I believe Adam or I have written on this topic before, but I worked with a situation yesterday that was disturbing enough that I needed to bring this topic up again. We continually talk about friends or family members who like working with computers and then like to help out your computer. IF the help revolves around something mundane like plugging the power into your power strip or maybe changing an ink cartridge, then by all means let them help you.
However, if the help starts monkeying with Windows’ settings, security software or other important parts of your computer, I strongly suggest you politely reach for the mouse, shut down your computer, and then offer them some tea or coffee. I bail out more computer owners whose computers have crashed or become seriously disabled at the hands of well meaning "friends who really know computers" than I care to mention.
I enjoy making money and helping people with their computers, but I enjoy helping people save money more than anything. So, please be cautiously wary of your helpful friends. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Oh, a word about used computers. New computers are soooo cheap that buying a used computer should be approached with extreme prudence. I can’t think of a used computer that I would pay more than $200 for and that’s with a monitor and printer. A used laptop I might pay $350. Not that I wouldn’t buy a used computer, but I would make sure that the computer I’m paying $200 for is worth $200.
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Sometimes it’s friends, and sometimes it’s pretend-to-be-knowledgeable clerks in a store. Only yesterday one local “Nimrod” in a do-it-yourself store tried to tell me that electrical wires generate heat and shouldn’t be put underground in conduit (burying power cord to irrigation pump so as to not hit it with mower). This so-called “expert” was too ignorant to know that the only way copper wires generate heat by themselves is if they are undersized for the amperage they are carrying. Apparently brother Nimrod was unaware that some electrical wiring IS DESIGNED to be buried underground.
There ought to be a formal medical name for this “expert” syndrome or phenomenon, which seems to manifest itself in nearly all aspects of life. Maybe it’s called “false pride,” but, whatever one calls it, it’s saddest to discover in friends. Life is tough enough without incompetent “teachers.”
Your advice is smack dab on the money, Rick. Thanks!
I am the one who tends to preach about friends, kids and used computers. Here are some links to some past articles I have written on the topics. I tried not to hold any of my opinions back here…
Blood relation does not equal computer expertise
Another hobby horse: Don't let your kids fix your computer
Once again, a word about your kids
Why we recommend the stuff we do
Should you just get a new computer?
Holiday Computer Madness – by Rick