Numerous people I know complain about their computers being too slow, full of spyware, or just plain non-usable after about a year or two of purchase of a new computer. (especially those with pre-packaged software from Dell, HP, and such) 99% of these issues are avoidable with some preventative maintenance before attempting to do anything useful with it.
Nobody should use a Windows-based computer of any variety until they follow the following guidelines:
Upon obtaining a new computer:
Uninstall any and all software that you do not use.
Install Spybot Search & Destroy, update it, and run its Immunize function. Run Windows Update. Run Immunize again, and run a full spyware check.
Install all utilities listed later in this article.
Schedule the maintenance procedure to run immediately and weekly. (mentioned later on)
Periodic Preventative Maintenance
Check for updates to all of your software, especially Windows Update and updates to your antivirus and spyware software. Immunize with Spybot.
Uninstall any toolbars or other software that you may have installed by “accident” or no longer use. Run a full spyware check in case something doesn’t politely remove itself.
I just picked up a Dahon Boardwalk S1 for about $200 with shipping. A relatively heavy bike (about 30 lbs) for its type and size, but yet incredibly useful!
Many people have dumped AMD stock after seeing their mismanaged management, debt load, and poorly timed acquisition of ATI. Further clobbering of their situation came from being out-performed by Intel’s Core 2 line of processors. AMD dropped from 15 points down to 6 in a short period of time. Quite appropriately, it was downgraded by most financial firms.
I am holding onto and still buying AMD stock while still giving some regard to that information on the following points: AMD is a large company that will continue to be in business. In the ailing economy companies and individuals will buy the cheaper product which happens to be AMD. They will fix their operational difficulties and focus on a new product (currently already being hyped, pushing today’s stock over 10% up over $7.00). Ramping marketing back up, it should be able to return to the normal price of $15/share and if outperforming Intel, possibly to the high of $30+/share.
The UK Independent reports upon the economic state of the United States. One in eight people of Michigan are using subsidized food stamps. Prices are skyrocketing, and people are losing jobs. Is the US in more than just a recession? They seem to think so.
As Wall Street felt the squeeze first, I was pretty well aware of what it is talking about. The early indicators for me tend to be the general feeling in the area where i work, and also more concrete factors such as the rather predictive yet volatile semiconductor sector. AMD, for instance hit below $6 per share.
A large chunk of this seems to be fallout from the collapse of sub-prime mortgages, but the roots of this run much deeper. `Creative’ accounting and simply sloppy policies on the parts of banks, businesses, clients and every entity in between are the real cause. Businesses are being forced to tidy up in their operations, and individuals (including myself) are slimming down their expenses and budgeting their income.
Now that we’ve gotten through that long, depressing stretch from November to March, an act of human endurance made possible only by the consumption of innumerable Rob Roys, we can finally celebrate the coming of spring, raising a glass to that revelatory moment when the daylight exceeds the darkness.
You see, in winter you drink because you are sad, in spring you drink because you are happy, in summer you drink because you are hot, and in fall, you drink because you are becoming sad. It’s just that simple.
