Early next year, Microsoft is launching a free update for Windows 10; a computer update unlike any other. Microsoft is expected to release Windows 10 Creators: an update that will allow for 3-D usage on Windows 10 PCs. The Creators update will implement 3-D features on Word, Excel, & Powerpoint, Paint, Beam game live streaming software, and file sharing with your contacts.
Microsoft is also working on its own virtual reality headset, the HoloLens. Microsoft is partnering with several computer manufacturers, such as Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo to create budget-friendly VR headsets. However, there is no word yet on when these new virtual reality headsets will be available.
To go along with the brand new software updates, Microsoft obviously had to upgrade their hardware as well. They are introducing a more powerful Surface Book with 16 hours of battery life and twice the graphics as the current model.
Probably the most impressive hardware release, however, is the launching of the Surface Studio.The Surface Studio is an all-in-one PC that resembles a huge 28-inch tablet on a hinged-mount. It has a sharper picture than a 4K TV and delivers more color than 99% of the world’s computer monitors. The hinge allows the screen to swing down to a 20-degree angle to use like a tablet and draw with the Surface Pen. The Studio will have an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and up to 32GB of memory; this all-in-one was clearly designed for graphics professionals who need the best computer performance available.
The final Microsoft release is the noteworthy device accessory: the Surface Dial. It looks like a physical dial, but it connects to your Surface via Bluetooth for a variety of purposes. When linked, you can use the Dial to easily navigate menus; however, it reaches its prime usage when paired with the Surface Studio. When the Dial is placed on the screen of the Studio, it brings up menus or tools specific to the app you’re using.
At Computer Doctor, we are excited to see some of these impressive new devices that Microsoft is releasing. Technology is constantly evolving and we are here to help you understand these new features one step at a time. If you mention this article, you will receive 15% off of a Remote Support Session!
Remember, if you have any questions or concerns with any of the devices in your home, please give us a call at 862-7019 or stop by our shop at 50 Main Road N in Hampden!
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Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents or limits users from accessing their system. This type of malware forces its victims to pay the ransom through certain online payment methods, usually BitCoin, in order to grant access to their systems or to get their data back. Some ransomware (called CryptoLocker) encrypts files and will not decrypt them until the ransom is paid. All businesses are vulnerable, especially small businesses without the right protection and prevention strategies; however, the average consumer is also at a great risk. We have customers come to Computer Doctor frequently with ransomware virus attacks, both residences and businesses. Almost no one is exempt from these threats, but you can take the necessary steps to protect yourself from the ransomware’s damage.
This week we have worked with two companies that were compromised due to targeted attacks using dropbox. One received an email from a subcontractor offering to share a file. Once this was clicked on, the customer’s email account was sabotaged and the phishing email was sent out to all his business contacts.
The other company had a ransomeware infection that spread via the company shared dropbox. The infected computer was encrypted and subsequently spread the virus to every machine in the company.
These 2 events happened to small, local businesses in the Bangor area. We assessed the events and initiated a plan of action to remediate the issue. Virus threats are everywhere and they are not only targeting large corporations; we need to make sure your important information is secured and there is an effective strategy in the event of a data ransom because it can happen to anyone.
Computer Doctor is proud to offer customized managed services to everyone in the Bangor area. There are fully managed, proactive, and essentials packages depending on your security need. These packages include superb security, monitoring, and data backup services to help prevent or reduce ransomware virus attacks. These devastating outbreaks can cost you hundreds of dollars and a lifetime of photos and files. You can finally have peace of mind knowing you are taking the steps to protect your valuable information with Computer Doctor’s managed services.
If you are interested in protecting your family’s, business, or personal data from destructive viruses, please stop by our office at 50 Main Road N in Hampden or call us at 862-7019. If you mention this article, you can receive 10% off a virus removal with tune up!
What if while purchasing a new car, appliance, or piece of office equipment you were told that the item you’re about to purchase comes with on-going maintenance and improvements at no additional charge? The sales person tells you that his company will let you know when there are any improvements or when you need maintenance, and you won’t be required to visit a repair shop or have a repair person visit your office or home. Would you elect to take advantage of that offer? Maintenance plus improvements without the headaches of a service visit and zero expense on your part. Who wouldn’t say yes to an offer like that?
Unfortunately in most cases that is just a fantasy; however it is reality when it comes to your Windows operating system. Microsoft continues to make improvements and repairs to their operating systems available for several years after purchase, yet many people do not take advantage of this benefit. Well if something so sensible isn’t motivation enough, here are some more reasons why updating your desktop and server operating systems is not only prudent, it is critical.
Stories about hackers and threats to computers and networks are in the news almost every day, and many of these stories include tips on how to prevent or minimize this from happening to you. Across the board, consistently, one of the recommended tips is to keep your operating system updated! The reason is because a majority of the updates Microsoft releases are security updates. Never seen before threats are developed by crafty hackers all the time and Microsoft is constantly refining its operating systems to counter these new threats; but in order to take advantage of these improvements, and protect your devices and network, you need to keep your operating systems up-to-date.
Operating systems are also updated to address bugs and shortcomings. Prior to making software available to the public Microsoft will release a beta version of the product for people, primarily IT geeks, to try, experiment, and play with. Then, Microsoft takes the feedback and improves the product, eventually releasing it to the public. However, now that it is in the hands of the public you have dramatically increased the number of people using it and the ways it is being used. Not surprisingly, more issues come to light and, one way or another, come to the attention of Microsoft. Microsoft then uses this feedback to make improvements to the software, also known as patches, and eventually makes these new improvements available. The end result is an operating system that is not good as new, it is better!
Patching desktops and laptops is fairly easy because you can set updates to automatically download and install.
For Windows 7 users, type and click “Windows Updates” in the search box. In the left pane, click “Change Settings,” then under Recommended Updates, select either the “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” or “Include recommended updates when downloading, installing, or notifying me about updates” check box and click OK.
For Windows 8 and 10 users, choose “Change PC Settings” in your Settings, then click “Update and recovery.” Click on “Choose how updates get installed,” and under recommended updates, select the “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” checkbox and apply those settings.
If you follow those steps, all of the Windows Updates that are offered will be automatically installed without you being bothered and annoyed by the frequent notifications.
Because operating system updates help your computer to be more secure and perform better, we suggest installing these updates as often as possible. However, occasionally there may be problems caused by the updates. Sometimes the updates aren’t configured properly or the installation doesn’t complete and can cause your computer to revert the updates automatically (if you’re lucky), or even create some serious system issues. That is why we recommend backing up your important files, such as documents and pictures, onto an external hard drive in the event of a disaster.
Fortunately, at the Computer Doctor, we deal with all sorts of software configuration issues— including those caused by Windows updates. If you are concerned with updating your computer on your own, we are happy to install the updates here at the shop in Hampden while simultaneously tuning up your computer; we can guarantee it will be running much faster and better than it was before! Better yet, ask about our new service package that we will now be offering to our residential and home based business customers. Our business clients experience the full benefits of our managed services program. We take care of their Windows updates on a planned schedule to avoid Microsofts patch problems, we also have an automated service program that manages third party updates, continually monitors your computer hardware for potential failures and performance issues and includes a fully managed antivirus suite of monitoring and mitigation programs and so much more! We have packages to meet every need and budget.
If you are interested in a complete system tune up, or any of our other computer services, please give us a call at 862-7019 or stop by to see us at 50 Main Road North in Hampden! And if you mention this article, you will receive 10% off a tune up!
No matter what type of shopper you are– the early bird who has everything wrapped up before Thanksgiving, or the mad-dasher that goes to grab everything the night before, it is easy to lose track of everybody on your gift list. There is the challenge of making sure that nobody gets the same present twice, especially if the same lists are circulated throughout your family. Here are a few tech tools that you can use to organize your holiday gift giving.
Keeping track of what you want to get for somebody, or what you have already purchased for others is challenging, particularly in large families. What good is planning ahead if you forget what you bought and where you hid it last month? How can you really keep your budget in mind when you are just wandering the store shelves aimlessly buying random gifts? If you have an iOS device, you can get the Santa’s Bag app. This gift giving app helps keep track of what everyone wants, how many gifts you have bought for each person, how much money remains in your budget, and even whether or not you have wrapped the gifts yet. You can add recipients as you go, as well as input what they want or what you think they want into a “gifts and ideas” list. You can set a certain budget for each gift recipient, sort out what store you will be buying the gift from, and set the status of wrapped or unwrapped, and add a gift location so that you don’t forget where you hide it!
A great gift giving app for those who do not have iPhones is the Christmas Gift List for Android. This app tracks ideas for what you want to get each person. The Christmas Gift List app also has quick click icons that let you update the status to bought, or from unwrapped to wrapped. Much like Santa’s bag, you can set personal budgets for each recipient- and see how many gifts you still need to buy at a glance. There is additional room for notes about each gift such as how you wrapped it, how large it is, and what color it is. This app is great for keeping you on top of your holiday gift giving.
The apps mentioned above are great for staying on track of your own gifts, but for those who need to coordinate with friends and family to avoid gift overlap, consider using Google Sheets. Google Sheets will help you form a complete gift giving spreadsheet, with each recipient having their own tab. The only downfall of this system is that users will
be able to see when a gift from their list has been crossed off. The best thing about Google Sheets is that it is free and can be accessed from any device that has an internet connection. All you need is a Gmail account, and family members can see who has added what. As soon as an item is purchased, it can be removed from the wish list so that no item is gifted twice. Although Google Sheets was designed to be more of a tool for school or business, it is surprisingly effective for use as a gift giving organizer.
Of course, there are some families that are spreadsheet challenged. For those families, there are several online wish lists that are good for beginners. MyRegistry allows you to add gifts from any online store, as well as sync any existing registries you may have at places like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Macy’s, and more. You can also use the smartphone app to scan bar codes of items that you find in physical stores. After you have compiled your list, you can share it on social media, a custom link, or allow people to search for it using your name. People with whom you have shared your list can update an item to show you when it is purchased. If every member of your family signs up for a MyRegistry account, everybody gets what they want and nobody ends up with three of the same gifts. MyRegistry is probably the most comprehensive tool for organizing your gift giving, but it does not work unless everybody is on board.
No matter how many people are on your holiday shopping list, staying organized can be a challenge. When it comes to gift giving, it is best to stay on top of things and not wait until the last minute, but no matter what your holiday shopping approach is, these tech tools will surely help organize your gift giving.
At the Computer Doctor, we can help you give the best gifts to your loved ones. We have an iMac in the shop, as well as two laptops ready to go– one of which is touchscreen! A newly refurbished computer by a certified and trustworthy technician is the perfect present to give this season.
Call us at 862-7019 or stop by and visit us at 50 Main Rd N in Suite B in Hampden, ME to check out our selection! If you mention this article, you will even receive 15% off!
With a couple days still to go until one of the biggest shopping days of the year, a mixture of leaks and early announcements have revealed the best product deals at some of the biggest retail chains!
DealNews performed a study from Black Friday Season 2014 to help you score the best deals for anything you are looking to buy!
Because of the Blue law in Maine, almost all businesses must be closed on Thanksgiving Day, particularly the big department stores.
This means that the DealNews Editors’ Choices that vote in favor of deals on Thanksgiving Day won’t apply to us Mainers.
As of now, not very many sales have been advertised for Cyber Monday. But as a general rule, Cyber Monday is a tech-holiday for tech-minded people.
Fortunately, Amazon has announced some of its deals for Cyber Monday. The announced deals are primarily Amazon-exclusive products, such as various Kindle models and a year of the Amazon Cloud Drive storage.
The official Amazon Cyber Monday Deals hub has some limited-time offers that are going on right now which is definitely something to check out if you’re hunting for the best deal on a specific product!
A lot of deals on Cyber Monday will already have a certain percentage taken off of the full retail price, but I have found that most websites will also accept additional coupon codes for you to get an even better deal.
Here are some Apple coupon codes to redeem on the Apple store website, while RetailMeNot is my personal favorite website for finding more coupon codes to redeem on nearly any retail website.
To get the best deal for Apple products, try not to purchase them directly from the Apple Store, even if you use a coupon code. Purchasing from a department store will actually save you an average of $36 on any given iPad on any given day– not even including Black Friday or Cyber Monday! The same can be said for other Apple products as well, but this site has presented the savings data for iPads as of April 2015.
There are a few ways you can get the best deal for the Apple product you are looking to buy, and that usually means taking the time to research when and where you need to be to get it! Here is a basic breakdown of Apple deals this coming Friday.
Best Deals for iPads this Black Friday 2015:
iPad Air 2: The 16 GB is $399 at Best Buy and Walmart or $374 at Staples.
The 64 GB is $499 at Best Buy or $449 at Staples.
If either size is bought at Target, you will receive a $150 gift card with the full purchase price.
iPad Air: At Staples, the 16 GB is $319 and the 32 GB is $359.
If either size is bought at Target, you will receive a $100 gift card with the full purchase price.
iPad Mini 4: The 16 GB is $299 at Staples. At Best Buy, the 64 GB is $399 and the 128 GB is $499.
If any size is bought at Target, you will receive a $100 gift card with the full purchase price.
iPad Mini 2: The 16 GB is $239 at Staples or $199 at Walmart. If bought at Target, you will receive an $80 gift card with the full purchase price.
Best Deals for Apple Watches this Black Friday 2015:
Best Buy claims you can save up to $100 on Apple Watches, with the regular price $349-$699.
Target will give you a $100 gift card with any Apple Watch purchase.
Best Deals for iPhones this Black Friday 2015:
At Target, you will receive a $250 gift card with $0 down for an iPhone 6s or 6s Plus installment plan.
Or, for those that are eligible for 2 year contracts with Verizon or Sprint, you get $50 off the 16 GB iPhone 6s or 6s Plus (now $150 and $250 respectively).
At Walmart, you get $100 off any iPhone as well as a $100 Black Friday Gift Card.
Apple Macbook and iMac deals are a bit harder to come by. Best Buy’s Black Friday ad claims you can save $200 on a brand-new Macbook Pro or an iMac, making them $900 each. However, to get an even better deal on an iMac, stop by the Computer Doctor at 50 Main Rd N in Hampden to check out our $650 21-inch iMac.
Our technician refurbished iMac in the store has similar specifications to the advertised Best Buy one– with 1 huge exception: our iMac has a blazing fast Solid State Hard Drive. In addition to the obvious computer speed difference, our iMac will also have a full 6-month warranty following the purchase and you can expect nothing but the best technical support from the Computer Doctor for the entire computer’s lifetime.
Call us at 862-7019 or stop by our store to get the best deal on computers this holiday season. Even receive 25% off any purchase if you mention this article before December 25!
We have all experienced that frustrating moment when Netflix suddenly stops loading and the room goes silent. For some reason, the WiFi signal dropped again, and the binge watching is put on hold until this annoying issue is fixed. Sometimes, just walking a bit closer to your router will revive your program, but what about those of us who believe WiFi should be everywhere and we should not have to walk a foot to access it? Routers often do not get as much attention as they deserve, which is why we put together a few recommendations for how to improve WiFi signal. From a simple solution like changing the location of your router, to a more high tech option like a high-range antenna or signal repeater, there are ways to ensure your WiFi signal reaches every corner of your home.
The first step in improving WiFi signal is to make sure your router is set to the proper settings. Some older routers still support 802.11g or 802.11n. 802.11ac is now much speedier and has been available since January 2014. Older technologies will likely slow down internet speeds. This can be checked in your router settings, and if you do not see an 802.11ac option on a router you have rented from your service provider, contact them immediately and request an equipment upgrade. A simple solution for how to improve WiFi signal is to put a password on your network to lock out any unwanted users. The fewer devices on a network, the faster the connection will be. Once you have confirmed that you are using the “ac” option and have set a network password, the next tip for how to improve WiFi signal is to physically move your router to a more centralized location.
Most of us install our routers and set them up, then leave them in a corner or a cabinet until they have an issue. Some of the best advice for people who ask how to improve WiFi signal is to put your router near the middle of your home so that its signal can reach all areas. A relatively good place to keep your router is behind the television in your living room. If you have a two story home, be sure that the router is near the ceiling if placed on the first floor and near the floor if it is on the second floor; this way both floors will have more even coverage. Although walls and barriers do weaken the signal from a router, interfering signals can have a much larger impact. Be sure to check for interfering devices such as baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, and microwaves. The signals put out by these devices can weaken the WiFi signal from your router drastically.
Another recommendation for how to improve WiFi signal is to use a dual bandwidth router. Most electronic devices run on a 2.4Ghz band, which means that interference will come from all of the devices on this bandwidth. If you can, switch your router to use the 5.0Ghz band, as it will be less crowded and offer less resistance. If replacing your router seems like a step too far, we have a few alternatives for how to improve your WiFi signal with simple additions to your router.
We have discussed ways to improve your WiFi signal, but what about range? By adding a high-range antenna to your router, the perimeter that is reached by your WiFi signal will increase, meaning that those troublesome corners of your house can once again become WiFi hot spots. Most routers have external antennas that can be unscrewed and replaced; we have done research and this antenna seems to be the best value. But, if your router does not have an antenna, consider investing in a network repeater or range extender. Netgear’s EX3700 WiFi Range Extender costs about $60 and is very easy to use. Simply plug it into an outlet and it is capable of transferring speeds over dual bandwidths up to 750MBps. Adding an antenna or extender is a great answer to how to improve WiFi signal without adjusting any router settings or getting a new router altogether.
If you are hesitant to perform any of these upgrades or changes on your own, feel free to call us at 862-7019, or click on Request Service on our website to connect directly with our technician. If you are struggling with how to improve WiFi signal in your home, don’t fret, just give us a call and we can get your network roaring in every corner of your home or office. Don’t bother dealing with your internet provider who will leave you on hold for hours only to tell you to try turning your router off and on again; get real help from the real Computer Doctor!
We are located at 50 Main Road North in Hampden, Maine. If you mention this article, you will receive 10% any at-home service!
You’re scrolling your Facebook feed and checking your email when you remember you left those cookies in the oven! You set your laptop down on the couch and run to the kitchen. Your trusty golden retriever follows you everywhere, so when you run off the couch, he follows! But his excitement moves your laptop just enough to slide off of the couch and land sideways on your hardwood floor.
Ouch!
It isn’t until you go back into the living room to gingerly inspect your laptop for damage. You open it up and see the devastation that has occurred– the display has lines everywhere in all different colors and keeps flickering, not to mention the crack that is spreading across the screen.
Does this sound similar to a situation you’ve been in? We understand how hard it is to look at your beloved laptop and see a shattered screen or a rainbow of colors that shouldn’t be there.
The Computer Doctor can help you! There are two highly skilled technicians in the shop that will remove the broken screenn right now and install a brand new one for you. The parts we use are the highest quality; this means your new screen won’t be flimsy and easy to break. It will be the same quality as the screen you received with your laptop originally or higher!
We often find ourselves fixing the mistakes of others. Many repair shops don’t have technicians that have the experience and training we have, so they are fixing devices without the skills required to do a competent repair. What ends up happening is that those devices develop problems after the repair, and often the screens they install can be of inferior quality and can easily crack. I don’t think there is anyone that would want that to happen after just getting their laptop repaired.
At the Computer Doctor, we specialize in all types of computer repairs. Computer Doctor is a full service repair center; we repair hardware and software ailments on all brands of PC’s as well as the full range of Apple products, from iMac’s to iPod’s. We have you covered!
We are located at 50 Main Road North in Hampden, Maine; across the street from the Circle K in the same building as Rivertown Family Eye Care. You can also call us anytime at (207) 862-7019.
Mention this article and receive an additional 5% off your screen replacement for any device until December 9, 2015!
With toady’s disposable society many of our beloved tech gadgets wind up in the trash way before they die of natural causes. At Computer Doctor of Hampden and Reboot Computer Services we offer the best quality screens for your device. Don’t be taken in by super low prices, online and in kiosk’s. You get what you pay for, cheap screens from eBay that cost $5-$25 dollars that are thinner, more brittle and have a greater chance of having touch screen failure.
Computer Doctor replaces broken screens and digitizers
Summer is right around the corner, get your broken devices up to par for vacations and outdoor fun. I admit it, the iDevices are cool and deliver on what they promise, with a straight forward interface and the largest selection of applications on earth. Unfortunately, gravity is their nemesis. Cases have come a long way, but accidents happen and when they do your digital companion often gets stuffed in a drawer instead of coming along for the ride.
For the month of June we are offering our iPod touch/ iPad screen digitizer repairs starting @ $99.00. This is a $30 dollar savings over our usual pricing. Bring your device in for a free damage inspection and receive an exact quote for your model. We also offer data recovery and transfer for devices that are unable or not cost effective to repair.
Ok I admit it, I am a technophile. If finances allowed I would be knee deep in every gadget I could get my mitts on. One of the benefits of owning a business that supports technology is, it is rather easy for me to convince myself that my techno lust is justified as I need to “research” emerging devices and educate myself in the operation and utilization of said devices to properly support our customers. So given that back story, I am the proud owner of three tablet computing devices.
The first device is an Acer A500
Computer Doctor of Hampden Acer A500
The device itself is well built, here is a link to a full review on the device. The shortcomings that make me under utilize this device include less then stellar navigation, an app store that you have to wade through and hope you don’t download a bug ridden mess that locks up your tablet. However, my biggest pet peeve is the fractured development platform. If you are lucky you get one major OS jump after purchase, then you just fester wishing you could work your way though the alphabet with sweet android goodness. No Jellybeans or Kitkats in my tablets future. Each manufacturer tweaks the OS release and decides which models will get a new update. This reeks of planned obsolescence to me.
My next tablet was a gift from my wife, that means I am not allowed to sell,trade or barter it away. For those of you who are unfamiliar, here is the iPad 3 in all its gleaming retina display glory.
Computer Doctor of Hampden iPad3
The iPad just plain works and it does what it proclaims to do very well. With a minimum of fuss this finely crafted hunk of aluminum delivers in every respect. It is not however a laptop, it fills a niche Apple created with the advent of apps. If your needs can be met within the App store, it can and will continue to be all (some) people need to interact with media, lite gaming, email and social media. The beauty I see in the device is the huge variety in the app store, the decent job of vetting the apps therein and a unified hardware and software platform that is well supported.
My latest acquisition is the Microsoft Surface RT. A relative latecomer to the game Microsoft opens the door to laptop replacement by adding Office 2013 as part of the mix as well as a nice keyboard, built in kickstand and an actual full size usb port. An interesting twist is Microsoft uses it’s own version of the magsafe adapter, something that would be a welcome addition to the iPad.
Computer Doctor of Hampden Microsoft Surface RT
What do I use these devices for? The Android tablet is relegated to act as a cash register in my office using the Square reader, not that it isn’t capable but I don’t have time to futz around with it and with choices why not use the best device for a given set of tasks, The Acer tablet has a big screen and mounted in a stand it captures signatures and I wouldn’t be heart broken if it hit the floor.
The iPad3 has many uses. My daughter loves it, she uses it for games and reading books on the kindle app and netflix. It is the one that comes along for family trips and vacations. I will use it for apps like flipboard which is a gorgeous app that collects media from many sources and displays it in a beautifully elegant format. Once again the iPad’s strong suit is the mature development community with an endless selction of great apps. I will also check email, facebook, linked in etc when on vacation. The iPad is my recommendation if you have younger children and if you or a family member have been looking to switch from a laptop and you are more of a consumer of media and information than creating and editing files and docs, this is the winner hands down.
This leaves the Microsoft Surface RT. A horse of a different color for sure and for many it can replace your laptop. With the upcoming Windows 8.1 release you will not only have a very familiar Windows 8 experience but with the bundled Office 2013 RT you can have a full MS touch enabled office suite including outlook. The added value of that software package alone is worth the price of admission. The Surface RT will not run standard windows x86 programs but with Office many of your needs are taken care of. the Windows app store is no longer a ghost town, but it does have a long way to go. Where Microsoft screwed up marketing wise I feel is making any comparison at all to an iPad. If you are looking for an iPad experience you will be disappointed this is not an iPad! If you are looking to have a uber portable windows laptop replacement that also features some pretty cool apps than this is an amazing device at a bargain price.
The holiday season is a time of good will, but it also attracts a crowd decidedly lacking in that spirit. “Holidays, like disasters, are a common time for s...
To go along with the brand new software updates, Microsoft obviously had to upgrade their hardware as well. They are introducing a more powerful 
variety of purposes. When linked, you can use the Dial to easily navigate menus; however, it reaches its prime usage when paired with the Surface Studio. When the Dial is placed on the screen of the Studio, it brings up menus or tools specific to the app you’re using.
internet connection. All you need is a Gmail account, and family members can see who has added what. As soon as an item is purchased, it can be removed from the wish list so that no item is gifted twice. Although Google Sheets was designed to be more of a tool for school or business, it is surprisingly effective for use as a gift giving organizer.
your list can update an item to show you when it is purchased. If every member of your family signs up for a MyRegistry account, everybody gets what they want and nobody ends up with three of the same gifts. MyRegistry is probably the most comprehensive tool for organizing your gift giving, but it does not work unless everybody is on board.
