Tip 2: A lifeline -- remote control software
Tip 3: Take a deep breath
Tip 1: Install the software they need
If you're visiting your parents over the holidays, it's a good time to bring the parents' computer up-to-date or to make sure it's protected from viruses and the like (consider doing so whether or not they ask you!). When you're packing for the trip, take the time to prepare a USB memory key or a CD-ROM with some useful software.
What you should do
The best thing you can do for a parent who has a Windows computer is to make sure automatic updates are turned on so that the system is getting the important security updates that Microsoft sends out.
Windows XP
Right click on My Computer (either on the desktop or in your start menu) then click Properties. Then click the Automatic Updates tab and turn on Automatic.
Windows Vista
Click on the Windows Button, then Control Panel. Click the System and Maintenance heading and then under the Windows Update section click Turn automatic updating on or off. Check Install updates automatically (recommended).
Here's the other software you should consider installing.
- Start with free anti-spyware utilities, such as Spybot Search and Destroy (which can even immunise against possible attacks) and Ad-aware SE. To complement Spybot, you may also find Spyware Blaster a boon which acts as a preventative, rather than a solution.
- For antispam and antivirus software, you might want to spring for the paid, professionally supported utilities, such as Kaspersky AntiVirus 7, or ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite which has an antivirus, firewall and spamkiller built in.
- While you're loading up a USB key or a CD-ROM with software, add some digital pictures of yourself and your family to it and maybe some bookmarks -- say, links to your online family photo album.
- Other software you might want to install: the Instant Messaging app that you use, so that anytime your mum or dad is sitting at the computer, they can chat with you in real time -- or ask for help -- for free.
The FireFox Alternative
As much as we like it, be careful before installing the fantastic Mozilla Firefox browser for non-tech-savvy users. There are still some sites that don't work as they're supposed to with this browser, and you don't want to be telling your parents to switch back and forth between it and Internet Explorer all the time.
Mind you it could save you a potential tech support nightmare by avoiding Internet Explorer security vulnerabilities -- so if you do install it, make sure that your parents' online banking and so forth work with it first, and make sure all the relevant flash/shockwave plugins are installed.
Tip 2: A lifeline -- remote control software
You can't always be there when a parent runs into a tech problem. But trying to do tech support over the phone can be incredibly frustrating. One way to give yourself an upper hand is to use remote control software to see what's going on with your parents' computer when you're on the phone with them. This requires broadband on the two ends, but if you both have it, you can take advantage of this great tool.
- Option 1: Use Microsoft's own remote control console. This free utility comes with Windows and allows your parent to send a help request to your machine. Microsoft even provides handy setup instructions for XP and Vista. Unfortunately many versions of Windows don't support being remotely controlled (only Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate), however any version of XP or Vista should be able to do the controlling.
- Option 2: The other alternative is a third party application on. Running TightVNC will allow you to remote control any version of Windows XP or Vista.
When installing, make sure to check Register new TightVNC Server as a system service and Start or restart TightVNC service to make sure that it starts up every time Windows does. Once running, the program will appear in your system tray as an icon with a 'V' in it. Right clicking on it and choosing Properties will allow you to alter settings for the client. Make sure to set a new password straight away. You should then be able to use the viewer to connect to the remote machine over the internet.
Knowing your parent's IP to connect though could be a bit of a chore -- so we suggest setting up an account at DynDNS. This service allows you to set a static address like parentspc.dyndns.org that periodically updates to match your parents' IP. Many routers these days support this service directly -- if your parents' doesn't, you'll need to use the software client.
Tip 3: Take a deep breath
We know it can be infuriating to help your parents with technology. Sometimes, all they have to do is move the mouse, and you're 13 years old again: frustrated, small, and resentful. Your parents can push all your buttons -- after all, they installed them.
But you can't help them install digital camera software if you're impatient or short with them. Teaching the previous generation things that are second nature to you is difficult in any circumstance, even more so when you're dealing with your parents. Here are some tips to bridge the generation gap.
- Do no harm. You might be tempted to help them by tweaking their computer to work the way yours does. Don't. Your parents might have a reason for their different way of doing things, and even if they don't, they might just be used to it. To really help, adapt yourself to their computers and don't force them to work like you do. Remember, if even the smallest thing changes like desktop wallpaper, often people can't cope.
- Listen and learn. Your parents may do the same things with the computer or the Internet that you do but in a different way. And they may call it different things. Yahoo may be "the Web". Microsoft Word might just be called "Microsoft", and highly likely the whole computer will be called the "CPU". This isn't the time to correct them. Learn their lingo and explain things in terms they already use.
- Don't think you know more than they do. Age is not a handicap when dealing with computers. You may be surprised how adept an octogenarian is with instant messaging, Quicken, photo sharing, or even Crysis. Experience and wisdom can breed stubbornness, and it can also breed flexibility. Just try to understand the issue from the other perspective.
andres
05/07/2008 11:06 AM
sg
Report offensive content