10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Technology

Gerald · 12-29-10, 11:52 PM

Your gadgets and computers, your software and sites — they are not working as well as they should. You need to make some tweaks. But the tech industry has given you the impression that making adjustments is difficult and time-consuming. It is not. And so below are 10 things to do to improve your technological life. They are easy and (mostly) free. Altogether, they should take about two hours; one involves calling your cable or phone company, so that figure is elastic. If you do them, those two hours will pay off handsomely in both increased free time and diminished anxiety and frustration. You can do it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/te...ref=technology

Note: December 29, 2010

Platapus · 12-30-10, 08:38 PM

On a related note, I received an Ipad for Christmas. Very cool. But I find myself in a technological quandary: I have in my hands, a technological solution, but I don't have a problem this technology can solve. Kinda embarrassing. I find myself in a position of trying to find something this Ipad can do for me.... Which is not exactly how technology is supposed to work.

So my addition would be the 11th way to get the most out of your technology: Make sure you have a technological problem that your new technology can solve for you.

For those with Ipads and an addiction to Uboats, there is an Enigma simulator for the Ipad. Go figure!

Sammi79 · 12-30-10, 09:40 PM

Mostly seems to advise storing a lot of your personal stuff... photos, music etc ONLINE where 'god' knows who may look at it.

(probably only for marketing research mainly)

But do you really want to give them that information? so they can twist their marketing strategies to snag in more people? There is also a reference to Apple software - ITunes in particular which IMO should be ERASED on sight. (honestly my opinion of ITunes as a music player couldn't be worse, I've tried it and tested it a lot) I think the original content of the link is biased toward marketting giants like 'Apple' and although 1 or 2 of the points are good advice, out of 10, this is a poor list.

My advise would be :-

1. Never install any Apple software on a Windows based PC ever. Not ever.

2. O.K, you need Acrobat Reader or PDF files will not view. But only acrobat reader (lite free version) and even that will hijack your comp one day telling you you must have an update (and of course all other running programs at that exact time will be irrelevant (to the Adobe updater) at this point).

3. When you get a new PC/Laptop with windows, it will be bundled with a whole plethora of software which will try its best to convince you you need it when in reality it will only cause you problems. First things to delete are :- Norton (anything), McAfee (anything), Kaspersky (anything), Microsoft Word/Calc etc.. (anything)

4. download AVG latest free version link : http://free.avg.com/gb-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free
and follow the installation instructions carefully. Be sure to UNCHECK the box 'install yahoo toolbar crap' or 'install any other extra crap' when it pops up.

5. Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free version (MBAM) from : http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php,execute it, select 'update' then run full scan. This is the best, most thorough malware/virus checker scan I have ever seen.

6. In time, you will benefit from a 'cleaner' program that will manage temp files, clean the registry etc. I use CCleaner from Piriform again it's free, personally I was happy to donate for their software. Link : http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/

7. Right, I'm running out of advice here so I'll finish up. Simple internet rules. - 'buttons' or 'links' can be manipulated so when you click them, a (rogue) program is installed and/or executed on your system. BE CAREFULL! If it's the download link for AVG11 free then it is most probably checked regularly (a few times a day) and therefore safe to use. Use your better judgement.

8. Don't get an IPhone (my boss insists I have one for emails?!?!) and if you do, use it as a phone - make and take calls/txts. This will ensure never having to plug it in to your PC again, thus negating the need for ITunes!! Hoooray!!!

9. IPads are so last years news. Who's got one of them Windows tablet things? I wanna hear from you.

10. In short when you get a new comp, delete EVERY piece of commercial software that was bundled with it and immediately install reputable free equivalents. This will save you time which is precious and many, many headaches in about 30 days time, when the trial software expires and leaves you open to every marketeer on earth. (and probably some who aren't)

Gerald · 12-30-10, 11:42 PM

Number six, a good but sometimes underestimated tools,

papa_smurf · 12-31-10, 06:14 AM

Quote:

2. O.K, you need Acrobat Reader or PDF files will not view. But only acrobat reader (lite free version) and even that will hijack your comp one day telling you you must have an update (and of course all other running programs at that exact time will be irrelevant (to the Adobe updater) at this point).

I use Foxit reader to view PDF's. Its free and you can edit PDF's, and does not hijack your computer like Acrobat will

Sammi79 · 12-31-10, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

I use Foxit reader to view PDF's. Its free and you can edit PDF's, and does not hijack your computer like Acrobat will

Hmmm I shall check that out, thanx.

Sailor Steve · 12-31-10, 09:44 AM

I just downloaded and installed it. Thanks for the tip.

krashkart · 12-31-10, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

On a related note, I received an Ipad for Christmas. Very cool. But I find myself in a technological quandary: I have in my hands, a technological solution, but I don't have a problem this technology can solve. Kinda embarrassing. I find myself in a position of trying to find something this Ipad can do for me.... Which is not exactly how technology is supposed to work.

Platapus · 12-31-10, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammi79

10. In short when you get a new comp, delete EVERY piece of commercial software that was bundled with it and immediately install reputable free equivalents.

Why the inordinate love for "free". I have just the opposite viewpoint. There is nothing free when it comes to software.

When some company "gives" me "free" software, they have to get their money from somewhere/someone. Now why would someone pay a software company to give me free software?

Out of the kindness of their hearts?

As I get older, I find that frequently I can't afford free any more. It is too expensive.

the_tyrant · 12-31-10, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

Why the inordinate love for "free". I have just the opposite viewpoint. There is nothing free when it comes to software.

When some company "gives" me "free" software, they have to get their money from somewhere/someone. Now why would someone pay a software company to give me free software?

Out of the kindness of their hearts?

As I get older, I find that frequently I can't afford free any more. It is too expensive.

200% agreed
What's so bad about paying for software? Software is a commodity, like everything else, we should pay for it

antikristuseke · 12-31-10, 05:39 PM

Unless it is really made to be free, open source ring a bell?

the_tyrant · 12-31-10, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antikristuseke

Unless it is really made to be free, open source ring a bell?

Open source is good and all that, but we should still treat opensource software like mods. Its good, but we still can't 100% rely on opensource stuff, especially not “10. In short when you get a new comp, delete EVERY piece of commercial software that was bundled with it and immediately install reputable free equivalents.”

On average, the updates and support for opensource stuff is just not as good as Commercial stuff

More than once I was told that since they gave me the source code, i should fix my own problems.

Also, the drivers we use are still proprietary, so its impossible to not use commercial software

krashkart · 12-31-10, 06:19 PM

Some open source software is very well maintained. But yeah, probably a good majority of OSS is developed in someone's free time and doesn't come with the support staff that a commercial software company would have on hand.

EDIT:

@the_tyrant - Whoever told you to fix the bugs yourself is in no position to be offering a product of any kind without proper PR skillage or at least one person who can carry out support tasks. That's sort of a hiccup with OSS; some devs are more code-minded and don't know how to deal with people. A well staffed dev team will have someone aboard who can liase with the public and offer advice both ways. Sounds like you got the blowoff from someone who knows code, but hasn't fully mastered the art of providing a quality service to their customers.

Platapus · 01-01-11, 10:06 AM

I discovered a technological limitation with my Ipad yesterday.

I decided to take out subscriptions to several of the local news papers. It was supposed to be easy and convenient.

I found out that having puppies poop on your Ipad when it is displaying the newspaper is not a good strategic move.

Sometimes the "older" technology is still the bestest.

the_tyrant · 01-01-11, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart

Some open source software is very well maintained. But yeah, probably a good majority of OSS is developed in someone's free time and doesn't come with the support staff that a commercial software company would have on hand.

EDIT:

@the_tyrant - Whoever told you to fix the bugs yourself is in no position to be offering a product of any kind without proper PR skillage or at least one person who can carry out support tasks. That's sort of a hiccup with OSS; some devs are more code-minded and don't know how to deal with people. A well staffed dev team will have someone aboard who can liase with the public and offer advice both ways. Sounds like you got the blowoff from someone who knows code, but hasn't fully mastered the art of providing a quality service to their customers.

Of course, i'm a huge opensource supporter and occasional contributer too
(I work on ubuntu translation)

but still, opensource is still not enough to replace "every piece of commercial software"

12-29-10, 11:52 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Technology Your gadgets and computers, your software and sites — they are not working as well as they should. You need to make some tweaks. But the tech industry has given you the impression that making adjustments is difficult and time-consuming. It is not. And so below are 10 things to do to improve your technological life. They are easy and (mostly) free. Altogether, they should take about two hours; one involves calling your cable or phone company, so that figure is elastic. If you do them, those two hours will pay off handsomely in both increased free time and diminished anxiety and frustration. You can do it. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/te...ref=technology Note: December 29, 2010 __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

12-30-10, 08:38 PM	#2
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,375 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	On a related note, I received an Ipad for Christmas. Very cool. But I find myself in a technological quandary: I have in my hands, a technological solution, but I don't have a problem this technology can solve. Kinda embarrassing. I find myself in a position of trying to find something this Ipad can do for me.... Which is not exactly how technology is supposed to work. So my addition would be the 11th way to get the most out of your technology: Make sure you have a technological problem that your new technology can solve for you. For those with Ipads and an addiction to Uboats, there is an Enigma simulator for the Ipad. Go figure! __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

12-30-10, 11:42 PM	#4
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Number six, a good but sometimes underestimated tools, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

12-31-10, 09:44 AM	#7
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	I just downloaded and installed it. Thanks for the tip. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-31-10, 06:19 PM	#13
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	Some open source software is very well maintained. But yeah, probably a good majority of OSS is developed in someone's free time and doesn't come with the support staff that a commercial software company would have on hand. EDIT: @the_tyrant - Whoever told you to fix the bugs yourself is in no position to be offering a product of any kind without proper PR skillage or at least one person who can carry out support tasks. That's sort of a hiccup with OSS; some devs are more code-minded and don't know how to deal with people. A well staffed dev team will have someone aboard who can liase with the public and offer advice both ways. Sounds like you got the blowoff from someone who knows code, but hasn't fully mastered the art of providing a quality service to their customers. Last edited by krashkart; 12-31-10 at 09:16 PM.

12-30-10, 09:40 PM	#3
Sammi79 XO Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Penzance Posts: 428 Downloads: 272 Uploads: 0	Mostly seems to advise storing a lot of your personal stuff... photos, music etc ONLINE where 'god' knows who may look at it. (probably only for marketing research mainly) But do you really want to give them that information? so they can twist their marketing strategies to snag in more people? There is also a reference to Apple software - ITunes in particular which IMO should be ERASED on sight. (honestly my opinion of ITunes as a music player couldn't be worse, I've tried it and tested it a lot) I think the original content of the link is biased toward marketting giants like 'Apple' and although 1 or 2 of the points are good advice, out of 10, this is a poor list. My advise would be :- 1. Never install any Apple software on a Windows based PC ever. Not ever. 2. O.K, you need Acrobat Reader or PDF files will not view. But only acrobat reader (lite free version) and even that will hijack your comp one day telling you you must have an update (and of course all other running programs at that exact time will be irrelevant (to the Adobe updater) at this point). 3. When you get a new PC/Laptop with windows, it will be bundled with a whole plethora of software which will try its best to convince you you need it when in reality it will only cause you problems. First things to delete are :- Norton (anything), McAfee (anything), Kaspersky (anything), Microsoft Word/Calc etc.. (anything) 4. download AVG latest free version link : http://free.avg.com/gb-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free and follow the installation instructions carefully. Be sure to UNCHECK the box 'install yahoo toolbar crap' or 'install any other extra crap' when it pops up. 5. Install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free version (MBAM) from : http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php,execute it, select 'update' then run full scan. This is the best, most thorough malware/virus checker scan I have ever seen. 6. In time, you will benefit from a 'cleaner' program that will manage temp files, clean the registry etc. I use CCleaner from Piriform again it's free, personally I was happy to donate for their software. Link : http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/ 7. Right, I'm running out of advice here so I'll finish up. Simple internet rules. - 'buttons' or 'links' can be manipulated so when you click them, a (rogue) program is installed and/or executed on your system. BE CAREFULL! If it's the download link for AVG11 free then it is most probably checked regularly (a few times a day) and therefore safe to use. Use your better judgement. 8. Don't get an IPhone (my boss insists I have one for emails?!?!) and if you do, use it as a phone - make and take calls/txts. This will ensure never having to plug it in to your PC again, thus negating the need for ITunes!! Hoooray!!! 9. IPads are so last years news. Who's got one of them Windows tablet things? I wanna hear from you. 10. In short when you get a new comp, delete EVERY piece of commercial software that was bundled with it and immediately install reputable free equivalents. This will save you time which is precious and many, many headaches in about 30 days time, when the trial software expires and leaves you open to every marketeer on earth. (and probably some who aren't)

12-31-10, 05:39 PM	#11
antikristuseke Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Estland Posts: 4,330 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Unless it is really made to be free, open source ring a bell?

01-01-11, 10:06 AM	#14
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,375 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	I discovered a technological limitation with my Ipad yesterday. I decided to take out subscriptions to several of the local news papers. It was supposed to be easy and convenient. I found out that having puppies poop on your Ipad when it is displaying the newspaper is not a good strategic move. Sometimes the "older" technology is still the bestest. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.