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Journal Klar's Journal: Computer FAQ 11

Journal by Klar
A few weeks ago, I started a small webpage for myself, mostly a blog with a lil bit of info about me.. anyways, I thought it would be a good idea to compile a list of common computer questions that I get as a quick reference to give people when I'm busy and they ask easy questions. I scribbled out a crappy version for now (curchin.org/faq). The list isn't that big right now, but if anyone would like to give me ideas for things to add/change, that would be great! Also, feel free to send people the link to avoid having to answer dumb questions.
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Computer FAQ

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  • Nice job, I have thought about the same thing. Although I must say that your "common questions" are a bit different then the ones I get :-) (Never had anyone ask about Torrents or downloading legal software)

    May I suggest adding AVG Anti-Virus http://www.grisoft.com/ [grisoft.com] They have a "free for home use" version that is wonderful. I have been using it for years, and have a number of my friends and family members using it as well.

    • Actually, I have been looking into free virus scanners, and have heard good things about Stinger [nai.com] from McAfee. It seems pretty solid. It actually disinfects as as well, which I've seen that a lot of free ones don't. I'll have to check out AVG too. Thanks for the input.
      • I use both an while stinger is great if you think you have one of the 30 or so viruses it scanns for and removes it is no replacemnet for a virus guard/scanner with a complete database. AVG is the best free one I have seen.
      • Nah, AVG-Free [grisoft.com] is soooo much better. AVG offers a pro version for a very fair price and they offer a full-featured free version that checks for every virus out there.

        AVG Anti-Virus is lighting fast. You really don't even know it is running. I personally bought the pro version since it offers better scheduling, however I set my parents computer up with the free version and it grabs just as many viruses as the pro version.

        There is really no reason to be locked down to just a few viruses like the McAfee v

        • Thanks for the comments, and suggestions :) I just changed a few parts. Will do some more changes when I get more time.

          I still think the best protection out there is just to be careful. I use XP 90% of the time, and Linux for the other 10.. I don't run any sort of virus protection, and have never had a problem. Once every few months, I'll run a scanner, such as AVG, and my system has always been clean.
    • As far as free AV goes, i've found that you can't go wrong with Avast! [avast.com] - As every non-techie i've recommended it to has said, it's perfect for the non-computer literate.
  • - In-page links don't work (at least, in Firefox 1.0)
    - Windows-centric. At least acknowledge that Mac/Linux are different. This was prompted by the ipconfig thing ... I suggest www.whatsmyip.com
    - Add something on enhancing security in Windows (Admin only, adding a firewall, AdAware/Spybot, etc)
    • Thanks, all good points. I didn't want to talk too much about Mac/Linux *too* much because most people who need a faq prolly use windows, I should prolly add a bit though.

      Thanks for the tip about in-page links, I use firefox about 1/2 of the time for web browsing, and I guess I never tried them.
    • - Windows-centric. At least acknowledge that Mac/Linux are different. This was prompted by the ipconfig thing ... I suggest www.whatsmyip.com

      The problem I see with that is usually the only time people care about their IP is when the internet service is down and they're troubleshooting. So they can't go to a website to find out what it is...

      But I agree information for other platforms is good. On recent versions of MacOSX, all you have to do is open the network prefrences, and the network status tells you
  • Under "My computer is running slow", you wrote:
    First off, if you haven't checked your system for adware,
    you you download then run Ad-Aware, and remove everything that it finds.
    Maybe re-write that sentence? : )

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