This document provides tips on how to avoid getting computer viruses and advice for getting good customer support for PCs. It recommends not opening attachments from unknown senders, enabling macro security in Microsoft Word, and using antivirus software. It also advises backing up work, having a backup computer, and using firewalls. The document reviews several PC retailers and provides tips to avoid problems with PC components like dust.

1. Traducciones Dalmacia presents We open barriers..we change the world

2. Bulletin Board How not to get a computer virus? By Michael Benis Some computer viruses are really virulent and tricky, like My Doom worm, Anna Kournikova and I Love You, just to mention some.

3. To avoid them, there are some rules you must follow: 1. Never open an attachment from anyone you don’t know. 2. Even if you know the sender, don’t open any attachment until you confirm he or she actually sent it. 3. Use the security tools of Microsoft Word, by clicking on the Tools menu and selecting Macro Security button. Then press High. 4. The simplest solution is to buy a good antivirus program. The easiest and more powerful antivirus packages are: Norton Antivirus and McAfee virus scan . .

4. PC CUSTOMER SUPPORT After buying a PC, it has to be said that costumer service levels are lower than those related to other products It’s partially due to the difficulty of accurately diagnosing the problem, particularly if the user doesn’t have a good knowledge of PC. Bearing this in mind, you must be aware that sooner or later your PC is going to develop a fault and you, as a translator usually pressed by deadlines, must make sure you can carry on working.

5. These are some advises you can follow to manage things calmly and effectively: PC CUSTOMER SUPPORT Always back up your work and contacts Have a back up computer Profit from the firewalls that come with broadband routers: more effective and reliable

6. … in case of failure if you need to call technical support have the computer in front of you to be able to follow instructions be polite so that you get more help in return go through diagnostic procedures of your PC try to buy from an on-site service provider where you can get spareparts localy at any time

7. Where to buy: good reputation, but not good advice provided. good quality of components. bad after sales service with component failures. difficult to reach customer service (telephone). translators requirements end up costing much more than their minimum specifications sold for good prices. started offering better value for money than in the past

8. Where to buy: EVESHAM (www.evesham.com): good all-around reputation not satisfactory product knowledge of their sales staff good after sales service excellent Sony laptops after sales service bad after sales service with component failures difficult to reach customer service (telephone)

9. Where to buy: MESH (www.meshcomputers.com): consistently excellent pre sales advice good value for money good configurations and robust case, esay to mantain no need to buy speakers, mouse, sound card if not needed pleasant and well prepared technicians with good follow up on messages left to operators bad after sales service with component failures difficult to reach customer service (telephone)

10. To avoid problems with components, which are the most sensitive parts of a PC: Avoid dust and fluff by: don’t placing your PC case on the floor clean your PC case often, outside and inside hoovering the office regularly is basic (vacuum cleaner needs to have good dust filtrator)

11. Information taken from: Bulletin Board (you post, we answer) Michael Benis ITI bulletin March-April 2004