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Riding Shotgun with Rick

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.

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.

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.

AVG Releases New Updated Programs

Many of my shotguns this week have been more news than tips, but they are extremely important news items. Today, I want to inform you that our favorite anti-virus software and anti-spyware software has released new versions. AVG released version 7.5 of their anti-virus software and also rolled out their free (for home users) edition of their new anti-spyware program that resulted from their acquisition of Ewido earlier this year.

The announcement is important for two reasons. 1) Grisoft (makers of AVG) will no longer support the current 7.0 version of AVG starting in February 2007, and 2) Even with the upgrades in protection and updating, AVG remains one of the only anti-virus programs available for older operating systems including Windows 98. We interviewed the president of Grisoft last year on the show, and he reiterated his company's commitment to providing top of the line computer protection at affordable prices for businesses and free for home users without compromising computer performance. And his company has certainly held true to those goals. We continue to be very impressed with these products and recommend them hands down over any product available today. 

Windows Vista Search

Vista SearchThis is the third or fourth installment of my peek at Windows Vista which I have been beta testing for about a month now. Although, I don't think there is any Earth shattering changes in the function of Vista, one feature stands out as being well integrated. That feature is Windows Search. Microsoft did not get a chance to totally revamp the way we save and retrieve files as they had hoped with Vista, but they did integrate the Search function in every aspect of the operating system. And I do mean every aspect. All program and operating system windows have a search box in the upper right hand corner. Even the revamped Start menu has a Search box integrated into it.

Are printers being made worse?

The past few months I have seen an alarming number of customers with printer problems. I know that printers aren't being made as well as they were five or more years ago. In fact, while attending CES and talking with some of the reps from well known printer companies, they stated that plastic gears and other parts have replace sturdier metal alloy parts. We can all feel it…printers are much lighter in weight that they used to be.

One thing that isn't lighter, unfortunately, is printer software. Printer software used to fit on a floppy disk or maybe two and the printer would run for years without problems. Now, many printer installations can take up to fifteen minutes because the of massive printer software installs sometimes approaching 1000 megabytes! Any time a printer manufacturer gives me the option to do a minimal or laptop installation, I take it. Ninety-five percent of the software installed is extra junk that slows down a computer and the printer process. I personally think that all printer manufacturers should give a driver only installation option for those of use who don't want or need the extra fluff.

“We had a computer glitch”

I often try to remember what life was like before computers. I can barely remember what I did with my time before email, web surfing, word processing, digital photography, PowerPoint presentations, MP3 players, YouTube.com, and all the rest. I also find myself longing for the times that businesses couldn't use the excuse, "our computers are down" or "our computer had a glitch".

As much as I enjoy technology and of course make my living from it, I think that we too often use it as a crutch to either procrastinate or an excuse that we hide behind when others ask questions or request information. After all, we all know how frustrating and unpredictable computers can be so questioning the "glitch defense" is futile. We have all thought it, and I will document here and now that I think way more than half of these tech excuses are bogus. Excuses made by lazy or unqualified people buying time or passing the buck.