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Riding Shotgun with Adam

You have a virus, it is called Norton

I had one client today who had setup an appointment for me to get rid of a virus. Every time they turned on their computer and/or logged into their email, an error would pop up.

The error in their email was so bad that they couldn’t even read their messages.

I noticed that all of the errors were related to Symantec – the company that makes Norton.

I removed Norton and installed AVG. All of a sudden the "virus" was gone. The computer was faster and all errors were completely gone.

They said that they were going to take the money that they were saving by not upgrading Norton and apply it to a new DSL connection. I love to see people make smart decisions with their computer.

Be careful using multiple accounts

Windows XP has a unique ability to act like multiple computers on a single machine. This feature was created so that the computer could be used in a business environment allowing each user to have his or her own programs, desktop, passwords and My Documents.

Although setting up multiple user accounts allows for a lot of customization, it has some pretty screwy side effects.

If you have more than one user account set up in Windows XP, many programs allow you to install programs into only one account. This is a nice feature if you only want to install a program into one account, but it can be a real pain when it comes to spyware and viruses.

Velcro – reuseable duck tape

I discovered a new tool this week – the Velcro strap. I have seen them around for a few years, but I just began using them this week.

Personally, I think that cable mess is cool. I think it is a geek status symbol. However, I know that there are a lot of people out there who prefer to keep their cables tidy.

The reuseable Velcro cable strap. You can get them in the computer department of almost any office supply or discount store, I have found that they are a lot cheaper if you go to the tool or building supply department though.

Blood relation does not equal computer expertise

A few years ago, I added two items to my list of common advice that I give.

1. Don’t let your kids fix your computer, no matter how old they are or who they work for.

2. Blood relation does not equal computer expertise.

I know that this makes me sound arrogant at times, but my first appointment this morning was a case in point.

It was a simple enough job, I was to setup a laptop and get it online. My client didn’t need any information transferred or any special tutoring, she just needed someone to tackle the initial setup with confidence.

Since this was my client’s first laptop she had consulted me a number of times about what to get and what to spend. Since Christmas, I had told her about a few good deals that were in the paper.

Don’t be embarrassed by simple problems

 

Yesterday I visited one of my favorite clients. She was having problems with her wireless keyboard. When I typed on the keyboard, nothing happened, unless we were typing in an area asking for a password. This was very similar to a problem someone called the show about last Saturday.

Her keyboard was wireless, as it turns out the little button that synchronizes the keyboard was stuck down. I pried it loose and – POOF! The keyboard worked.

Today I saw a similar problem. I received an emergency phone call from a client whose printer had stopped working a while ago, but now she needed to do some printing on a deadline.

Make a list for your computer guy

Whether I am teaching someone how to use their computer or I am fixing a computer, I have found that I am best at helping someone out when they make a list of everything that needs done.

Today I had two great clients that had nice neat lists made up of everything that needed done. One particular client had a long list of 15 or 20 things, but because she had taken the time to write them all down, I was able to get through the entire list in about an hour and 15 minutes.

I compare this to my clients who don’t have a list made up. I arrive and they try to think of all of the things they would either like me to teach them or fix. Inevitably within a day or two of leaving their house, I get a call about something that they meant to tell me about. Typically this happens after a spouse or child gets home later and reminds them about a problem (often the most important problem) that they originally called me for.

Be courteous with your attachments

The ability to send attachments via email is great. You can attach an important work form to your employees or just a silly picture to a friend.

If you enjoy sending attachments, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1.      Not everyone has the same programs that you do. If you are sending a spreadsheet document from Microsoft Excel or Quattro Pro, save the file as a .csv (comma separated value) instead of the default format. If you are using Microsoft Word, Works or Word Perfect, save your file as a .rtf (rich text format) file. These formats can be read by any computer. Microsoft PowerPoint is also a common format for email attachments and very few home computers actually have the program on their computer.

Computers are not cars

I used to make a lot of Analogies relating computers to cars. I don’t do that much any more because I have realized that computers are not cars. Computers are not like anything we have ever used at any other time in the history of the world.

Your car is used to get you from point A to point B. It is not designed to do anything else. Sure it may have a few bells and whistles, but when you stop to think about it, it doesn’t matter how comfortable the seats are or whether it has a cooled glove box if the car won’t get you from point to point.

This one goes out to all the fans

We have great fans. One of the clients I saw today was so great. He seemed almost star struck and kept saying things like, "I can’t believe Adam is working on my computer."

My favorite thing he said was, "When is there going to be an Adam Cochran show?" If I had my own show it would probably not be very good as I would have a difficult time staying on topic. It would be called the ADHD Hour with Adam Cochran.

Occasionally my clients offer me a refreshing beverage or a piece of candy while I am working on the computer. This particular client offered me an Altoid. I have learned from experience that whenever someone offers you a mint you should take it. And so I did. And so he offered me another and said, “Have as many as you want, I have a lot of them.”

Export your PST folder

Lately I have seen several people who use Microsoft Outlook to manage their calendar, email, memos and to do lists.

Microsoft Oultook is similar to the Outlook Express program that comes with all Windows computers, but it adds more features. It is essentially a Franklin Planner for your computer.

One of the great things about Microsoft Outlook is that it is so easy to backup everything at once, you just have to go through a series of steps.

Following this process allows you to backup your email, contact list, calendar, memos, and to do list all as one file.

Here’s what to do: