Don't you people remember back when you were a wee one and your Mother told you "Stop touching it or it'll get worse" and/or "infected"?

I hate to break it to you but SHE WAS RIGHT.

Could you please, Please, PLEASE not mess with your computer when there is something wrong with it and you are trying to get some technical assistance?

Here's what you should know:

*You're calling because I know more than you do so let me fix it and lets not try to make it worse in the meantime, okay?

Just stop touching it. Don't read your email, surf the net, run a scan, open and close boxes, etc. Just sit until further instructed. REALLY.

*If you aren't listening to me how in the world am I supposed to help you?

I especially like it when I ask you what you are seeing and I can hear you clicking away with your mouse but, you aren't telling me anything. My eyes roll so much I'm surprised they aren't permanently embedded in the back of my head.

*No, I actually can't see what's on your screen so yes, you are going to have to read it to me. All of it. Deal with it.

I dont care that YOU don't understand what it means. I do. That's all you need to know. Now, do your best to read it, thats all I ask.

*When I ask you a question I am asking you that question for a reason. Please answer appropriately. Let's not go on to something else until I get that information, ok?

By skipping over information you aren't telling me what I need to know, I'm going to have to go back and ask you again so, just answer me the first time. I know it's actually because you weren't listening, not always because you're.....ignorant I think is the best work to insert here.

*I know you are upset, frustrated and freaked out in general. I understand, really I do but Hell if I'm going to listen to you scream, swear, tell me it's not your fault, etc etc etc. I am being as patient, kind and helpful as I possibly can.

Dont push me. I have this really cool little button at my finger tips that puts you into the abyss. Go ahead, tick me off. Fa la la la la. You'll have to start all over again. I don't care.

*When you call be prepared to give the following information REALLY - no excuses!!!! First name/Last name, phone number, case number (if you have one), Operating System, Product Information.

Once you have given this information THEN we can proceed into the why are you calling me and what is it that I can help you with portion of the program. I actually really do need to know that information to understand what it is you are trying to explain and to further assist you. It makes for good practice on someone asking questions, you listening and answering the questions asked as well. Continue on in the same fashion.

*Yes, Mac's actually do get infected with viruses.

Number one reason I want to know your Operating System. Guess what - I can't help you. Funny since 25 years ago I was doing basic programming with Apple's with the 0 0 1 1 0 1  blah blah blah blah crap. Now you all think they're super cool. Want to know what I think? It's like comparing AOL to Outlook. Pretty Pictures, cool icons, oohhhh I'm special with special stuff feelings. No, you're not. You're stupid. That's what they're built for, stupid people. Hey, not knocking it - just saying. Some people cant handle real email, normal regular computing. If it's pretty and works easy - they like it. Good, you go for it. If it works for you, it works for you. Let me repeat though - I can't help you. Good luck.

Okay - now for the update on the little buggers we're zapping lately.

Still at the top of the list...... AntivirusPro2009!! (good lord people stop falling for it)

Virus Response Lab 2009

The other stuff that mostly comes with it but, sometimes it's all you see at first, if at all:

Downloader

Misleadingapp

FakeAvAlert

Zlob

InfoStealer

ByteVerify

Hacktool

AntiVirus 2010 (they're so creative!Ugh)

Also make sure you got those Windows Security updates done for October, if you have XP make sure you also get SP3 done - don't delay....really.

Adobe released security bulletin for Reader 8...make sure you get that!

 

 

 

**updated with a few pics from along the journey here:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/pete-godlewski/

I find that as I grow older I am more appreciative of everyday and all the little things in life. Just waking up in the morning is nice after all. How odd that seems really because I don't feel old. In retrospect however with loosing people along the way in life I guess that’s how it goes. Maybe it's just who you loose and when in your life it happens that makes you take notice? I don't know but, it's where I am anyway.

Another person from my younger years has passed away. He was a great guy. His name was Pete Godlweski. His passing has gotten back to thinking about how waking up every morning is a special event in our lives. It's an odd combination of events that brought us together in the first place. It makes me think of how simple things in life will and can change the way you think about many things. So, to his memory I write it down here. May he rest in peace. May his family and friends know that he touched lives, that he was special and that he made a difference in the world.

Pete was that quiet intellectual with a great manner about him you just wanted to find out more about. It didn't hurt that he was good looking as well. We had lockers next to each other in High School and had a class or two together here and there. I think the locker thing was the best because it got him to be more openly friendly and even to the point of laughter and silliness. Funny how something so small could link peoples lives. He was really a jokester and although not as vocal about like I was, it was there and you just had to get to know him. On my off days he would remind me how I needed to open my locker, on my good days he'd shut it while my back was turned just to have me go through it all again. Funny stuff really. It was great that he could analyze me instantly and know how to make my day better casually with few words all along the way.

After High School I was one of those that went out of state for college and lost touch with many people I had been friends with. During the summer before my senior year I went home to work the Amusement Park with a great grand opening by the new owners - Hershey. It was the 4th of July. It was packed from the time we opened until the time we went home. I was a Hostess serving drinks up in a little dining room off the Ballroom. While making my rounds who do I see? Pete! Oh my gosh, how nice. I served his party well and was generously rewarded for it. We also stepped right back into the back and forth routine of remarks to make each other smile. It was like we were still standing in front of our lockers and it really was a great joy. After the festivities were over and the place was starting to empty out who is standing there seeking my attention but Pete. I never knew what hit me after that. Well, actually I did. I was swooned. You know how it is.

That was the summer of 1986. We spent a lot of time together. A house on the Cape, nights at the Red Lion, as much time as we could really. We both had busy lives and things we had to do so we did what we could and were happy with it. I can still remember sitting watching the World Series at the end of the bar with him bartending. Should I have been in Boston for that one? Maybe but, thinking back on it now I'm glad I was there. It's a fun memory. It was always fun to see girls approach the bar and hit on him. It was funnier still to have guys buy me drinks from him. How he kept a straight face for those I will never know.

Pete was generous and kind. We spent a lovely Christmas together and he even came up to Boston for our Senior Formal. He was hot all decked out too. I have pictures I will have to find and post a few just to keep the memories alive.

As many long distance romances usually end up, ours did not last. We both had our things to do and places to grow in the world. It was Pete that took the reins on that one and ended it. Although at the time it hurt and upset me I know far too well now it was the best thing to do. I wish we could have touched base again in these years passed just to rekindle the friendship we once had. He really was a good man with a big heart and while he seemed shy he was more guarded than anything. Being able to break through that shell and be touched in my life by all that was good and kind of him makes me realize how blessed I have been.

It was nice to find that he had done what he wanted to do in his life and owned and operated the Sports Page. It was what he wanted, it was what he was comfortable and happy with and that's great. At least it's what he wanted when I knew him well so, I can only think that is how it continued on in his life. I hope so anyway.

My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to his family and friends as it truly is a loss to no longer have Pete in the world but we should continue on knowing we are better because of him.

 

A toast to a great bartender - we shall sit, you shall serve and all will be well in the world.

 

Pics in the gallery:

http://pandafan.tabulas.com/gallery/dan-jens-book-shower/

 

Firstly, let me apologize for not getting these up sooner. Things have been crazy! But, they are here now for your viewing enjoyment so, ENJOY!

It was a lovely Autmnal afternoon affair in the great city of Salem on the always elegant and enchaniting Chestnut Street.

For such avid book lovers it was the perfect theme. A book to go with a gift, a gift to go with a book...creative stuff. And the gifts did show to be carefully thought out matches of the two. I think everyone had a wonderful time with it all. The house was lovely and warm, the food delicious and the company is always delightful.

Congrats Dan & Jen, hope you enjoyed the day as much as we all did.

The pictures are again backwards in the gallery. I have no idea why they keep doing that but, after 3 times rearranging them well, you'll just have to look at them from the bottom up. If the AR OCD gal can let it go, so can you