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Two guys can’t do it alone

I visited a new customer today that set the record for the most viruses and spyware on a single system. The computer had no anti-virus program of any sort on it, no anti-spyware system, was running the first version of XP, and on dial-up. Needless to say, the computer was hosed and it took more than six hours to clean-up (between what I did in two hours, and the four hours I let the user take care of in secondary scans and cleanup). 

The customer made a comment that I hear often in this situation, "This kind of thing makes work for you, huh?." My standard answer, "Yes, but it is the worst part of my job. Why? Because this is so preventable." 

Bad tech support: When in doubt, blame a virus

We talk a lot about viruses on the show and here on the site, but in reality, viruses make up a very small portion of day-to-day computer problems. In fact, many (if not most) problems that people blame on viruses are not actually viruses at all.

Many of today's computers contain at least 100,000 smaller files. These thousands of little files work together by linking and sharing jobs with each other. Viruses work by getting into that mix and confusing the files.

However, even without viruses at play, these files can get confused all on their own. In many ways a computer is like a living organism. Just as DNA, cells, the processes of life can get mixed up an mutated, the files and programs that make a computer work can also get corrupted.

Future Windows Prediction

By now it is no secret that I have a unique super power. I can see the future of technology. Too many cell phone radio waves to my brain have caused me to have premonitions about the future of technology.

Two days ago, I was carried away in vision and I saw the future of Microsoft.

Microsoft knows they shot themselves in the foot with Vista. They knew before it was released that they would have to create a demand for it since it was replacing a superior product.

Now even the government is looking into getting away from Microsoft products. Linux seems to be the most popular option. This is where the prediction comes in.

Always a love-hate relationship

Lately, I have been working with many Windows 98 and Me computers (and a few Windows 95). For basic functions, limited Internet browsing, solitaire, email, and word processing, these computers work fine especially with a high speed Internet connection. However, it is imperative that Windows 98 and Me users NOT install any software that was developed after 2003. Your hardware and software configuration may appear to meet the minimum requirements of the software, but let me assure you that the product will not work optimally and your system will slow down considerably.

This especially applies to security software. For Windows 98 and Me users: ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NEVER INSTALL NEW VERSIONS OF NORTON OR MCAFEE SECURITY PRODUCTS.

New radio show format

Two weeks ago, with little fan fare, I announced a dramatic change in format for our weekly radio show. Although I never discussed it with my co-host, friend and producer, Adam, he whole heartedly bought in on the concept and we are proceeding.

When I started the Castellini on Computers Radio Show in 1999, my intention was to provide a forum for beginners to learn about computers, technology and the Internet in a non-threatening yet entertaining forum. For better or worse, my desire to help people got in the way of my original goal of being as "non-geeky" as possible. We answered questions from all callers even if the question was applicable for only that one person. Despite our best efforts of trying to explain our answers and the caller's questions in layman's terms, we turned off many listeners. Our most common feedback about the show has always been, "I love your show, but I don't understand anything your talking about on the show." 

Back in the saddle again…

Can you tell that I'm either a Van Halen fan or from a small town or both?

We had a great spring break vacation with our friends, but I'm back to reality again and the rigors of day-to-day work. Thankfully, my job satisfaction rating is off the charts. I love what I do and thank my lucky stars that I found a career that I enjoy doing each and every day.

I will take the credit for getting Adam started on smart phones (sorry Rachel) and like Adam I attempted to use my Treo while on vacation. Unfortunately, my carrier (Sprint) did not serve the part of the planet where we vacationed. Keeping up with email, getting directions, obtaining phone numbers for local restaurants, and using the phone were all rendered useless on my Treo without my cell signal. At first, I was very disappointed, but as the week wore on I found that being "unplugged" was a good thing. It forced me to leave the wonderful world I use so much in my Treo and turn instead to land line phones, phone books, and talking to the local citizens for suggestions, directions and ideas. Ahhh, I felt like I was in a 1950's black and white classic movie at times the nostalgia of yesteryear was so thick.

Viruses: BAD, Viral Videos: GOOD!

One of today's greatest tactics for marketers to get buzz going about a product or brand is viral video. A viral video is in no way related to a computer virus although the nomenclature is similar.

A viral video is a video that is funny or amazing that can be seen in the Internet. The clever or otherwise fascinating video is placed on the web and then word of mouth sends people to the hosting site. Soon the video and brand it represents are all over the web.

The Diet Coke and Mentos video is one of the greatest viral videos ever produced. While Diet Coke and Mentos probably had nothing to do with the video, you can be assured that they had no problem with the video's success.

Back to work

I just got back in town a few hours ago. I have been returning calls and sifting through emails. One of the drawbacks to technology is that it makes it easier for work to stack up while you are gone.

I must, again, say how grateful I am for Cloudmark Desktop, an email spam filter that actually works. I had over 300 emails while I was gone, but only about 20 were actually worth reading. Cloudmark sifted all of the spam and none of the good stuff.

I can't figure out why more Internet service providers don't use Cloudmark to filter spam (Do you hear me ACS, Bresnan, AOL and every other ISP that uses a crappy filter that prevents the good stuff from getting through on a regular basis? I didn't think so.).

Will old media kill itself off?

Viacom is suing YouTube (Google) for $1 billion for copyright violations. People (not YouTube) have posted clips (not entire shows unless the shows were under 10  minutes) on YouTube without Viacom's permission.

As a result, many YouTube visitors were turned onto Viacom regular programing as well as many other programs like, The Office, 24, Desperate Housewives, The Family Guy, Ali G, and Lost.

While some of these people would have started watching these programs without the help of the Internet, most people use the Internet to get caught up on episodes that aired before they started watching.

Technology doesn’t work unless you use it

My family and I are taking a short spring break trip this year and have already run into a travel snafu. After booking our flights at the US Airways web site in January, we did not check again on our itenerary since we already had receipts, seat assignments and all travel information until a few hours before we left for the airport. Upon looking at the US Airways site, it appeared that our connecting flight in Phoenix had been moved up by three hours! No one had contacted us by telephone or email to give us this important morsel of information, but I also take the blame for not checking on the flights at least the day before. We jumped in the mini-van and hustled to the airport only to have our information confirmed and told that we would indeed not be able to get to our destination until the following day.