Why I'm here

[mjc]

After a couple of recent posts I thought that I would examine why I keep coming back here.

The main reason I keep coming back is that the group of regulars really seem to want to help, and do so in a civil, polite and what I consider professional manner. We for the most part are not "paid professionals" when we are posting on this site. We each have a willingness to learn and to share that knowledge with others. I have been to other forums and many treat newbies as fresh meat in a pirananh tank.

If the nice guy always finishes last then why do we have almost 500 new members in about a month?

When I first came here my computer skills were very rusty, since I have been here I have remembered much of what I'd forgotten and learned a great deal. I wouldn't trade this site for a dozen others.

Of course the lite kidding and the minor disagreements don't make it any less friendly here, but just the opposite, I think, because if we didn't get along so well it would quickly degenerate into something like Yahoo Chat!


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mjc
To ME or NOT to ME....

[Randy_tx]

A B I G D I T T O http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

[stacyk]

I know I'm new here, but I'd just like to agree. Everyone is so friendly & if they can help they will. I also think it doesn't matter how stupid my question if someone knows the answer they will answer it, which I find great, as everyone has to start somewhere.

stacy

[BigBlue66]

Hey Howdy,

Stacy: The only stupid question is the one not asked.

Additionally, there are no dumb answers, especially when we usually don't get the whole story and have to shoot from the hip, so to speak.

Yep, I have to agree with all the foregoing. This site has got to be one of the best sites on the web for people to come to with problems that range from easy to mindstumpers. And quite frankly, I have yet to see any 'puter problem poster that hasn't received the help they seek.

'Course, we can all thank Charles and the bald guy, http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif , for keeping it clean and friendly.

I sometimes catch myself hitting this site waaaaayyyy more than once a day, http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif, just to see wassup.

Charles and Pete: If I fail the CPA exam, it's gonna be on your heads. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

[bassvax]

I spend a great deal time here...mostly reading q & a and the PC Guide. It is almost immeasurable the quality & quantity of content that I have learned here. I am even seeing hits from topic searches on Yahoo that direct me to the PC Guide. Charles, stand proud of your site!
I like that this place is exactly what it purports to be, a help site. I have seen numerous help sites, but none compare to the diversity, active population and quality advice that exists here. The response time here is like that of no other site I have seen. I like that people are honest enough to either not offer false info or to offer a place to find it.
I guess I could ramble on...but...
I would like to thank all who are here, both those that answer the questions and those that ask. I learn so much that carries over into my job duties at work as a help desk rep (not full time, but an extra duty I have acquired along the way).
Again, I would like to thank Charles for the site and now Pete, also, for his dedication as we all know this is a voluntary duty.
Nuff said from this end anyways http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Jerry

[bassman]

I found this site while trying to bring an old Compaq back to life. Their tech support could not answer a simple question and ended up routing me off to somewhere else. Somehow I ended up here and as far as I am concerned, in my computer life, it is one of the best things to happen to me.
The people here are great, and the quality and quantity of info is incredible.
I am very new to these types of forums and from what I have seen, I have no desire to go anywhere else.
Charles, Pete, and all who contribute....Thank you so much!
I know my new career in computers will be much easier with you by my side.
The addiction of helping someone for no financial gain is powerful and I can see that all here have the same affliction as myself.
ENJOY

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If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried

[Paleo Pete]

Well, I'm glad to see the comments I've seen in this topic. I've tried my best to be easy to get along with, and run the forums more by example than by any show of authority, as well as keeping a friendly and occasionally humorous attitude in the process.

It seems it's working. We have very little trouble here, quite a few very knowledgable people helping out, and everyone does things as a group effort seemingly by nature. I don't think I could have picked a better place on the net to hang out, or a better group of people to do it with.

I think we can all give ourselves a pat on the back, the PC Guide Discussion Boards are becoming the best on the net. It couldn't happen without the kind of people we've accumulated as regulars.

CPA??? Certified Purveyor of Anxiety?? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[BigBlue66]

Haint it da trut!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[mjc]

BB,

If I were to move to San Francisco, thereby becoming the guardian of my dog would I then be able to claim him as an exemption on my taxes? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

And since my computer definitely is sentient and requires a great deal of care and attention could I claim the extra deductions for a disabled dependant? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

What about hiring the dog to babysit the computer?
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mjc
To ME or NOT to ME....

[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 03-12-2001).]

[macellarius]

The Yahoos will come and go...but the quality content and functional design of this site transcend the medium. Don't change anything.

[bassman]

Hey M,
TurboTax didn't have a line for that this year. Maybe next year http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried

[Ghost_Hacker]

Bassmans right this site is addicting!!! The fact that the Yahooers and those of thier like aren't posting here (knock on wood), makes this the best forum I've been to and a great place to hang out.

But I've got a question....Does Randy_TX ever go to sleep? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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"It's just a whisper in my Ghost"

[Technochic]

I also want to say that this site is wonderful. I used to belong to a forum (guess I still do though I don't check it anymore) that I found when I had a funky problem I couldn't figure out (sound familiar?)...
The people on that site not only treated newbies like dirt, but professed to "know everything about computers". http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif There were a few people that seemed to genuinely want to help others and did so in a nice manner - but many were acting like bratty children. Turns out that the answers I got from these "experts" didn't help at all and I ended up fixing my PC all by myself (one of my proud accomplishments). I have always been wary of people who claim to know everything - especially about computers since the technology tends to move faster than any one person could possibly keep up with. Also, just because someone may not have posted before, they may know quite a bit about computers. It amazes me that anyone would have the gall to pass judgment someone they really don't know... but prejudice is everywhere. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif
Whew! What a rant!! Basically I just want to say that I enjoy being here and agree that since there is always much to learn, I would rather learn from (with) great people! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Okay so maybe I'm still fuming a bit from that awful post in How Does This Work... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif
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When in doubt... reboot!

[This message has been edited by Technochic (edited 03-12-2001).]

[BigBlue66]

Oh great, just what I need, tax questions. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

MJC: Deducting the dog as a dependent would of course depend on his age, student status and income level. As for the additional deduction for your disabled computer, I believe it has to be blind or something, not just needy, and even then, I believe it would have to claim its disabled status on its own return. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif You could deduct bonafide medical expenses and such that relate to its disability though, if you meet certain requirements. 'Course, if it's over 65, then it could get an additional deduction on its own return, besides the blindness. But then, if you can claim him as a dependent on your return, the waters get really muddy. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

And, if you're going to hire your dog to babysit your computer, be sure to pay him at least minimum wage, unless he's under 14 or 16 or something, then different rules apply. And don't forget, as a household employer, you must file a 945 if you meet certain requirements. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Nope, Randy_tx never sleeps, he's afraid he will miss some of BB66's humor. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Disclaimer: The above advice and goofing around, is not intended as legal, tax or otherwise advice to be relied upon. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Cheers,

BB 66

[bassman]

Hey BB,
How do you figure actual age for a computer. I know that large dogs tend to be around 7 years to our 1.
Also, do most state agencies follow federal law on this. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

This is what makes this place so COOL http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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If a book about Failures doesn't sell, is it a success?

[BigBlue66]

hehe

Bassman: It's very easy to figure the actual age in computer years. Just figure one year for every month past the moment you walk out of the store with it. (Or, after you purchase all those 'state-of-the-art' components to build it with)

Henceforth, one year of ownership would equal twelve years in actual age. Hain't it da trut??!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

State law is silent on this issue, so fed rules would apply. Unless of course, the state can come up with a way to circumvent the fed rules, so as to suck more revenue. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

In truth though, the federal Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) depreciates computers and peripherals on a five-year recovery period. That is totally ridiculous, dontcha think? The computer is totally obsolete before it's even fully depreciated!!

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

P.S. I have heard that about figuring a dog's actual age measured in human years, but did you know that for felines, you figure the first year to be 20 years, and then four years for each year after that? Yep, it's da trut! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif (So, that would have made our Russian Blue kitty that we had to put down last year 100 years old. (21 human years old)