Windows 8

SLACKER!

 

Does this count as Facebook?

Wow, has it seriously been over two years since I updated? Can I blame the economy? Tough I.T. market? Price of tea in China? Nope, it was me. Totally forgot about updating it. I did forget. And I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids and your stupid dog.

Anyway it is time to look at Windows 8. Windows 8 is loved by many and hated by just as many. The problem with Windows 8 is that it was designed to run on tablets, which it does perfectly. But when they moved the exact same OS over to the desktop, they left in the table functionality, and that is where the problems lie.

Let me explain. 

On a touchpad, cursor movement is based on where your finger is placed on the screen at the time. On a mouse based system, cursor movement is based on where the pointer is in relation to your movement.

Since they left both in, users of the traditional desktop are confused as to why windows open and close, other applications launch when they weren't selected and do on.

Example:

You are happily typing away in a word document and you go to move the mouse.

And who doesn't happily type documents?

 Poof! Your document disappears and now the weather is showing. Wait weather?!?! I was typing a document! Let me close this.

Your work is replaced with a shower of tears.

Well let me close this out. Wait, where is the start button?

"I'll just call my 8 year old grandchild. They can fix this."

What is up with the new icons? What happened to them all being the same size on the desktop? Who designed this thing? Oh wait, I remember now.

Windows XP which officially retires next year was a great operating system. Windows Vista was horrible. Windows 7, another great system. Windows 8... (Are you seeing a pattern form yet?)

Bottom line, Windows 8 is great on a tablet.. On the desktop.. You are left playing the strangest version of Uno ever. Wait do I click the red card looking icon or the blue one?

"Chose wisely"

Get ready for some spring cleaning!

Yep, I've been a slacker, I know I haven't posted on here in some time. But you know what? Now is a good time for you to look at some spring cleaning on your pc!

Little checklist

- Update your Antivirus program(s)
- Update your Microsoft Windows
- Update hardware and software with the vendors
- Run defrag on your system
- Save your important docs, pictures, etc to a USB flashdrive *(if you don't have one, then get to the store. Seriously, they are about $10 for a 4 gig version now)*

If you feel really brave, you can take the side (or top) off of the computer and spray it out with a can of compressed air (you can find those at Radio Shack, Staples, Best Buy, etc)

Oh, most important of all. Run your antivirus program again. If you can't remember the last time you did, then you really should get to it! For some machines this may take an hour or so. (Or one episode of your favorite Prime Time show).

There, now don't you feel better for having cleaned out your system?

The joys of IT work

One of the most annoying facts about being an I.T. person is when you are in the office is the fact that you feel like you have to sneak around. People see you as a free service to them to fix computers for them, their friends and family, 2nd cousins roommate from college. Need to run to the bathroom? Suddenly you feel like a downed pilot behind enemy lines trying to sneak past enemy patrols. And then it comes. The ambush. Someone stops to ask a question about something they saw on so-and-so's computer once on this tv show last year.
You stand there nodding endlessly, thinking to yourself, "Hurry up Speedy, I'm not hopping around like this because I plan on trying out for Dancing With the Stars."
If there is one thing I have learned is, don't fix the computers for these people at work, or you will find your spare time eaten up with a bench full of computers from them and everyone they know wanting free tech support. And the phone calls. Once someone gets word that you are an IT person, expect the phone calls to start. "Look I dropped my pc accidentally. Can you tell me over the phone how to fix this?"
My professor told us the other night he repairs computers. But he charges $400 for the repair. I asked him why. He said, "Once they know you fix them, they will constantly be bringing them over. You gotta train them. They want it fixed, make the 8-10 hours you spend on it profitable. Video card out? Pop in a $200 video card for them. Once they learn that it will cost them, they will stop bringing all but the most severe cases to you. And you get your life back."

I will have to make note of that.

Slacker!

Man has it really been that long since I kept up with this site? I am a total slacker! Maybe I should look at connecting it to my Facebook page, then it would update hourly. Anyway I promise to update this more often with tech tips!

Has it been that long?

Oops! Been a while since I posted on here. Well, time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Anyway, have you updated your antivirus program lately? Or your AntiSpyware? No? Let's get to it then!

Spring Cleanup time!

1) Buy milk and eggs at the store

Wrong list, let's try that again.

1) Open your antivirus program, and check to make sure the database is updated. If not, run an update. The location of the updater will vary from program to program.
2) Update your Anti-Spyware application. Same as above, the location will vary.
3) Defrag your hard drive. In Windows, this will be located in Accessories\System Tools.

Once you have done that, I would recommend going to the applications and setting a time once a week for a virus scan. (like say, running at 2am on Friday morning). Do the same for your anti-spyware also, but set it for a different time.

A few funny pics for your entertainment

Wow, what a difference

Ok, here I am, almost a week after the Gastric bypass surgery, and I am still adjusting to everything. Normally I could sit down to a great big meal three times a day, and put away enough food for three.

Now, the thought of food doesn't enter my mind. I find myself having to eat because I have to, not because I am hungry. It's all I can do to hold down 2-3 oz of food before I am full.

Right now, I can only have liquids. Granted, it has moved up to soups, and sugar free puddings, and protein shakes, but it is a start.

Well, here's to my new life!