Shenan
I give some a 'loan' machine, not particularly well specified but enough
to show them that a computer with half of the power of their own can
perform well.. I also sit with them and take the time to explain a few
salient points regarding how the 'crap' interacts' with the OS, and talk
them out of the superficial 'benefits' that they seem so keen on having..
Of course, there is the odd 'persistent' offender, but slowly this kind of
operator is being weeded out..
.. small corporates are more difficult
because one has to inform the 'boss' re. some of the surfing habits of the
employers.. we do not exist to make friends, and sometimes the 'boss' will
jump to an employees defence.. OK, Mr Boss, exhibit 1 of 17..
The war continues unabated..
--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User
Shenan Stanley said:
Yes it is a difficult call.
A lot of people love their little "crap" applications.
I try to leave alone any I have not seen/heard of causing damage - but
clean everything else.
Depending on the situation/timeframe/location - I will sometimes use my
tools and keep an image of the person's machine for a while after
cleanup. This protects me pretty well.
In general - I remove everything I know is bad. Everything.
It's bit me - sort of. I've had the call-backs like you describe.
Usually a short description of "why" something was removed handles it.
If not - I warn them that although they CAN reinstall the application
(and I use the term "application" quite loosely) - that there was a
reason it was removed initially and they are risking the problems
associated with it if they do re-install.
Now on the corporate machines I manage - they can't install any real
applications without conacting an administrator anyway - so the point is
a moot one for the most part. *grin*
To me - taking the hit is not that bad - especially when you explain to
them *why* it was done. Very few times has it come back to haunt me and
a few times I have even had people come back after going ahead with the
re-install of the unfavorable application to ask me to remove the bad
stuff and give them a list so they won't re-install them again. *grin*
Back to the original post. I have used WebShots on both computers for more
than 4 years. About the time that I originally installed WinXP Pro. No
problems, even with my own photos installed. For business computer=crap, for
home personal computer=neat! I personally would uninstall Norton AV, AOL and
some of the other more pervasive "applications" before even thinking of
WebShots.