PC Questions and Answers: Learning from each other

The first trial "PC Questions and Answers," workshop, quickly nicknamed "The Doctor is IN," provided a free walk-in computer Q&A clinic Wednesday afternoon, March 3rd. I was joined by the very knowledgeable P.J. Williams, a librarian who deals with technology at the Fort Smith Public Library. All the questions were throughly aired. The spontaneous and unrehearsed session was considered a success with seven participants attending. Some of the major discussion topics included:

I don't have a computer. Should I purchase a laptop or desktop?
That question has filled entire chapters in several books! Google lists 22,000,000 articles, blogs and entries for the search term "laptop or desktop."One of the most comprehensive easy-to-read guides can be reached at Consumer Reports online "Computer Guide". A subscription is required to get to specific ratings (well worth the annual subscription fee) or you can visit your local Fort Smith Public Library and use their subscription. Bottom line: it depends on what you want to do with your computer. Let Consumer Reports help you work through that decision.

What brand of computer is more reliable?
Reliability ratings based on input from thousands of consumers just like you are included in the Consumer Reports ratings mentioned in the above question. Almost every computer magazine writes hardware and software reviews. In addition to Consumer Reports, I use CNET, PC Magazine, PC World Online among many others. Keep in mind that quality and reliability can vary between different models of the same brand and even individual machines. Make sure your machine comes with a strong warranty backed by a reliable company. I'll save the question you're just about to ask concerning extended warranties for another Q&A session. 

How do I make sure personal data files are removed from the hard drive prior to recycling the old computer?
I thought a former governor's staff used the best solution when they allegedly smashed the hard drives taken from their computers in the Arkansas Governor's office and buried them in a land fill. That certainly tends to derail any future Freedom of Information Act requests.

Computer technicians usually have software that can erase and write over hard drives a number of times making it very difficult for crooks to recover information about your bank accounts and investments. You'd be surprised at what computer techs have tripped over (and some have shared with others) while they were working on someone's personal computer. It's OK to be a little paranoid about where your financial, medical and other personal data files end up.

Jason Fitzpatrick, weekend editor for Lifehacker, posted a comprehensive article, "Properly Erase Your Physical Media," in February 2009 which goes into more detail than you may want to know about erasing a hard drive and includes links to software programs that offer ways to properly erase your hard drive, and yet leave it so that it can be reformatted and reused. If you're aware that your data can be stolen from a computer or hard drive you recycle or give to a charity, you're smarter than 40 percent of the people who sell hard drives on eBay.

All in all, the small size of the group meant that the discussions were lively, informal and people could ask several follow-up questions. There is still one question about a glitch in Internet Explorer that we're still working on. I think I've found a possible answer to test on the errant machine. I'll post an update later if it works. Not a perfect score, but nobody knows everything. I'm sure there will be more we can learn from your questions.

The next PC Questions and Answers is scheduled for April 7, 2010 at 1:30 P.M. in the Fort Smith Library Computer Lab.

A version of this entry is also posted on the Fort Smith Seniors Blog