Wednesday, May 25, 2005

If Only Computers Came With Condoms

As we know, it is a crazy world when it comes to computers. Heck, I know someone that called me in a panic once because his computer said it "performed an illegal function" and wanted to report the error. He was expecting police at his door. Just recently, a virus was found that would lock away your text files, photos and spreadsheets with an encryption key and leave you a ransom note for $200 to get them back. There is also spyware that comes embedded in some free programs out there that people decide to install for one reason or another. With all these risks out there, it makes it difficult to know what kind of files are out there that you can trust. There aren't many. One of the most interesting new sites out there is Clean Software. The site gives great information about most non-malicious free software out there, links to download and a section for comments. Of course, there are no absolutes but this is a step in the right direction. Many people seem to get computers because everyone has one and they only know that clicking things makes things happen. Nice to know that maybe the next thing you install won't be the last before reformatting.

7 comments:

FantasticAlice said...

Thanks for the updates. I love thrifty people... free is one of my favorite words.

I can always count on your site to be thought provoking!

Martin said...

That or relatively obscure. B) Thanks Alice.

RT said...

LOL! I remember my first "performed an illegal function" error. I panicked too! It seems like such a life time ago...

Thanks for the heads up! I'll have to check them out and see if there's anything I can use :o)

Unknown said...

Dang Martin you are turning into quite the tech...should I get you a job doing tech support?

Anonymous said...

You're quite the handy man aren't you? My rule of thumb, I don't download anything until a friend has. I know, I'm such a good friend. :P

Hahah, that "performed illegal function" error freaks out 95% of people that get it. It's hilarious everytime!

Yes, I am a computer nerd. I have to be hands-on though. I don't know all the computer lingo.

As for your last post, don't go blaming me, Mr. Nut!

Martin said...

I don't think they'd pay me enough for my limited scope, Lloyd. And then they'd have me 'on call' during the weekends. So many jobs that I'd love to have if I had the time.

Anonymous said...

The only time I got a really big kick out of that "illegal error" message is when my best friend, who is completely computer illiterate, was using my computer for work and it popped up. She came into the living room screaming so much and apologizing. She thought she had really screwed up my computer..lol.

If she hadn't been so upset in the first place, I woulda really milked that one :)