I believe Adam or I have written on this topic before, but I worked with a situation yesterday that was disturbing enough that I needed to bring this topic up again. We continually talk about friends or family members who like working with computers and then like to help out your computer. IF the help revolves around something mundane like plugging the power into your power strip or maybe changing an ink cartridge, then by all means let them help you.
However, if the help starts monkeying with Windows’ settings, security software or other important parts of your computer, I strongly suggest you politely reach for the mouse, shut down your computer, and then offer them some tea or coffee. I bail out more computer owners whose computers have crashed or become seriously disabled at the hands of well meaning "friends who really know computers" than I care to mention.
I enjoy making money and helping people with their computers, but I enjoy helping people save money more than anything. So, please be cautiously wary of your helpful friends. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Oh, a word about used computers. New computers are soooo cheap that buying a used computer should be approached with extreme prudence. I can’t think of a used computer that I would pay more than $200 for and that’s with a monitor and printer. A used laptop I might pay $350. Not that I wouldn’t buy a used computer, but I would make sure that the computer I’m paying $200 for is worth $200.
Comments are closed.