Help Is on the Way
Strategies for finding answers to your PC hassles, a wacky photographer's dilemma, a cool travel site, and more ways to waste your time.
In this issue:
Help Is on the Way
Get Answers
User-to-User Online Help
Holy Mackerel
What I'm Reading
Time Wasters
Need Some Help?
Help Is on the Way
I get messages yelling -- no, pleading -- for help: "My PC has [fill in the blank] and I can't [fill in another blank]."
I read all of them and pluck those with universal appeal for use in the newsletter and upcoming blog. Unfortunately, I can't personally answer every message. (Hey, it's not that I don't love you; it's that I don't have the time and wherewithal, a word I don't often get to use, to research the dozen Help! e-mails I get each day.)
The truth is that fairly often the unique, PC-specific problems that ail you are things I can't replicate on my PC. And believe it or not, I don't know everything. Just ask my wife.
So this week, I'll tell you how I find solutions for common computing woes. With my help, and your perseverance, maybe you'll learn how to find solutions on your own and, of course, stop haranguing me for answers. (I know, it's the old learn how-to-fish cop-out.)
Quick aside: I was going to embed an animated GIF in this spot. The guy slugs his PC and I thought it was kinda cute. When I sent myself a proof of the newsletter. The animation drove me nuts. So instead, here's a
link to the guy.
Dramatization of typical
user seeking help
Get Answers
First try digging around on your own and seeing if you can find an answer. Or at least a glimmer of an idea that can get you on the right track. Use
Google and type in a few words in quotes -- experiment without the quotes -- that are specific to the problem.
Below are some typical keyword searches I've used when digging into recent reader inquiries. Note the variation in the search "jpg not viewable in IE" and "jpg viewing IE" problem. (I'll have more on Google searching techniques in a sec.)
"adobe flash 10 install problem"
"SP3 NET Framework"
"sp3 problems"
"is SP3 safe"
"retrieve files memory card"
"undelete files memory card"
"screen color camera color match"
"delete Outlook addresses"
"MSVCRT.DLL error"
"MSVCRT IE error"
"msimn Kernal32DDL"
"kernal msimn"
"Error saving web page"
"export AOL favorites"
"IE maximized"
"IE not maximized"
"loading file accessibility wizard"
"jpg not viewable in IE"
"jpg viewing IE" problem
"Word macro problem"
"Unable to run CHKDSK it cannot lock or open "volume for direct access"
"Eudora embedded crash"
"newer versions of stored pages"
"continue running script"
If you're lucky, you'll hit the jackpot and immediately see dozens of hits with links to solutions. My strategy is to then decide which search results seem to be the best. I do that by looking for links that go to mainstream sites -- say, PC World or cNET, or maybe a Microsoft Knowledgebase article.
After looking at a half dozen or so links, I look for a similarity in the answers. That gives me a feel for the advice quality and spot sites that have enough credibility to let me trust the answers.
The process I just described sounds easy, and if you've got some computing experience under your belt already, it is easy. But I realize you may have some trouble deciphering good from not-so-good advice. What's valuable, though, is being able to narrow down the problem by ruling out solutions that don't apply. Then you can take the info you've gleaned and use it to create an intelligent question in a help forum.
Unfortunately, your Google experience may be complicated by vast numbers of close, but not-quite-on-target links. If so, you'll need to fiddle with the search syntax -- remove the quotes or leave out (or add) descriptive words. To learn more about Google searching, read
Maximum Google. FYI: The article is on the old side (but as I always say, so am I) and some links may be kaput.
User-to-User Online Help
We're not done yet. If Google doesn't find a link with an answer, try visiting a help forum and ask if anyone's experienced the problem. On most of these sites, you'll need to register to post a question, but that shouldn't dissuade you -- registration is free.
When you do post, don't waste time with introductory comments such as "I'm a novice," or "I hope you can help." Just state the problem as succinctly as you can including other PC behaviors you've noticed, the operating system you're using, security apps you use, and if it's a hardware issue, the related specs.
Below are some of the help sites I use. Chances are good that you'll have two or maybe three million sites you think are better; chances are even better that you'll be agitated enough to e-mail me with your opinions. I'll post a follow-up with some of them.
PC Pitstop is known for a suite of free, online diagnostic tools. Insiders know that its
forums are valuable, too, with bright users supplying answers to vexing questions.
One of my Tech Editors, Carey Holzman, really likes Protonic for fast, free, personal, private, professional, and accurate help. The value of the site is that unlike a forum, only specific experts can answer your question, so it may take a little longer to get a reply. However, you're dealing with just one person the entire time who is dedicated to helping you solve your problem. Protonic is completely free.
Computing.net's Support Forums offer help to expert users and novices for 15 different operating systems, including all versions of Windows, as well as help for networking, security, and PDAs.
TweakXP's
Tweak.com Forum has forums for XP, Vista (and Windows 7), and separate sections for tweaking operating systems. There are also categories for usability, user interface, system performance, Internet, networking, and tons more.
Tech Support Guy has more than 15 very active forums, including ones for hardware, Microsoft Office, and all versions of Windows.
Tech Support is good if you're on the novice side of things. There's plenty of forum hand-holding on a wide variety of topics.
You'll find lots of forums, but you'll also have the chance to get live, online chat help on
Computer Hope.
For you technogeeks who salivate for stuff about deciphering hash codes in error messages and other binary challenges, there's
The Elder Geek on Windows XP, which also features a masterful array of Registry tweaks.
Microsoft spits out Knowledgebase articles that talk about problems you might encounter using its assorted products. Keeping up with them is difficult, so subscribe to
KBAlertz, a free service that sends summaries of KB articles. Filter your subscriptions based on which of the over 100 Microsoft products you're using.
Your problem could be caused by a bug that occurs after you've upgraded an application. For instance, months ago, one of Microsoft's updates duked it out with ZoneAlarm, a firewall, and some users couldn't get online. More recently, and still unresolved, Adobe's Flash Player 10 wouldn't install if your installation drive wasn't designated as the C: drive; for some people, the player refused to work with IE 7. For that kind of insight, subscribe to
BugBlog's RSS feeds, which could save you some grief by telling you about software glitches and supplying work-arounds.
Holy Mackerel
Don't Take That Picture! Anthony Citrano took out his Nikon and started taking pictures while on the Santa Monica Pier in California. A Pacific Park security guard approached and explained that he'd have to stop shooting -- unless he shows his identification and signs a waiver. How come?, Citrano asks, and is told that because he's using a Nikon, he's obviously a professional and the photos would probably be used for professional purposes. Citrano refused to comply, but did stop shooting; he's now
researching the legality of Pacific Park's demands.
I asked Dave Johnson, a professional photographer, who writes the PC World's Digital Focus newsletter, for his take.
"I've seen a number of stories like this recently, including one in which some authority figure said that your camera was "professional" if the lens was longer than your pinkie. Not sure where that particular unit of measure came from. I know a couple of photographers that have been debating whether they should try to get arrested -- or at least be queried by police -- to make a point, but that seems foolhardy to me."
What I'm Reading
My cousin Judy recently said, "I hate to fly. I hate everything about flying, from packing for the trip, going to the airport, the airport itself, waiting in line, security drones, crowds, and lack of air. The only thing I like is arriving at my destination." Oh, do I agree.
If you have the same sentiments, you'll get a kick out of the
RossTravels blog. Randy's a travel writer, has his eye on the travel biz, and nails everyone -- the airlines, TSA, government regulators, and anyone else making traveling tough. He's also a travel tip dispenser, explaining how to get through security a little faster (slip the screener a fiver), get medical help when you don't speak the language (slip the doc a fiver), and how to squat when there's nothing but a hole in the ground (slip the, uh, never mind). By the by, Randy is a friend and a former PC World editor.
Time Wasters
You know that fish oil your doctor says to take for a healthier heart? It's out, you know. The new thing is krill oil. More potent (everyone likes that, no?), less smelly, and ever so-much-more expensive. Here's the time-wasting part of this time waster: The Krill Cam Video -- your chance to see the little critters in action.
Breaking news! Big drug bust in Maplewood, MO. Six people have been charged with possession and intent to sell, uh, wait... This video appears to show that drugs weren't the biggest thing investigators discovered.
He was on the chairlift, dreamily visualizing zipping down the slopes, skis awash with fresh powder. Then blammo -- the incorrectly positioned fold-down seat opened, his ski caught in the gap, and the poor guy was left dangling. Too bad his pants weren't as well anchored. (If you listen carefully, you can hear him thinking, damn digital cameras!
The automobile driving manual, at least according to the nebulous Internet, says the average driver's reaction time is 0.75 seconds or one car length for every 10 mph. True or not, here's your opportunity to test your average reaction time with this addicting throw-the-dart game. My highest rating is bobbing bobcat. (The site reassuringly explains that no sheep were harmed in the making of this game.)
A few newsletters ago I sent you to Emily, an amazingly life-like animation. Here's a video of Emily commenting on her life-like appearance. I tell ya, this is just weird.
Dumbest Windows dialog I've seen in a while --a conundrum that makes you stop and ponder. Think about it for a minute...
Need Some Help?
Yes, in fact, I certainly do, and you're definitely involved. That's right, it's time for my pesky pitch asking you to forward this newsletter to all your friends, maybe your dentist, and if she's interested, your contractor. Too much work? Okay, then how about sending them the link to the signup page:
http://www.techbite.com.
_____________________
Steve Bass is back from vacation and ready for another one. Until then, send your smart and witty comments to him here: feedback.
Steve Bass is the publisher of TechBite and still writes an occasional piece for PC World as a so-called contributing editor. He's also the author of the absolutely fabulous "PC Annoyances, 2nd Edition: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things About Your Personal Computer," which is available on Amazon. They're cheaper by the dozen.
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