OT: Technology and Geek Stuff Thread

[Malto Marko]

Thanks Deb.

I do have comcast at work.

I have used Norton since the early 90's.

When I purchased the Norton 360 Premier Edition, I had all kinds of troubles. Their support sucked as I always got someone who barely spoke English and never listened to what I said but instead read from a script and would generate the next question based on a partial answer from the last one.

It took me about 3 months and numerous calls and online chats to get my problem resolved which was basically to uninstall and reinstall the program. I vowed then that when the subscription lapsed, I would find someone else.

That article is a gem.

Thanks!

[dpatnod]

I've always disliked Norton because of performance issues.

I run AVG Free antivirus (just the antivirus, not the firewall), Zonealarm free firewall (just firewall, not the antivirus), and top it off with Spybot Search and Destroy (although I do not bother with the 'Immunization' step, as it seems to be a resource hog to run). I have used this combination on countless computers I've built for others as well, and it works very well.

Also, keep Malwarebytes on the computer. If you DO encounter a problem, it is the most effective at cleaning out buggers.

[bimmer84]

Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes has worked well for me. Both were free when I picked them up.

[dpatnod]

Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes has worked well for me. Both were free when I picked them up.

Malwarebytes is free - with the cleanup aspect of the program. The real-time active monitor part of the program requires a purchase to activate.

[LionsFanInJapan]

I have used Avast! for a long time, but recently it's becoming bloated with a lot of extra features (still free) that I don't need.

[Tony G]

My provider offers one. For three a month I get covered on all my machines

[Sharkbait]

OK, so I am running Windows XP on my PC. Bought it in 2007, still runs great, but it may be time for am update. Any suggestions?

[Tony G]

If it runs great, don't mess with it

[Sharkbait]

I probably will, Tony, but with Microsoft abandoning support, I get the feeling it's days are numbered.

[Tony G]

Ah, that changes things. Are you looking for a new machine or to update your current one?

[LionsFanInJapan]

If you're planning on a new system, do you want a laptop or desktop? Also what do you use it for?

[Sharkbait]

Ah, that changes things. Are you looking for a new machine or to update your current one?

I thought update at first, but I think Windows 8 may not operate efficiently on this machine. I think I bought it in 2006 or 2007, so I am not sure if processor is fast enough. I know everything now is dual core, this one is not, so anything out there, even the lower end, will probably out-perform this one. It's a toss up, the windows program is about a hundred bucks, so ??? I just might keep this one until it quits, but in the meantime I don't want to be hacked.

If you're planning on a new system, do you want a laptop or desktop? Also what do you use it for?

I am old school, but a Laptop has so much more latitude, I may even considered a iPad. Use it for Facebook, Lions Forum, all the sports sites, keep my business records on it. I can't remember the last time I got an actual email from someone. 'Spose if I got rid of my flip phone and jumped into the future, i could gey a 5s and ditch the computer completely.

[Tony G]

If you aren't doing anything that runs the processor (games, graphics, photo processing, Microsoft Office) and are just browsing and using e-mail then a tablet may be much better for your needs.

I'm sure others have more informed opinions on the viability of tablets (iPad or whatever the other is) I just use my ipad for browsing away from my desktop machine

[DanO]

I run AVG Free antivirus
-----------------------Was going to suggest this as well. I have the same. Have Malwarebytes as well.

"I have used Avast! for a long time, but recently it's becoming bloated with a lot of extra features (still free) that I don't need."
----------------------------I thought Avast was AVG?

[The Ken]

OK, so I am running Windows XP on my PC. Bought it in 2007, still runs great, but it may be time for am update. Any suggestions?

GET RID OF YOUR XP SYSTEM a month or so the we will see the unleashing of XP hidden exploits. There are 1000's of russians, chinese, polish, slavic, north koreans slobbering to comprise your system.

Plus XP is 32 bit, unless you are one of 3 people who tried XP 64 bit and left it on their systems after it rendered their pc useless.