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Re: What's your modus operandi?
de ms@invalid.com 05/22/2006 10:04
Susan Bugher <sebugher@yahoo.com> wrote in news:4de4sbF1a27svU1
@individual.net:
> Software is a "black box" - a door that's waiting to be opened. What's
> the best way to find out what's behind the door? (Is it a lady or a
tiger?)
>
> What's your modus operandi before downloading/ installing a program?
> What checks do you make? What order do you make them in? IMO (YMMV) the
> first order of business is to find out about the author. If they are
> well known and trusted little additional checking is needed. . .
>
> I think this subject might make a nice web page - a guide for newbies to
> the wonderful world of Freeware - perhaps organized somewhat along these
> lines:
>
> 1. investigating the author
Here, I try to use trusted websites, sometimes a really interesting program
is a one-of from an unknown.
> 2. investigating the program
Desirable if someone else here has commented on it.
> 3. protecting your existing computer set-up
I try to only use no-installs, run AV check before unzipping. If a setup
file, I run it on another trial computer, copy the executable back to my
main box.
> 4. recovering from disaster
Long subject.
>
> ISTM a guide should hi-lite the most importants steps and of course the
> simpler the procedures are the more likely people are to actually
> implement them.
>
> Please climb on your soapboxes and offer your words of wisdom. Tidbits
> of advice or essays on the whole process. . .
>
> TIA :)
Gradually, I find I am using less new programs, always a risk, if an older
program does my job.
Good topic, thanks, Susan.
Mike Sa