When I was young, I thought there was a secret to life I had missed. I figured I was taking a nap when the secret was revealed to everyone else.
So I can't offer much advice on life. But I can reveal 10 important secrets to keeping your computer running in a way that gives you a little extra time for naps.
These secrets work with Macs and PCs alike and don't require a screwdriver or a degree in electrical engineering. You're welcome to them, and I give you full permission to tell others.
They're so simple and obvious that they won't be satisfying to folks who put great stock in answers that involve unpronounceable words. But they're so powerful that --- for those who truly believe --- you'll be able to spend more time enjoying your computer and less time cursing it.
So here are my secrets of computing:
1. Most things that go wrong with a computer, modem or printer are one-time events. Think of them as hiccups. There's no way to cure them, nor do you need to. Just ignore them, and they'll go away. I've seen more computer disasters created by "fixing" these hiccups than from lightning storms or defective hardware. Do nothing unless a problem sticks around longer than a bad haircut.
2. Turning a computer off and restarting it cures most ills. Before you get out the manual and start calling 1-800 help lines, try this. If the computer works fine after you've restarted it, don't try to figure out what went wrong and what you did right.
It's also the best way to restore a lost DSL or cable connection. Turn the modem off, let it sit for a moment, and turn it back on.
3. The correct answer to most technical questions --- no matter how esoteric --- can be found on the Web. Unfortunately the incorrect answers to most technical questions can also be found on the Web. Before you try a tip from the Web --- especially if it comes from a site you've never heard of --- cross-check it by continuing your search. If several sites agree on the procedure, your chances of avoiding disaster increase.
4. The most likely cause of a problem is the most obvious. If the computer won't start, make sure it's plugged in. If there's no sound from the speakers, make sure they are turned on. Computers have the innate ability to make fools of us all. I once spent hours trying to fix a computer sound system. Turned out the volume control was turned all the way down.
5. Viruses and spyware are real. But they've also become the scapegoat for almost every problem. When experts don't know what's really wrong with your computer, they are quick to blame a computer virus or some other malignant hunk of software. Sometimes that's right, but by blaming these guys too early you avoid considering other possible causes of the problem.
6. There's no shame in admitting that a problem is beyond your technical ability. Sometimes the best tool for fixing a computer is a credit card. Use it at a reputable repair shop when you're over your head.
7. There are too many people in the world --- including your brother-in-law and the guy who sits next to you at work --- who call themselves computer experts. There are too few people in the world who really are experts. You wouldn't let your cousin the salesman perform brain surgery on your dog. Don't be too quick to let an armchair expert operate on your computer.
8. Read the manuals that came with your computer and software. I realize most manuals are not as good as they should be. But they often offer information that will help you avoid problems.
9. Don't get in a big hurry when things go wrong. A quick fix often makes for a long repair period.
10. Finally, learn where the off switch is, and use it frequently. Computers and the Internet are wonderful things. But when measured against the value of naps, time with your family and discussions of the starting pitching rotation for the Braves, they are only minor miracles at best.
tecbud@ajc.com
