Technology news, reviews, and how to keep your technology running fast and smooth!
Question:
Who would use a “mashie niblick”?
Answer:
A golfer.
The “mashie niblick” was the historical golf club, wooden-shafted and used primarily before the 20th Century, that would be most closely associated with today’s 7-irons.
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Question:
I get so many of those stupid emails from ‘troubled princes’ or ‘a long-lost relative’, ALWAYS asking for money. I know they’re scams, but ….don’t they know how to spell?? Almost every 2nd word is spelled wrong, not to mention the grammar. Are these guys dumb, or what?? And how do people keep falling for these scams??
Answer:
Everyone has gotten at least one email from a troubled Nigerian prince, a long-long relative, or a damsel in distress who needs money to fly home…and instantly trashed the email. These emails are instantly recognizable, with their unbelievable stories, and their typo-filled run-on sentences…and they always offer you a HUGE reward, if only you help them in their hour of need. Most people recognize these emails as scams.
So why don’t these lowlifes learn how to spell, and write better, more convincing emails? Wouldn’t they get more people to fall for their scam?
Apparently the lowlifes that write these emails are smarter (and I use that term loosely) than we think. The poor spelling and lousy sentence structure actually HELP them to find the poor saps that will actually send money to these guys! According to Cormac Herley (principal researcher at Microsoft Research’s Machine Learning Department), who wrote a research paper on the subject (you can read it if you want, but it contains headache-inducing math) “By sending an email that repels all but the most gullible the scammer gets the most promising marks to self-select”.
Basically, this means that by sending emails which are full of spelling and grammar mistakes, along with ‘known’ scam plots or extremely unbelievable plots (ie the Nigerian prince), they weed out the skeptics and others that wouldn’t easily believe that a total stranger would send them millions in exchange for a ‘small’ fee. By weeding out these people that wouldn’t ever believe their unbelievable plot, they (the scammers) can then focus on those poor saps who are most likely to believe the unbelievable, and proceed to lure them into their schemes. By using the thoroughly scam-like emails for the initial contact, the scammers avoid wasting their valuable time communicating with people who would likely recognize the scam for what it is before they buy in completely.
The moral of the story? Don’t underestimate the lowlifes behind The ‘troubled Nigerian Prince’. They are smarter than their emails indicate. AND (unfortunately) they know exactly who they are targeting with these emails.
The coffee was hot, and the donuts were fresh…BUT WE DID NOT RECEIVE A CORRECT ANSWER FOR THE JUNE 2012 TRIVIA QUESTION!
Technology By Design staff had to make the sacrifice, and eat the winnings…THEY WERE DELICIOUS!
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“As a small company with 2 computer systems, Technology by Design has helped us out on numerous occasions. What really impressed us is how prompt the response was to any issue, big or small. If you want your IT questions and problems solved quickly and properly, call Technology by Design!”
Mona Stoez, Owner, Award Marble
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are NOT happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
” Technology By Design provided clear and reasonable quotations and a complimentary cleaning of our main computer.
Technology By Design has demonstrated integrity and professionalism in their dealings with me and other members of
our staff.”
Angela Peterson, Owner, Wolseley Wellness Centre
I have recently met Earl Harder (Sales Manager, Technology By Design) and am in the process of initiating an IT service contract with Technology By Design. They visited our clinic on three occasions to assess our computer situation and needs. On each visit they freely provided valuable information about the world of technology that remains quite foreign to me. Technology By Design provided clear and reasonable quotations and a complimentary cleaning of our main computer. They also personally picked up a family member’s computer at their home for repair and updating. Technology By Design has demonstrated integrity and professionalism in their dealings with me and other members of our staff.
Any small business without their own IT personnel would certainly benefit from Technology By Design’s services. I know I am already feeling more secure in the knowledge that our computer needs, which are so essential to our business, will be cared for by this supportive and knowledgeable company.
Angela Peterson, Owner, Wolseley Wellness Centre
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are NOT happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
“I am thrilled to have used Technology By Design’s services. Not only did they get my email working quickly, but they charged me only for the time of the repair,and not for research time, which was a wonderful surprise. I would highly recommend Technology By Design to look after any computer repair needs that you might have.”
Holly Clarke, Owner, Holly Clarke Design
I met Earl Harder (Sales Manager, Technology By Design) a few months ago through a professional business networking organization, BNI, that we both belong to. Recently, I started having trouble sending emails through me email software. I tried to figure it out myself, which probably made matters worse. I spoke to Earl, and he quickly set me up with Technology By Design technician Bob. Bob set me up with some software so he could work on my computer remotely, so as not to interrupt my business day, and he had my email back up and running shortly thereafter. I am so thrilled to have used Technology By Design’s services. Not only did they get my email working quickly, but they charged me only for the time of the repair, and not for research time, which was a wonderful surprise.
I would highly recommend Technology By Design to look after any computer repair needs that you might have.
Holly Clarke, Owner, Holly Clarke Design
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are NOT happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
“ Technology by Design has really helped us by allowing us to do our jobs without any IT concerns to slow down productivity. What this means to us is less down time dealing with technical difficulties. These guys are fast, friendly and trustworthy. They are always willing and able to look into any IT issue in a prompt and efficient manner. Technology by Design makes our business better!”
Craig Woycheshin, Technical Sales, Drive-line Services
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are NOT happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
“ Unbelievable customer service=Technology by Design. These guys really go above and beyond. They are not only about low prices, they offer exceptional service for their price. I can’t begin to tell you the kind of peace of mind we have knowing that our computers are working properly and help with any issue is just a phone call or email away. Technology by Design gives us the ability to deal with our members’ issues, not computer issues. If you need anything IT, Technology by Design is the company to call!”
Shirley Canty, Executive Director, Manitoba Motor Dealers Association(MMDA)
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
If you are a client of Technology by Design, and are NOT happy with our products and/or services, let us know! Email: empowering@tbyd.ca
Question:
I just got a new computer tower, pimped up for gaming. The manual (yes, I read the instructions!) says I need to put it somewhere with a specific amount of space. Can’t I just put it where my old tower was?
Answer:
Congrats on your new computer. And condolences to your family, they likely won’t see you except for bathroom breaks (unless you take an empty coffee can with you…and we won’t go there!).
Computer towers today, especially the “pimped up” ones generate a lot of heat. That heat needs to be removed from the tower, and cooler air needs to be pulled inside the tower to replace it. When you put a computer tower in a small space, the fan can’t vent the heat properly. Also, when the tower attempts to pull in cool air, the air it pulls in tends to be the same hot air it just vented out. This results in overheating…and possibly a short life for your new “pimped up” computer.
The best thing for the life of your computer (and your gaming) is to always follow the manufacturer’s suggestions, and make sure you don’t block the air intake vents. Happy gaming!
If you have a question for our resident geek, email it to geek@tbyd.ca!
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