Keep Your Money

Fear

Fear

Fear mongering about "privacy and identity theft" is largely industry hype designed to break into your wallet. I am not saying that identity theft doesn't occur, but that it occurs in ways that aren't made safer by using software products sold to protect your privacy. Nor does it usually occur from your computer. Relax.  Here's all you need to do:


    a. Treat EVERY call or prompt to call a company that you do not initiate, as a scam. Hangup. If they pose as a financial institution, find the phone number yourself from the company website, not Google, not your caller ID. If you are being made to feel anxious and it seems like an emergency, you are moments from being scammed. Hang up. Continue your day.
    b. Give out your personal information as little as possible online. (this is key)
    c. Learn how people voluntarily give their identity away.
    d. Setup your credit or debit card to send you a text for every transaction.  
    e. Make sure your anti-virus and firewall is current and effective (see above).

Microsoft Harm Reduction

Microsoft Harm Reduction

When Windows 7 came out I told my customers that Windows could be problematic but would serve them mostly well as long as they installed a good anti-virus. But with Windows 8, 10, 11, Office 365, and the sadism of OneDrive and Windows Update, Microsoft has gone off the rails. Aside from becoming an unreliable partner, they seem to be more in the way than leading the way. I suggest you consider them as we did AOL and start limiting your exposure to their products and your chances for harassment and random suffering. Eventhough just under 90% of the world still uses Windows PCs, this post is to plant the seed that you deserve better.

The days of exciting new software upgrades are long gone.  The best software does this: work smoothly and not be a pain in your ass. It should be invisible to you like your steering wheel.  

The dust and hype has settled and it turns out our computers only need to browse the net, play songs, gather an unmanageable amount of photos, watch movies, and send email.

Here is what I use, respectively: Google Chrome, iTunes, Google Photos, Media Player Classic or VLC player, and Gmail.

There is no rush here. I am presenting these suggestions as part of your long game. Not all of these strategies will be practical for everyone or easy to navigate. They are here because I believe that Microsoft’s trajectory will continue to make your life more complicated, not the less you should be seeking. Microsoft is an entity that hungers only for market share. If intuitive workflow and your routine get in the way, so what.

  1. When it comes to any Microsoft update or upgrade, if your computer works fine, don’t fix it. I promise you will only be left behind with the all those people whose computers still work. Wait until you are compelled to upgrade by something tangible, (like an evil step-mother forcing you or ISIS holding a family member hostage until you do, or maybe until “the power of Christ compels you”). An MS update will never make your computer run faster, usually the opposite.

Clutter and Bloating

Clutter and Bloating

This can be a real struggle if you have teenagers. Essentially, you want to keep all non-essentials off your computer.  Do not download any program that says it wants to help you, and no toolbars, no "helping" programs (remember, your life was just fine without them). I would avoid weather apps too. Watch out for games similar to solitaire. That kind of stuff can have extras. Be particularly wary of programs that tell you they will make your computer faster. They almost always come with some sort of hidden crap and viruses.  

Connexion

Connexion

Why wouldn’t you switch to Connexion?!
Well, what do you know! Now that Xfinity and Century-Link have competition they have decided to try and not be so despicable. Remember how we were treated when they had us right where they wanted us, with no alternatives? And don’t forget all those good times when Century-Link was Qwest and Xfinity was Comcast. I have assembled some of their Greatest Hits!

  • Ever been told by a recording to find help and options online when your internet doesn’t work?

  • Have you ever been left on hold forever, and then disconnected?

  • Does your price of internet seem arbitrary and you’ve hoped you got someone on the phone who gave you a good promotion that year?

  • Ever discover that your neighbor was paying $40/mo less for the same plan that you have?

  • Have you opened your bill and discovered expensive surprises?

  • Have you ever marveled at how many times you could be transferred to the wrong dept.?

Service Plans

Service Plans

Extended service plans from companies like Best Buy, Staples, etc., are mostly a misrepresentation and a scam.  Here's how it works. The salesman will promise that your extended service plan will do everything including cook dinner for you when you grow old, just to get you to buy it.  Whatever service scenario you propose, he'll swear it is covered. They know you want to believe him so you don't have to read the legal document that is the extended warranty. A year later when you bring your computer in, you will find that the guy no longer works there (he's now working at the T-Mobile kiosk at the mall) and everything he promised including stuff that reasonably should be covered is not. They will show you where it says so in the small print. If lightening strikes and your problem is actually covered then you'll receive the exhilarating experience of having your computer "fixed" by the Geek Squad.  Look their reputation up online and experience a community of people besides themselves with contempt. Are there some honest people at these companies? Not if they try and sell you a service plan.

Keep Your Money

Keep Your Money

In an effort to compete in the marketplace (rip you off), ISPs are trying to squeeze as much out of their customers as they can with irregular pricing or selling you 1 BILLION Mbps of SPEED. The average household of 3-5 people won’t ever need more than 50Mbps of speed, or likely 30Mbps. If your internet is slow (with you laptop sitting right beside the wifi modem), it’s always because they are screwing you, not because you aren’t paying enough. You should check your bill regularly and make sure there aren't any "mistakes." You will be over charged whenever the sales person feels it appropriate. You may want to call and ask exactly what you are paying for on occasion. Is the charge necessary and can it be cheaper? Just keep checking their online deals, do your homework, play dumb and let them make it worth your while (considering how many commercials you have to watch and how much of your usage data they sell to marketers and undesirables). I would say a good deal for just internet from Comcast is $40/mo. $50 is average. If it is that good, try and get into a contract if you aren’t moving. If your internet isn’t really slow with Century Link, then that $40/mo is good. I will call them one night and if I don’t get a good deal try them in week or two. Their pricing is like prices in the hospital — whatever they can get away with.

Call at least once a year and ask, "how can my bill cheaper?" Do not get any internet plan that is slower than 25 Mbps (mega-bits per second).

This goes for every service you have: car insurance, health care, cell phone service, internet, everything you pay yearly for. The bean counters keep all the prices vague and fluid so they can increase their SPQ (screwed per quarter). Unfortunately, the more vigilant you are in distrusting these companies, the more you tend to save.

Geek Squad

Geek Squad

The 3-card Monte players of the computer repair world. The stories I hear from my customers tell it all.  The wild prices and ludicrous lines of bull they are serving up make them THE service to avoid. You will suffer less personal indignity and loss of income going to ANYONE but them.

… I picture the Geek Squad people taking your computer into the back and then spinning a big wheel with bogus diagnoses on it to see what they are gonna tell you.

Scumbags

Scumbags

Short version: 

Any “tech support” that you are inspired to call from an ominous warning on your computer is bogus. Any ominous calls you receive that scare you about your computer are bogus. Never let anyone remotely connect to your computer! If you did not specifically go to the company website, (dell.com HP.com xfinity.com etc.) and find a tech support number directly on that website, then you are talking to fake tech support. You will have your confirmation once they ask you for money. Don’t wait for that proof until after you have already let them remotely connect to your computer. If you have given your card number and paid one of these scam companies, call your credit card company and ask to start the process of getting that money back. You almost always will. You have been a victim of fraud. Whether your fake support has actually fixed something or not is irrelevant, your initial introduction to them was fraudulent in one way or another.