Lot’s of great questions today ranging from Cameroon pet scams to Ubuntu to recycling old computers and much more. I think I packed 10 or 12 questions in this week’s edition of the email video answers. Have a look and listen!
I had some trouble syncing up this video with the narration today, but there are at least 11 questions answered in this episode. Questions in this edition include questions about Ubuntu, printers, a proposition (?), Windows Media Player, Firefox, and two questions I couldn’t fully answer. No AVG questions this time around.
Enjoy!
In today’s episode, I answer a lot of AVG and Firefox questions. An Ubuntu question slipped in as did some AOL questions, HTML questions and others. Here you go…thanks for writing and keep those questions coming!
I’m almost caught up with the email in the Questions Inbox here at HelpMeRick.com. Keep them coming by clicking the link above that says “Email Us”.
In today’s episode, I answer questions from users about converting from Vista to XP, many Firefox questions, and some others I don’t remember, but you will find out shortly when you click the Play button on the video.
It’s been awhile since I recorded answers to your email, but I plan to start doing this at least twice per week. So, keep sending your questions, and I’ll keep answering them.
Arrogant computer guys really bother me. I try very hard not to be a computer guy who thinks he knows everything.
The problem with this is that I am sometimes competing with computer guys who convince people that they do know everything. When I try to straighten out the situation, I get the line, “but the guy at Best Buy said that Norton is the best.” or “But my son who has worked at HP for 20 years says that Vista is much faster.”
When I try to explain using experience and logic, they don’t want to listen. Logically, wouldn’t it make more sense to listen to someone who isn’t trying to sell something. Even better, someone who deals with problems in real-life homes and businesses every day?
“Why didn’t my computer come with a manual?”
One of the most common complaints we hear is about how new computers don’t come with manuals. I am here to explain why this is the case.
The sad answer is that if the computer company came with a manual, it would weigh more than the computer.
“But my old computers used to come with manuals…,” Is the next comment.
Back in the old days of computers there weren’t many uses. You would use computers for word processing, finances, Internet and email. In each case there were only a handful of options.
Creating a Better Password:
Mix it up – use number and letters in both upper and lower case
Spell words that you are familiar with such as p455w0rD (see how it kind of spells “password”)
Never use the word “password” as your password.
Creating that Secret Question:
Many services ask you to create a secret question incase you forget your password. This allows them to ask you for the answer to verify that you are who you say you are.
Choose a secret question that is true now and will be true five years from now – not, “what is your favorite movie?” or “what is your pet’s name?”
Choose a question that is very specific – not “Where did you meet your spouse?”
“The only dumb question is the one you don’t ask.”
That’s my pat answer when approached with the question…and I hear that question a lot. I believe that by not asking questions you eventually end up costing yourself time, money, and/or knowledge.
When it comes to computers, it behooves you to ask as many questions as possible so that you can learn. Too often, I hear this phrase; “I don’t take your classes because I need to learn more first.”
Re-read that last sentence. If that phrase makes sense to you, re-read it again! If it still makes sense to you, don’t come to my classes.