Published November 03, 1999
Quite unexpectantly, and abruptly, the bit-flow stops. Without a whit of intelligence to explain itself, this slave to our will has performed its last deed. We grumble, grimace and surrender to another momentary setback.
Stymied by a machine entrusted to expedite and organize workflow, we sink into anguish and resignation. No one is spared this all too frequent indignity. Computers are like that; yes they are.
As if aware of our need for them, microcomputers are deaf to the audible moans and indifferent to the desk-poundings from their aggrieved key-pushing benefactors. Our computer’s internal clocks even know when it’s after-hours on Friday.
The first secret of the computer maintenance guru has been well learned: to turn it off, and then back on again. That’s simple enough, though marginally tolerable. But what if the once-obedient box refuses you, oh sire? Then what?
Few advances of any modern age have been as cherished and hated. Computers are considerable liabilities unless they can be productive tools. Almost goes without saying that they should be able to fix themselves. But until that day, we are the solution.
At the turn of this 20th century, few knew how to drive an automobile, or have had the opportunity; those who did, learned. So must we be adapting, at the boundary of the information age, or have our agent do it for us.
Not all operating systems, that bestow life to computers, are alike. Some are more difficult by design than others, decorated by an attractive interior, to be sure. But behind the plastic cover and within the bit-processing components should be an architecture that’s easy to use, and to fix. A bigger ball-peen hammer is not the answer; knowledge is.
Nearly every sixty days a faster, sleeker model, and the latest versions of software, beacon to blissful consumers. The unspoken trust is betrayed; not always is the latest the best. With credibly few exceptions, the slightly older computers and even more dated software has proven to be everything a small business or appliance-operator can practically constrain with two fists.
Even a six-month apprentice, anointed by fire, has learned the painful lesson that an upgrade means old reliable won’t work any more. In some environments, changing the operating system means buying all new programs that will run on it.
However, for proud owners of the newest in chrome and colors, heed this, if you will: purchase an extended maintenance warranty, and/or thoroughly read the manual.
For the stressed and impatient, a knowledgeable technician comes to you at an equitable fee. Books, tapes, and instructional CDs are valued resources to the student preparing for next time.
The second counsel is to learn to navigate the maze that’s your chosen computing environment. Can you find a missing file, rename it, move, copy and/or delete it? By exploring the “help menu” topics, much of the basic structure is employable. Also abundant resources on the Net, and locally, answer these everyday questions.
Very confident is the prepared computer user. Nothing is more precious, particularly after it’s gone, than the work represented in documents, fliers, emails, faxes, spreadsheets, databases, and endless other collections of stored bits.
Hard drives are marvelous mechanical and magnetic devices but very vulnerable. Files stored on magnetic media are not permanent. They may be unreadable in as little as five years. An undeserved trust and confidence has dulled responsible reaction to the preaching: “save and backup” your files.
The newer DVDs and CDs are only slight more reliable to tape and drives like Jaz, Zip, Bernoulli, and Syquest. Important files should not be stored on a floppy disk in a desk drawer along side graphite pencils, paper clips and scissors. If the magnetic clutter doesn’t damage them, dust assuredly will.
Like other machines, computers need maintenance! Every few days or weeks of use, any computer should be diagnostically checked for normalcy. All else may appear fine, but don’t believe it. It may be broken. Minor fixes are very common and ensure smoother functionality.
A set of utility programs are essential. They check the directory structure, the listing of all the pieces and parts. At the first sign of peculiar behavior, run scandisk or Disk First Aid and Norton’s Disk Doctor. Other utility programs, such as TechTools, check the hardware. And a defrag program will reassemble all the segmented pieces of each file in your collection of data.
The wide variations of alternating current powering your computer is also a significant hazard to data and equipment. Sensitive circuits operate at low voltage and can be overwhelmed by power dips as well as spikes. A good uninterruptible power supply (UPS), or at least switched power supply (SPS) is a sensible precaution. No unfiltered commercial power source is safe for computers.
Doing real work with unparalleled confidence and happiness implies a practical experience. No competent computer operator is expected to know how it all works, only how it should behave and to prudently react as inappropriate symptoms reveal themselves.