Five basics to make your tech life easier

By Rick Castellini A customer of mine commented earlier in the week that he was "amazed" at my knowledge of computers. I thanked him then replied that all of my knowledge could fit in the head of a thimble. And it's true. Many days I stew over how much more I would like to know and learn about computers, technology, programming (which I know butkus about), web design, and web marketing. It's all about the basics One reason I have been successful in supporting people and their computers is that I stick to the basics. Similar to cars, unless you really know what you are doing and you don't mind spending hours and hours troubleshooting a glitch, computers shouldn't be expected to handle anything you dish out. Think of a computer as a tool. You wouldn't use a hammer to cut plywood, and you wouldn't use a stapler to shred paper. Similarly, computers have specific abilities and sticking to those basics will help you stay focused and productive. Rick's five rules of tech Here are my five simple rules to living in harmony with your computer or any technology gadget. 1. Care for it by keeping it clean inside and out. On the outside, don't let it get caked with dust (because the inside will have 3X as much). Dust insulates the computer and makes it hotter which inevitably leads to problems. On the inside, keep your computer clean by using AVG Antivirus, a couple of good anti-spyware programs, browse the Internet exclusively with Mozilla Firefox or Opera, and use a firewall. Oh, and use the disk cleanup utility (or download one from our Links & Resources section at HelpMeRick.com and use it monthly). 2. Don't use shady "free" downloaded software. Instead use reputable sites, not search engines, to find the legit free software. Sites like download.com or tucows.com provide safe, reliable software. If you want to download music or movies, use known download services like itunes.com or napster.com. The cost of "free" can add up to hundreds of dollars quickly. When in doubt, don't download. If you aren't sure whether to doubt, ask first ... preferably someone that knows something about computers, not sales people posing as technologists. 3. If you use the Internet or email and have access to high speed Internet service, get it. Dial-up is dead. The small extra cost for a high speed connection will pay dividends in time and money, I promise. 4. For computer help, find someone good, and use them and only them when you have questions or need service. You've heard that too many cooks spoil the broth, right? With computers, too many "experts" (including tech support lines) will kill a computer, your sanity, your pocketbook, and your time ... fast! 5. I would love to give credit to who coined this phrase, but it applies to computers almost better than any other situation: If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Print out and post these five simple rules next your computer and live by them. Following these simple rules and your computer will give you many years of trouble-free service and save you loads of time. Rick Castellini is an author, computer consultant, and hosts a nationally syndicated computer radio show. Visit his web site at www.HelpMeRick.com for new tips every week and sign up for his free weekly email newsletter.