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To: SmithL
Dear God in Heaven... when will people learn? I've been a PC user for 10 years. I've been in tech support for the same amount of time. I've been a server admin and a web site publisher. The problem here? People think they have to install every piece of software that they're told will make things work.

Problem #1 here? They installed the Yahoo DSL software. XP, hell, most OSes since 95, can be configured to run DSL without any proprietary software. READ THE FREAKING MANUAL!

Next? When you get a popup that says you MIGHT be infected, you should click on the little X in the corner or you WILL be infected. Pop ups don't show up for no reason. They show up because you installed something you shouldn't have or didn't know existed.

I encourage ALL new PC users to go out to their Add/Remove Programs control panel and look for things that don't belong there. Did you purposely install "PornoBot 2004" or "Shopping Coupons 4 U"? If not... delete. If you did, stop reading this, unplug your PC and throw it in a bathtub full of water... you're useless.

Finally... ask your computer manufacturer to send you a CLEAN copy of the OS on your machine. Some will comply, and you'll get a barebones copy of XP. MANY PC companies install HUNDREDS of useless, inane or otherwise space-consuming programs that may be linked with your email address or offer ads to your computer BECAUSE THE COMPANY HAS A CONTRACT WITH THEM. Yes, many companies do make advertising revenue with companies for adding ad-ware to your new PC.

And one other thing... do you use AOL? If so, why? You do understand that AOL is NOT the internet. It's simply another operating system installed on your PC that is a horrendous memory and hard disk hog and will reconfigure things faster than you can say Bill Gates. Consider some research into the use of AIM, Yahoo IM or MSN messenger, get yourself Mozilla or Firefox, and get on the REAL internet. Content is prolific, and you don't pay $19.95 on top of your already pricey ISP.

65 posted on 02/04/2005 8:34:40 AM PST by rarestia
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To: rarestia
"READ THE FREAKING MANUAL!" Thank you! As another 'go to guy' for friends and family, I am amazed at the amount of 'fixes' I been asked to perform that would have been prevented by simply reading the manual.
107 posted on 02/04/2005 9:26:58 AM PST by RetroWarrior ("We count it death to falter, not to die")
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To: rarestia
Dear God in Heaven...

snip

MANY PC companies install HUNDREDS of useless, inane or otherwise space-consuming programs that may be linked with your email address or offer ads to your computer BECAUSE THE COMPANY HAS A CONTRACT WITH THEM.

Or just save yourself the time, hassle, grief and frustration and buy a Mac mini for $500.

193 posted on 02/04/2005 11:30:23 AM PST by frgoff
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