Sunday, April 22, 2012
IT Guys: Do we Practice What we Preach? - Available Technology Inc.
Do as I say, not as I do!
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Aesop was born in 600 BC somewhere in ancient Greece. Everyone knows his fables, but few realize what an ironic and paradoxical life he led. Aesop was a slave most of his life, and was given his freedom as a reward for his intelligence and masterful storytelling. He became involved in politics and traveled for the King of Lydia.
On one trip for his employer there was a misunderstanding about a gift he had brought to the king of another land. Thinking that the king had rejected the gift, Aesop decided to return to his land, taking the rejected treasure with him. The opposing king learned of this, and thinking he was being cheated, had his servants hide a golden bowl in Aesop's luggage. After he left, they intercepted him, found the bowl and condemned him to death for sacrilege at stealing the sacred bowl of Apollo.
Shortly after, they dropped him off a cliff, which they deemed a fitting punishment for stealing a bowl.
Despite this irony-oozing end, Aesop's stories have become well known and have survived for over 2000 years. Aesop understood and appreciated the irony of a good "morality play." One of his lesser known fables is the fable of "The Young Crab and his Mother" in which a mother crab chastised her son for not walking straight ahead. The young crab said "Okay Mom, please teach me how to walk." But try as she might, she was unable to walk any way other than sideways, like a crab should.
This is the earliest story that pointed out this inconsistency of human ethics. We see this all too often. "Do as I say, not as I do." We have all had our own experiences with this, but I recently began thinking about this as it relates to the advice that computer techs give out every day.
A client asked me, as they do often after being given a number of options to solve a particular technical problem. "What do you do on your own computer?" That got me thinking. Is it really the best question to ask a computer guy, or a mechanic, or a politician, or a dentist? The mechanic's car usually doesn't run right, the cobbler's kids go shoeless, and my wife's computer is still doing "that thing" she told me about a month ago.
Anyway, I surveyed 5 of my fellow IT professionals to see what they do on their personal computers in the following areas that we preach to clients about:
· Backup your data!
· Upgrade Your Hardware and Software!
· You should use a Smart Phone!
· Use (insert search engine here)!
· Upgrade Your Internet Browser!
· Use Antivirus Software!
· Secure Your Wireless Network!
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So how did we do? I'm glad you asked!
The Results
Backup:
4 out of 5 techs I surveyed back up their data. The fifth said he never created anything important enough to back up, which made me wonder what he actually did all day.
Methods of Backup included copying data to an external drive manually, Carbonite, Acronis TrueImage, and Synctoy. The most common frequency was once per month.
Hardware / OS:
This one varies greatly, because most computer techs have more than one computer, so I asked about the primary workstation that they use at home. 3 out of 5 use Windows 7, the other 2 use Windows XP as their main operating system. The reason XP is still in the equation is that the techs (one of which is me) have accumulated software and gotten things working just well enough that changing would involve a lot of reloading and configuring.
As far as hardware goes, 4 out of 5 use desktop computers rather than laptops. The desktop users all have displays over 20", hard drives over 1TB and memory over 4GB. Our laptop user has a Macbook Pro with 17" display, on which Windows 7 is the primary operating system.
The point is that we don't hold onto hardware very long.
It was interesting to see that all of the technicians used Intel processors rather than AMD.
Phone:
This category was a little surprising. Tech guys are gadget guys and typically walk around with the flashiest new technology holstered to their belts.
2 of our 5 techs had regular old flip phones. This is shocking, because I expected to see Droids, iPhones, Windows Mobile and Blackberries galore. We had one Windows Mobile user, one blackberry, one Droid and two boring regular phones.
I am a firm believer in the value of constant communication via a personal data device, and honestly, I couldn't do my job without mine. Clients can definitely be more productive and efficient with a smartphone. This is one area where we dropped the ball.
Search Engine:
Google. Google. Google. All Google, all the time. Bing is gaining in popularity and there are still a lot of folks who are partial to Yahoo, but right now it's plain to see that technicians like Google.
Internet Browser:
2 users primarily use Internet Explorer. 2 prefer Chrome, and the other likes to use Flock for the social media aspect. If you haven't used any of these, you should check them out. You can use them all on your computer without having to commit to any of them. I was a little surprised to see no Firefox users in this list.
Antivirus:
The most surprising response I received on my surveys for this article was in the area of antivirus protection. 2 users like ESET antivirus (my favorite), one uses Panda Cloud, a cloud (internet) based antivirus scanner that is getting pretty good reviews.
What surprised me is that 2 of our techs use no antivirus software at all.
Tech #1 uses MalwareBytes Anti-Malware to scan for Trojans and spyware, but doesn't feel the need for an actual antivirus. Tech #2 says that his browsing habits don't leave much possibility for infection from rogue websites, and if he gets infected he will just reload his computer. Wow. That sounds a little like leaving your front door open because you'll just buy new stuff if someone steals what you already have.
Just for the record, always use an antivirus, whether you have a PC, a Mac, or run Linux. See our recommendations below.
Wireless Security:
So many people still have wide open wireless networks that it doesn't surprise me anymore. Even some businesses with sensitive client data on their computers neglect the need for a secure network. Once you show them the client list on their router and see 10 people connected even though they only have 5 computers do they start to think about the consequences.
Computer techs are pretty serious about wireless security. All of the techs have at least WPA (Wifi Protected Access) enabled. Keep in mind that highly secure wireless access does you no good at all if your last name is smith and your password is "smith." Use a hard to guess password with capitals and letters. (Capital letters, as in uppercase letters, not necessarily capitals of states, although I guess that could work, if you use capitals in your capitals . . . you get the idea.
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What Does it Mean?
Overall techs really believe what they are telling you. With a few exceptions, asking your technician "what would you do?" will result in a truthful, heartfelt answer. If your technician starts preaching about viruses being "no big deal", that smartphones are a fad, or that you should upgrade your hardware that is less than a year old, you should probably start looking for another computer support provider.
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So what do I recommend for all of these categories?
· Backup - Use Carbonite, Dell Online Backup or Synctoy for personal use, and if you are only concerned about saving the data, not the entire drive including the operating system. If you want to backup everything, look at Acronis home Backup. It provides an image-based backup that can be restored in minutes if your computer dies.
· HW / SW - It's only obsolete if it impedes your ability to work. Use Windows 7 if you have a choice, or check out any of the great Apple products that are out there. At least 2 - 4GBs of ram. Not sure what to get? Ask us.
· Smart Phone - Absolutely. The Android based phones are the hottest things out right now.
· Use whatever search engine you like. Google, Bing, ask.com or yahoo are all great.
· Internet Browser - If you are into Facebook and the like, check out Flock. Otherwise try them all and see which you like best. Safari, IE, Firefox, Opera or Chrome.
· Antivirus Software - We recommend nothing but ESET NOD32 antivirus. It's small and fast, and claims to have never missed an "in-the-wild" virus.
· Wireless Network Security - At least WPA or WPA2 with strong passwords.
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How did I do on the survey? Actually, pretty well . . .as far as you know.
As Aesop probably said, "Honest, people of Delphi, I don't know how that Bowl got in my footlocker!"
Be safe and be smart. Remember: Your computer should work for you, not the other way around. Contact us at http://www.available-tech.net/ for more information.
MIke Gets his Computer Fixed - Available Technology Inc.
Caveat Emptor!
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"Caveat Emptor" is a latin term meaning "Let the Buyer Beware." It is used to describe the need for someone purchasing a product or service to have a pretty good idea of what they are getting before they sign on the dotted line. Besides sounding cool (because it's latin) it's also really good advice. So how does this apply to computers, you ask? I think I'll "Carpe Diem" and tell you!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most of us have had this happen:
You're working away, minding your own business, mind set on the next task to accomplish, when suddenly your computer starts making a funny noise, or turns itself off, or starts smoking. The screen goes black, and the first surge of panic sets in. You cross your fingers and repeat your most powerful mantra to coax the maligned machine into cooperation, but a press of the power button does nothing except cause your heart to sink a few more meters.
Once you realize that this isn't just a "fluke", you come to the realization that you're "going to have to get this thing fixed." So what now? Yellow pages? Big box store? Your next door neighbor's kid? How do you make the right decision for your and your computer?
When your computer or network stops working, you quickly realize how much you depend on your technology. Our daily productivity can easily slow down or even come to a halt when we can't get to our stuff.
Most of us panic because so much of our lives is our data - our documents, music and pictures that we access everyday.
So who do you trust when these issues arise? Can just anyone fix your problems, explain it like a human being and keep your data safe, all without charging you more than your house payment?
The Lay of the Land
According to "The Consumerist" about 70% of computer repair companies and consultants don't know what they are doing. They caused a simple problem with a desktop computer and called out 10 repair companies to come and fix the issue. Of the 10 companies that came out (some local, some national and even big retailers) 7 of the 10 misdiagnosed the problem. To further complicate the issue, 6 of the 10 suggested that the customer replace their computer rather than repair it.
In California, a consumer activist group took 4 identical computers into computer repair shops. The only thing wrong with the computers was that a cable had been unplugged inside of each desktop. Again, they used a combination of local and "Big Box" stores. Not surprisingly, only 1 out of the 4 found the problem. The one that correctly diagnosed the problem fixed it at no charge. For the other 3, the prices ranged from $89 to $159 to repair the WRONG problem.
And how about the safety of your data? In England last year, some Journalists brought a laptop in to a big national retailer and placed a folder on the desktop marked "confidential" and "private." They also placed files containing passwords to bank accounts in the folders, as well as some private pictures. What they found is that the technician copied the files over to his personal thumb drive for later inspection, and even attempted to gain access to the bank account using the passwords in the folder! The passwords were fake of course, but the intention was obvious.
Choosing a computer service provider
Consider the following criteria to find a reliable computer support provider:
Price
Shop price and see what the going rate is for your area. Be careful of shops that have "fixed pricing." This usually means that they have a fixed price for diagnosing, fixed price for data backup, fixed price for virus removal, etc. An hourly tech can usually do all of these for less money, by the time you add it all up.
Turnaround time
A computer service organization can be the cheapest, the fastest, or the best. They cannot be all 3. Cheaper is usually slower or not very good, and faster service is sometimes more expensive.
Data security
Use a company with a good reputation. Check with the Better Business Bureau and ask if the company has a non-disclosure policy for customer data. Look for awards won by the company or other industry recognition.
Motivation
Know who's out there and what their motivations are. The "big box" retailers and parts warehouses are there to sell you stuff. Period. They don't particularly care if your computer gets repaired as long as you buy your parts from them. The technicians at these stores are trained to upsell you on new computers. We hear this frequently and every time I see someone go into these places carrying a computer, it's all I can do to avoid chasing them down with a business card to do a "computer intervention."
Qualifications
The smaller shops are typically not qualified to do repairs or replace parts in today's high tech computers. If you have a smaller shop that you trust, or an individual that you would like to use, ask about certifications. The bare minimum certification that a technician should have before touching your computer is the CompTIA A+ certification. This doesn't mean that they are an experienced troubleshooter, but it does prove that they know a hard drive from a hole in the ground.
How do we measure up?
Available Technology employs only certified technicians. We perform service on-site or at our location and provide most services within 24 hours. We have been voted
Best of the Upstate for the last 4 years. We guarantee our work and are dedicated to the satisfaction of each customer.
Still, it never hurts to be sure, so we called around to our competitors and asked about the price, qualifications and turnaround time of a very common repair, a hard drive replacement.
Here's how we stack up:
Geek Squad
Certified Techs: No
Cost - $199 - $299 + $89 for hard drive
Time - 3 - 5 days
Total = $388
Office Depot
Certified Techs: No
Cost - $349.99 + Cost of hardware ($99)
Time - 7 - 10 days
Total = $448.99
Local Warehouse Store:
Certified Techs: No
Cost - $99/flat rate + diag fee $59 + Backup $59 + drive ($79)
Time - 3 -7 days
Total = $296
Available Techology Inc:
Certified Techs: YES
Cost - $199 + drive ($69)
Time - 24 - 48 hours
Total = $268
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If you or someone you know has a repair issue, please use Available Technology. We provide fast, professional computer service for your home or office. And we care.
So take heart if your computer is mortuus, and take up the phrase that I use to feel confirmatus when things are going malus. ManeoFortis!
Be safe and be smart. Remember: Your computer should work for you, not the other way around.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Caveat Emptor" is a latin term meaning "Let the Buyer Beware." It is used to describe the need for someone purchasing a product or service to have a pretty good idea of what they are getting before they sign on the dotted line. Besides sounding cool (because it's latin) it's also really good advice. So how does this apply to computers, you ask? I think I'll "Carpe Diem" and tell you!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most of us have had this happen:
You're working away, minding your own business, mind set on the next task to accomplish, when suddenly your computer starts making a funny noise, or turns itself off, or starts smoking. The screen goes black, and the first surge of panic sets in. You cross your fingers and repeat your most powerful mantra to coax the maligned machine into cooperation, but a press of the power button does nothing except cause your heart to sink a few more meters.
Once you realize that this isn't just a "fluke", you come to the realization that you're "going to have to get this thing fixed." So what now? Yellow pages? Big box store? Your next door neighbor's kid? How do you make the right decision for your and your computer?
When your computer or network stops working, you quickly realize how much you depend on your technology. Our daily productivity can easily slow down or even come to a halt when we can't get to our stuff.
Most of us panic because so much of our lives is our data - our documents, music and pictures that we access everyday.
So who do you trust when these issues arise? Can just anyone fix your problems, explain it like a human being and keep your data safe, all without charging you more than your house payment?
The Lay of the Land
According to "The Consumerist" about 70% of computer repair companies and consultants don't know what they are doing. They caused a simple problem with a desktop computer and called out 10 repair companies to come and fix the issue. Of the 10 companies that came out (some local, some national and even big retailers) 7 of the 10 misdiagnosed the problem. To further complicate the issue, 6 of the 10 suggested that the customer replace their computer rather than repair it.
In California, a consumer activist group took 4 identical computers into computer repair shops. The only thing wrong with the computers was that a cable had been unplugged inside of each desktop. Again, they used a combination of local and "Big Box" stores. Not surprisingly, only 1 out of the 4 found the problem. The one that correctly diagnosed the problem fixed it at no charge. For the other 3, the prices ranged from $89 to $159 to repair the WRONG problem.
And how about the safety of your data? In England last year, some Journalists brought a laptop in to a big national retailer and placed a folder on the desktop marked "confidential" and "private." They also placed files containing passwords to bank accounts in the folders, as well as some private pictures. What they found is that the technician copied the files over to his personal thumb drive for later inspection, and even attempted to gain access to the bank account using the passwords in the folder! The passwords were fake of course, but the intention was obvious.
Choosing a computer service provider
Consider the following criteria to find a reliable computer support provider:
Price
Shop price and see what the going rate is for your area. Be careful of shops that have "fixed pricing." This usually means that they have a fixed price for diagnosing, fixed price for data backup, fixed price for virus removal, etc. An hourly tech can usually do all of these for less money, by the time you add it all up.
Turnaround time
A computer service organization can be the cheapest, the fastest, or the best. They cannot be all 3. Cheaper is usually slower or not very good, and faster service is sometimes more expensive.
Data security
Use a company with a good reputation. Check with the Better Business Bureau and ask if the company has a non-disclosure policy for customer data. Look for awards won by the company or other industry recognition.
Motivation
Know who's out there and what their motivations are. The "big box" retailers and parts warehouses are there to sell you stuff. Period. They don't particularly care if your computer gets repaired as long as you buy your parts from them. The technicians at these stores are trained to upsell you on new computers. We hear this frequently and every time I see someone go into these places carrying a computer, it's all I can do to avoid chasing them down with a business card to do a "computer intervention."
Qualifications
The smaller shops are typically not qualified to do repairs or replace parts in today's high tech computers. If you have a smaller shop that you trust, or an individual that you would like to use, ask about certifications. The bare minimum certification that a technician should have before touching your computer is the CompTIA A+ certification. This doesn't mean that they are an experienced troubleshooter, but it does prove that they know a hard drive from a hole in the ground.
How do we measure up?
Available Technology employs only certified technicians. We perform service on-site or at our location and provide most services within 24 hours. We have been voted
Best of the Upstate for the last 4 years. We guarantee our work and are dedicated to the satisfaction of each customer.
Still, it never hurts to be sure, so we called around to our competitors and asked about the price, qualifications and turnaround time of a very common repair, a hard drive replacement.
Here's how we stack up:
Geek Squad
Certified Techs: No
Cost - $199 - $299 + $89 for hard drive
Time - 3 - 5 days
Total = $388
Office Depot
Certified Techs: No
Cost - $349.99 + Cost of hardware ($99)
Time - 7 - 10 days
Total = $448.99
Local Warehouse Store:
Certified Techs: No
Cost - $99/flat rate + diag fee $59 + Backup $59 + drive ($79)
Time - 3 -7 days
Total = $296
Available Techology Inc:
Certified Techs: YES
Cost - $199 + drive ($69)
Time - 24 - 48 hours
Total = $268
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you or someone you know has a repair issue, please use Available Technology. We provide fast, professional computer service for your home or office. And we care.
So take heart if your computer is mortuus, and take up the phrase that I use to feel confirmatus when things are going malus. ManeoFortis!
Be safe and be smart. Remember: Your computer should work for you, not the other way around.
Habits of Superstitious Computer Users - Available Technology Inc.
Superstitious Much?
A few days ago, as I walked along avoiding cracks in the sidewalk and tossing my lucky rabbit's foot, I began to think about superstitions. From horseshoes to 4 leaf clovers, everyone has heard of, if not participated in, totally illogical activities, the belief in which couldn't possibly effect the results that the participant desires. For example, when I play basketball, I tie a double knot in my left shoe and a triple knot in my right. Why? Because at some point in High School after our team won a particular hard-fought game, I noticed that I had accidentally tied my shoes this way. I've done it ever since.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The dictionary defines the word "superstition" as:
"A belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like."
So a superstition is any activity that a person illogically believes will guarantee that something desirable will happen, or more commonly, that something unpleasant will be avoided.
Common superstitions usually have no basis in truth and are largely geographically centered. In other words, we Americans (or our English ancestors) might believe that it is necessary to throw salt over your left shoulder in order to hit evil spirits in the eye, but other cultures would see us do it and laugh themselves into a coma.
Interestingly, some superstitions are nearly universal. The best one I can think of is "knocking on wood" after saying that something hasn't or won't happen. (I do this, but I'm not sure where I picked it up.) This practice can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt and earlier, and occurs in some form in almost all major cultures on the planet. The explanation that most people prefer is that the ancient belief that spirits either dwelled in or guarded trees and the evidence of tree worship date back thousands of years.
Greeks worshipped the oak as it was sacred to Zeus, Celts believed in tree spirits, and both believed that touching sacred trees would bring good fortune. Irish lore holds that "touching wood" is a way to thank the leprechauns for good luck. Pagan religions believed (and still do) in the existence of protective tree spirits. Chinese and Koreans thought the spirits of mothers who died in childbirth remained in nearby trees.
A Jewish version traces the origin to the Spanish Inquisition of the 15th century. At the time, persecuted Jews fled to synagogues built of wood, and they devised a coded knock to gain admission. Since this practice spared countless lives, it became common to "knock on wood" for good luck.
Regardless of whether you have a lucky tie, or lucky shoes, or a "mantra" to recite before a big day, you have a superstition.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does this have to do with computers? Well, technology is supposed to have elevated our race onto a cultural and spiritual plain that leaves no room for extra-empirical influences. To put it another way, there is no more mystery. Everything's been figured out, there is nothing new under the sun. But being amazingly evolved, complex, intellectual beings, we spend half of our precious time avoiding black cats, walking under ladders, opening umbrellas indoors or breaking mirrors. Because MAYBE . . . just maybe . . . there really IS something out there that we don't understand.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer users are some of the most superstitious people on the planet. Every day they work with things that they can't see and don't understand.Working with all kinds of computer users, we have seen just how many kinds of superstitions we all cling to.
· I will never upgrade. Something will stop working if I do. It's been this way for as long as I can remember. And it's not that bad.
Of course, these folks have a point. We are all resistant to change, but in technology, the change is almost always good. Have a plan and embrace change. You'll be glad you did.
· If the computer doesn't obey, tell it again . . . and again. It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results. My document didn't print the first 5 times, so let's try again. If only telling it louder could make a difference so it really knows you mean business.
Find and fix the problem before the problem fixes you.
· Never reboot! These people think that the computer is like a tightrope act. Or a house of cards. It's working now, so hold your breath and . . . don't . . .move. This is actually the opposite of what we recommend. Rebooting fixes about 25% of all computer problems. There's nothing that can be messed up that we can't fix so don't be scared. Reboot it!
· I'm happy with my mouse from 1994, thank you. It was good enough for my Dad, so it's good enough for me. Can you find an adapter to adapt my old technology to a slightly less-old technology? This scanner is fine. The new ones do 25 pages a minute and this one does 2, but I can wait.
Favorites are good. Comfort is good. But don't miss out on all the advantages that progress can afford.
· I'm computer illiterate! If a problem occurs, these folks are ready to take the blame. I have actually had people tell me. "The email won't work. I must have pressed the 'check mail' button wrong!"
I love telling our customers that it really isn't their fault. Believe me, of all the computer problems that we deal with, very few are actually "user error." Be confident and do as much as you need to on the computer, learn it well, and don't be afraid to realize that these are very complex machines. Sometimes things just go wrong.
Ancient Computer Rituals. A conversation with this kind of user starts like this: "I turn it on, then go get a cup of coffee. If it isn't up by the time I get back, I turn the monitor on and off. The sometimes I have to unplug the printer and plug it back in to get the computer to come up. If it makes a clicking noise I have to shut down and start over again." These people refuse to believe that the computer is basically like a toaster: You push the bread down and the toaster pops toast back up. It isn't magical. It isn't alive. It's a tool - that you can use to advance your career, grow your business, play games, whatever. But the computer does what you make it do, not the other way around. Take the time to understand what happens when you press the power button or how the peripherals like mouse and keyboard relate to the inner workings of the computer. Here's a great simple tutorial to help you learn hardware basics.
· It has a mind of its own! Users who normally have a good handle on technology can fall into this one. This happens when the computer does something totally unexpected or just plain crazy, like spitting out 100 pages of gibberish or the cursor jumps around the screen erratically. Many times this turns out to be virus related, or dust in the mouse, or a failed print job that won't go away.
Patience is the key here. Take your time, reboot and see if the problem goes away. If not, call us! We're not "Ghostbusters", but I've never seen a possessed computer yet that we couldn't exorcise.
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It's fun to laugh at, but truthfully, superstitions are a part of what makes us wonderful as a people. Even with all the change that has been seen for the last 5000 years, we are basically the same. 3D tv and iPhones and instant access to information hasn't made us any less scared of the unknown than our ancestors who have been fossils for the last millennium. I'm sure that the first humans on Earth felt that they could make it rain by doing something like pouring water over a sacred stone. And thousands of years later, I'm also sure that that's one of the things that makes us so unique in God's creation.
Call us at http://www.available-tech.net/ for more information!
A few days ago, as I walked along avoiding cracks in the sidewalk and tossing my lucky rabbit's foot, I began to think about superstitions. From horseshoes to 4 leaf clovers, everyone has heard of, if not participated in, totally illogical activities, the belief in which couldn't possibly effect the results that the participant desires. For example, when I play basketball, I tie a double knot in my left shoe and a triple knot in my right. Why? Because at some point in High School after our team won a particular hard-fought game, I noticed that I had accidentally tied my shoes this way. I've done it ever since.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The dictionary defines the word "superstition" as:
"A belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like."
So a superstition is any activity that a person illogically believes will guarantee that something desirable will happen, or more commonly, that something unpleasant will be avoided.
Common superstitions usually have no basis in truth and are largely geographically centered. In other words, we Americans (or our English ancestors) might believe that it is necessary to throw salt over your left shoulder in order to hit evil spirits in the eye, but other cultures would see us do it and laugh themselves into a coma.
Interestingly, some superstitions are nearly universal. The best one I can think of is "knocking on wood" after saying that something hasn't or won't happen. (I do this, but I'm not sure where I picked it up.) This practice can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt and earlier, and occurs in some form in almost all major cultures on the planet. The explanation that most people prefer is that the ancient belief that spirits either dwelled in or guarded trees and the evidence of tree worship date back thousands of years.
Greeks worshipped the oak as it was sacred to Zeus, Celts believed in tree spirits, and both believed that touching sacred trees would bring good fortune. Irish lore holds that "touching wood" is a way to thank the leprechauns for good luck. Pagan religions believed (and still do) in the existence of protective tree spirits. Chinese and Koreans thought the spirits of mothers who died in childbirth remained in nearby trees.
A Jewish version traces the origin to the Spanish Inquisition of the 15th century. At the time, persecuted Jews fled to synagogues built of wood, and they devised a coded knock to gain admission. Since this practice spared countless lives, it became common to "knock on wood" for good luck.
Regardless of whether you have a lucky tie, or lucky shoes, or a "mantra" to recite before a big day, you have a superstition.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What does this have to do with computers? Well, technology is supposed to have elevated our race onto a cultural and spiritual plain that leaves no room for extra-empirical influences. To put it another way, there is no more mystery. Everything's been figured out, there is nothing new under the sun. But being amazingly evolved, complex, intellectual beings, we spend half of our precious time avoiding black cats, walking under ladders, opening umbrellas indoors or breaking mirrors. Because MAYBE . . . just maybe . . . there really IS something out there that we don't understand.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer users are some of the most superstitious people on the planet. Every day they work with things that they can't see and don't understand.Working with all kinds of computer users, we have seen just how many kinds of superstitions we all cling to.
· I will never upgrade. Something will stop working if I do. It's been this way for as long as I can remember. And it's not that bad.
Of course, these folks have a point. We are all resistant to change, but in technology, the change is almost always good. Have a plan and embrace change. You'll be glad you did.
· If the computer doesn't obey, tell it again . . . and again. It has been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same things and expecting different results. My document didn't print the first 5 times, so let's try again. If only telling it louder could make a difference so it really knows you mean business.
Find and fix the problem before the problem fixes you.
· Never reboot! These people think that the computer is like a tightrope act. Or a house of cards. It's working now, so hold your breath and . . . don't . . .move. This is actually the opposite of what we recommend. Rebooting fixes about 25% of all computer problems. There's nothing that can be messed up that we can't fix so don't be scared. Reboot it!
· I'm happy with my mouse from 1994, thank you. It was good enough for my Dad, so it's good enough for me. Can you find an adapter to adapt my old technology to a slightly less-old technology? This scanner is fine. The new ones do 25 pages a minute and this one does 2, but I can wait.
Favorites are good. Comfort is good. But don't miss out on all the advantages that progress can afford.
· I'm computer illiterate! If a problem occurs, these folks are ready to take the blame. I have actually had people tell me. "The email won't work. I must have pressed the 'check mail' button wrong!"
I love telling our customers that it really isn't their fault. Believe me, of all the computer problems that we deal with, very few are actually "user error." Be confident and do as much as you need to on the computer, learn it well, and don't be afraid to realize that these are very complex machines. Sometimes things just go wrong.
Ancient Computer Rituals. A conversation with this kind of user starts like this: "I turn it on, then go get a cup of coffee. If it isn't up by the time I get back, I turn the monitor on and off. The sometimes I have to unplug the printer and plug it back in to get the computer to come up. If it makes a clicking noise I have to shut down and start over again." These people refuse to believe that the computer is basically like a toaster: You push the bread down and the toaster pops toast back up. It isn't magical. It isn't alive. It's a tool - that you can use to advance your career, grow your business, play games, whatever. But the computer does what you make it do, not the other way around. Take the time to understand what happens when you press the power button or how the peripherals like mouse and keyboard relate to the inner workings of the computer. Here's a great simple tutorial to help you learn hardware basics.
· It has a mind of its own! Users who normally have a good handle on technology can fall into this one. This happens when the computer does something totally unexpected or just plain crazy, like spitting out 100 pages of gibberish or the cursor jumps around the screen erratically. Many times this turns out to be virus related, or dust in the mouse, or a failed print job that won't go away.
Patience is the key here. Take your time, reboot and see if the problem goes away. If not, call us! We're not "Ghostbusters", but I've never seen a possessed computer yet that we couldn't exorcise.
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It's fun to laugh at, but truthfully, superstitions are a part of what makes us wonderful as a people. Even with all the change that has been seen for the last 5000 years, we are basically the same. 3D tv and iPhones and instant access to information hasn't made us any less scared of the unknown than our ancestors who have been fossils for the last millennium. I'm sure that the first humans on Earth felt that they could make it rain by doing something like pouring water over a sacred stone. And thousands of years later, I'm also sure that that's one of the things that makes us so unique in God's creation.
Call us at http://www.available-tech.net/ for more information!
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