Thoughts...
While reflecting on the 2 questions given to us this week to blog about, I am struggling & realizing I need to know so much more about computers. I've always considered myself a pretty tech-savvy person but now that I'm going through this class I'm beginning to understand how my parents feel when they are trying to use the computer ...and that is the feeling of walking around in the dark trying to find the light switch in a new house. I feel like so far I've been able to walk around this dark room (this class) & haven't run into any walls...but still feel a bit lost & overwhelmed but am very thankful for an understanding & helpful instructor! Okay, so on to the 1st question!
How Can I Improve the Management of My Computer
I know there are a few things I can set up on the computer to run automatically each week to ensure the computer is up-to-date for various updates including software & virus/security updates. My husband has set up a few things to help improve the computer's optimal utilization to include a defrag & disk clean-up scheduled once a month. The McAfee anti-virus protection software is scheduled to check for updates each time the computer is started up to ensure the computer is fully protected. We have also purchased an external harddrive to storage large files like pictures, video & music so it doesn't take away from the computer's harddrive space. Another thing that seems to help with the functionality of a computer is to uninstall/delete all of the trial versions of software that come on new computers. When we recently purchased a laptop for my parents, we had Office Depot clean up all of the trial versions that were on the computer as well as install the antivirus software. If I knew how to do the "clean up" of the trials, I could have saved some money but instead had Office Depot perform the services in order to ensure things were done properly. I've used this analogy before - I felt like I usually do when I'm at the oil change place....like I'm getting the wool pulled over my eyes because I don't know any better. When asked about this service it sounded like a good idea at the time but it is probably something that I'd be able to do on my own with a bit of research.
What I Think I Need to Know in Order to Ensure Proper Computer Functioning & Data Safety
With a bit more knowledge about some of the virus "stuff" I think I'll be more informed to help keep the computer functioning properly and the data that is stored on the computer as safe as possible. After completing the virus assignment I hope to be more aware of what the viruses are referring to and how to keep my computer/data safe. Besides that brief answer I guess all I can say is... "I don't know what I don't know..." so hopefully by the end of this course I'll know exactly what will help ensure proper computer functioning & data safety!
I like your analogy about the wool being pulled over your eyes. I've felt that way many times, but I feel, with the help of this class, a little more empowered. We need to make informed decisions about our computers, especially when we rely on them so much.
ReplyDeleteBecky, I complete understand what you are saying about parents and not know. I educate staff here at work and honestly, going through this class shows me that, though I am good with applications, the hardware and the "guts" of the computer are pretty foreign to me. It is so important for the techies to know both about the computers.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed that anybody would actually want to own one of these things. Can you imagine if your television was this complicated to maintain? Maybe devices like the iPad need to take hold and make laptops and desktops irrelevant.
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