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July 27, 2007 10:25 PM PDT

Got computer questions? Ask Leo

Posted by Michael Horowitz
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Most of us have personal computer questions and it's not too hard to get answers. What is hard though, is getting an answer from someone qualified, thoughtful and reasoned. And a constant stream of good answers, for free, is too much to hope for.

Unless you know about Leo.

At his ask-leo.com web site, Leo Notenboom answers computer questions from anyone. Each week he answers a handful of questions, and, if you subscribe to his free newsletter, you get a weekly email with the current weeks questions. He can't answer every one, but he tries his best.

To illustrate, here are some recently asked and answered questions:

  • I'm being notified of an intrusion attempt, what should I do?
  • Where can I download Windows XP?
  • Why can't I connect with a 169.254.x.x IP address?
  • How do I translate a URL to an IP address?
  • What is thumbs.db, and can I delete it?
  • How do I change the icon of a desktop shortcut?
  • Why can't I access the Documents and Settings or Local Settings folders in Windows Vista?

Computer nerds don't really have an equivalent of the board certification that doctors do. Still, Mr. Notenboom previously worked for Microsoft, which should count for something. And as they say, it takes one to know one, so trust me, Leo is more than qualified to answer your tech questions. Maybe he already has.

Michael Horowitz is an independent computer consultant and the author of several classes on Defensive Computing. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 4 comments
Credentials
by tenc21 August 5, 2007 10:44 PM PDT
Working for Microsoft may count for something but it shouldn't be much...
Reply to this comment
by b1zwje73 January 1, 2008 11:31 AM PST
I like to learn anything I can about computers that I can because I'm still a little new at computers
Reply to this comment
by yaakovhillel October 27, 2008 12:59 AM PDT
A FRIEND WITH A RELATIVELY NEW LAPTOP STARTED HER COMPUTER AND SOME HOW HER PASSWORD CHANGED. THERE IS A PASSWORD ON HER ADMINISTATOR AND WHEN i PUT IN A CD THE COMPUTER ASKED FOR A PASWORD AS WELL. bESIDES FORMATTING IS THERE ANYWAY i CAN START HER COMPUTER FOR HER? tHANKS IN ADVANCE YAAKOV
Reply to this comment
by usmc2thou2 November 29, 2008 5:19 PM PST
My question is, can you transfer programs that you install from one laptop to another? If possible, how can you do that?
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About Defensive Computing

Michael Horowitz is an independent computer consultant and the author of several classes on Defensive Computing. He views Defensive Computing as taking steps, when things are running well, to avoid or minimize the inevitable problems down the road. It's about educating yourself to the level where you can make your own intelligent decisions about keeping your computers and data happy and healthy. If you depend on computers, yet are on your own, without an IT department or nearby nerd, this blog's for you. His personal web site is michaelhorowitz.com.

He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.

Disclosure.

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