The Jackrabbit Tech Blog
Practical, jargon-free tech advice for homes and businesses across the Roanoke Valley. From Wi-Fi dead zones to security cameras to slow computers, here’s what we’ve learned out in the field—and how to put it to work for you.
Why Does My Wi-Fi Drop in Certain Rooms? Fixing Dead Zones in Roanoke Homes
Great signal in the living room, nothing upstairs? Here’s what actually causes dead zones—and why the fix usually isn’t the extender you’re about to buy.
Read the Post → NetworkingExtending Wi-Fi to Your Garage, Workshop, or Barn: Outdoor Wireless Options Explained
Internet that dies at the back door? We break down outdoor access points, point-to-point wireless bridges, and buried lines—and which one fits your property.
Read the Post → Security CamerasUniFi Protect vs. Ring/Nest: Why Local Video Storage Beats Monthly Cloud Fees
Ring and Nest charge monthly just to store your own footage. See how UniFi Protect flips the model with local storage, pro-grade cameras, and zero subscriptions.
Read the Post → IT SupportIn-Home IT Support vs. the Big Box Tech Counter: What Roanoke Residents Should Know
Before you load the computer into the car, read this. An honest look at drop-off repair vs. house calls—wait times, privacy, upsells, and when each makes sense.
Read the Post → Computer RepairComputer Running Slow? 7 Causes We Find Most Often on Roanoke House Calls
Most slow computers don’t need replacing. Here are the seven culprits we find again and again on local house calls—and which fixes actually restore your speed.
Read the Post → Business TechShould Your Small Business Still Be Using Gmail’s Free Tier? Google Workspace Explained
Free Gmail works—until you hire someone or get phished. What Google Workspace actually gets your business, what it costs, and when the switch is worth it.
Read the Post → SecurityMy Email Was Hacked — Now What? A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide for Small Businesses
The next hour matters most. Seven steps in the right order—passwords, sessions, hidden forwarding rules, and the cleanup everyone misses.
Read the Post → Business TechStill Running Windows 10? What End of Support Actually Means for Your Business
Your PCs still work—but they’re no longer defended. The real risks of end-of-life Windows, plus your three options and how to stage the transition affordably.
Read the Post → Business TechBreak-Fix vs. Managed IT: When Does a Roanoke Small Business Need Ongoing Support?
Call-when-it-breaks works—until it doesn’t. An honest six-point checklist for knowing when ongoing IT support starts paying for itself.
Read the Post →Have a Tech Problem We Can Help With?
Reading about it is a good start—having it fixed is even better. Reach out and let our team take the tech headaches off your plate.