FAQs
So, what are you, nuts? Only charging $15 a year? How are you ever going to get rich?
Actually, I don't expect to get rich (I'm probably the only guy in computers outside of Linus Torvalds who doesn't). I expect to keep providing people with the computer answers they need. But I have a family to raise, so I have to charge something. I figure US$15 a year is good enough for both of us. I expect to lose money on every sale, but I'll make it up in volume!
So, what are you, nuts? Charging $15 a year? Why should I pay that?
Well, pretty much, you shouldn't. I don't insist that everybody think this site is worth US$15 a year; that's why I have the free mailing list, too.
How do you know all this stuff?
Mainly, I just make it up as I go along. I figure if you're asking the question, you don't know the answer either!
Seriously, what happens when you get one wrong? Isn't it embarrassing?
Heck, yes!. But I figured out a long time ago that (are you sitting down?) I don't actually know everything, and I'm always willing to learn. That's why I have a forum labeled What Nick got wrong (again...). If I were afraid of criticism, trust me, I'd be in an entirely other line of work! But you'll notice the forum's on the pay side - it's gonna cost you money to publicly humiliate me!
How come your site's so plain? Can't you hire a good designer?
Actually, I married a good designer, but the whole point of this site is information, not flash. A very high proportion of the people who use this site come to it via 28.8 Kbps connections. Flashy graphics and whoop-de-doo animations and all that crap just make it really hard for them to get at the information that's here.
Nick's Rule of Web Site Design: the higher the flash, the lower the content. (Please, don't email me about how your site has both. Of course there are exceptions to every rule - let's not belabor the obvious!)
How do I get to be a Forum Moderator (ooooooh!)
Suggest a forum. I'm willing to give most anybody a try. I have a whole document on how to be a good forum administrator. Unfortunately, you have to be a Member to read it. If you suck at moderating, I'll have no compunction about telling you so, and helping you get better at it.
How come you don't have more Mac questions? What are you, a PC bigot?
Please pick the answer that makes you happiest:
- I never get any Mac questions; nothing ever goes wrong with a Mac!
- Actually, I owed the first Mac in Western New York (I know this because I was selling them at the time). I loved my Mac, but, as time went on, I discovered that people were willing to pay me more money to know stuff about PCs than about Macs. I've kind of lost touch with the Mac, but I'm hoping to get back into it someday, because it's an insanely great product!
- Macs suck, and Mac users are effete wimps who wouldn't know a real computer if it kicked them in the shins.
How come you don't have more Linux questions? What are you, a PC bigot?
Please pick the answer that makes you happiest:
- I never get any Linux questions; nothing ever goes wrong with Linux!
- I'm still learning about Linux, and that's why I have a magnificent Linux Forum Moderator (ooooooh!) who actually does know everything. But (if I can let you in on a little secret) I really like Linux, and Linus Torvalds is my hero.
- Linux sucks, and Linux users are effete wimps who wouldn't know a real operating system if it kicked them in the shins. Give it up and go back to OS/2!
How come you don't have more <insert anything I haven't answered a question about recently here> questions? What are you, a PC bigot?
Please pick the answer that makes you happiest:
- Listen - you people send in the questions, not me!
- Your <whatever it is> sucks, you suck, everybody who looks like you sucks, and the horse you rode in on sucks! (sorry, just had to get that off my chest. I'm better now, thanks)
You really insulted me when you said <insert random statement here, even if I never said it>!
About 99 44/100% of this site is tongue-in-cheek. I've often thought about putting the non-serious stuff in a different font or color for the humor impaired, but I just haven't gotten around to it.
On the other hand, if I've seriously insulted you, please accept my sincerest apology. It was completely unintentional. I know that people who intentionally insult others are actually suffering from low self-esteem, and trust me, that's not one of my failings!
Wow, you really hate Bill Gates, don't you?
Actually, I love Bill Gates! If it weren't for Bill Gates, I'd still be an out-of-work actor! I'm just one of a hoard of people trying to keep Microsoft honest. So far, we're behind.
Could you PLEASE just answer this ONE question for me outside of your mailing lists?
No. I'm trying to have a life. You're not helping.