Technical Difficulties

There's just no accounting for common sense when you're a computer user I guess. Dealing with the hundreds of customers that call in that have difficulties with their anti-virus software is starting to grind on my grip on sanity. Seriously, how hard is it not to fuck up your computers?

For example, if you have a copy of an anti-virus program, why would you load another one on there and not expect there to be some problems? People think they can just load up their computers with crap. Multiple anti-spyware programs, multiple toolbars that block spam, programs that block adware, etc etc etc . . . and then they load an all-inclusive antivirus suite . . . what the hell do you expect is going to happen.

For those not in the know, it's going to make your life a living hell. That's what's going to happen. All these other extraneous programs will start attacking your AV program and removing code from it. So that pretty AV program that's supposed to be the best of the best just got crippled. Now, this wouldn't be so bad if the crippling process didn't take out your whole computer as by-product.

See, this paranoia that perpetuates the internet using populace is out of control. Everyone is thinking that they're going to get a nasty virus even if they turn on the computer. This feeling of constant attack is just created by companies like AOL and their security commercials and the other companies that provide internet service. It's in their best interest to foster this culture of fear of the haXXors. And I know that I wouldn't have a job if these bastard virus writers, but I also wouldn't have this rapidly forming ulcer.

See, the problem is inherently in you, the user. You . . who thought I'd be neat to buy a 300 dollar piece of crap computer 'cause it's cheap and you want to make Bill Gates richer. You who's total knowledge about computing is how to push the start button and wait for AIM to load up so you can ASL to your heart's content. The Sal and I were talking about this at short length last night when he was over. I jokingly suggested that there should be a test. If you pass this test, then you can use a computer. If you don't, then you would have no business using this complicated piece of machinery. The more I think about it, the better that idea sounds. It would be like a Driver's License, but for computers.

I think everyone in the computer tech support industry would breath a sigh of relief if this were to ever go through. It won't, of course, but a phone monkey can dream . . . right?