New years challenge

Posted in Family,Tech — by Don on 12/06/07

First, a video.

Who among us hasn’t had that call with a member of their family? None. That’s what I thought.

Along those same lines, with this being the silly season there is a good chance you’ll be seeing one of the more technologically challenged people in your circle. Family, friends, what have you. When you see them this season, take 1/2 hour to do a little security on their computer. Make sure Windows update is current and running automatically (not at 3AM either, change that to noon or something). Install Firefox. Set their DNS servers to OpenDNS servers (more on this later), install Firefox or upgrade them to IE7. They will thank you later.

And, while you are making your new years resolutions this year, pick someone close to you and introduce them to something new to use the internet for. If they got a digital camera for Christmas, help them with a flickr account. Show them how RSS works and help them set up a Google account. Introduce them to Podcasting. Show them the wonders of Craiglist. Anything. Just pick one and try to make it happen. It’s time these people find out that the web is more than email and banking! This, of course, requires that you have friends or family that aren’t using tech to it’s fullest, and I know you all have someone like that.

Mine will be getting Mom to use Flickr. She just bought my camera (her first Amazon.com purchase) and she really digs seeing my shots on the webernets. And she is a bit of a tech junkie. So Flickr is a perfect fit. Keeping in mind that I couldn’t get her to switch, I think I’ll be able to pull this one off no sweat.

And, with this being the beginning of the silly season, y’all keep it safe. Lots of crazies out there this time of year. Just watch out for them.