by Dave Moore, CISSP
01/01/2023
Even though it’s just another turning of the globe, New Year’s Day is supposed to be symbolic of new beginnings, new directions, new resolve and an opportunity to start over. Those being the laudable ideas that they are, consider the following resolutions to give yourself a new beginning with your computer.
- I will learn how to use my computer’s file manager. If you use Microsoft Windows, then your computer’s file management program is called File Explorer. If you use an Apple Mac, it’s called Finder. If you don’t know how to use your computer’s file manager, then you don’t know how to use a computer and it’s time you learned. Just remember, every time someone learns how to copy and paste files in their file manager, an angel gets its wings.
- I will read thoroughly what is on my screen, and be careful what I click on. Many Internet-related disasters, such as viruses and identity theft, can be avoided by using some common sense. The basic rule here is, when in doubt, don’t click. If, after reading thoroughly, I still don’t know what’s going on, I will call Dave.
- I will perform basic computer maintenance chores on a regular basis. This resolution includes things like dumping temporary files, erasing cookies and uninstalling useless programs and apps. If you don’t know what those things mean, then you will definitely want to heed the next resolution, which is:
- If I come across computer terms that I don’t understand, then I will look them up. I meet incredibly bright people all of the time who say they can’t understand computers because they don’t understand the terminology. The solution to this dilemma is — you guessed it — a dictionary, and to the rescue comes the Internet, which is sort of like one gigantic dictionary. Here’s a hint: if you don’t understand a certain word or phrase, go to Google and type the word “definition,” followed by the word or phrase in question. The results can be amazing.
- I will learn to use help files. Almost every computer program has what are called “help” files. Help files are the instructions on how to use that particular program. Many computer questions can be answered simply by reading the help files.
- I will not call Dave with computer questions during the last 10 minutes of any football game in which Oklahoma is playing. This has actually happened to me more than once. The game is tense. The score is close, and only a few minutes remain. Suddenly, my phone rings. Is it a family emergency? Have I won the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes? Is it the President calling to send me on a secret mission to a far-away land? No, it’s someone calling to get me to drop everything and teach them how to use File Explorer over the phone in 10 minutes while the fate of Oklahoma football hangs in the balance. Aaaaarghhh!
Happy New Year, everyone; it’s going to be great.
Dave Moore, CISSP, has been fixing computers in Oklahoma since 1984. Founder of the non-profit Internet Safety Group Ltd., he also teaches Internet safety community training workshops. He can be reached at 405-919-9901 or www.internetsafetygroup.org