Obscure Mania

Computers are simple, right? Yeah, right. Everyone needs someone they can call to fix their computer. Ever try and call a support line and try to explain your problem over the phone? Or even trying to explain your problem in a short forum post asking for help?

The problem with trying to solve a problem searching for answers on the internet is you don’t know what programs to trust. Ever see ads that say something about how You May Have a Virus or Spyware? How about ads that popup advertising something to optimize your PC to make it faster? And those popups that say you can disable popups by downloading their program? Those programs are usually the ones that are loading spyware and junk on your pc. How are you supposed to know the difference? If you’re busy running your business, emailing friends or busy trucking stuff around, how are you supposed to know if these are spyware or not? Unless you’re connected into the PC world 24/7 you may not know.

Here’s your opportunity, right now. There’s a remote access service that allows support people (me) to connect with people that need assistance (you), securely, simply and efficiently. Click on the widget thing with Cross Loop or go to my CrossLoop page download the small program, create a free account which is optional, and email me about your problem. We coordinate a time when we can get together online, you start your Cross Loop, give me a random one time password and I now have access to your computer and can actually see what your problem is and can fix it right in front of you. You can change the settings to control if I have access to the keyboard or I can only watch in view only mode.

Watch this quick video to see how it works.

Yes I have to charge for my time. But if you use the Badge up above, create a free account, mention Obscure Mania and give me a “thumbs up” on the questionnaire after our session, I’ll give you a 30% discount for a limited time.

Or send this to your techie friend, it will be like they are looking over your shoulder and it will make things a lot easier for them when trying to help.

Ubuntu is an African word meaning ‘Humanity to others’, or ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. It also means, “Not a bloated, slow, bug filled, unsecure, virus laden, piece of crap like Windows”.

Ubuntu is a version of Linux, Unix was one of the original operating systems, before Microsoft and before Apple. I’ve always wanted to try the new Linux versions. I learned computers from the C:> prompt. I also learned VMS, the operating system for  Digital Equipment (DEC), are they still around? And I did some time on Unix on a Unisys machine. I hated Windows when it first came out and any program I bought was from WordPerfect, Borland, Lotus and anyone but Microsoft.

A few years ago I became interested in checking out Linux again, but couldn’t give up a few programs that don’t have counterparts in the Linux world, until now.

The GPS I used was really a PDA on Windows Mobile that I had to download maps from my laptop to the PDA because the memory wasn’t large enough to handle more than a few states at a time. Now the entire US and Canada fit on one SD card. Even with Google Maps and a GPS, I still like some sort of routing program on a screen bigger than my GPS in case I can’t get online. I can’t use my Drivers Daily Log program with the new company. So my main reasons for XP aren’t so strong anymore.

I’ll still be with Windows no matter what now. I need to take the A+ and Network+ tests and this semester I’m taking a Vista class. So I may be using all three. Mainly Linux and Vista and I may keep XP in case someone has a question about it.

Ubuntu is small and fast and it’s getting easier all the time. With all the resources on the Internet, if you have a question about how to do something, google it and the answer is probably there. Linux used to only be used by the Super Geek. Unix as a whole is still pretty geeky, but with the graphics interface they are trying to change that. Ubuntu is being used on a lot of the small Netbooks that are mainly used for going online to check email and surf the internet and it’s becoming more popular around the world.

Want to check it out? There are a couple of different ways to check it out without destroying your XP or Vista setup. Goto Ubuntu.com for more info and I’ll explain more if anyone is interested.

The easiest way to try it is to use wubi. This installs Ubuntu just like a regular windows program. You won’t see the speed benefits because you’re still running Windows, but it’s an icon on your desktop and you can uninstall it using Add / Remove Programs. wubi is a small download, but it goes out and downloads Ubuntu and that’s a 700 meg download.

I’ll explain with more detail later if anyone is interested in dumping Microsoft. My question would be, “Who wouldn’t want to dump Microsoft?” And did I mention it’s free? And the programs that run on Ubuntu/Linux – free. Now, who wants to dump Microsoft?