Date of publication: January 24, 1999
|
Get your signed copy of The NEW Why Teams Don't Work by Mike & Harvey Robbins from Berrett-Koehler Publishers Just click on the book cover! A fully revised second edition of this award-winning classic by Harvey Robbins and Michael Finley Paperback
Winner, Financial Times/Booz Allen & Hamilton Global Business Book Award, Best Management Book - The Americas, 1995
|
"Lots of us find it a very helpful, human, sometimes humorous, always interesting, often surprising column that has no peer on the freelance market, And, yes, you can use that as a
testimonial if it helps." "No one talks about the ups and downs of technology like Michael Finley. See his columns online at www.mfinley.com/. -- James S. Derk, Evansville (IN) Courier
Comments on the site (especially interested in opinions on PayPal, the Amazon tip jar, and Microsoft Reader e-books.)
Comments on this column:
I recently read the January 1999 issue of Computer User (San Antonio)
and have these few comments about your column "Techno Answer Man".
I saw no useful advice and instead it was shameful and vile at best.
I'm sure you've stopped reading this by now (sensing your base nature),
but stop writing this column and close down your website.
Your ill spirited comments are not needed in today's already tense and
troubled world. If you can't say something constructive...shut the hell
up. My only advice would be to take 1 to 2 tablespoons of Castor Oil (or
equivalent purgative) to eliminate the problem.
One mans opinion...enough said!
![[IMAGE]](http://mfinley.com/gif/finley.gif)
I just got my author's copies of a new book from Financial Times Management (London), MASTERS OF THE WIRED WORLD: Cyberspace Speaks Out.What's remarkable is that this collection of manifestos about the new age a'dawning contains proclamations by Tony Blair, Al Gore, Charles Handy, Nicholas Negroponte, Arthur C. Clarke, Alvin Toffler ... and me.
The Techno Answer Man has been grinding out user questions for over fourteen years. Here he is again, with another helpful installment of
Happy Computing!
Dear Techno Answer Man: I recently took my computer tower in for repairs after experiencing problems with booting up Windows 95. They say the drive is dead, but it's only 6 months old. Can you help?
Gwen W., Kalispell MT
What would you think the odds are that the people you showed your computer to would understand your problem less than the Techno Answer Man, who has never seen your damn machine and couldn't care less about it? Not too good, I'd say.
Dear Techno Answer Man: I recently bought a Compaq Presario 1810 laptop. It's giving me conniptions. It won't shut down completely, the screen flickers and spasms, and it won't start up again unless I hold it diagonally! Whenever I try to do work on it goes into diskscan for about 15 minutes, then the screen goes blank. Unless I hold the CTRL key down during startup, I get the CMOS screen. I have spent three months trying to get Compaq, or anyone, to help me with this nightmare. What should I do?
Jack S., Phoenix
I'm not familiar with that model. A common assumption is that I have every computer ever made, and I know every one inside and out. For that to be true I would need a very large office, and a very small life. The truth is, I only have one laptop, a Dell, and none of that ever happens on mine. Happy Computing Tip #3,281: Unless you want lemonade, don't buy lemons.
Dear Techno Answer Man: I love Happy Computing! and read it every chance I get. Here's my problem. I run my laptop from the battery a lot, and I'm trying to come up with a way to know what the battery's life expectancy is. Have you dealt with this problem?
Allen H., Willamette CT
What I do, I run the computer until the screen gets real dim, and then I recharge the battery. Or I put another one in. Duh.
Dear Techno Answer Man: I recently created a macro that allows you to create flashing type in Word 97. It's easy to toggle on, and you can make all sorts of interesting special typographical effects with it. I use it for web sites, banners, and birthday cards. The kids especially like it. Would you like to share it with your readers?
Ferd N., Castalia OH
No.
Dear Techno Answer Man: My monitor is fine most of the time. But every now and then, when I'm just sitting down in front of it, the image shimmies, and the only thing that makes it right again is if I power down and then up. Any idea what what the problem might be?
Arturo C., Schenectady NY
Yes. Your monitor is busted.
Dear Techno Answer Man: I am looking for a reliable encryption program to keep my files from falling into the wrong hands. I'm aware of several products on the market, but don't know which one is best. I'm betting you have a terrific recommendation for me.
Neil S., Tucumcari NM
Neil, what makes you think anyone on this earth would want to read your files? I could barely make it through your letter. It's not like you're running a school for industrial espionage. Natural boringness is all the security you will ever need, and you've got it in spades.
Dear Techno Answer Man: My modem, a v90 USRobotics Sportster, doesn't connect with my ISP. I don't know if there's an AT command out of synch in the INIT string, or my modem just doesn't like my ISP's modems. Anyway, I dial, and it rings, and it wants to connect, but it just hangs up. I don't know what to do. Techno Answer Man, you're my last hope.
Lisa D., Baltimore
Keep dialing, Lisa -- maybe you'll get lucky.
That's all for this installment. But hold onto your technology questions till the next time Techno Answer Man agrees to read his mail. Till then -- Happy Computing!
Techno Answer Man is the copyrighted creation of Michael Finley. Any unauthorized reproduction or use of the Techno Answer Man name or trademark will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
To purchase Techno Answer Man's Happy Computing!, or the sequels More Happy Computing!, Even More Happy Computing!, and Really, Really Happy Computing!: The Very Best of Techno Answer Man, visit his website at http://mfinley.com.
|
Get your signed copy of The NEW Why Teams Don't Work by Mike & Harvey Robbins from Berrett-Koehler Publishers Just click on the book cover! A fully revised second edition of this award-winning classic by Harvey Robbins and Michael Finley Paperback
Winner, Financial Times/Booz Allen & Hamilton Global Business Book Award, Best Management Book - The Americas, 1995
|
America's Best-Loved Futurist(TM), Michael Finley has a free gift for visitors to http://mfinley.com.
I enjoyed serving this essay up for you, and I did
it for free. But I am a few clients lighter right now than I need to be,
and a bit of revenue never hurts.
If you'd like to contribute to this site, consider dropping a $1 tip in the "Honor
Box" here. Think of it as a voluntary subscription. Just click the CLICK TO
PAY image here. Thanks! - Mike
Total tips, year
to date: $203.00 - MANY THANKS!
