Examples of things that people with average computer literacy can “just” do:
- just reboot it
- just email it to yourself [unless it’s over 25MB or contains an executable in which case you’re not gonna “just” anything]
- just use an iPhone instead
Examples of things people with average computer literacy absolutely cannot “just” do:
- just use Linux
- just run your own email server
- just replace this polished, slick-onboarding but expensive software with a foss alternative but make sure you use this fork because the official one had some drama and it’s kind of poorly maintained and also just simply be someone who doesn’t need accessibility features or just implement the accessibility features yourself in a special dialect of C++ that just needs a particular build of gcc from 1997 available on an ftp server that only appears during the Witching Hour on a new moon
- just use a VPN, one that’s not a privacy-violating scam I mean
- just set up a separate media server and torrent all your shows and connect all the kids’ devices to it and just don’t catch a virus or get scary legal threats in the mail doing this
- just refrain from decking your smug “helpful” computer-literate cousin in the face
Do copy that floppy!
https://computerfairi.es/@iconolog/114786593372292740
Would you push the button? https://computerfairi.es/@iconolog/114786121133879503
Today's good deed: Saving a customer from a spicy pillow.
After putting it back together sans battery, it complained during POST about an off-brand battery being installed & warning knock-offs can do what the on-brand battery was so clearly doing. The HP didn't complain about a missing battery. Good job, HP!
Aside from the date/time being wrong, it responded to the pressure relief by working normally, showing a well-behaved screen, & passing the keyboard fox test without issue.
Today's good deed: Saving a customer from a spicy pillow.
They brought an HP laptop to me because some keys didn't work & the screen had lines & flickering.
The battery was already so swollen that the front edge of the case had popped completely open between 2 of the front edge base screws. With their permission, I opened the case & removed the battery.
It put so much pressure on the plastic that the base popped free on its own with each base screw, & the battery jumped with each battery screw.
HR: "Do you have a moment? We just want to ask you about your self-assessment?"
Me: "Sure."
HR: "So, for 'personality type', we were expecting something from Myers-Briggs. You know, like ENJF."
Me: "Oh?"
HR: "You selected 'Other' and filled in, 'Chaotic Good'."
Me: "Yes, that's right."
HR: "Why?"
Me: "Because I use the term 'fortnight' as often as possible in communications in a US-based company, replace 'z's with 's'es, and convert dates everywhere to ISO8601."
HR: "Well yes we can see how that would be classified as 'Chaotic Good', but we were expecting something grounded in science."
Me: "So why were you asking for Myers-Briggs?"
✨ Kind 'Net Help Desk fairy by day. ✨
✨ Weird & furry Unix fairy by night. ✨
✨ Sometimes a retrocomputer fairy. ✨
✨ Pays the ComputerFairi.es bills. ✨
✨ Sparkly✨shellscript✨princess. ✨
✨ Age: Mere days younger than ✨
✨ the Intel 4004 & Unix 1st Edition. ✨
✨ Follow requests welcome. ✨
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