This is a bi-monthly compilation of questions that our clients have asked us recently!
It doesn't happen very often, but occasionally someone tells me that they are certain they sent me an e-mail but I'm equally certain I never received it. Is there anything I should be doing to ensure that I get all of my e-mail?
E-mail is probably one of the most popular ways to communicate these days and it is easy to mistakenly assume that it is as reliable as the U.S. Postal Service. While the vast majority of e-mails reach their desired recipient (which explains why SPAM is such a nuisance!), there are several ways that a legitimate e-mail may not arrive at your inbox.
The most common reason, of course, is that the sender mistypes the recipient address. While e-mail addresses are not case-sensitive (JOEblow@remoteplace.COM will arrive even if typed joeblow@remoteplace.com), addresses are very punctuation-sensitive (substituting a comma for a period, a dash for an underscore, or vice versa) and such errors frequently block delivery. Transposing .com for .net will misdirect a message. And e-mail addresseses absolutely never have a space anywhere within them. Most typographical errors other than capitalization will cause a message to "bounce" back to the sender undelivered, but not always!
Unless your e-mail address is very distinctive, it is quite possible that another person has a similar address and the message intended for you simply went to someone else as a result of a mistyped letter or digit. Unless the unintended recipient takes the time to reply to the sender advising of the mistake, there's no way for the delivery failure to be traced. Also, practically all e-mail systems today have some kind of SPAM filtering built-in and automatically route suspected SPAM either into a separate mail folder or sometimes even trigger automatic deletion. Generally, end-users of e-mail don't have the ability to modify SPAM filter parameters beyond checking the contents of a SPAM folder and marking messages from specific desired senders as "not SPAM." On fairly rare occasions, a technical problem will delay the normally almost instantaneous delivery of e-mail between users. On those occcasions, most e-mail systems will retry delivery periodically over six hours or so and normal delivery usually resumes.
If you feel you are seeing a chronic problem of e-mail disruption, give us a call and we can probably help you sort out what is going on and get it resolved.
As a longtime OCW client, it occurred to me the other day to ask if there's anything electronic that you and Terri don't work on?
From time to time over the years, we've both joked that "if it plugs in, we probably work on it." That's obviously an exaggeration, but we do tackle a fairly broad range of computer and electronics-related issues.
When it comes to computers, we are open to the task of dealing with most anything in the software domain. There's a fairly small list of software we commonly encounter (Microsoft Office, various e-mail programs and graphics applications) and have become pretty adept at resolving problems with them without much difficulty. From a hardware perspective, if a part is considered "field-replaceable" or "user-serviceable," then we can usually handle it. This generally includes hard drives, optical drives and computer memory. We can obtain a wide variety of keyboards, mice, printers, computer displays, wireless routers, and other peripheral devices that are generally replaced when defective rather than serviced.
We generally do not perform repairs on cell phones or tablet style-computers like the "Microsoft Surface" or "iPad/iPod" (as doing so requires specialized tools, experience and training). Those devices also are not intended to have internal parts replaced or upgraded, anyway. We can, however, offer training in their use. We also cannot offer manufacturer-warranted repairs but will help you navigate a warranty claim.
If a hardware issue is beyond our capability, we can generally refer you to a vendor who can deal with it locally or via mail-in "depot" service. If a software issue is unfamiliar to us, we have the resources to research it and find a resolution.
While such is not our specialty, we have both occasionally helped out with setting up a new flat-screen television, connecting a blu-ray player and even puzzled through the process of programming a "smart" multi-function remote control. We don't fix toasters, and if you haven't figured out how to get your microwave to quit flashing "12:00," we will refer you to the still unopened user's manual!
It is our intent that every OCW client is served quickly, professionally and at a fair price. We are far from omniscient and will always be candid with you about what we can and cannot accomplish on your behalf. We will never, however, just shrug off a problem.
I'm thinking about buying a new computer. OCW services both Mac and PC users so what whould you recommend?
This question is much harder to answer than you might think. In years past, the question has sparked a great deal of spirited debate among both computing professionals and longtime computer users. The debate hasn't ended but the specifics of disagreement have changed somewhat over time. Terri and I both always tell folks asking our opinion on the matter that both of us are longtime Mac users but that is as much a result of circumstance as much as a conscious decision on our part. Here are some things to consider:
Cost: Pound for pound, Apple products cost more than non-Apple products. This includes laptops, desktops, tablets and phones.
Reliability: As Macintosh software only runs on Apple-branded products, Apple has effectively blocked third parties from putting together discount hardware to run their software. This is a major factor in the hardware price differential, but also has tended to make Macs more reliable from a purely hardware perspective. Computer "viruses" (more broadly including the wide range of dangerous software collectively called "malware") used to be almost exclusively limited to PCs but as Macs have become more popular, the malware threats against Macs have multiplied.
Software diversity: In the early years, the universe of PC software was much larger than Macs and promoted PC popularity. Today most software vendors write versions of their products for both platforms, taking great pains to make the software experience with both versions very close to identical. While there are certain software programs that run only on a PC or only on a Mac, they are becoming more the exception than the rule today.
Security: While the media would have you believe there are widespread compromises in computer security today, the fact is that most of those compromises have been at the corporate level (banks, online vendors, credit card services, etc.). That's where the big money is. While it is quite possible for an individual's computer (whether it be a PC or a Mac) to be compromised by an external intruder, the vast majority of those intrusions come as the result of the computer's owner being tricked into granting that access. Those tricks generally involve getting the computer owner to install malware by some kind of deception (a phone call, e-mail or a webpage, most commonly). It is almost impossible for a home user's computer to be hijacked without the user playing at least some role in the attack, though sometimes unknowingly.
User experience: For many users, this may be the hardest part of the question to deal with. The graphical user interface for both Macs and PCs is steeped in a desktop metaphor populated with documents, files, folders, various styles of windows and even interpretations of a trash can. How comfortably one can navigate that environment is frequently the most significant factor to be considered in the choice between a Mac and a PC.
So the bottom line for most folks is choose what you are most comfortable with. If you've used a PC before, then you may well want to stick with a PC for your next computer. Likewise, if you've used a Mac in the past, perhaps a new Mac should be in your future. Talk to your friends. Go by a computer store and see how the various offerings feel (both literally and emotionally!).
We are always available to help you walk through the various factors that need to be considered in any computer purchase. We want you to be comfortable with your decision both before and after the purchase!
What do you want to know more about?
There are still many other topics we
could talk about here or in a personal consultation. We welcome your comments and questions for future issues of the OCW Insider. Or give one of us a call or shoot an e-mail and we'll set up an
appointment to meet with you!
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