 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Editorial Carol Daniels cad@melbpc.org.au |
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This past month has been a busy one for me. More so than usual, and not
always for the best of reasons. One thing that has occupied an inordinate amount of my time is software.
Installing some, learning how to use some and uninstalling others.
I don't know about you, but I've been known to put off installing new programs for what can only be described
as an unreasonable amount of time. I've done the same with hardware in the past, too. No matter how excited I
am about the prospect of exploring the new features the software or hardware promises to deliver, there's
always some resistance to messing with a known quantity. Even if my beast isn't purring like a kitten, I know
its quirks. I can almost sense when it's going to crash. Unfortunately, almost isn't good enough when it
comes to computer crashes, and the two that plague me aren't stoped by any of the "crash insurance" programs
I've tried so far.
I've also lost patience with specialised install/uninstall programs. They've worked well, the problem is me.
I'm impatient. I've convinced myself that the amount of time they take, cataloguing the current state of my
system and noting changes made, is greater than the amount of time they save me when I have to uninstall
something. I know that's probably not true. It's just that when it comes to waiting around for the programs
to do their stuff my natural impatience overrides logic, even when I know it's bound to come back and haunt
me, eventually.
When I do install new software, and I do a lot of it, despite my procrastination, I take the minimalist
approach. OK, some would call it the quick-and-dirty approach. I use the Windows 95 install/remove program
features, hoping (against hope) that all will be well when/if I decided to get rid of a program that doesn't
quite work the way I want it to. Or if I realise the new one does everything two others did, and better. Or
if I find one that I use so infrequently that I can't justify leaving it there, taking up valuable real
estate.
Another thing that dampens my enthusiasm as I contemplate installing a new program is the certain knowledge
that I will have to spend some time learning how to control the new or improved program. I know self
improvement is worth the effort. After the fact I'm satisfied with my achievements. But before I get down to
business, I have to prepare for leaving the comfort zone. Since I do it regularly, I have developed a few
tactics to help ease me into the transition. I know, once I've finished procrastinating and I'm actually
making the new - all singing all dancing program - sing and dance for me, I'll be having fun.
RTFM
OK, not always and not always before I install the program, not even I must admit, before I've used the
program. But I'm pretty good about reading software and hardware manuals. Notice I haven't said anything
about enjoying the experience, I do always learn something.
Visit the vendor's Web site
Not just the vendor's site, although it's my first stop. I check for patches, upgrades, and technical tips.
I'm not obsessive about installing the patches or upgrades, but I've found that having them on hand is better
for overall piece of mind, when/if something goes bung and I'm not sure why.
Once I've gone to the vendor's site, I cruise the big sites I find through directories, such as Yahoo. I pay
a quick visit to those that look promising and note those that seem especially well stocked for return
visits.
Find the FAQs
Like cruising the sites, I shop for relevant FAQs. You'll be surprised at how many FAQs there are, I also
admit to chuckling whenever I key in the address for one of the largest and best know FAQ repositories
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/indexu
Catch up on news
I don't read many newsgroups any more, the signal to noise ratio is abysmal and getting worse, if that's
possible. When I'm coming to grips with new software though, I subscribe to relevant newsgroups, for the
first month or so, while I'm learning the ropes. Some of these newsgroups end up on my regular list.
And there's more
All those resources (some would say crutches) are available to anyone. Of course as member of Melb PC, I have
a vast and valuable advantage. Every member of Melb PC does, it's called the thousands of fellow members,
with their combined experience and knowledge packaged in a variety of convenient formats, from formal to
informal, from SIGs to Monthly Meetings, Training Courses, newsgroups and of course, PC Update! There are
even more resources, available through our association with other user groups in Australia and overseas. When
I consider how fast everything in the world of computing changes, I wonder how anyone copes without a user
group to back them up. I'm lucky and you are too. We don't have to find out. We're never alone in the
electronic jungle.
Reprinted from the April 1998 issue of PC Update, the
magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
