Tag Archives: Updates

PC Performance: The Point of No Return

Posted by on June 9, 2011 No comments
Just because you can download and install most software on your Microsoft Windows PC, doesn’t mean you should! Yet people do. And sometimes they suffer the consequences. Does your computing lifestyle cause you unnecessary grief? Perhaps it’s the false sense of security, having virus protection and cleaners at the ready? Or is it that people don’t fully comprehend the dangers of their online behavior, often wreaking havoc on their operating system? Be selective and Google (research) these programs before installing them. 

On the other hand, some folks lean toward the other extreme, not feeling comfortable with installing anything, including those all important Windows Updates and those who fail to perform any other periodic preventive maintenance. This is a recipe for disaster! Then it is only a matter of time. Your computer will continue to slow down more and more, until it’s just too painfully slow and/or unresponsive to use, or there may be popup programs demanding money to keep you safe, similar to how the Mafia works. We will protect you, if you pay us. Look! After running OUR scanner, we’ve detected hundreds, if not thousands of infections or configurations to tweak for best restoring your computer to it’s former good state of health. Yeh right, or we’ll just take your money and leave you high and dry, holding an empty bag. Never ever pay for this kind of scam!

At some point, your belated efforts for reviving your machine will show little return on your effort; even after running all the updates and cleaners. All of the of the horses and all the King’s men won’t bring your performance back again. Keep in mind, if you are successful enough to rid yourself of any infections, does not mean everything is okay.  All infections were designed to reconfigure your system in one way or another, in order to accomplish it’s deviant purpose.  Your system may likely still be altered for the worst; a PC point of no return.  Chances of reversing the damage are close to nil.

In this case, the next step is to consider re-installing the operating system. At this point, you might ask yourself which operating system will best suit you, Windows or Linux? Which, if you’re not inclined to do yourself, you may end up paying someone else to do for you, or you buy replacement machine, or do without. Like neglecting your own health, your vehicle’s or your computer’s, it may be costly.

Are You Ready for Linux?

Posted by on February 21, 2011 No comments

You might be ready for Linux, when…

  • you have paid more for tech services than the computer originally cost.
  • you’ve have had to re-install your Windows operating system more than once, due to system performance issues or failure.
  • you are uncertain how to care for your own machine and can no longer afford the professional maintenances and fixes.
  • you execute all of the Windows updates, cleaning and scans and produce little to no increased performance or stability.
  • you are often and repeatedly frustrated with the ever decreasing performance of your Windows OS.
  • you are tired of constantly having to run cleaners and scans, to combat various infections.
  • you are tired of always having to rely on others for help.
  • you are willing to purchase a new replacement computer because your current machine seems hopeless.
  • you are ready for a breath of fresh air and want to enjoy your computer experience versus struggling along.
  • you move past the fear of the unknown and are ready to embrace something better.
  • your online lifestyle is not Windows friendly.
  • Windows XP is soon no longer supported by Microsoft.
  • you own Windows Vista operating system.
  • you experience Windows 7 SP1 (Service Pack 1) fatal error flaws
  • you cannot afford a Mac.
  • you want the very best, carefree and inexpensive computer experience available.
  • what you read above sounds familiar to you.

Notice I used the word when and not if.  For the average Windows operating system user, these difficulties and frustrations are a reality and only a matter of time; when it happens, not if.  Some choices in life are no-brainers; Linux is the solution.  See JoliJef’s post: Linux is 90% of What You Already Know.

May the open source be with you!

Easy Microsoft Updates

Posted by on April 10, 2009 No comments

msyellowshieldCome on folks! I see some of you out there still using IE5 (Internet Explorer 5 – browser version).  What is happening here?  Or more importantly, what’s not happening here?  The answer is simple, you are not keeping your operating system current with important updates.  This is especially surprising, since running Microsoft updates couldn’t be any easier to perform.

Anyone can do this.  I repeat, anyone can do this.  There’s no making mistakes and nothing to fear.  Don’t be afraid.  When you see Microsoft’s little yellow shield with the exclamation mark on it, which will appear on the lower right hand corner of your screen, near the time, this indicates that updates are available.  Just click on it and the process will begin.

Microsoft Updates offer you increased security, browser features and functionality.  So that you can surf the Internet safely with maximum view-ability and interactivity that the web has to offer; otherwise you may limit your experience considerably.  That is why I will explain how in the following super simple steps:

  1. Click the Start button (bottom left corner of your screen)
  2. Select the Microsoft Updates button.  If you don’t find it, you can click on this link: Microsoft Updates.
  3. Select the grey Express button, to check for the latest updates for your computer.
  4. If your PC does need updating, you will be provided a grey Install Updates button, select it.  If you do not need updates, it will tell you.
  5. Needed updates will first download and will then be installed.
  6. Once the installation is complete, you may be asked to restart you PC, or not.

Note:  if you are really behind in keeping your PC updates current, you might have more updates to run before you are completely finished with this task.  So when I see people still using Internet Explorer 6 browser, I immediately know that they have not been maintaining their PCs with Microsoft Updates.  How do I know this?  Because Microsoft includes browser version updates in their monthly releases, and if you don’t run them, you won’t advance to the latest browser version.  Stay Updated people!

Fire Up Firefox!

Posted by on March 6, 2009 No comments

ffIf your Firefox Internet browser is taking too long to open, it may be due to the automatic updates.  By default, when the browser is opened, it is set to automatically check for updates to Firefox, installed add-ons, and search engines.  If you are an avid Internet user, this slow start up could quickly become annoying and even painful.  This is one way how you can speed Firefox up:

  1. Open the FireFox browser
  2. Select Tools on the top menu
  3. Select Options…
  4. Select Advanced
  5. Select the Update tab
  6. Under the top section, Automatically check for updates to, uncheck Firefox, Installed Add-ons and Search Engines

Now you can periodically run manual update checks, but when you’re ready.  To do this, you would:

  1. Repeat the above steps 1 – 3
  2. Select Main
  3. Find the Add-ons section, the third section down
  4. Select the Manage Add-ons… button
  5. Select the Find Updates button on the bottom left

See how that works for you.  Enjoy!

The Digital Divide

Posted by on March 2, 2009 No comments

digital_divide

The digital divide might best be described as the difference between zero and basic to advanced technological familiarity among techies and non-techies and the increasing importance this plays in day to day life.  Evermore it is instrumental to acquire even the most fundamental understanding of technology in the home and workplace, or risk falling seriously behind.

Falling behind technologically can a have some rather concerning ramifications.  At home, it could mean  exploitations via the Internet and personal computer, not having the right software protection in place, out-of-date software, disabled protection, to loss of other personal information or identity theft.

At work, it could mean not knowing how to use productivity suites, Internet, email, various document types or not understanding equipment: computers, desk phones, cell phones, wireless access points, copiers, fax machines and the like.  This leaves you ill prepared for promotions or simply maintaining your foothold on the job.  From the front line staff to upper level management, they struggle with some of these same challenges.

Catch up if you need to, ask for help, self-initiate, take opportunities, make opportunities, take a class, read a book, seek out free online tutorials, do what you need to do to keep up and always push forward.  Because just like anything neglected, this will catch up to you and could possibly stop you dead in your tracks.  Advancing technology waits for no man!  Which side of the digital divide are you standing on?