Contests Return

2006-07-05T14:40:00.001-04:00

Drawings & Contests Return To U.S. Computer Clearwater/Largo Store...

The family at the left won a brand new custom PC in one of our previous drawings.

Soon we will begin offering cash and merchandise prizes in our store at 13553 66th St N, located just north of Ulmerton Road on 66th St.

Each month the prize(s) may change and the odds of winning are very good because these contests are for our local store only. That means that in general only local store folks know about or enter the promotions.

Stop by the store for complete rules and entry forms....

Also you can click COMMENTS below to add your comments...

Online Computer Articles From Our Staff

2006-04-11T21:47:00.000-04:00

Did you know?

That we offer hundreds of online articles relating to computers, computer use, software, and so on?

Every month we add an article or two and even invite you to contribute your articles!

We also offer links to free online training, free shareware, and much much more.

To check out our free articles, forums, classifieds and hundreds of other freebies from U.S. Computer Corporation...

Click Here....

New Largo Store Website Joins Original Site

2006-04-11T21:29:00.000-04:00

New Tampa Bay area website comes online...

Recently we added an additional website for our Clearwater and Largo area Florida store.

The new site is http://www.usclargo.net (the older existing one is http://www.usclargo.com).

Why do you have 2 sites?

We are experimenting with some new technologies in delivering web sites and are comparing the performance of each include accessability, speed and so on.

Please visit our sites and let us know your comments on each!

Click the word ' COMMENTS ' below add your feedback ....

Tampa Bay Area Customers - Your Feedback Is Needed!

2005-11-11T10:24:00.000-05:00

What Can We Do Better For You?
We really need your feedback!

Tell it like it is and let us know what you think of
our staff,
our store,
our prices,
our products and
whatever else you can think of...

To add your comment to this post please click the word COMMENTS just below this post or Post below.

To view comments others have left to this post click the word COMMENTS just below this post.

Thanks for helping us,

Jon, Mike, Mark - Largo Store
& all the staff of U.S. Computer Corporation

Free usclargo.com Email Account

2005-11-09T18:51:00.000-05:00

Tired of waiting for your email to download?

We offer very fast free enhanced email accounts.

These enhanced accounts with full graphics capability offer very fast access compared to Hotmail and others. Our free accounts include what you see is what you get editing/graphics email creation, spell checker, file inclusion and embedding and a whole lot more.

The accounts are ad supported but compared to Hot Mail and other free accounts our ads are very limited. You can also upgrade at any time to a paid account for an incredibly small monthly fee amounting to pennies a day.

To read more about these accounts please go here, or to check out our free email forum, go here!