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Computer Update and Queries
Dec. 11th, 2006 10:41 amSo now our BlueScreened computer is in the hands of the MIS department at my office. I bought it from them, and so they would be the ones to have the appropriate software to revive my machine. There is a chance that it might need a total reformatting, which would suck big-time, but I am hoping it doesn't come to that. (This is a reminder to all of us that it's a good idea to back up data often.)
Once the machine is back and running, the plan is to bid farewell to AOL, whose SpyZapper software was the culprit. Unlike almost everyone else on Earth, I like AOL. I don't like SpyZapper, but I like AOL. But it's clear that they no longer want my buisness (or anyone else's) anyway, and that dial-up just won't cut it any more. This current fiasco is merely a sign that it's time to move on.
But to which ISP? I throw it open to the New Yorkers on my list. Should we look into cable-based Internet? If so, will we be penalized for not having cable TV? Will we be forced to have both? (I really don't want to get cable TV, even though our reception is hit and miss). What about Verizon? Is anyone on their $18 a month plan? How much do these things cost (and I mean after taxes)? Are there any services that don't advertise I should know about?
Our IT man here recommends that you buy a physical firewall instead of using software. Does anyone have an opinion about this? What anti-virus programs do you recommend? (We used to use a version of MacAfee that was web-based but it kept downloading updates all the time and slowed our computer down badly.) What anti-spyware programs do you recommend?
Feel free to comment here, or to e-mail me at sdelmonte @ aol.com. Any and all input would be appreciated.
Once the machine is back and running, the plan is to bid farewell to AOL, whose SpyZapper software was the culprit. Unlike almost everyone else on Earth, I like AOL. I don't like SpyZapper, but I like AOL. But it's clear that they no longer want my buisness (or anyone else's) anyway, and that dial-up just won't cut it any more. This current fiasco is merely a sign that it's time to move on.
But to which ISP? I throw it open to the New Yorkers on my list. Should we look into cable-based Internet? If so, will we be penalized for not having cable TV? Will we be forced to have both? (I really don't want to get cable TV, even though our reception is hit and miss). What about Verizon? Is anyone on their $18 a month plan? How much do these things cost (and I mean after taxes)? Are there any services that don't advertise I should know about?
Our IT man here recommends that you buy a physical firewall instead of using software. Does anyone have an opinion about this? What anti-virus programs do you recommend? (We used to use a version of MacAfee that was web-based but it kept downloading updates all the time and slowed our computer down badly.) What anti-spyware programs do you recommend?
Feel free to comment here, or to e-mail me at sdelmonte @ aol.com. Any and all input would be appreciated.
