From 1. Turn it off, turn it back on. “Nine times out of ten, rebooting your computer-and any equipment that connects to it-will solve the problem,” says Aaron Schildkraut, who owns a home tech-support service in the New York tristate area.
2. Just because we're “buddies” at work, don't expect me to come running every time you've got a problem. I've got a slew of IT problems to fix.
3. We're like Santa: We know if you've been bad or good. Fessing up to what really happened right before the system crashed is going to save time-and I'm going to figure it out anyway.
4. Use “strong” passwords. Geek Squad agent Derek Meister suggests combining letters and numbers-but not your birth date-to create a “base” password, and adding a unique suffix for each site you use. If your base password is your spouse's initials and
your anniversary date (say, SP061789), your Amazon password might be “SP061789AM.”
5. Make sure you have current antivirus and anti-spyware protection, and set it to update at least once a day and run a full-system scan at least once a week.
6. There's no free lunch. Downloading free music, movies, and games from file-sharing sites can open holes in your system for others to exploit. Play it safe and use established services like Rhapsody, iTunes, and Netflix.
7. Remember: Public Wi-Fi is public. If you don't have a compelling reason to check your e-mail or bank account while sipping a latte at the mall, don't do it. While you're on a public network, even one that's encrypted, a nearby hacker can capture your passwords.
8. Give it a rest. Turning off your computer when it's not in use saves energy and clears out the RAM, or temporary memory, which would otherwise slow your machine over time.
9. If you can't get online, call your Internet service provider first. Connection problems can often be checked and fixed-free.
10. If you want to see less of me, get a Mac. That's what we use. “Macs are actually a little bad for my business,” says Schildkraut.
11. No, you can't use your cell phone to pop popcorn. Next time an Internet rumor drops into your inbox, don't just pass it on-check it out at snopes.com first.
12. Sometimes we talk about you-in code. If you hear “HKI error” (for human-keyboard interface) or “PEBCAK” (problem exists between chair and keyboard), we're insulting you.
13. If you don't understand me, I'm not doing my job. Confusing tech jargon is a sign of insecurity, not intelligence.
--Interviews by Adam Bluestein. Sources: Derek Meister, Geek Squad; Aaron Schildkraut, myhometech.net; anonymous posters on TechRepublic .com; techcomedy.com.
SEE 7 MORE THINGS YOUR COMPUTER PERSON WON'T TELL YOU
1st - Move websites use SSL which means hackers cannot just pick your password out of the air. 2nd - You pay now or pay later. Macs do require less support but cost more. 3rd - Defrag is usually prevented by antivirus software causing alot of hard disk thrashing. Your car needs a mechanic. So does your PC. Let your tech handle maintenance. 4th - Find a qualified tech! I make $175/visit to cleanup after the $50 neighborhood kid for the same thing that would have cost you $100.
**SIGH** I am a tech and can't see why most of these I would hide or "not tell" customers. AAMOF, I ALWAYS tell people most of these things. So saying what your tech WON'T tell you is a heap of crap. Since Readers Digest helped in a close attempt to destroy comic books, put crap articles in, even current, I never have nor will I like you RD. It's YOUR truth, not the REAL truth.
Sorry, but you guys at RD are idiots. Most techs worth their salt, and they'll tell you any of these things. The title should be "Things you should know BEFORE you bug your computer person." And #13 shouldn' be on the list at all. Just because you don't know anything about the device you spent hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars on isn't our fault.
Most of the hints are decent; turning a computer off a lot really is not the best idea, but "get a Mac" is utter baloney. They are overpriced, proprietary machines with a cult following, and the only people who really think they're better are the cult members, or the ones who have never used macs and believe the silly TV ads. In an office full of Macs and PC's, I could rely on the Macs to crash at the worst times (then you have to listen to the mac zealots deny that they crash 8^)
As a former tech support, I do not agree with your blanket statement on 13. I agree technical jargon shouldn't be used however you as a computer user should know basic vocabulary such as Address bar, start button, web browser (ie, safari,etc), system tray and menu these aren't tech jargon this is basic knowledge you should know these. Can I still help you yes, but dont complain I am using special jargon. It would be great as well if you know the difference between upper and lower case.
people need to do some self education . for example when they have added a router to thier home, and they get the error messege to contact the person who manages their network ..they need to look in the mirror.
"1. Turn it off, turn it back on." Wrong. In Windows, this will frequently MASK the problem (a memory leak will disappear when memory is reinitialized on startup), but a reboot will never SOLVE a problem. "6. There's no free lunch." Shall I refer you to the GPL? Linux kernel? Any number of open source projects? "10. If you want to see less of me, get a Mac." Not at all. There's an eternal argument going on over best operating system. There's no definitive winner.
I love #10. I've been telling my friends and family this for a while now. My best friend and Dad actually made the switch and seem much better off for it, and I'm still working on a few others. It's truly a night-and-day difference, the Mac OS X experience vs. Windows XP or Vista. The Mac is just friendlier, more accessible and inviting and doesn't seem to get in your way or demand your care and attention the way Windows does.
I couldn't agree more! I am always stressing every point in this article to my customers and friends. A more appropriate title would be "13 Things Your Computer Person Is Right About But You Won't Listen To!" One thing I dont tell: I reccomend according to the customer. If you can barely use the thing, my solution for you is going to be more expensive than for a reasonably tech savvy person. This is mainly due to "bulletproof" security. Ever heard of PICNIC? Problem In Chair, Not In Computer!