The Girly Anti-Geek

This week’s feature is relatively new to blogging, but not new to the technology world.  She’s got some great ideas, and I can’t see what she can do with a cheesecake.

Readers, I’m pleased to introduce you to Computer Help and Advice.

**Your Blog(s):  I only have one site at the moment and it’s http://www.computerhelpandadvice.com  It’s not the name I really wanted but it’s ok.  It’s got a little bit of computer tips and stuff but a little bit of personal stuff.  I still consider it a work in progress as I learn to do more with it.  I am working on another website; http://www.blueeyedgrits.com  It’s going to be about recipes, food, etc, but specializing in cheesecakes.  And I will probably throw in some personal rants here and there.

**How long have you been blogging?:  Honestly, about 3 or so months.  It’s a little difficult to work into my schedule because I work two other jobs and this is a job in itself.  I am learning a lot about maintaining a website.  I’ve always considered myself a fairly intelligent individual but trying to learn Dreamweaver is proving to be a little more difficult than I thought.

**What kind of Geek are you?:  When I first started in the IT field some 14 years ago, most of the guys I met in the field didn’t really seem to have much of a personality.  That has changed over times.  I think it helps that I actually had children and worked in other fields before the IT field.  I’ve worked different areas of the IT field from desktop to switches and routers.  Honestly I like the networking side more than the desktop.  And I like the switch\router side more than I like the server\client side of the IT field. 

**Are you a Geek offline?:  Yes I am a Geek offline.  My second job is actually at a Best Buy working for the Geek Squad.  I started out doing that to make a little extra money for Christmas and I’m still there.  I know the Geek Squad gets ridiculed a lot but it’s not really that bad.  Even though I was told that you really don’t have to be ‘technical’ to work there but they like to have someone who is, just in case.  The location that I work at has two people that are, me and one other guy.  The supervisor is not too bad but he really doesn’t have that much technical experience.  These positions are ‘geared’ toward customer service.  

**What is your favorite thing to do when you’re NOT blogging?:  Well I really don’t know how to answer that one.  I work so much when I’m not blogging and then I try to catch up on sleep.   I guess spending time with my grandson would be my favorite thing; he and I love to go to the library.  I do go karaoke every once in awhile with my sister and she and I talk on the phone a lot. 

**Who is your target audience?:  I think everyone and anyone that would like some tips on computers in a way they can understand the terminology. 

**How do you generate traffic to your site?:  I joined Entrecard to generate traffic to start.  I also sent emails to friends on myspace and facebook.  I’m still learning how to do that. 

**Tell us one “secret” or “tip” you can share with us non-Geeks who are learning.:  Although you can screw up a computer by deleting a certain file, normally they can be fixed.  But when you purchase a new computer be sure to either let someone or do it yourself, but create the recovery disk.  They are worth it because if you don’t it’s a pain to call the vendor and pay to have them send you one.  Also, back up your pictures and important files.  Get an external hard drive and copy whatever is important to you onto that external drive.  Or burn them to a cd\dvd.     Another thing, working on computers can sometimes take a little longer than you expect because the unexpected could happen.  Be Patient!  And finally, research the internet for questions you may have or things you don’t understand.  There is a lot of good information out there.  It’s where I look when I have something I can’t figure out. 

**Tell us more about YOU:

Well, I will be 50 this year.  WOOHOO!!  I have two children; ages 27 and 21 and a grandson that’s 8.  He is so much fun.

I actually started working when I was 17 in an office.  I worked mostly bookkeeping jobs until I was 34 and then had several ‘life changing’ events happen and ended up in the IT field working in a call center.  I really wanted to move to ‘tech’ support so I purchased Novell study guides and took 7 tests in 8 months and obtained my CNE (Certified Novell Engineer).  I started taking other jobs to ‘get’ hands on experience and my experience and career in the IT field has grown ever since.  I do have my MCP but I ‘flop’ back and forth on whether to pursue my MCSE.  I am actually leaning towards a CCNA.

Thank you, Rena, for participating in this week’s feature.  That grandson of yours is ADORABLE!  I can understand why you spend any free time you have with him. 

I must post about my secret love affair with the Geek Squad someday. 

Readers, be sure to head on over to Computer Help and Advice, and let her know Grandy sent you.

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