Thursday, October 19, 2006

We'll Cross That Bridge When We Come To It

Photograph by Kilroy_60
I've been wrestling with a question this past week. Is it easier to provide other people with good advice than to apply that knowledge in our own lives?

For the past three years I've worked with an IT person who has taken care of everything with my office computer. In August, he moved to Atlanta. The date I can't tell you is when I last backed up my computer. In the business, that's what we refer to as...a
PROBLEM.

In so happens that a couple weeks ago I was sorting through a stack of newspapers; one of them had an article on The Geek Squad. I thought that would make good reading; something that might be of assistance to clients.

{Taking a break here for a snack...roasted red pepper hummus on roasted garlic organic bread and pomegranate/cranberry juice}

My experience with the geeks thus far has been, let me choose this word carefully...interesting.

Thinking back, I may have made the wrong choice...

13 comments:

Miss Kitty said...

Oh, my! I feel your computer-trouble pain, Kilroy.

My CD-ROM drive died a month ago. I have a new one ready to install, but I don't have enough of an idea what I'm looking at to feel confident doing it on my own. And I'm unsure about calling in Geek Squad or another similar service.

Best of luck with your computer. Hope everything turns out all right.

The SUCCESS Coach said...

Three thoughts come to mind:

...Physician heal thyself.

...Attorneys who represent themselves have fools for clients.

...If you want to see someone who needs work done on their car, look at a mechanic.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Thank God... My brother is computer savy! He's my very own GEEK! ~M

Just another thing to be grateful for!

Anonymous said...

Call your old IT manager and ask him about backing up the system. He should be able to guide you through it over the phone.

But geeks are interesting.

The Wandering Author said...

Kilroy, when you don't know the last date you backed up, you're begging for trouble. Do a search for "xxcopy" - it's freeware, and it's a more powerful version of the old DOS xcopy command.

For reasons too long to go into here, it also provides a safer backup for user files. You can afford to reinstall software, but make individual copies of all user files (no compressed "archive" files) on two of the following: CD-R (Imation Business Select last a decent amount of time), CD-RW, external HDD, flash drive.

Of course, writers are notoriously paranoid about losing their manuscripts, but that is my minimum advice (and I've seen computer experts who recommended routines that would make that look like no backups at all...).

Mohawk Chieftain said...

I only had occasion to consult with the Geek Squad once... at a local Best Buy store, and I have to say that they solved my computer's problem in a very short time. And... they did not charge me anything for their work, even though the machine was NOT under warranty any longer. I was completely satisfied. They could have sold me a new computer and I would not have known any better.

RomanceWriter said...

Oh computer trouble, I know that pain well. I hope you get it worked out soon.

Sara

Mother of Invention said...

Definitely and absolutely easier to give others advice. Outside looking in, we see more. We don't always practice what we preach either.

Annelisa said...

What would we do without the Geeks, huh? I'd also like to know what happened...

GrizzBabe said...

I like your taste in snacks!

Kilroy_60 said...

I know exactly as much as I need to be dangerous, Miss Kitty. I was impressed with the Geek that I eventually worked with. Although, I must say, it was as previously references in the post interesting. Based on my experience, I would not hesitate to recommend looking at the website and talking to them.

MyHeartHurts, I have the impression you would not let details escape you as I did - as well as software - which made a world of difference. Yes, I'll explain when I write the remainder of the post.

The incredibly frustrating part of this Wandering Author is I know to do what I didn't. And I know I should have never done what I ended up allowing to happen.

The snack tonight, GrizzBabe was cold rotini pasta with Asiago Peppercorn dressing. Does that sound appetizing to you?

honkeie said...

I see those guys driving around here in their little VW bettles wth the geek squad logo on it. Well all I have to say is Werid Al knows these guys better than anyone....because they are all ...White And Nerdy