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Rick

How do you explain HD to an SD world?

HD = High Definition
SD = Standard Definition

I knew you were wondering about one or both of those, so I had to get that out of the way first.

One of my clients was having a new TV installed when I was at her home yesterday. I didn't measure, but I think that it was a 52-inch model. It was one of the top Mitsubishi DLP models. Of course that means that it supported 1080p HDTV.

What? I lost you?

My client's husband had picked out the TV knowing that it was the best and the biggest he was willing to pay for. The picture looked beautiful in the store but when they got it home the picture was blurry.

Do I possess magic powers?

No, not really, but some people wonder… I think the wondering is actually a mixture of bewilderment, awe, and a slight hint of envy. I think the same thoughts when I watch Rachel Ray cook, an electrician wire, my Dad build stuff, Eric Clapton play his guitar, and a gear head work on a car. All these people are good at what they do because of two reasons: it's what they do, and they enjoy doing it. It amazes me that people look at the work I do and are amazed at how swiftly I can work through a problem or hunt something down on the Internet…it's what I do, and I enjoy doing it.

You have heard Adam and I talk about it often that for some reason computer users feel like they need to know everything about their computer including the troubleshooting and securing of it. The reality is that computers are as specialized a piece of machinery as you can buy today. Anyone can sit down and use a computer, but few have the knowledge to know how to make it work and act the way it should and there is nothing wrong with that. I can't fix and keep my cars running the way they should, so I have to resort to repair shops…I don't necessarily like it, but I don't have a choice either. My aptitude for fixing cars is low, and my time to learn that skill is nil.

GPS Trick or Treat Report

I live in the perfect Trick or Treating neighborhood. The homes are divided pretty evenly between families and a group that our family calls 'old people.'

Within a one square mile area the houses are packed together and every second or third house has its porch light on.

Last night I decided to take the GPS with me as we took our kids begging for candy. Here is the report.

Odometer 1.89 miles
Max Speed 7.4 mph
Total Moving Time 0:48:06
Total Stopped Time 1:15:00
Avg Moving Speed 2.5 mph
Overall Avg Speed 0.3 mph

 

Block Internet Explorer 7

Internet Explorer 7 finally became final last week and is starting to be deployed as a Windows Update. While I believe that IE 7 is a huge step in the right direction, the changes in the look and feel of the browser will throw many for a loop. Even after working with IE 7 for the past five or so months as it made its way through the beta stages of development, I don't think it holds a candle next to the Firefox browser . If you aren't afraid to learn the new nuances of IE 7 and don't want to change to Firefox, I say go for the upgrade. However, if you are perfectly comfortable where you are right now with Internet Explorer 6, then you might want to download and install this tool , made available through Microsoft, that prevents the automatic installation of the new Internet Explorer 7.

One MAJOR Myth about Computers

Some may say that I am easily agitated…and in some cases, they are right. But one particular computer excuse that I hear too often really agitates me because it simply isn't true. That excuse is "I'm too old to learn computers." My clients are always surprised when they hear that I didn't grow up or go to school with or for computers. I sat down in front of a computer for the first time about two years after I graduated from college with a physical therapy degree. That was in 1990. 

Today, almost of all of my 'young' clients (aged 18-45) use my services to teach them how to do certain activities on their computer, hook up new printers or scanners, setup a new computer, or troubleshoot a nagging problem. Interestingly, these are the exact services I provided to those over the age 45.

Catching up after vacation

I took a short two-day vacation with my family. When I got back I had 31 calls to return. I was able to get back to almost all of them but I still have a few to call back tomorrow.

I am about ready to declare that computers are not yet perfect. With all of the windows fixes, anti-virus programs and teenagers out there to fix and prevent computer problems, we have made little progress in perfecting today's machines.

Some people call it job security, but I think there is plenty of job security just in teaching people how to use clean running systems. We don't need problems to keep good computer guys employed.

Electronic Voting

vioting machineI just returned from early voting and used a new e-voting machine. Once I was cleared to vote, I was given a small plastic brick that I entered into the machine that looked like a giant Venus fly trap. Once the screen came up, I was greeted with a very clear, large text voting ballot. As I glanced to the bottom of the screen, my 'ballot' would cover twelve screens. The touch screen was responsive, the text large and clear. As I voted, a paper record of my choices was being printed behind a small plastic cover to my left.

I prefer the passenger’s seat

My business is now in its 11th year, and I still prefer sitting next to my customers than in the captain's seat. If I'm troubleshooting a problem or installing new software or hardware, I have no problem sitting in front of the computer. However, I get the most satisfaction from sitting to the side, guiding my client's through tasks they want to learn and writing down step-by-step notes that I leave for them when we finish.

Very few people learn from simply watching someone else. And watching a knowledgeable computer user whip through a routine they have performed hundreds of times frustrates the learner even further. I recognize and appreciate that; which is why I prefer to sit in the passenger's seat when I am helping computer users.

Don’t try to keep up with the Jones

To often anymore, we want to get the newest computer, printer, TV or other tech gadget simply because it seems that it will work better, faster, or easier. Unfortunately that kind of thinking is seriously flawed. You've heard me say it before and I will continue to say that a huge majority of tech users don't fully utilize the power in their current gadgets. That includes guys like me as well.

The reality is that with cars, we still use them to get from Point A to Point B. Do we need a new car because the new models can go from 0-60 a half second quicker? When computers first entered homes in mass 12 years ago we primarily used them for email, word processing, and solitaire. Do we need a new computer that can flip the cards a little faster? You get my point. Upgrading for the sake of upgrading is absurd.

You can’t transfer programs – only data

I have setup as many new computers over the past couple of months as I have the entire five years I've been an on-site computer guy. I have become very good at backing up data and moving from the old computer to the new system.

Before I setup the new computer I explain that I can easily transfer data files from one computer to another, but I can't transfer programs.

Typically, this doesn't appear to be a problem. That is, until I have setup the new system and moved the data. "Where's my Microsoft Word?" or "How do I get into my AutoCAD?" are examples common questions I get after the work has been done.