Plugging in...
Typical diet of a new puppy: anything in sight, usually left in the puppy's territory by accident. Or a stealth puppy could slink off, undetected, and chow on the first available item that his sniffer finds delectable.
Something tells the Tutor that Purina wouldn't be happy knowing one of it's own recently chewed through two monitor cables. The first cable, the original monitor cable, acted as a delicous, thick appe-teaser. The second cable, a monitor extension cable, was indeed the juicy, main course. It was extra long and delicious.
These two cables were not left inadvertently hanging around. The puppy was able to access them both by wiggling through a stairwell railing, plopping himself less than delicately on the rug, and chewing through them while they were still attached to a working computer and monitor.
All the animal fans out there will be pleased to note the puppy's dining experience did not harm him in any way. The puppy's owner however, was out some computer time, and had to employ the Tutor to replace the cables and relocate them out of puppy's reach.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it un-chewed, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
The TUTOR's Code of Conduct
Plugging in...
Being a “Good” Tutor
What does it take to earn that distinction? The Tutor attempts to uphold a certain code of professional conduct once a potential client has made contact. These are some of the things you can expect from the Tutor.
ONE
Return all phone calls, if humanly possible, the same day the call is received. There will be some circumstances that prevent the same-day service, but the return call will come.
TWO
Schedule an appointment for an exact time and be punctual. No window appointments like between 8:00am and 12:00pm – the Tutor respects your time and your busy schedule.
THREE
Speak in non-technical terms when conversing with a client. The Tutor will also speak to any technical support person on behalf of the client, then “translate” into understandable terms.
FOUR
Answer or research and find an answer to all client questions. The Tutor doesn’t know everything, but can usually find an answer much quicker than a client can.
FIVE
Display consistent patience and courteousness for all client questions and concerns. This is THE golden rule.
SIX
Be honest about the time/money involved in solving a problem. If it doesn’t make sense time-wise or economically, you’ll know right away.
SEVEN
Recommend appropriate hardware and software for purchase. The Tutor will either purchase for you or with you, ensuring the right fit for the job and the budget.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Being a “Good” Tutor
What does it take to earn that distinction? The Tutor attempts to uphold a certain code of professional conduct once a potential client has made contact. These are some of the things you can expect from the Tutor.
ONE
Return all phone calls, if humanly possible, the same day the call is received. There will be some circumstances that prevent the same-day service, but the return call will come.
TWO
Schedule an appointment for an exact time and be punctual. No window appointments like between 8:00am and 12:00pm – the Tutor respects your time and your busy schedule.
THREE
Speak in non-technical terms when conversing with a client. The Tutor will also speak to any technical support person on behalf of the client, then “translate” into understandable terms.
FOUR
Answer or research and find an answer to all client questions. The Tutor doesn’t know everything, but can usually find an answer much quicker than a client can.
FIVE
Display consistent patience and courteousness for all client questions and concerns. This is THE golden rule.
SIX
Be honest about the time/money involved in solving a problem. If it doesn’t make sense time-wise or economically, you’ll know right away.
SEVEN
Recommend appropriate hardware and software for purchase. The Tutor will either purchase for you or with you, ensuring the right fit for the job and the budget.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Being a “Good” Tutor Client
Plugging in...
What does it take to earn that distinction? (It’s an easy achievement, one the Tutor LOVES to hand out, too).
ONE
Be as descriptive as possible when you make a distress call/email and leave/write a message for the Tutor. If you’ve received an error message, write it down, in detail, and relay as much of it as you can in your message. The words and numbers in an error message ALL mean something, making the solution easier to find.
TWO
If you’ve made your SOS contact, and haven’t heard back from the TUTOR, AND you have resolved your problem, please call back and leave a message that you have resolved your problem.
THREE
ALWAYS, always leave a phone number or email address when you leave a message for the Tutor. The Tutor does not always have your myriad contact information handy when returning your call/email.
FOUR
If you’ve scheduled an appointment with the Tutor and need to re-schedule or cancel, please try to give at least a 24-hour notice. That notice is much appreciated by other Tutor clients who may be able to take advantage of the opening.
FIVE
When meeting with the Tutor, try to make a priority list of topics and concerns. This optimizes the time you spend with the Tutor.
SIX
Gather your hardware and software in one location before the Tutor arrives. This, too, optimizes the time you spend with the Tutor.
SEVEN
If you have new hardware to install, take it out of the boxes and packaging – you don’t really want to pay the Tutor to open boxes, do you? Oh. You do? OK, no problem.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, are you prepared with the details, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
What does it take to earn that distinction? (It’s an easy achievement, one the Tutor LOVES to hand out, too).
ONE
Be as descriptive as possible when you make a distress call/email and leave/write a message for the Tutor. If you’ve received an error message, write it down, in detail, and relay as much of it as you can in your message. The words and numbers in an error message ALL mean something, making the solution easier to find.
TWO
If you’ve made your SOS contact, and haven’t heard back from the TUTOR, AND you have resolved your problem, please call back and leave a message that you have resolved your problem.
THREE
ALWAYS, always leave a phone number or email address when you leave a message for the Tutor. The Tutor does not always have your myriad contact information handy when returning your call/email.
FOUR
If you’ve scheduled an appointment with the Tutor and need to re-schedule or cancel, please try to give at least a 24-hour notice. That notice is much appreciated by other Tutor clients who may be able to take advantage of the opening.
FIVE
When meeting with the Tutor, try to make a priority list of topics and concerns. This optimizes the time you spend with the Tutor.
SIX
Gather your hardware and software in one location before the Tutor arrives. This, too, optimizes the time you spend with the Tutor.
SEVEN
If you have new hardware to install, take it out of the boxes and packaging – you don’t really want to pay the Tutor to open boxes, do you? Oh. You do? OK, no problem.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, are you prepared with the details, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Top Ten Tutoring Questions
Plugging in...
Are you interested in knowing if your computing experiences are interesting, unique, or in the realm of the mundane? Read on as the Tutor lists the Top Ten questions asked about using technology:
Q 10. How is a person like me (layman) supposed to know THAT??
A 10. You aren't. It's not your field, otherwise you'd be a TUTOR too!
Q 9. What kind of computer (Phone, Printer, fill-in-the-blank) should I buy?
A 9. We'd be having a detailed discussion about wants, needs and budget.
Q 8. How will I remember all this?
A 8. You won't. Take notes, use the internet to research, call the TUTOR.
Q 7. What do YOU (the TUTOR) use?
A 7. Depends on the specific topic when the question was asked!
Q 6. Why do people create viruses?
A 6. For anonymous "jollies" because it's ILLEGAL if they're caught.
Q 5. How did you get started doing this?
A 5. NO grand plan or formal education. Visit efctutor.com for the details!
Q 4. There's a new laptop (fill-in-the-blank) out, should I buy it?
A 4. If it's not broken...
Q 3. HOW do you know so much and stay current regarding technology?
A 3. I read/research a lot; CLIENTS teach me the most with their questions.
Q 2. Where can I recycle my old computer (printer, camera, fill-in-the-blank)?
A 2. Your town or city; Staples, or check efctutor.com for more recycling options.
Q 1. How and why does this happen (question asked about ANY problem)?
A 1. More often than not, it is OPERATOR error. Sorry.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Are you interested in knowing if your computing experiences are interesting, unique, or in the realm of the mundane? Read on as the Tutor lists the Top Ten questions asked about using technology:
Q 10. How is a person like me (layman) supposed to know THAT??
A 10. You aren't. It's not your field, otherwise you'd be a TUTOR too!
Q 9. What kind of computer (Phone, Printer, fill-in-the-blank) should I buy?
A 9. We'd be having a detailed discussion about wants, needs and budget.
Q 8. How will I remember all this?
A 8. You won't. Take notes, use the internet to research, call the TUTOR.
Q 7. What do YOU (the TUTOR) use?
A 7. Depends on the specific topic when the question was asked!
Q 6. Why do people create viruses?
A 6. For anonymous "jollies" because it's ILLEGAL if they're caught.
Q 5. How did you get started doing this?
A 5. NO grand plan or formal education. Visit efctutor.com for the details!
Q 4. There's a new laptop (fill-in-the-blank) out, should I buy it?
A 4. If it's not broken...
Q 3. HOW do you know so much and stay current regarding technology?
A 3. I read/research a lot; CLIENTS teach me the most with their questions.
Q 2. Where can I recycle my old computer (printer, camera, fill-in-the-blank)?
A 2. Your town or city; Staples, or check efctutor.com for more recycling options.
Q 1. How and why does this happen (question asked about ANY problem)?
A 1. More often than not, it is OPERATOR error. Sorry.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Monday, March 23, 2009
An Ounce of Prevention
Plugging in...
Two expensive stories, different people, same problem. Two computers, used by some generation Y-ers, fell pray to severe malware and bot attacks. Both were running anti-virus software, and a firewall, which were no match for the still as yet unnamed attacks. Both were not backed up [iTunes, photos, documents, email address books, scanned images].
Shall the Tutor define backup? Backup refers to making copies of data [your stuff] so that these copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event [virus, malware, bot takeover].
Both problems were so serious [time consuming to resolve] that it was less expensive to buy new computers rather than to invest the time and dollars to re-build the existing computers. Sad but true.
To fix a problem of this nature requires:
1) restore a "clean" image of the computer, restore data from routine backup
2) restore to the day it was purchased, restore data from routine backup
The first option is quickest, but least likely because most people don't have an image, don't know what an image is, nor have they backed up their daily work either. The second option requires HOURS to bring the machine "back" to the present, updating software, transferring files provided they are accessible from the "infected" computer, installing software and testing everything. I really do mean hours.
As with anything, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Any backup is better than none. But an IMAGE of the computer along with a data backup every couple of days IS the ounce of prevention resulting in the pound of cure. Check out the line of MAXTOR One Touch backup units that include the Safety Drill imaging software. Cheap insurance for the cyber attacks we know are going to keep coming.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it backed up, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Two expensive stories, different people, same problem. Two computers, used by some generation Y-ers, fell pray to severe malware and bot attacks. Both were running anti-virus software, and a firewall, which were no match for the still as yet unnamed attacks. Both were not backed up [iTunes, photos, documents, email address books, scanned images].
Shall the Tutor define backup? Backup refers to making copies of data [your stuff] so that these copies may be used to restore the original after a data loss event [virus, malware, bot takeover].
Both problems were so serious [time consuming to resolve] that it was less expensive to buy new computers rather than to invest the time and dollars to re-build the existing computers. Sad but true.
To fix a problem of this nature requires:
1) restore a "clean" image of the computer, restore data from routine backup
2) restore to the day it was purchased, restore data from routine backup
The first option is quickest, but least likely because most people don't have an image, don't know what an image is, nor have they backed up their daily work either. The second option requires HOURS to bring the machine "back" to the present, updating software, transferring files provided they are accessible from the "infected" computer, installing software and testing everything. I really do mean hours.
As with anything, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Any backup is better than none. But an IMAGE of the computer along with a data backup every couple of days IS the ounce of prevention resulting in the pound of cure. Check out the line of MAXTOR One Touch backup units that include the Safety Drill imaging software. Cheap insurance for the cyber attacks we know are going to keep coming.
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is it backed up, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Converting a Digtital Camera to 35MM
Plugging in...
What looks like a beautiful black leave on a white background? I'll give you a minute to think about this. I've seen two of them this month. Give up? That's what a broken digital camera LCD screen looks like after someone sits on it.
And I can't believe I've encountered TWO of them. The first one educated me. The second one looked very similar to the first one. I instantly knew what happened before the camera's owner could tell their tale of woe (I let them tell me - I didn't want to ruin a good story).
Both cameras were made by Kodak, owned by two different people, and sat on in two unique circumstances (one happened in Australia). One camera is still in use, the other can be used but only by approximating where to hold the camera and take the photo. The camera still in use is in use because it ALSO has a viewfinder. The sad fact is: both cameras can no longer display, delete, or show anything from the menus due to the now permanently resident black leaf on the LCD area. Essentially, both cameras have become 35mm cameras, but with a larger capacity to take photos than with film.
Both camera's pictures can be transferred using the camera's supplied cable, or the memory cards can be removed and put into a card reader, or brought to a digital developer. But the instant gratification of digital photography (and quick picture deletions) is gone. If the batteries fail, the date and time cannot be set. NONE of the camera's features are accessible so whatever settings were in place when they were the recipients of the sitdowns, are there to stay.
There is a lesson here, aside from knowing where your camera is before plunking said posterior down: a digital camera with a view finder is more versatile than one without. The camera without the view finder has been replaced with a camera with a view finder. I hear tell the other camera will continue its life until someone else sits on it and damages the view finder!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, do you know where the camera is BEFORE sitting down, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
What looks like a beautiful black leave on a white background? I'll give you a minute to think about this. I've seen two of them this month. Give up? That's what a broken digital camera LCD screen looks like after someone sits on it.
And I can't believe I've encountered TWO of them. The first one educated me. The second one looked very similar to the first one. I instantly knew what happened before the camera's owner could tell their tale of woe (I let them tell me - I didn't want to ruin a good story).
Both cameras were made by Kodak, owned by two different people, and sat on in two unique circumstances (one happened in Australia). One camera is still in use, the other can be used but only by approximating where to hold the camera and take the photo. The camera still in use is in use because it ALSO has a viewfinder. The sad fact is: both cameras can no longer display, delete, or show anything from the menus due to the now permanently resident black leaf on the LCD area. Essentially, both cameras have become 35mm cameras, but with a larger capacity to take photos than with film.
Both camera's pictures can be transferred using the camera's supplied cable, or the memory cards can be removed and put into a card reader, or brought to a digital developer. But the instant gratification of digital photography (and quick picture deletions) is gone. If the batteries fail, the date and time cannot be set. NONE of the camera's features are accessible so whatever settings were in place when they were the recipients of the sitdowns, are there to stay.
There is a lesson here, aside from knowing where your camera is before plunking said posterior down: a digital camera with a view finder is more versatile than one without. The camera without the view finder has been replaced with a camera with a view finder. I hear tell the other camera will continue its life until someone else sits on it and damages the view finder!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, do you know where the camera is BEFORE sitting down, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A Digital DON'T
Plugging in...
Digital cameras are easy to use right out of the box. In fact, they are so easy to take pictures with, the user guide is usually left in the box. Big mistake? Can be. We all use cameras to capture those moments we hope to make into memories and share with others, for better or worse. Digital cameras, pocket size, or professional SLRs, have dials, buttons, wheels, knobs, levers, viewers, and lenses. Suffice it to say, most non-professional picture takers, don't pay much mind to the buttons, wheels, knobs, levers, viewers and lenses. But they should...
The story begins at a favorite restaurant in the I-heart-you state of NY. Good friends breaking bread at a table. New camera comes out of box. Several people around the table try it out. Point, shoot, clicking noises. Repeat. Twelve times, repeated. Should have twelve shots of good friends breaking bread at the table, right?
Weekend ends, friends return to separate lives in non I-heart-you states. Tutor gets a call to assist in the transferring of those unique photos taken with the new digital camera. Tutor has seen many cameras, they are similar in their transfer methods from camera to computer. No surprises until the Tutor attempts to preview the photos on the camera, demonstrating the ease of previewing before transferring. All twelve images are there in full, glorious, VIDEO! Not a still photo in the bunch.
Apparently someone inadvertently knocked one of the dials, buttons, wheels, or knobs into VIDEO mode before the first photo was taken. When I asked the client about the VIDEO selection, I received a blank stare. No, no one had chosen video. WHAT? I have video capability - that is so cool, was the response.
Looking at the twelve videos was comical because while the camera was on, it was being passed around, so much of each video contained ceiling, table and floor footage. Videos require a gigantic amount of storage space and although the camera's storage readily handled it, the videos were so large, the client's email program balked [read:wouldn't send] at sending such gigantic files as attachments. The intent was to email the digital pictures to the friends. Although there are websites that allow very large files to be transferred outside of email, the quality of these videos was less than optimal for spending any more time on.
The Tutor showed the client the knob on the camera that allows for AUTO shooting, video, landscapes and close up shots. These symbols, surprisingly, match the same symbols in the USER GUIDE - and the user guide also contained a brief yet informative description of each symbol on the knob. Who knew?
I doubt this story will cause a major rush to read ALL user guides and instruction manuals, but, hey, someone wrote them, got paid to write them, and really tried to assist in the avoidance of some common digital don'ts. After all, reading is elementary!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is the dial in the correct position, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
Digital cameras are easy to use right out of the box. In fact, they are so easy to take pictures with, the user guide is usually left in the box. Big mistake? Can be. We all use cameras to capture those moments we hope to make into memories and share with others, for better or worse. Digital cameras, pocket size, or professional SLRs, have dials, buttons, wheels, knobs, levers, viewers, and lenses. Suffice it to say, most non-professional picture takers, don't pay much mind to the buttons, wheels, knobs, levers, viewers and lenses. But they should...
The story begins at a favorite restaurant in the I-heart-you state of NY. Good friends breaking bread at a table. New camera comes out of box. Several people around the table try it out. Point, shoot, clicking noises. Repeat. Twelve times, repeated. Should have twelve shots of good friends breaking bread at the table, right?
Weekend ends, friends return to separate lives in non I-heart-you states. Tutor gets a call to assist in the transferring of those unique photos taken with the new digital camera. Tutor has seen many cameras, they are similar in their transfer methods from camera to computer. No surprises until the Tutor attempts to preview the photos on the camera, demonstrating the ease of previewing before transferring. All twelve images are there in full, glorious, VIDEO! Not a still photo in the bunch.
Apparently someone inadvertently knocked one of the dials, buttons, wheels, or knobs into VIDEO mode before the first photo was taken. When I asked the client about the VIDEO selection, I received a blank stare. No, no one had chosen video. WHAT? I have video capability - that is so cool, was the response.
Looking at the twelve videos was comical because while the camera was on, it was being passed around, so much of each video contained ceiling, table and floor footage. Videos require a gigantic amount of storage space and although the camera's storage readily handled it, the videos were so large, the client's email program balked [read:wouldn't send] at sending such gigantic files as attachments. The intent was to email the digital pictures to the friends. Although there are websites that allow very large files to be transferred outside of email, the quality of these videos was less than optimal for spending any more time on.
The Tutor showed the client the knob on the camera that allows for AUTO shooting, video, landscapes and close up shots. These symbols, surprisingly, match the same symbols in the USER GUIDE - and the user guide also contained a brief yet informative description of each symbol on the knob. Who knew?
I doubt this story will cause a major rush to read ALL user guides and instruction manuals, but, hey, someone wrote them, got paid to write them, and really tried to assist in the avoidance of some common digital don'ts. After all, reading is elementary!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: before calling for help - is it plugged in, is the dial in the correct position, and is it turned on?
Unplugged
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