Will computers ever be as simple and reliable as a refrigerator?

A dumb question? If you're a computer nerd, yes. If you're just somone
(like me) who only wants a reliable tool, no. The technology is much too
complex and computers much too unreliable for most people. I don't care if
what makes a computer run is a gerbil on a ferris wheel. The technology is
of no interest to me. Just as unless you're a refrigerator salesperson or a
repairmain, you couldn't care less what makes it run. All you want is a
machine that keeps your beer cold. So if you just want to blow off my
question, feel free. I'd rather hear from someone who's thought about it and
has a point of view they'd like to share.
--
mattlubic

mattlubic wrote:
A dumb question? If you're a computer nerd, yes. If you're just
somone (like me) who only wants a reliable tool, no. The technology
is much too complex and computers much too unreliable for most
people. I don't care if what makes a computer run is a gerbil on a
ferris wheel. The technology is of no interest to me. Just as
unless you're a refrigerator salesperson or a repairmain, you
couldn't care less what makes it run. All you want is a machine that
keeps your beer cold. So if you just want to blow off my question,
feel free. I'd rather hear from someone who's thought about it and
has a point of view they'd like to share.

The problem is that a refrigerator does ONE thing.. It keeps things cold.
The variable is only "how cold".

A computer can do many things. Computers themselves are a bunch of circuits
and such - what you are really asking about - in the end - is the operating
system. And yes - the operating system has improved over the years, but
remember - a computer does more than one thing - it cannot be compared to a
refrigerator.

A computer can help you do your taxes, write letters, send email, surf the
internet, draw pictures, monitor your home security, store things in a
database, organize your photographs, trace your lineage, balance your
budget, instantly communicate with family/friends, create your own
movies/slide shows and/or write applications for others that do any of the
things mentioned before and many I did not mention. Just the pure
complication of everything a computer can be made to do totally obliterates
your question.

You can easily setup your machine to do a few things and never have to touch
it again.. It is once you start using it for OTHER things that the
complications begin. As you open yourself up to more possibilities, you
open yourself up to more dangers and complications. It's a choice thing. I
know people who still happily run their Windows 3.11 for Workstation systems
on a private network with a custom piece of software that does just what
they need.. They will likely go out of business soon with other people
taking orders and instantly integrating them into their work-system and
getting thigs done faster - but that is just another risk you have to be
willing to take.

Do a few things with your computer - then yes - it is like a refrigerator.
Prime example: Your computer is not connected to the Internet. You use it
to balance your checkbook and type up actual letters, print and mail them
manually type. You may also use it to play a few (not online) games on
occassion and edit your home movies. Then yes - it is like a refrigerator.
You are in little danger as you never connect to the Internet and thus, have
slimmed your chance of infiltration by most problems to almost zero. You
don't have to worry about spyware/adware. Viruses and trojans would have to
be either in the games you installed from the media (as you didn't download
them) or somehow encoded in your home videos - so it is unlikely you have to
worry about them. No Internet = No Spam Email (because you aren't getting
email anyway.) You don't need a firewall - because you don't have any
Internet. And updates - although you likely SHOULD install them, just for
compatability reasons - you could use a work machine and order the free
update CDs that Microsoft started offering in the past year or so.

Do many things with your computer (or just hook it to the Internet), then
you have to become a mini-computer-nerd. Sorry - if you don't you are
taking your own chances. Chances that everything you have will be
publically transmitted and/or erased or inaccessible to you. Just getting
on the Internet complicates your life that much more - Firewalls, AntiVirus,
AntiSpyware, AntiSpam.. Why - because the 8 to 25 year olds have nothing
better to do - they are bored or have something to prove - thus they write
viruses.. Or because someone wants to make money (no - don't tell me innate
GREED is in computing too?!) and so they pay to create spyware/adware to
collect information on potential custoimers or forcefully advertise to them.
And Spam.. BAH!

So there you go.. It's not like it is all that complicated, being a
mini-computer-nerd that is..
There are hundreds of searchable (using google.com) pages of information out
there. If you don't protect yourself, if you don't take the time to learn,
then you can live in your little world and it will likely never bother you -
but if you want to truly use your computer as the multi-tasking super tool
it really is.. It takes work - or money to pay someone to do it for you.

Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

Let's take the cleanup of your computer step-by-step. Yes, it will take
up some of your time - but consider what you use your computer
for and how much you would dislike it if all of your stuff on your
computer went away because you did not "feel like" performing some
simple maintenance tasks - think of it like changing the oil in your car,
changing the air filter on your home A/C unit, paying your bills on time,
etc.

Let's go through some maintenance first that should only have to be done
once (mostly):

Tip (1):
Locate all of the software (the installation media - CDs, etc) that you
have installed on your computer. Collect these CDs into a single pile
and locate the original installation media (CDs, disks) in a central and
safe place along with their CD keys and such. Make backups of these
installation media sets using your favorite copying method (CD Burner and
application, Disk copier, etc.) You'll be glad to know that if you have
a CD burner, you may be able to use a free application to make a
duplicate copy of your CDs. One such application is ISORecorder:

ISORecorder home page (with general instructions on use):
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

Pre-SP2 version:
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/I...r/download.asp

Post-SP2 beta version:
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/d...corderV2B2.zip


Tip (2):
Empty your Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files and make sure the
maximum size for this is small enough not to cause trouble in the future.
Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
size between 10MB and 360MB..

- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS - Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
something between 10MB and 360MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right
now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
(the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
minutes or more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
Explorer.


Tip (3):
If things are running a bit slow or you have an older system
(1.5GHz or less and 256MB RAM or less) then you may want to look into
tweaking the performance a bit by turning off some of the memory
using Windows XP "prettifications". The fastest method is:

Control Panel -- System -- Advanced tab -- Performance section,
Settings button. Then choose "adjust for best performance" and you
now have a Windows 2000/98 look which turned off many of the annoying
"prettifications" in one swift action. You can play with the last
three checkboxes to get more of an XP look without many of the
other annoyances. You could also grab and install/mess with one
(or more) of the Microsoft Powertoys - TweakUI in particular:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...powertoys.mspx


Tip (4):
Understanding what a good password might be is vital to your
personal and system security. You may not need to password your home
computer, as you may have it in a locked area (your home) where no
one else has access to it. Remember, however, that locked area is
unlocked when you access the Internet unless you are taking proper
precautions. Also, you aren't always "in that locked area" when using
your computer online - meaning you likely have usernames and passwords
associated with web sites and the likes that you would prefer other
people do not discover/use. This is why you should understand and
utilize good passwords.

Good passwords are those that meet these general rules
(mileage may vary):

Passwords should contain at least six characters, and the character
string should contain at least three of these four character types:
- uppercase letters
- lowercase letters
- numerals
- nonalphanumeric characters (e.g., *, %, &, !)

Passwords should not contain your name/logon name. Passwords should
be unique to you and easy to remember. One method many people are
using today is to make up a phrase that describes a point in their
life and then turning that phrase into their password by using only
certain letters out of each word in that phrase. It's much better
than using your birthday month/year or your anniversary in a pure
sense. For example, let's say my phrase is:
"Discharged from Marines in 1964"
I could come up with this password from that:
"DifrMain64"

The password tip is in the "one time" section, but I highly
recommend you periodically change your passwords. The suggested time
varies, but I will throw out a "once in every 3 to 6 months for
every account you have."


Tip (5):
This tip is also "questionable" in the "one time" section. However,
if properly setup, this one can be pretty well ignored for most people
after the initial "fiddle-with" time.

Why you should use a computer firewall..
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...wbenefits.mspx

You should, in some way, use a firewall. Hardware (like a nice
Cable Modem/DSL router) or software is up to you. Many use both of
these. The simplest one to use is the hardware one, as most people
don't do anything they need to configure their NAT device for and
those who do certainly will not mind fiddling with the equipment to
make things work for them. Next in the line of "simplicity" would
have to be the built-in Windows Firewall of Windows XP. In SP2 it
is turned on by default. It is not difficult to turn on in any
case, however:

Enable/Disable the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673

More information on the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320855

Post-SP2 Windows Firewall Information/guidance:
http://snipurl.com/atal

The trouble with the Windows Firewall is that it only keeps things
out. Truthfully, for most people who maintain their system in other
ways, this is MORE than sufficient. However, you may feel otherwise.
If you want to know when one of your applications is trying to obtain
access to the outside world so you can stop it, then you will have to
install a third-party application and configure/maintain it. I have
compiles a list with links of some of the better known/free firewalls
you can choose from:

ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
http://snipurl.com/6ohg

Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
http://www.agnitum.com/download/

Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm

Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/

BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
http://blackice.iss.net/

Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
http://www.tinysoftware.com/

Perhaps you can find the right firewall for your situation in that
list and set it up/configure it. Every firewall MAY require some
maintenance. Essentially checking for patches or upgrades (this
goes for hardware and software solutions) is the extent of this
maintenance - but you may also have to configure your firewall to
allow some traffic depending on your needs. Also, don't stack these
things. Running more than one firewall will not make you safer
- it would likely (in fact) negate some protection you gleamed
from one or the other firewalls you run.


Now that you have some of the more basic (one-time) things down..
Let's go through some of the steps you should take periodically to
maintain a healthy and stable windows computer. If you have not
done some of these things in the past, they may seem tedious at
first - however, they will become routine and some can even be
automatically scheduled.


Tip (6):
The system restore feature is a new one - first appearing in Windows
ME and then sticking around for Windows XP. It is a VERY useful
feature - if you keep it maintained and use it to your advantage.
However, remember that the system restore pretty much tells you in
the name what it protects - "system" files. Your documents, your
pictures, your stuff is NOT system files - so you should also look
into some backup solution.

I'll mainly work around Windows XP, as that is what the bulk of this
document is about. I will, however, point out a single place for you
poor souls still stuck in Windows ME where you can get information on
maintaining your system right now:

Windows ME Computer Health:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsME/u...alth/articles/

Pay close attention to the sections:
(in order)
- Clean up your hard disk
- Check for errors by running ScanDisk
- Defragment your hard disk
- Roll back the clock with System Restore

Now back to the point at hand - maintaining your system restore in
Windows XP SHOULD be automatic - but I have seen the automatic go wrong
too many times not to suggest the following.. Whenever you think about
it (after doing a once-over on your machine once a month or so would
be optimal) - clear out your System Restore and create a manual
restoration point. Why? Too many times have I seen the system restore
files go currupt or get a virus in them, meaning you could not or
did not want to restore from them. By clearing it out periodically
you help prevent any corruption from happening and you make sure you
have at least one good "snapshot".
(This, of course, will erase any previous restore point you have.)

- Turn off System Restore.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310405
- Reboot.
- Turn on System Restore.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310405
- Make a Manual Restoration Point.
http://snipurl.com/68nx

That covers your system files, but doesn't do anything for the files
that you are REALLY worried about - yours! For that you need to look
into backups. You can either manually copy your important files, folders,
documents, spreadsheets, emails, contacts, pictures, drawings and so on
to an external location (CD/DV - any disk of some sort, etc) or you can
use the backup tool that comes with Windows XP:

How To Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422

Yes - you still need some sort of external media to store the results
on, but you could schedule the backup to occur when you are not around,
then burn the resultant data onto CD or DVD or something when you are
(while you do other things!)


Tip (7):
You should sometimes look through the list of applications that are
installed on your computer. The list MIGHT surprise you. There are more
than likely things in there you KNOW you never use - so why have them
there? There may even be things you KNOW you did not install and
certainly do not use (maybe don't WANT to use.)

This web site should help you get started at looking through this list:

How to Uninstall Programs
http://snipurl.com/8v6b

A word of warning - Do NOT uninstall anything you think you MIGHT need
in the future unless you have completed Tip (1) and have the installation
media and proper keys for use backed up somewhere safe!


Tip (8):
Patches and Updates!

This one cannot be stressed enough. It is SO simple, yet so neglected
by many people. It is especially simple for the critical Windows patches!
Microsoft put in an AUTOMATED feature for you to utilize so that you do
NOT have to worry yourself about the patching of the Operating System:

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

However, not everyone wants to be a slave to "automation", and that is
fine - as long as you are willing to do things manually. Admittedly, I
prefer this method on some of my more critical systems.

Windows Update
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get the critical ones
as you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see when
selecting the updates and if you have trouble over the next few days,
go into your control panel (Add/Remove Programs), match up the latest
numbers you downloaded recently (since you started noticing an issue) and
uninstall them. If there was more than one (usually is), uninstall them
one by one - with a few hours of use in between, to see if the problem
returns. Yes - the process is not perfect (updating) and can cause trouble
like I mentioned - but as you can see, the solution isn't that bad - and is
MUCH better than the alternatives.

Windows is not the only product you likely have on your PC. The
manufacturers of the other products usually have updates as well. New
versions of almost everything come out all the time - some are free, some
are pay - some you can only download if you are registered - but it is best
to check. Just go to their web pages and look under their support and
download sections. For example, for Microsoft Office update, you should
visit:

Microsoft Office Updates
http://office.microsoft.com/
(and select "downloads")

You also have hardware on your machine that requires drivers to interface
with the operating system. You have a video card that allows you to see on
your screen, a sound card that allows you to hear your PCs sound output and
so on. Visit those manufacturer web sites for the latest downloadable
drivers for your hardware/operating system. Always (IMO) get the
manufacturers hardware driver over any Microsoft offers. On the Windows
Update site I mentioned earlier, I suggest NOT getting their hardware
drivers - no matter how tempting. First - how do you know what hardware
you have in your computer? Invoice or if it is up and working now - take
inventory:

Belarc Advisor
http://belarc.com/free_download.html

EVEREST Home Edition
http://www.lavalys.com/products/down...?pid=1&lang=en

Once you know what you have, what next? Go get the latest driver for your
hardware/OS from the manufacturer's web page. For example, let's say you
have an NVidia chipset video card or ATI video card, perhaps a Creative
Labs sound card or C-Media chipset sound card...

NVidia Video Card Drivers
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

ATI Video Card Drivers
http://www.atitech.com/support/driver.html

Creative Labs Sound Device
http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/

C-Media Sound Device
http://www.cmedia.com.tw/e_download_01.htm

Then install these drivers. Updated drivers are usually more stable and
may provide extra benefits/features that you really wished you had before.

As for Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP, Microsoft has made this
particular patch available in a number of ways. First, there is the
Windows Update web page above. Then there is a direct download site
and finally, you can order the FREE CD from Microsoft.

Direct Download of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP
http://snipurl.com/8bqy

Order the Free Windows XP SP2 CD
http://snipurl.com/8umo


Tip (9):
What about the dreaded word in the computer world, VIRUS?

Well, there are many products to choose from that will help you prevent
infections from these horrid little applications. Many are FREE to the
home user. Which one you choose is a matter of taste, really. I wouldn't
list one here I had not personally used - and they all work. Many people
have emotional attachments or performance issues with one or another
AntiVirus software. Try some out, read reviews and decide for yourself
which you like mo

Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/nav/nav_9xnt/

Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html

Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/
(Free Online Scanner: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)

AVG Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
http://www.grisoft.com/

McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
http://www.mcafee.com/

AntiVir (Free and up)
http://www.free-av.com/

avast! (Free and up)
http://www.avast.com/

Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm
(Free Online Scanner:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/hous...start_corp.asp)

RAV AntiVirus Online Virus Scan (Free!)
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/

Most of them have automatic update capabilities. You will have to
look into the features of the one you choose. Whatever one you finally
settle with - be SURE to keep it updated (I recommend at least daily) and
perform a full scan periodically (yes, it protects you actively, but a
full scan once a month at 4AM probably won't bother you.)


Tip (10):
The most rampant infestation at the current time concerns SPYWARE/ADWARE.
I hate this stuff. It has no purpose. I have seen people try to justify
it over and over - it's worthless. It slows down your PC, it can send
your private information to people you'll never meet and did I mention,
it's worthless. You need to eliminate it from your machine.

If you use P2P software, this COULD make that stop working. Find some
decent software to do the same thing - what you are currently using is
crap.

Anyway - there is no one software that cleans and immunizes you against
everything. Antivirus software - you only needed one. Firewall, you
only needed one. AntiSpyware - you may need several. I have a list and
I recommend you use at least the first 5. I know that sounds like a lot,
and you may be saying "But you said earlier that I should clean my system,
now you are telling me to install more software - 5 pieces in fact!" Okay,
I get your point, but please consider that this stuff has prevented the
install of the latest service pack for some people, it has the potential
to slow and crater your PC, it can send your private information around
the world to people you do not know - it is all around BAD.

First - make sure you have NOT installed "Rogue AntiSpyware". There are
people out there who created AntiSpyware products that actually install
spyware of their own! You need to avoid these:

Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Also, you can always visit this site..
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
For more updated information.

Then, my suggestion again is that you at least install the first five of
these: (Install, Run, Update, Scan with..)

Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/atdn )

Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
http://www.safer-networking.net/en/download/index.html
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/atdk )

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate3 )

SpywareBlaster (Free!)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate6 )

IE-SPYAD (Free!)
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm
(How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate7 )

CWShredder (Free!)
http://www.softbasket.com/download/s_8114.shtml

Hijack This! (Free)
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
( Tutorial: http://hjt.wizardsofwebsites.com/ )

ToolbarCop (Free!)
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/toolbarcop.htm

Browser Security Tests
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/

Popup Tester
http://www.popuptest.com/

The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
http://www.moosoft.com/

If used properly, you should have a malware free system now. The last
two of the first five I suggest you install are immunization applications.
None of these programs (in these editions) run in the background unless you
TELL them to. The space they take up and how easy they are to use greatly
makes up for any inconvenience you may be feeling.

Unfortunately, although that will lessen your popups on the Internet/while
you are online, it won't eliminate them. I have looked at a lot of options,
seen a lot of them used in production with people who seem to attract popups
like a plague, and I only have a few other suggestions that should help.
This
one ends up serving double duty (search engine and popup stopper in one):

The Google Toolbar (Free!)
http://toolbar.google.com/

Yeah - it adds a bar to your Internet Explorer - but its a useful one. You
can search from there anytime with one of the best search engines on the
planet (IMO.) And the fact it stops most popups - wow - BONUS! If you
don't like that suggestion, then I am just going to say you go to
www.google.com and search for other options.

Please notice that Windows XP SP2 does help stop popups as well.

Another option is to use an alternative Web browser. I suggest
"Mozilla Firefox", as it has some great features and is very easy to use:

Mozilla Firefox
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

One more suggestion is to disable your Windows Messenger service. This
service is not used frequently (if at all) by the normal home user and
in cooperation with a good firewall, is generally unnecessary. Microsoft
has instructions on how to do this for Windows XP he

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...e/stopspam.asp


So your machine is pretty clean and up to date now. If you use the sections
above as a guide, it should stay that way as well! There are still a few
more
little things you can do to keep your machine running in top shape.


Tip (11):
You should periodically check your hard drive(s) for errors and defragment
them. Only defragment after you have cleaned up your machine of
outside parasites and never defragment as a solution to a quirkiness in
your system. It may help speed up your system, but it should be clean
before you do this.

How to use Disk Cleanup
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310312

How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315265

How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314848

I would personally perform the above steps at least once every three months.
For most people this should be sufficient, but if the difference you notice
afterwards is greater than you think it should be, lessen the time in
between
its schedule.. If the difference you notice is negligible, you can increase
the time.


Tip (12):
SPAM! JUNK MAIL!
This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get 50 emails in one
sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can you do? Well,
although there are services out there to help you, some email
servers/services that actually do lower your spam with features built into
their servers - I still like the methods that let you be the end-decision
maker on what is spam and what is not. I have two products to suggest to
you, look at them and see if either of them suite your needs. Again, if
they don't, Google is free and available for your perusal.

SpamBayes (Free!)
http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/

Spamihilator (Free!)
http://www.spamihilator.com/

As I said, those are not your only options, but are reliable ones I have
seen function for hundreds+ people.


Tip (13):
ADVANCED TIP! Only do this once you are comfortable under the hood of your
computer!

There are lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on by default
you don't use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages to see what all
of the services you might find on your computer are and set them according
to
your personal needs. Be CAREFUL what you set to manual, and take heed and
write down as you change things! Also, don't expect a large performance
increase or anything - especially on today's 2+ GHz machines, however - I
look
at each service you set to manual as one less service you have to worry
about
someone exploiting. A year ago, I would have thought the Windows Messenger
service to be pretty safe, now I recommend (with addition of a firewall)
that most home users disable it! Yeah - this is another one you have to
work for, but your computer may speed up and/or be more secure because you
took the time. And if you document what you do as you do it, next time, it
goes MUCH faster! (or if you have to go back and re-enable things..)

Task List Programs
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Taskl...s/tasklist.htm

Black Viper's Service List and Opinions (XP)
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/

There are also applications that AREN'T services that startup when you start
up the computer/logon. One of the better description on how to handle these
I have found he

Startups
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php


If you follow the advice laid out above (and do some of your own research as
well, so you understand what you are doing) - your computer will stay fairly
stable and secure and you will have a more trouble-free system.

--
- Shenan -
--
The information is provided "as is", it is suggested you research for
yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately
responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are
getting into before you jump in with both feet.

"mattlubic" wrote in message
...
A dumb question? If you're a computer nerd, yes. If you're just somone
(like me) who only wants a reliable tool, no. The technology is much too
complex and computers much too unreliable for most people. I don't care
if
what makes a computer run is a gerbil on a ferris wheel. The technology
is
of no interest to me. Just as unless you're a refrigerator salesperson or
a
repairmain, you couldn't care less what makes it run. All you want is a
machine that keeps your beer cold. So if you just want to blow off my
question, feel free. I'd rather hear from someone who's thought about it
and
has a point of view they'd like to share.
--
mattlubic

No, I do however think your refrigerator will be come as complicated and
unreliable as a computer in a couple of years.

Seriously though, they are getting easier to use, and a fridge is a little
less complicated than a computer!

And now with the introduction some time back of Fridges with built in LCD
screens for Internet Access, PC stuuf and management of the inventory of
goods: so that one can automatically have their groceries replensished by
www.my grocer_anywhere.co-op your arguement has been blown back to where it
belongs.

And by the way......what has this to do with Help or Support?

PC's and the excellent contribution by the thousands at Microsoft have
changed the way people work in the office, conduct themselves in Universities
and all the way down through secondary and primary school levels to the
standards of learning and teaching.

The thing that makes our more capable cars and PCs confusing, is the people
who attempt to achieve results beyond their skills and understanding.

As a suggestion: a person walks into a store, buy any PC, any digital movie
camera and then downloads themselves a shareware video editing suite. That
same person wonders why the PC and camera are incompatible or if they've made
alucky choice and the two do communicate: the same person is amazed that
their movies are not at the same standard as a Spielberg classic!

Come on: even Spielberg started slowly and developed his understanding of
film making and movie production and editing over time.

To achieve the miracles, one must put in the effort to understand the tools
with which they are attempting to manipulate.

A long standing maxim of computing is GIGO: ' Garbage in...garbage out'. It
doesn't change with GUI and WYSIWIG applications.

"barry" wrote:


"mattlubic" wrote in message
...
A dumb question? If you're a computer nerd, yes. If you're just somone
(like me) who only wants a reliable tool, no. The technology is much too
complex and computers much too unreliable for most people. I don't care
if
what makes a computer run is a gerbil on a ferris wheel. The technology
is
of no interest to me. Just as unless you're a refrigerator salesperson or
a
repairmain, you couldn't care less what makes it run. All you want is a
machine that keeps your beer cold. So if you just want to blow off my
question, feel free. I'd rather hear from someone who's thought about it
and
has a point of view they'd like to share.
--
mattlubic

No, I do however think your refrigerator will be come as complicated and
unreliable as a computer in a couple of years.

Seriously though, they are getting easier to use, and a fridge is a little
less complicated than a computer!

Thank you. I understand everything you've said. But it wasn't my intention
to compare computers to refrigerators. What I was asking was will computers
ever BE safe from the bored 8 to 25 year olds? Can you envision software
that operates, in effect, much like "System Restore" and that cleans out all
the junk not just each time a machine is turned on, but as you're surfing or
importing website data?

Sure, there are spam blockers, adware blockers, spyware blockers, etc. etc.
etc. and all the crap these things are designed to counter is continuously
evolving and adapting such that the countermeasures have to keep pace. It's
evolution personified as a an adaptation of electrons rather than sex cells.

But Stephen Wolfram's ideas [A New Kind of Science] seem to offer a possible
path to understanding the complexity inherent in the problem. All software
writers who aren't in the 8 to 25 year old bracket or who aren't one of the
greed barons think no differenty about what they're doing--the code they
write--than these same idiots. It's not a matter of who can write more
clever code. I doubt too that the problems---the spam, the viruses, the
hacking and hijacking--aren't really all that complex. (After all, they're
being written by 8 to 25 year olds!) You can't fix a problem using the same
kind of thinking that created it. And virus code writers and anti-virus code
writers all think the same way... IN the same way. It requires a whole new
way of thinking to see through the complexity and to see that the complexity
is IMPLIED, but it's not necessarity inherent.

"...it is in principle possible to construct a cellular automaton that
emulates a practical computer in its entirety." [ANKOS, pp 663] Maybe what
Bill Gates should do is ask Wolfram to explain simplicity.

Thanks again.

"mattlubic" wrote in message
...
A dumb question? If you're a computer nerd, yes. If you're just
somone
(like me) who only wants a reliable tool, no. The technology is much
too
complex and computers much too unreliable for most people. I don't
care if
what makes a computer run is a gerbil on a ferris wheel. The
technology is
of no interest to me. Just as unless you're a refrigerator
salesperson or a
repairmain, you couldn't care less what makes it run. All you want is
a
machine that keeps your beer cold. So if you just want to blow off my
question, feel free. I'd rather hear from someone who's thought about
it and
has a point of view they'd like to share.


A refrigerator is a single-purpose device. Is that what you want your
computer to be? There already exists LOTS of single-purpose computers:
game boxes, calculators, car computers, remote controls, etc. If you
instead want to use a general-purpose computer then you need SOFTware on
it. Yeah, of course, everyone wants to use their computer in exactly
the same way which is the same way as just the one person that builds
all computers, uh huh. If you want a closed computer (where the OS and
all applications come from one author whose can also dictate the
hardware) then get one. If you want a single-purpose computer then get
one. If you want an open general-purpose computer then realize it is
open to EVERYONE who can code for it.

Just because you buy cheap, low-end, consumer-grade hardware doesn't
mean computers cannot be built to be reliable. You chose not to pay for
high-quality components, redundancy, and fault tolerance. I bet you
didn't go hunting for the most expensive computer, or a high-end
computer but instead were hunting for the cheapest you could get and
also took a coupon in for a discount on a sale.

When was the last time you recharged the freon (or whatever coolant) in
your refrigerator or repair its motor? You don't because you don't have
the expertise (plus you aren't licensed to do recharging because you are
required to prove your expertise for that repair). Yet any boob that
can fork over money can get a computer. It is YOUR choice to remain
uneducated. Yeah, like we'd all like to go under the knife in surgery
for a doctor whose training is equivalent to what the typical boob does
for computers. Just because a loaded pistol can be placed in the hands
of a child doesn't mean it should be. You don't want to learn. You
don't have any initiative to understand anything of the tool that you
use. So why are you bitching when it has been your choice to remain a
boob? I have a television. I choose to remain a boob regarding
televisions because I don't want to repair them and instead choose to
have someone else repair my television. Computers don't give you the
luxury of remaining a complete boob yet you are openly declaring that
you are too lazy to acquire the education needed to use AND MAINTAIN a
computer. Yeah, like we're supposed to feel sorry for the boob that
rents an airplane and then dies in a crash who never was trained how to
fly.

How many training classes did you take to know how to use your computer?
How many more did you take to use those applications? How many books
did you read? How much research did you do? Nothing? No training? No
book reading? No research? Just a lazy boob whining about their
self-chosen ignorance. " I don't care." Yes, that is quite obvious.
If you don't understand how to pilot the space shuttle then don't buy
one. If you don't know how to repair a car engine then don't and hire a
professional trained for that job.

"mattlubic" wrote in message
...
snip

But Stephen Wolfram's ideas [A New Kind of Science] seem to offer a
possible
path to understanding the complexity inherent in the problem.
snip

http://www.kurzweilai.net/articles/a...ml?printable=1

So Wolfram really doesn't have a current solution on how to construct
computers, or how to instantly educate all users in the use and
maintainence of current or future computers. When you put a tool in the
hands of a user where the tool is smarter than the user, what did you
think would happen? You really thought the user would retain control?

"BAR" wrote in message
...
snip

And by the way......what has this to do with Help or Support?

snip

He read a book (see his prior reply), got enthused, and just had to
share. :-D

You've got some very good replies to your post. I won't be as long-winded
as some, nor even as knowledgeable, but I think I know what you want to
hear. I'm sure you have seen an episode of "Star Trek" on television and
you are wondering if there will ever be a time when we could be using a
computer as cool as the ones they use on the various "Star Trek" television
series that have aired over the last thirty years. The answer is yes.
There will be a computer that you can simply talk to, ask questions on any
topic, even have a conversation with. The problem is that it won't happen
for about another forty years or so. By 2045 our technology in general will
have advanced to the point where we will be able to build computers that can
build computers that will operate like those on the Starship Enterprise. It
may even have Majel Roddenberry's voice. Now that would be cool!

"mattlubic" wrote in message
...
A dumb question? If you're a computer nerd, yes. If you're just somone
(like me) who only wants a reliable tool, no. The technology is much too
complex and computers much too unreliable for most people. I don't care
if
what makes a computer run is a gerbil on a ferris wheel. The technology
is
of no interest to me. Just as unless you're a refrigerator salesperson or
a
repairmain, you couldn't care less what makes it run. All you want is a
machine that keeps your beer cold. So if you just want to blow off my
question, feel free. I'd rather hear from someone who's thought about it
and
has a point of view they'd like to share.
--
mattlubic

i think that people these days rely too much on computers. i mean, they
do do us good, but just about everything is run by a computer. i liked
the simple days, before all of this fast, high-tech internet stuff. i
am not saying that i do not like the internet, i do, but it is
time-consuming. question: why are americans so "into" technology and
computers these days? are we becoming mindless because of the computer?

I disagree. Using computers has gotten increasingly easy since I began. When
I started you had to punch holes in cards one byte of data at a time, turn in
stacks of cards for processing, come back hours later to see your errors, and
start all over. Mice got into my den and chewed through my dissertation
data... about 2,000 cards... Yes computers are more complex, but no, they are
not more difficult to use! I have a 92 year old friend who started learning
computers at age 86 by asking me questions via Email. He had never touched a
computer before. Now he teaches computer classes at the Senior Center.
Perhaps you could sign up for one of his classes?

"mattlubic" wrote:

A dumb question? If you're a computer nerd, yes. If you're just somone
(like me) who only wants a reliable tool, no. The technology is much too
complex and computers much too unreliable for most people. I don't care if
what makes a computer run is a gerbil on a ferris wheel. The technology is
of no interest to me. Just as unless you're a refrigerator salesperson or a
repairmain, you couldn't care less what makes it run. All you want is a
machine that keeps your beer cold. So if you just want to blow off my
question, feel free. I'd rather hear from someone who's thought about it and
has a point of view they'd like to share.
--
mattlubic