You are not a good tech if....

[sld72382]

OK, there are some good techs and some not-so-good ones. I have found one way to measure their competence level is look at what software/hardware they recommend to their clients.

A person is NOT a good tech if:

He/she recommends using Internet Explorer over Firefox or Opera. Now I know using a 3rd party browser won't exactly make you invincible, but at least it's won't let everything in like IE which is known as the "open door." And don't tell me about IE 7 - it's basically version 6 with a new skin. Oh and BTW, I know by default Firefox can't access certain web pages but that's fixed by installing the IEtab extention. ;)

He/she recommends using Norton Internet Security instead of something better. I have been a tech for 6 years (2 with the company I am with now) and I am amazed at how many times I have to remove this piece of crap software to fix a customer's issue. Version 2006 was a blatant embarrassment to the company, and 2007 isn't much better. Mcafee is also following in the same path. Instead of Norton, there is NOD32, AVG, Antivir, Kaspersky, or F-secure. Any of those are much better alternatives.

He/she recommends ANY Lexmark printer. Yeah, the printer only costs $80. Wait 'till you have to buy the ink. By contrast, a $150 Canon printer not only delivers better quality, but it's ink is a LOT less expensive and lasts much longer. In short, the money you saved will be lost very, very quickly.

He/she recommends a Dell PC "for the support." Dell PCs are actually pretty good (just not the low-end ones!), but trying to get a tech you can actually understand is worse than trying to get a date with Evangeline Lily.

If the client cannot afford a PC with a Intel Core 2 Duo, he/she recommends a PC with a Pentium 4 instead of an AMD "because of the name." The Core 2 CPUs are the fastest right now, but the next fastest are the AMD Athlon X2s. The P4 is junk, even though the clock speeds are higher. I'll try to make a comparison: the P4 is a sports car while the AMD X2 is a pickup truck. While the sports car is fast, it can only carry a small load in it's trunk and needs to come back to reload several times, while the pickup truck is slower but can carry the entire load at once in it's bed, so it gets the job done much quicker. The Core 2? A combo of the 2. :D
Oh, and please don't say Intel CPUs are more reliable. I am currently using a nearly 6 year old AMD 1.2GHz T-bird that has never failed me.

[Crosshair]

Heh, I'm like Stong Bad when it comes to computers. Even though I am very good with them, build my own, and have my A+ certification, I stick with very obsolete technology. I don't upgrade until I have to. My main computer has a 1.4 Ghz Pentium 3, 512 MB of RAM, Radeon 9600, and a 120 GB hard drive. This computer is technically 9 years old because it started as a 486 I bought for $1 and was continually upgraded, recycling the old into the new. I even rolled over my file organisation methods, just copied them onto the larger hard drive. The computer case dates back to 2000. The DVD-ROM drive dates back to 2001 or 2002 IIRC.

/Uses AVG.
//Remembers trying to fing 512 L2 cache chips for my 486
///Then find out that the 256K cache chips are faster because the 486 can access the two banks of 128Kb cache faster than a single 512Kb bank as well as the importance of block size. (Looks at all the blank faces of other users having no idea what I just said.)
////Remembers upgrading his video RAM to 2Mb, 16 bit color at 800x600 w00t.:super:

[symposes]

I agree on the Norton part.
While ive never delt with its fallout aftermath.
My dad works on computers, and everytime he gets one with norton, he almost has to reformat the harddrive to get the computer to act right.
Its unreal.

Dont forget AoHell. While its a good service for people who are not computer literate.(Hey i cant do math can i write that off as math illiterat, or am i going to be called stupid too?) And honestly it is, if you arent savvy, you can still find things, and if you are a smooth talker, you can get it for free. Heres the secret, just try and cancel it. Works every time.

[RichS]

I'm running Norton Antivirus 2005 - before they started to add all of the additional bloatware. As soon as it expires, I'm going to NOD32 or AVG.

Agreed on AMD being reliable - I had an original Slot A Athlon 550 o/c'd to 650 that lasted the whole time I had it (~4 years) before I sold it. Now I've got a Socket A Athlon XP 2100+ I've had for 4 + years (used to be my main machine before being handed down to the kids) with no problems.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

You are not a good tech if...you get mentioned in one of Phone Jockey's posts.

[Gurndigarn]

He/she recommends a Dell PC "for the support." Dell PCs are actually pretty good (just not the low-end ones!), but trying to get a tech you can actually understand is worse than trying to get a date with Evangeline Lily.

"Dell" and "support" do not belong in the same sentence.

[protege]

Oh, and please don't say Intel CPUs are more reliable. I am currently using a nearly 6 year old AMD 1.2GHz T-bird that has never failed me.

I'm not a fan of Intels either. Too many problems with them at work. My current machine runs a 4-year-old AMD 1.25Ghz. So far, no problems. Sure, it's not as fast, but that's not why I bought it--cost and reliability were the main factors.

[Crazyredhead]

After having used IE for 5 years, and having used FF for the last 1 1/2, I can say that FF is better and would recommend it over anything else.

I am currently using System Suite Pro 6 and it is great. I will not use Mcafee, even if it was free for 2 years. It came with the AOL software, when I used it about 3 years ago. AOL and Mcafee together couldn't protect my computer from squat, and SSP6 is better than both put together.

Isn't Lexmart going out of buisness. I heard this somewhere, but coudn't tell you were. I figured as such, since there printers are so cheap. I just shake my head when I see someone walking past with a Lexmart box. I had one several years ago and it was cheap junk.

From what I have heard about Dell, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

I have been looking at a new computer lately. Since I have an intel I was looking at the AMD ones. They just seem better than the intels out there. The AMD looks stonger and faster than the intels.

[sld72382]

I have been looking at a new computer lately. Since I have an intel I was looking at the AMD ones. They just seem better than the intels out there. The AMD looks stonger and faster than the intels.

It depends on how much you want to spend. If you are under a budget that limits you to a Pentium D or an Athlon X2, get the X2. If you can swing it and be able to afford a Core 2 Duo, get that.

[Mr. Rude]

I have to agree with the original post across the bar :)

Core 2 Duo is right snapping good.

But, I love my old Athlon 64 3000+.

33% overclock on stock cooling :angel: ( I run it 25% just to be safe ;) )

[LostMyMind]

A person is NOT a good tech if:

He/she recommends using Internet Explorer over Firefox or Opera.
Bad, bad sld72382 for suggesting firefox. :p Firefox is not more bulletproof than IE. If firefox was bulletproof, there would never be a update other than for new features. By my last count, firefox been updated more than IE7 has. IE problem is it's too popular. The more popular a software is the more it's targeted. And IE7 is not IE6 with a new skin, lets not let bias spread false information. The problem with IE (as well as firefox) is simple, to make them bullet proof you have to force the user to never go to any website that isn't safe, ever. Which will never happen because the pull of the "wtf is that" is just too great.

However, lets not go into a firefox vs IE debate. Firefox has it's good points and IE has their good points. Both have their bad points. A great tech will tell them to use both and pick the one they like best.
He/she recommends using Norton Internet Security instead of something better.
Today, Norton sucks. They get recommended because their name stand for something that has been long lost. I think I still have an old Norton Disk Tools disk somewhere. :lol:
He/she recommends ANY Lexmark printer.
That one made me laugh. Ink is expensive period. I never would have thought that laser printers becoming cheaper than ink. Anyhow, I would throw HP, Epson, Cannon printers into that mix too. They all have really bad printers. (It's really hard getting a good model out of a mess of crappy models)
He/she recommends a Dell PC "for the support."
Support? Whats that? I've yet to find a support department for a computer manufacture that was worth anything.
If the client cannot afford a PC with a Intel Core 2 Duo, he/she recommends a PC with a Pentium 4 instead of an AMD "because of the name."
Again, bad bad sld72382 ;)
I have never had a processor go bad on me. I have had many many motherboards go bad. Majority of problems are because of the motherboards or faulty heat sinks. I love both Intel and AMD. Both have been very stable for me, however I also make sure I get a very good motherboard to go along with it.

Any motherboard with VIA (or SIS) chipset is probably going to be the cause of stability problems. A good tech would never suggest a computer with those motherboards ;)

My best way to tell if you got a good tech or bad tech. A good tech will not get confused by going off the "script" when you ask a question that isn't on their list.

[trunks2k]

Bad, bad sld72382 for suggesting firefox. :p Firefox is not more bulletproof than IE. If firefox was bulletproof, there would never be a update other than for new features. By my last count, firefox been updated more than IE7 has.

That's not a bad thing. I see regular updates to stay ahead of the security curve as a good thing. I remember somebody complaining that they didn't like AVG as a virus detector because it update it's virus definitions like every day. Had to explain to him that it's actually a good thing, not a bad thing.

The big security problem with IE is that it's too closely bound to the OS. Crack into IE, and you can do things that you wouldn't be able to if you found a flaw in FF.

And IE7 is not IE6 with a new skin, lets not let bias spread false information.

I tried using IE7 for about two minutes. Couldn't stand the interface.

[LostMyMind]

That's not a bad thing. I see regular updates to stay ahead of the security curve as a good thing.
I agree. I was pointing that statement to those tech who prompt firefox out as secure and bulletproof. ;)
The big security problem with IE is that it's too closely bound to the OS. Crack into IE, and you can do things that you wouldn't be able to if you found a flaw in FF.
Actually, that not exactly true. The "bound" to the OS, is nothing more than an interface to the drawing window and a few API calls. Firefox could do it if it wanted to, but then they couldn't be able to call themselves cross-platform.

Both firefox and IE allow the user to install programs (activex is a program). Anytime you install a program that isn't screened/validated/etc... you run the risk of installing a spyware/virus.
I tried using IE7 for about two minutes. Couldn't stand the interface.Some people don't like IE7, some do. Just like some people don't like the color green and some do. If you don't like IE7, then fine pick another browser.
If you suggest firefox because you like the interface better, that's fine. I have no problem with that. However, once you cross that line and say firefox is better because it's more secure. That crossing into myth land. And you're not being a good tech for saying that.

[Kilamon]

Dont forget AoHell. While its a good service for people who are not computer literate.(Hey i cant do math can i write that off as math illiterat, or am i going to be called stupid too?)

In the game Tron 2.0, you get to kill "resource hogs" and they all have names like OAL80.exe, ENN386.COM and etc.. It's not only fun but really funny. :lol:

BTW, The Dell WARRANTY SERVICE is OK. I wouldn't ever recommend their tech support (see IllWillPress.com for the smell tech support), but I've used their warranty service quite a bit at work in a couple of different jobs and they're usually johnny on the spot for getting the replacement part shipped out and, for some repairs, a tech on site within 24 hours. The only thing better is HP, but our contract is the 800 lb gorilla that requires 4 hour resolution. :lol:

[MadMike]

I agree on the Norton part.


So do I.

The most recent problem was with a computer that my one friend wanted me to fix for her dad. The biggest complaint was that it was "slow." Unfortunately, there wasn't a whole lot I could do for it, because there was really nothing major wrong with it. From what I saw, the guy who built it for him used ancient parts, some of them so old that the only way I could find a description at all was from Ebay listings for these same parts, which were selling for 2 or 3 bucks.

One thing I always ask for are any discs, especially the operating system. Turned out there were none. The guy had installed Win 2000, because "he didn't like XP." More likely, he installed 2000 because there wasn't any activation crap preventing you from installing it on more than one computer like XP has (not that it can't be defeated.)

About the only thing I could do was get all the OS updates, which I was sure hadn't been done, since he's still stuck on dialup. When I tried, I got some weird error message. After a bit of Googling, I discovered Norton was preventing it from getting the updates. I probably could have solved it by going in and playing around with the settings, but she wanted me to get Norton off and replace it with AVG anyway, so I just did that. Once Norton was gone, the updates came thru just fine.

She's since hired me to built a new computer for her dad, and also one for her son. It's nice to know she trusts me not to rip her off like that other guy did to her dad.

[Mr. Rude]

And as a side note....

AVG for the win!!! :D :D

[Casino Jockey]

And as a side note....

AVG for the win!!! :D :D

better idea.. buy a mac and don't worry about viruses :D

[symposes]

better idea.. buy a mac and don't worry about viruses :D

Atleast until everyone has a mac, and people start writting virii for it.

[yahurd]

Both firefox and IE allow the user to install programs (activex is a program). Anytime you install a program that isn't screened/validated/etc... you run the risk of installing a spyware/virus.
:rant:
[RUDE COMMENT DELETED] firefox allows you to download the program and lets you open it later it doesnt "run them" and as for activex?no IT DOES NOT ACCEPT THESE EXECUTABLES AND VIRUSES IN DISGUSE IT FINDS THE RIGHT *certified* PLUGIN AND INSTALLS FOR YOU IT PROMPTS, AND WARNS IF UNVERIFIED IT IS infinity more secure because its not so beat into the os and many programs rely on it and it looks at files, so given ms's shoddy security record, be very worried veiwing ANY page with the browser
(more at kmfms.com)
IE HOWEVER LEAVES THE DEFINITION TO THE MAKERS SO "flash player 9 from macromedia,inc" CAN BE ANY VIRUS
[RUDE COMMENT DELETED] we are suppose to be looking out for people not claiming inferior technology is superior

*note on the history of activex*
the applet was a part of java introduced along with hotjava, static images became animations all was wonderful, now to kill off applets and keep its monopoly as java is universal, the holy war on java and netscape began,
soon after the victory they replaced critical parts with microsoft parts, killing universibility, the web belong to microsoft, now firefox became blazingly better
"had tabs first, had spellchecking first, was secure first" now microsoft races to catch up so ie8, if history repeats itself should be available in 2010 while firefox three, in a few months, and firefox three, while unfinished is avalable at mozilla.com and installs under the alias minefield so consumers dont think its finished, so remember [RUDE COMMENT DELETED]http://toastytech.com/evil/ieisevil.gifso
http://toastytech.com/evil/stopieani.gifandhttp://toastytech.com/evil/fuckie.gif
interesting that so much of the tech community support would be trolling on the horrible browser, interesting indeed [RUDE COMMENT DELETED]

Atleast until everyone has a mac, and people start writting virii for it.
people write viruses for exploits they write them because they CAN. if not code red, such a powerful virus, would have been written for xp? kill off computing as we know it? NOOOOO it was written for nt 4.0 which ms put out to pasture

[alogram]

I have a Dell desktop and have had no problems with it.

BUT I will probably not be buying another Dell. My former boss bought one that did not work right out of the box. They called Dell, a tech was sent, told boss's wife to let it "run through the processes" and it would be fine.

It wasn't. So, finally they got fed up with not being able to understand the tech support, and sent the computer back. The real reason I will never buy another Dell is because it took nearly a month to refund their money, and this was not a cheap computer.

Oh, and the tech guy that was sent to their house told them that Toshiba is one of the best...and that he rarely has calls to repair them. Any truth to this?

(I really don't know if you can ever get an honest answer to that though...it seems that every brand has people that really love them...and those that really hate them.)

I really really want to buy a notebook.....but I feel so uneducated about them.

Oh, and I hate IE, love firefox. And I hate McAfee.

Just my two cents! :)

[Ree]

I realize that this is an issue that can get rather heated. People can be almost fanatical about their computer brands, OS and choice of browsers, security, etc.

I ask that we all remember to keep comments civil, or take the discussion to www.fratching.com

[Mr. Rude]

In regards to the notebook question, I'd go for an Acer...Fast turn around time on repairs. Not many issues with them. Toshiba has had a bad run as of late, mostly to do with power ports lifting off the board....At least from what I've seen ;)

:2cents:

[LostMyMind]

:rant:
firefox allows you to download the program and lets you open it later it doesnt "run them" and as for activex?no....
IE can downloads the program and lets you run it later. It's an oh-my, could it be. A setting. So be a good tech and turn it on if it bothers you that much. That pop-up warning is not from the download install but the OS security asking if this is ok. You can say no (just like for firefox), it don't get installed. The problem is plainly simple. People click on the "yes/ok" without knowing what they're installing. That is a user problem, not a browser problem. Keep your firefox security myths to yourself.
we are suppose to be looking out for people not claiming inferior technology is superior
By the same token, we shouldn't claim technology as superior when it's just average. Firefox is not the superior browser, it's actually slower on my computer than IE7. I don't like firefox interface. So it makes it inferior for me. However, I also don't go around demanding that people delete firefox because I don't like it. Because I'm a good tech, if the computer is in front of me. I will set up the browsers (both of them) to maximize the protection of the computer. A good tech will never enforce their fetishs on computer that aren't theirs.

I have never gotten a virus through IE. That right, NEVER. So it's not the browser, it's the user not setting it up correctly for their browsing habits.

*note on the history of activex*
the applet was a part of java introduced along with hotjava, static images became animations all was wonderful.....
Hey dude, relax. As well as, go learn some computing history. I don't have to because I was alive and in the industry then. ;)
OLE was renamed to ActiveX. OLE was in existence with Windows 3.0. Much before Java was even thought of. So please keep your myths to yourself. Applets idea was stolen from Microsoft. And we all know Microsoft stole their idea from Apple, which stole theirs from XEROX, which stole theirs from..... well you get the idea now?
people write viruses for exploits they write them because they CAN. if not code red, such a powerful virus, would have been written for xp? kill off computing as we know it? NOOOOO it was written for nt 4.0 which ms put out to pasture....
A virus can written for anything, including firefox. A virus on one computer is no threat. Maybe that owner of said computer might think different. But if a virus don't spread. It's just a minor nuisance. Code red was written for a very specific purpose, to bring down nt 4.0. Why, because nt 4.0 at that time was the most popular business servers. XP wasn't, unix wasn't. And nt 4.0 is still used. It's not gone. That OS security hole was plugged up and life went on. Maybe you're heard of the Happy Email virus. It spread because of the simple fact that majority of computer users will "install/open/run" anything as long as it looks interesting.

yahurd, let me ask you a simple question, have you ever written a virus? And I mean from scratch, not from visiting a website and modifying another's virus. Well, I have. I never spread it, but I've written them. Although mine were just prank virus with clues for the non-clueless to know they been pranked. So don't try to tell me "why virus are written".

[LostMyMind]

I really really want to buy a notebook.....but I feel so uneducated about them.
Well, every brand has their good models and their crappy models.

I love Toshiba, my current laptop is one and zero problems. However, my brother-in-law's laptop (HP brand), the motherboard fried and power supply issues all within a few months. Another brother-in-law got a gateway and he's not having any problems so far.

Your best bet will be to find a laptop that you're liking. Check that model for reports (simple google should be enough). If there are alot of reports of problems, sigh and find a different one.
Oh, and I hate IE, love firefox. And I hate McAfee.

Just my two cents! :)
:p Everyone has their preferences, which is good. If everyone like the same thing, it would be a very boring world indeed.

[Rapscallion]

Closing the thread - take it to Fratching, please.

Rapscallion