Backup: A copy or duplicate version, esp. of a file, program, or entire computer system, retained for use in the event that the original is in some way rendered unusable. – The definition of Backup, according to dictionary.com

So why do people come to me with what they call their ‘Back-up’ Drive that is broken, exclaiming they’re lost all their photos, files, etc. Where are the originals? Deleting the originals after you’ve backed them up makes your backup a bit pointless. Its only a backup if its a copy/duplicate!

Back in Dec 2009 Microsoft reached an agreement with the European Commission about competition in the Web browser market. So, from 23rd February 2010 millions of Microsoft users across the European Union who have Internet Explorer installed as their default internet browser will now have to be offered the chance to choose the browser they want to use via a choice screen which appears on their PC/Laptop screen!

Browsers included are:

Apple Safari
Avant Browser
Flock
Google Chrome
GreenBrowser
K-Meleon
Maxthon
Mozilla Firefox
Opera
Sleipnir
Slim Browser
Windows Internet Explorer

It may not bring mass migration away from Internet Explorer but at least it will improve consumers knowledge of browser availability.

For more information or to get involved visit the Open to Choice website.

The article above is written mostly in reference to web designers/developers and the particular release of internet explorer that is IE6. My little rant however refers to any release of this particular browser in relation to general users.

I am often in a position where I require web access on a clients pc and it still astounds me how many people regularly use internet explorer, what concerns me more is the answer I more often that not receive when I ask if they have tried other browsers. Many simply did not know there are alternatives, or that they are so readily available online. Shockingly, some of my very computer illiterate clients don’t even know what a ‘browser’ is, they believe Internet Explorer is the internet:

“Yeah, I just click on that button there to go on the internet, yeah that err….
that big e button, that’s my internet!”

So for anyone else still trapped in Internet Explorer land, or if you just fancy a change, please try out one or more of the browsers below:

Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Safari
Flock
Opera

Have fun!

My generous husband offered to share his laptop and so a second user account was setup for me (I like to have full control of my own desktop and file structure so sharing one user account was simply not an option!) But it has already become evident that this will not suffice, although I have free reign over it whilst my husband is at work, we often want to use it at the same time when he is not and since my husband has to work from home on it occasionally I can hardly argue. Since sitting at my desktop pc just isn’t always convenient or practical I must begin saving £££ to replace my beloved (laptop, not husband) with a younger, better-looking model.

Lots of blogging to follow soon

Don’t forget your regular back-ups

PC Nurse
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