Today is Thanksgiving 2009 and some folks celebrate at mom’s house. Many people support their parents or siblings computers and today is a day to take the time and update, enhance and in general make YOUR life easier when you have to provide support.
So here are 5 things you can do to provide quick and easy support to your loved ones and hopefully they’ll be extra thankful today for your generosity. 
1. Firefox
If you haven’t already installed Firefox on their computer, do so. In general, it’s a bit quicker, a bit more secure and renders web pages in a more standard way. Plus, most likely your family member’s computer is an older one. Firefox can load quicker than most browsers on older computers. Make sure you provide shortcuts to their top 3 or more favorite sites on the desktop.
2. Virus Update
If their computer already has virus protection, make sure it’s up to date. If they don’t have virus protection and its a Windows computer, download and install the freely available Microsoft Security Essentials. Make sure you set it up to do a daily Quick Scan. You can do the scan when your family member sleeps and then…
3. Automatically Shutdown Their PC
You can pick between any of my articles on How To Shut Down Your Windows XP Computer, or How To Automatically Shut Down Your Windows Vista Computer, or How To Automatically Shut Down Your Windows 7 Computer .
Now, depending on what Anti-Virus software you’re running, that software might include an automatic shut down as well, after a virus scan. So go for a scan when they’re sleeping and then auto-shutdown the computer. A computer that’s turned off is a safer computer.
4. Remote Control Software
Don’t ya’ just love those late night calls or in some cases every night calls? Ease the pain by installing remote control software on your relative’s computer.
I prefer LogMeIn Free. But, I’ve also used Copilot. Copilot is one of the best and quickest ways to connect to someone. However, you only get 2minutes free. If it’s someone you support occasionally, CoPilot also offers a Day Pass for $5.00 that gives you 24 hours of support. The Copilot Day Pass has worked wonderfully for me.
5. Backup, Sync and Share
While working on Mom’s computer, you might need to transfer files or keep a quick backup of necessary tools, documents, etc. For that, I use Dropbox. With 2GB of online storage for free, Dropbox is incredibly fast and a secure way to backup, sync or share files that you might need while supporting computers.
There’s plenty more tips, tricks and techniques I will share in future articles, so make sure you subscribe. Happy Thanksgiving!!
{ 105 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
One of the most important tools is Spybot Search & Destroy, is very easy for people who are not very accustomed to the Internet fall into traps and infect their computers with spyware, keyloggers, rootkits, etc..
Venta de Computadoras recently posted..Dragon PCs – Venta de Computadoras, Laptops y Netbooks
Today I use Firefox with Norton Internet Security and I must say I am very satisfied, without forget to update constantly my operative system.
Oh lord, taking care of mom’s computer.. Nothing distresses me more.. Still, you have some nice tips here. None nicer than taking a hammer to the damned thing, but still, thanks!
Don’t forget programs like Malwarebytes and HitMan Pro, both are available in free formats, and are invaluable at removing hard to detect infections which some anti-virus programs often miss.
Chris recently posted..Electric Heating
Chris » Good ones Chris. Malwarebytes is on my USB flash drive I carry with me.
← Previous Comments