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What did you learn today?

Prince of Wales, Sydney, 1920 / Sam Hood
photo credit: State Library of New South Wales collection

We started the Riding Shotgun series nearly three years ago to give folks a look at what it would be like to ride shotgun as Adam and I made our rounds as roving computer helpers/trainers.

I have used the platform to share anecdotes that happened during the day, post pictures of cool computer setups, climb aboard my soapbox and yack about computer security, passwords, etc, and share tech tips and solutions I learned throughout my day.

Yes, I learn something new every single day. If I can’t think of something that I learned on any given day, I consider that day incomplete.

Today, for example, I visited 6 homes and returned countless calls in addition to answering some email from customers. What did I learn through all this?

  1. You can’t pin a shortcut to a folder to the new Windows 7 taskbar.
  2. Windows 7 boots a thousand times faster than Vista…ok, I knew that, but I still like to point that out.
  3. Netbooks are getting too expensive. One customer paid nearly $500 for one!!
  4. I truly never get tired helping people learn about their Apple computers. Today, one client with a MacBook Pro, wanted to learn how to scan, download photos, and send them via email. Fun, fun, fun.
  5. I haven’t used iPhoto enough to really get it…still prefer Picasa on any platform.
  6. Dell computers (especially laptops) are getting increasingly poor reputations among general computer users.
  7. After thinking that spyware infected computers can be completely healed for awhile, I’m switching back to my old theory: Once infected, the only true way to completely clean a computer is a format and reinstall…and in the long run, this takes less time.
  8. Not enough people use Firefox or Chrome. OK, I knew this one already, too, but I like to remind you.
  9. Cooking bacon on a waffle iron is best way to cook it (via Twitter from Alton Brown)

I could list quite a few more actually, but I will stop for today. Wow, that was a pretty good day of learning!

What did you learn today?

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19 thoughts on “What did you learn today?”

  1. I learned that when my i phone is not functioning properly (not able to make a call yet it looks like it is dialing, or not able to receive a call, ie it goes directly into voicemail, or not able load or send anything…it stops just short of looking like it will load or send…) I need to reboot it, just like my computer at home. Voila! It works fine!

  2. Actually I would LIKE to learn something today.
    Like HOW to I change History time in Firefox???
    All that I seem to have is my last session for the current day. I’m sure I set it up this way in the very beginning. So how do I change it now???
    To anyone……Thanx 😉

    1. Start Firefox
      Click Tools —> Options
      Click the Privacy section
      Under History, Click the option next to Firefox will: and choose Use custom settings for history
      Set options to your heart’s content
      Click OK

      Good luck!

  3. Thank you, Rick! You make it sound so doggone easy! Actually I was there today, BEFORE I posted here. And saw “Use custom settings” But did NOT think to click on it! DUH….

  4. PS…….Thank you, for allowing me to learn something today! Who ever said ya can’t teach an ole dog new tricks??? 😉

  5. Pingback: Last 7 Days in Tech: Week of November 16, 2009 | Tech Hacker

  6. Actually, the best way to cook bacon (at least up to 4 slices) is with a microwave oven. With paper towels underneath and on top, it’s very easy to clean up.

    1. I agree, Dave, More than 4 pieces works very well, too. Not only is it quick and clean, it is more healthy, too. Much of the fat is absorbed by the paper towels.

      Even better is turkey bacon, After a while, I actually preferred it. When I lived on a small sailboat, I could microwave the bacon and eggs, too. The eggs work best scrambled. Put in a bowl and stir about every 30 seconds, (depending on microwave power) and they are delicious. You can add extras like onions, garlic or even mix the pre-cooked bacon in them to make Mexican Fritatas.

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