Tech trouble?
Consider it handled.
Carlson Tech Services is friendly, local help for your Windows computer — virus removal, tune-ups, new PC setup, printers, Wi-Fi, and cutting the cord — explained in plain English, never talked down to.
Based in Dallas City, IL — serving homes within 50 miles.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM · In business since 2014
Watch: Jerry and Rumi, Talking About Muse
Jerry talks with Rumi, his Muse assistant, about what Muse is, how to set it up, and how it helped build this website.
CTS Recommends
YouMail — spam blocking & better voicemail
Tired of spam calls? YouMail is the app Jerry uses and recommends. It silences spam calls before your phone even rings, transcribes voicemails so you can read them instead of listening, and lets you set custom greetings — including a separate one for business calls. The free plan covers spam blocking, transcription, and custom greetings.
Set it up (about 10 minutes)
- Download the app — YouMail, free, from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create your account — sign up with your email address.
- Let YouMail handle unanswered calls — the app walks you through this: enter the dial code it gives you, tailored to your carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.), and confirm call forwarding is set up. Without this, YouMail can't catch your voicemails.
- Allow the permissions it asks for — phone calls and contacts, so it can identify spam callers.
- Record your greeting — in the app, go to Greetings. Business tip: you can set a second greeting just for business hours or unknown callers.
- Turn on spam blocking — known spam numbers will be silenced automatically.
- Read voicemails as text — new voicemails show up in the app with a written transcription.
Quick troubleshooting: Calls still going to carrier voicemail? Redo step 3 — the forwarding code sometimes needs re-entering, especially after switching phones. A legit call blocked? Find it in the blocked list and mark it "not spam." Want your old carrier voicemail back? The app can walk you through turning forwarding off.
Questions? Call Carlson Tech Services — we can walk you through setup in person.
Upside — cash back on gas, groceries, and dining
Upside is a free app that gives you real cash back — not points — on purchases you're already making. Open the app, check the map for participating places near you, claim the offer before you pay, then pay as normal. Cash out to your bank account, PayPal, or gift cards. It stacks on top of your existing credit card rewards and loyalty programs, and it's free to download. Just check the app first — offers are only at participating locations, and rates vary by place.
Get started with Jerry's code: JERRY22492 — enter the code when you sign up. Using Jerry's code gets you the new-user bonus, and Jerry gets a referral bonus too.
Free Guide
5 AI Prompts You Can Actually Use — free PDF
A plain-English starter sheet, no jargon, no setup: five copy-and-paste prompts for everyday tech — explaining a confusing message, writing an email, comparing products before you buy, breaking a big job into small steps, and learning something new slowly. Plus the two safety rules to follow every time you use AI.
The guide will open in your browser. On a phone, tap the download arrow (Android) or Share → Save to Files (iPhone) to keep a copy.
Free, no sign-up needed. And if you want more tips like these, all in one place — Tech Tips for Everyone, $10.99.