COMPUTERS, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY

[Tizer]

I had a `near do' recently when I accidentally hit the delete button while using the Ubuntu file manager (Nautilus) and zapped an important folder on my PC. Of course, I was able to retrieve it intact from the Trash bin but it made me aware how easily I could lose files and folders permanently if this happened without me being aware I'd done it - you only retrieve something from Trash if you know you've deleted it. I searched the Nautilus preferences for an option to "Inform me before moving to Trash" or "Ask for confirmation before deleting" only to find that there isn't one. So then I searched the Web to try and find a way of doing it. The question has been asked numerous times but the software developers don't seem to understand the problem - they keep saying "That's what the Trash folder is for, so you can recover any mistakenly deleted files". People point out that they're talking about when files are deleted unwittingly and therefore you don't know to look in Trash. But the developers seem to ignore this, as if to say "It's your own fault, hard luck".

I tried an alternative, popular file manager called Dolphin which does allow confirmation warnings before deleting but found it gave a different problem. When I clicked on files to open them I got a window popping up asking me to choose an application to open it with. Not very convenient!

By the way, where is Pluggy these days? I haven't noticed him posting on OG since before my holiday, in other words several weeks ago. I hope he's OK.

[PanBiker]

By the way, where is Pluggy these days? I haven't noticed him posting on OG since before my holiday, in other words several weeks ago. I hope he's OK.

I have been exchanging PM's with him over the last few days on a technical matter regarding file transfer for the site so he is about and as far as I am aware OK. I think he is busy, work wise.

[Pluggy]

I had a couple of days over the weekend where I couldn't get onto OGFB at all, I could get on, on another internet connection and I was thinking my ISP was playing silly beggars. Eventually, restarting my router brought it back up. Being self employed and the nature of the beast means I either have too little work or too much. If I get busy OGFB has to take a back seat. I'm still around.....

[Tizer]

That's all we need to know, that you are well, working hard and enjoying life! Big hugs from all of us!

[chinatyke]

I had a couple of days over the weekend where I couldn't get onto OGFB at all...

Just reporting this in case there is a problem: It was difficult to access OGFB here also for 2 days over your weekend, but today it is back to normal - lightning fast. When I have trouble and slow connections I blame the Great Firewall of China.

[Stanley]

I hadn't noticed that Pluggy hadn't posted for a while but I had seen him on Station Road buzzing about.....Thanks Tiz, you have reminded me it is time for my half year back up......

[Stanley]

Computers are funny things.... As I got ready to log out this morning I went to updates as usual, found one small file, uploaded it and found I had lost my mouse. I shut down and restarted and the mouse pointer was on the screen but wouldn't move. I had also lost keyboard. Usual measures, pressed the signal button on the back of the mouse and replaced the batteries in the keyboard. No joy so I took the receiver out of the USB port on the back of the unit and replaced it. Still no joy and in that position I couldn't reach the reset button on it so inserted it in a front slot, pressed the button and everything was OK again. Replaced the receiver in the back slot and lost the mouse again. So it's now sat on the front of the unit but everything seems to be working. (Just tried printer and it's OK)
Any suggestions?
Have just put the receiver back in its original slot and all seems to be OK. I have mouse and keyboard again.....
Bugger the computers!

[Pluggy]

I'd try another USB peripheral in the back slot it wouldn't work in.

Buzzing about on Station road ?, Must be a bumble bee....

[Stanley]

It must have been what Doc called a Brain Fart. Just logged in to post Shed Matters and all seems to be fine. Fingers crossed!

[Stanley]

All fired up OK this morning. It must have just been a funny turn.....

[Tripps]

Those lovely people at Microsoft have offered me Windows 10 free of charge when it is released next month. I'm not inclined to accept since I'm doing OK as I am, and I'm a firm believer in Hutber's Law - "Improvement equals deterioration". Can't help having the feeling though that I might be missing something.

Separately - I've got a cheap Archos tablet with Android. I haven't used it much since I don't get on with the touch screen, and especially the virtual disappearing keyboard. However I've just discovered that with an OTG (on the go) cable adapter (ebay - £1.85 delivered ) I can now connect my mouse to the tablet. That's better. . .

I can also connect a memory stick to look at and transfer photos, music etc. I expect everyone to say they've been doing that for ages, but I didn't know you could do it, and I'm feeling rather clever.

[PanBiker]

The offer for Windows 10 is on my taskbar as well.

[Stanley]

Msoft haven't offered me anything and they'd get a dusty answer if they did.

[Pluggy]

I've been recommending my customers upgrade to Windows 10,if they presently have Windows 8 or 8.1 when it becomes available (July 29th) and to hang fire if they have Windows 7 . I'm on Microsft's beta program. and have a late beta of 10 running on a VM. Its an improvement on 8/8.1 (it would need toi be pretty dire not to be). But presently I don't think its worth giving up 7 for. When the final release comes out, I'll buy myself a copy and stick it on yet another VM to evaluate it properly. (I'm definitely not upgrading any of my existing VMs to it).

Said someone who doesn't actually use Windows himself on a regular basis.

Here's what 10 will probably look like when its released.

if you really can't live without the Windows 8/8.1 start screen, you can resize the menu shown here with the icon next to the power switch......

I acquired myself an Acer Chromebook (I swapped an older fully fledged Windows 7 laptop for it whose owner found it too restrictive for what he wanted to do). I much prefer it to a tablet (it has a keyboard). It runs a long time on its battery (8 + hours) and starts up in about 5 seconds. It is more restrictive than a 'proper' laptop, but I love it.

[Tizer]

We get phone calls now and again from those scammers who claim to be from Microsoft and want to help us with our Windows software. It usually goes something like this:
Me: I don't have Microsoft Windows.
Him: You must have a computer.
Me: Yes, I have one.
Him: Then you must have Windows.
Me: No, I don't need Windows... and so it continues until they give up.

I hope you've all watched that Count Arthur Strong episode where he gets a phone call from someone trying to sell him something like life insurance. It was along these lines:
Caller: Who am I speaking to?
Strong: I don't know, who do you want?
Caller: No, I'm asking your name.
Strong: I don't know your name.
Caller: My name is Frank...
Strong: Frank, I don't know any Frank...Oh now hang on, now I remember, yes...Frank, it was back in the 1990s...how's your Gladys, did she have that operation? Did you ever manage to get that stain out of your carpet?...
and so it continues as the caller tears his hair out!

[Pluggy]

The first type probably explain the calls I get on my business line that go like :

Ring-Ring-Ring
Me: Good Morning, Computer Repairs.
Click, Bzzzzzz.....

[Stanley]

Can anyone tell me what these Microsoft spammers are after? Are they trying to sell something or just after bank details? I never get to know because as soon as I realise who they are when they catch me during phone answering time up to 10:30 I simply tell them to go away and hang up.

[Tizer]

They want to wheedle their way into your life, to get you giving away personal information. They'll take it how it comes, see what you're susceptible to. They might get your credit card details, bank information, passwords, get you to connect to their web site, download their malicious stuff. All kinds of opportunities. They only need a few gullible types and they can make lots of money.

[Stanley]

Yes, I can understand that. Significant that their approach is based on fear. At one time they started their spiel by saying they had identified x number of faults on your system..... Typical of many modern marketing approaches, think mouth and body odour, wrinkles, spots, fat, germs etc, Even extended warranties..... What a sad commentary on our modern world.....

[Tripps]

I got one of these calls today - from one - Brian. He said my computer had thousands of problems, and he would be happy to help. I told him I had not noticed any problems, and didn't need his help. They usually hang up then, but he was different. He spoke very good English, and was obviously intelligent, and very persistent. He said I was stupid to take that attitude, and in fact I was an idiot, and needed psychiatric help.
I apologised for being an idiot, and told him I was doing my best. He said he could help with that problem too. He gave me a London phone number, and said that if I rang it then Lisa at 14 Hanover Street would help me. The number was 020 8099 7265. His English was good and I thanked him, and bade him farewell with a bi - syllabic expression as to his future direction of travel.
Being a nosy person - I rang the number, and spoke to Lily. She said her company was called TeamViewer - and they had no connection. She said it was probably a scam. I said I had already worked that out, and thanked her for the advice. I now see that they are a software company who sell remote control and access programs. I wonder if the scammers use their program.
I can't believe I did all that, on such a nice sunny day. perhaps he's right.

[Stanley]

Interesting David, remote control and access sounds about right.... Thank you for doing the research and yes, you should get another interest!

[Stanley]

See THIS for the latest dire news about the inability of the NHS and its contractors to deliver workable systems. Isn't it about time someone got hold of this problem by the scruff of its neck?

[Tizer]

I note this about TeamViewer from Wikipedia:
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Fraudulent uses
TeamViewer and similar services have been used to commit fraud via telephone calls. People are called, either at random or from a list, by criminals claiming to represent a computer support service which has identified the victim's computer as being infected by malware, sometimes using the name of a company such as Microsoft. They then ask the victim to give them access to their computer via a remote control service. From this point they can do anything they want. Typically they confuse the user with spurious jargon and offer to "repair" the computer and supply several years' of service for a payment; in addition to a freely offered agreed payment, this gives them the victim's payment card details. They may also infect the computer with malware, delete files, and steal files.
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It's easy to download a free copy of the software from the TeamViewer web site, so the scammer probably hoped you would download and install it. He would then ask you to set up a connection with him whereby he would have full access to your computer. There's a full description here by a computer expert who went through the process, pretending to have been duped, to see how it works. It should be obligatory reading for anyone who uses a computer!: LINK

[Big Kev]

See THIS for the latest dire news about the inability of the NHS and its contractors to deliver workable systems. Isn't it about time someone got hold of this problem by the scruff of its neck?

Things are changing, the original contractors were unable to deliver a viable system. I work here

[Stanley]

Good, I wish you luck with it.....;