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04/27/2009 05:00:13 PM · #51 |
Having spent 22 years working with computers, some random thoughts about keeping a computer running happily...
When buying the computer, get twice as much disk space and RAM as you think you need. Over time you'll fill the disk, and new programs will need more RAM. If I had a fixed budget, I'd spend it on RAM rather than a fast CPU. Not having enough RAM will kill performance. So will not having enough disk space.
When I get it home from the store, I uninstall all the crapware that it comes with. Unless you install your own operating system, there's always a bunch of junk software pre-installed on the box that you'll never use. Most of it starts running when the computer is turned on. Uninstalling all that crap will really improve how the computer performs.
The only hardware failures I've ever had on a desktop machine were hard disk failures. Since laptops get bounced around a lot, they're much less reliable than desktops. They're also more expensive to repair. If you can live with a desktop, it will last longer and be cheaper overall. If you must have a laptop, get the extended warranty. You'll be glad you did. And never admit to dropping the laptop when you call for support.
Buy the new computer and the new software at the same time. The software on the shelves today is meant to run on the computers that are on the shelves today. Buying CS4 for a computer that was built in 2002 is a recipe for disaster. This applies to new operating system versions, too. Usually the reason I end up buying a new computer is because there's a new piece of software I want to run, and the old computer isn't powerful enough, or doesn't have the right operating system.
Clean and defragment the hard drive regularly. Run antivirus and antispyware software. Create user accounts, and run as a limited user, not as an administrator. Do regular backups.
I've built several machines and had good results, but now I just go to Costco and get what's cheap. I find they're just as reliable and perform just as well as something I'd build myself, and a heck of a lot cheaper. And I don't want to spend my time at home doing the same things I do at work. If I weren't doing this stuff for a living however, I would probably still be building them. It's a heck of a lot of fun... |
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04/28/2009 03:27:51 AM · #52 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:
In an age where people are more or less forced to use computers, it amazes me that so few people have any level of "geektitude." People complain about Vista being a poor operating system: Well, maybe a bit of research would've showed you that an Athlon X2 3500+ system with 1gb of RAM wasn't gonna cut it. People complain about getting viruses: Well, listening to the Google threat indicator is generally a good idea, as is using an email server with competent spam filtering. People complain about their PCs getting bogged: Well a certain amount of care has to go into maintaining a clean PC (or Mac, for that matter, it's a universal problem). Everything I know about PCs is more or less a mixture of self education and common sense. If a stupid teenager can do it, why not everyone else? |
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
I think you've missed out on the fact that most people view computers as tools and simply want the machine to get on with the task in hand. To draw a sort of parallel, I don't want to have to learn how to refine petrol when I buy a car, nor do I want to knit my own tyres or slaughter cattle and tan the hides to make the seats. I just want to get in and drive it. |
Not a valid parallel......
I'm certainly not remotely a geek, but I know enough not to ignore or neglect my computers because if I expect them to operate the way they were intended, I understand I have an obligation to know enough to care for them properly. |
I think you seem to have missed out on the premise of my post: that many people view the computer as a tool and simply want it to work. Although it may be necessary to fettle, it's not at all desirable.
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04/28/2009 05:27:09 AM · #53 |
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
I think you seem to have missed out on the premise of my post: that many people view the computer as a tool and simply want it to work. Although it may be necessary to fettle, it's not at all desirable. |
Very valid point, and that's why I bought a macbook lol
Out of interest how many people on here built their own DSLR?
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04/28/2009 05:54:26 AM · #54 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
I wish I was this sharp and thought in such a linear manner when I was 19.....
Methinks we should keep an eye on this young man.....I do believe he's going places! |
Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:
I can't tell if that's supposed to be sarcastic or not, but either way I'm going to take it as a compliment :P |
Absolutely meant as a compliment.
Your commentary relating the upkeep and maintenance of a computer to that of a car is superb and accurate.....in spite of the intended recipient's completely missing it.
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04/28/2009 05:56:53 AM · #55 |
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
I think you seem to have missed out on the premise of my post: that many people view the computer as a tool and simply want it to work. Although it may be necessary to fettle, it's not at all desirable. |
Originally posted by Lutchenko:
Very valid point, and that's why I bought a macbook lol
Out of interest how many people on here built their own DSLR? |
Actually, it's not a remotely vaild point....nobody's saying you have to build your own computer, but it's not a hammer that simply performs one basic task.
It's a complex piece of equipment that requires some basic knowledge and care.
If you can't be bothered to educate yourself to these minute tasks, you will have trouble with it, and rightfully so.
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04/28/2009 06:03:46 AM · #56 |
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
I think you seem to have missed out on the premise of my post: that many people view the computer as a tool and simply want it to work. Although it may be necessary to fettle, it's not at all desirable. |
So I'm guessing you're completely unwilling to put forth any effort to enable you to have any equipment function properly whose use makes life easier?
If that's the way you feel, fine, but at least take the box in to a professional and have it done periodically then.
I'm not quite sure why anyone'd be unwilling to maintain equipment to have it operate properly......but especially being an American and having worked on others' cars for years, I have seen too much of it.
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04/28/2009 06:25:32 AM · #57 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
So I'm guessing you're completely unwilling to put forth any effort to enable you to have any equipment function properly whose use makes life easier?
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That's right. I just want it to work.
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04/28/2009 07:57:39 AM · #58 |
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
So I'm guessing you're completely unwilling to put forth any effort to enable you to have any equipment function properly whose use makes life easier?
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That's right. I just want it to work. |
The Mac "It just works" slogan makes me laugh so hard. I guess... when I disconnect the power cord on my Macbook Pro, it's working when the screen backlight shuts off and is inoperable until I suspend it... and it's just working when the print and scan drivers (err... I guess Apple prefers "software" because "drivers" are something annoying only Windows PCs need, right?) flake out and don't recognize the printer or scanner for 30+ minutes, after multiple reboots... and it's just working when the OS code handles instructions in the order they were received, making any kind of multitasking with even slightly demanding apps slow and useless on lower end machines... Yeah.
If you have such troubles getting PCs to work, then, like I said, wait a few years until Apple's market share increases and I personally guarantee you you will be plagued with the exact same issues. Think of it this way: Terrorists aren't going to make your life miserable if you live in Wyoming. But New York City? That's a great place to make lives miserable when that's your standpoint.
Originally posted by Lutchenko:
Out of interest how many people on here built their own DSLR? |
OK, how's this: Yes, I built my own DSLR. It's vastly superior to a Canon 1Ds MkIII in every conceivable aspect, but it doesn't have auto modes and it cost me half as much as a 1Ds MkIII. It also has a built in toaster and can double as an electrical generator for my strobes. Get me?
Also, thanks for the compliment Mr. Jeb. :)
Message edited by author 2009-04-28 08:07:24. |
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04/28/2009 09:19:56 AM · #59 |
Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:
Originally posted by Lutchenko:
Out of interest how many people on here built their own DSLR? |
OK, how's this: Yes, I built my own DSLR. It's vastly superior to a Canon 1Ds MkIII in every conceivable aspect, but it doesn't have auto modes and it cost me half as much as a 1Ds MkIII. It also has a built in toaster and can double as an electrical generator for my strobes. Get me?
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Good effort...
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04/28/2009 09:58:43 AM · #60 |
Loving the condescending replies in this thread.
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04/28/2009 11:22:22 AM · #61 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
...your... computer...'s a complex piece of equipment that requires some basic knowledge and care.
If you can't be bothered to educate yourself to these minute tasks, you will have trouble with it, and rightfully so. |
Case in point:
A neighbour, a recent convert from Dell and Windows, was complaining about her new MacBook Pro. It was, she said, slow, unresponsive at times, prone to "unexpected quits" and, apparently, "moved or destroyed" her files. When I examined it, I found every file that had gone missing, albeit inside application folders, inside the Home library (!), nested deep in the downloads folder and other unlikely places. Applications, some in more than one version, had survived in equally inappropriate places, and, lo and behold, she had two start-up drives!
After I reorganized her files and folders and ran some maintenance routines, it worked like a charm. She is, however, still convinced that it's the Mac OS which moved and duplicated her files. When I asked her, how she had fared with her prior PCs, she told me, she had always paid a techie to maintain her computers. Macs, she said, were supposed to "just work". If she needed a techie, she could have stayed with PCs.
Which reminded me of my time as a horseman, when my world was filled with riders (and their parents) who believed you should just be able to ride and enjoy horses without having to know anything about them. Ouch. |
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04/28/2009 12:02:52 PM · #62 |
Originally posted by Ann:
Create user accounts, and run as a limited user, not as an administrator. |
Why run as a limited user? I think I follow all the other advice in Ann's post, but I never heard this one. Should I change? |
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04/28/2009 12:39:28 PM · #63 |
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
Loving the condescending replies in this thread. |
Well, you kinda reap what you sow.
You simply cannot expect a piece of equipment capable of performing multiple complex functions to do so without making concessions to it such as its proper operation and care.
It's just not reasonable.
You don't have to like it, or want to do it, but if you're unwilling to do so, don't blame your unwillingness or lack of knowledge on the equipment when it inevitably ceases to perform.
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04/28/2009 12:40:53 PM · #64 |
Originally posted by Anti-Martyr:
OK, how's this: Yes, I built my own DSLR. It's vastly superior to a Canon 1Ds MkIII in every conceivable aspect, but it doesn't have auto modes and it cost me half as much as a 1Ds MkIII. It also has a built in toaster and can double as an electrical generator for my strobes. Get me? |
ROFLMSOAO!!!
I'll just bet you have a 100mpg carburetor languishing on a shelf in your garage, too, don'tcha?
LOL!!!!
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04/28/2009 12:59:39 PM · #65 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Originally posted by Mr_Pants:
Loving the condescending replies in this thread. |
Well, you kinda reap what you sow.
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So someone who has a different opinion is only to be talked down to?
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04/28/2009 12:59:58 PM · #66 |
Originally posted by Bebe:
Originally posted by Ann:
Create user accounts, and run as a limited user, not as an administrator. |
Why run as a limited user? I think I follow all the other advice in Ann's post, but I never heard this one. Should I change? |
You don't have to run as a limited user, just don't do what a ton of people on Facebook do and install a bunch of spyware by clicking on links from random people you haven't talked to in 10 years. use firefox (or at least browse safely) and some solid antivirus stuff, like AVG, which is free.
install more ram and while you're at it, remove all the dust in there ;)
edited to change my thoughts on firefox, it's not a must
Message edited by author 2009-04-28 13:01:17. |
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04/28/2009 01:13:08 PM · #67 |
Originally posted by Bebe:
Originally posted by Ann:
Create user accounts, and run as a limited user, not as an administrator. |
Why run as a limited user? I think I follow all the other advice in Ann's post, but I never heard this one. Should I change? |
Yes, you should change. Administrator accounts have all sorts of privileges that non-administrative accounts don't have, some of which are dangerous. One example is the ability to install software. If you're surfing the web from an administrative account, it's much easier for spyware and viruses to get installed on your machine. While running as a limited user won't stop every bad thing from happening, it will help. A lot.
You still have to have an administrator account to install software and change system settings, but you don't generally run logged in as that user. Here's an article on the subject.
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