I have been writing about technology for a long time and I have come to understand that people want ready solutions to immediate needs or better want to get some immediate advantage, without really caring of knowing much about what they are really doing and why.
There is some definite advantage in learning tips and short cuts and gaining the direct advice of experts, but when it gets overdone then you can run into serious problems. If you know how do to a procedure or a job and you don’t know why you are doing it and what is behind those actions, you can easily get off track when something changes in the usual circumstances and now you are required to take judgment on something you now very little of.
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Today, for example, a friend came to visit me and she had a problem with her computer that had been apparently infected by a virus. She couldn’t use it any more since every time she opened it up a slew of windows would come up urging her to buy a specific anti-virus software and provide credit card information for the purchase.
Fortunately she was wise not to proceed in the purchase, but while talking with her I realized that her machine had been contaminated three days before and she had been using it all that time while the bad software was spreading everywhere.
She had an antivirus, but it was probably not as effective on trojan horses (the particular type of virus present in this case) and she had seen some signs of infection but she felt covered by the antivirus that she had already installed.
The point here is that she knew she had to have an anti virus in her PC, somebody told her how to get one and to install it, but nobody took the time to explain her what the antivirus was supposed to do and why. Therefore when she got the infection she figured that the antivirus would have taken care of it and continued to use her computer for a few days until it came to a complete stop.
When she arrived in my office, she could not even open a window without the virus asking her to buy some specific type of remedy software by providing her credit card information (that she was smart enough to not reveal).
While I spent most of the afternoon cleaning her machine of the over 50 viruses that had gotten into it in the meantime, I explained her that modern viruses are developed uniquely for the purpose of stealing money or valuable information from the victim and that it is not enough to just have an antivirus, but you need a whole battery of protective software programs that cover all aspects of modern security (these batteries are called security suites, by the way).
One might say that this is too technical for an average computer user, but I would add that nobody goes on a safari without knowing about lions and nobody should ever connect to the Web without having a clear idea of the threats that are out there and how to protect herself, particularly if they depend on their computer for their work and general communications with the world.
Knowing how to use a computer is not enough anymore, just like you can’t just have the best tips on how to run a business. If you don’t know what should happen and why you will run into some unexpected problem that will throw you out and you won’t have a clue on how to go back to the main course of action. The same is true for any other business or activity.
Roberto Mazzoni
Tags: "new business tips", "Roberto Mazzoni"
There is an advantage in learning tips and short cuts from the experts, but when overdone you run into serious problems http://www.robertomazzoni.com/storytelli...
@robertomazzoni true. everyone needs to know the basics and not RELY on short cuts.
[New Post] Don’t tell me what, tell me how – via @twitoaster http://www.robertomazzoni.com/storytelli...
@deangraziosi Thanks for contributing your opinion
Nobody goes on a safari without knowing about lions and nobody should connect to the Web without knowing the threats http://www.robertomazzoni.com/storytelli...
@robertomazzoni You’re right, so who can teach me ?
@robertomazzoni thanks for giving a good one.
A friend came to visit me and she had a problem with her computer that had been apparently infected by a virus http://www.robertomazzoni.com/storytelli...
@robertomazzoni Sounds like same virus my kids managed to infect our home computer – Internet Security 2010 – any suggestions – its fryed!
@robertomazzoni Hey Roberto, are you doing a seminar this month? Where and when or is there a site for it?
True. As computer owners, we must want to be shown more than some quick tips and shot cuts to keep our computers running. The responsibility is ours to learn how to fix things — expecially taking care of our own computer security and ridding our computers of viruses. We must take what we have learned ourselves and / or from others, and apply it to fixing our computer security / virus problems. We must not rely on quick little “tips” we’ve been shown, but instead rely on concepts we’ve learned and thought about to fix things! Sometimes solving a computer problem is difficult and takes a lot of work…
krissy knox
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http://twitter.com/iamkrissy
@robertomazzoni I cannot agree more with this article, for which is why I started a company based on this sole reason. In fact, I feel that any repair shop or expert shouldn’t just fix things given to them and provide very general advice. I believe preliminary training in the basics of the operations and functions of a device used by clientele should be mandatory, or at least highly recommended upon.
@hanibou We provide premiere, one-on-one training with our clients whom have computer problems & issues. We handle everything for you in a customized package of services that meets your needs! Check out our website to learn more about us and hope we can assist you in any way possible.
I have wrote about technology for a long time and I have understood that people want ready solutions to immediate needs http://www.robertomazzoni.com/storytelli...
@robertomazzoni I think you meant, “I have written”. #grammarnazi