Reply #5: Mate, I know that reply of mine sounded more draconian than I intended

[canetoad]

And in many ways was meant to be a list of What Not To Do.

Good rule o'thumb to follow is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' This especially applies to updates, new sw versions etc. The net (and your fav net applications) are not free from corporate pressure. If something is working just fine for you - DONT UPDATE FOR THE SAKE OF IT.

How your machine runs is pretty well your own business; because I need a big gutsy machine to manipulate several AI graphics layouts at once, I need mine to not be bogged down with uneccessary shit. I think most folk are not even aware of incremental decreases in performance as their machines accumulate all sorts of crap installed without their knowledge.

This means the trick to keeping a clean computer is to make perfectly sure that NOTHING runs or is installed without your knowledge or express permission. Updates, patches, security software ....NOTHING. Make sure you are on top of what runs on your computer.

Such is the current paranoia about computer security, people download and install multiple 'recommended' programs that run simultaneously and quite possibly conflict with each other. For the record, it's been years since I've used an anti-virus program. Viruses are not the current danger; click-happy people are!

I draw the analogy between the efforts of tobacco companies in the 60s and 70s to ensnare addicts to the far more invidious practices of internet marketing companies. Both approaches are playing on human nature and weaknesses; I may chain-smoke but I sure as hell don't invite unwanted guests onto my computer.

Apologies for this sounding like a lecture, but I guess it is :). Years ago the net was a sort of innocent playground where geeks gathered to push the boundaries. Then it became a resource for scammers, the unprincipled, thieves and manipulators. Your first line of defence is YOU and curtailing your own habits.

In previous posts you mentioned that it was no biggie to wipe your current machine; if you are in a position to do so, consider doing just that. Start with a fresh install, check msconfig every day for a couple of weeks, while you get the machine tuned to your liking. You will be amazed at the amount of shit that ends up in your startup folder, the number of programs that install system processes without telling you. Not all are bad but many of them you can do without.

OK, I've run out of steam (for now). For sure, you have clicked on or enabled something to be afflicted with Sailthru. Over to you. :hi: