“Techie” Interview Series 3 – Paul Eckstrom

I’ve found another victim, um, er, I mean, very nice person to do yet another “techie” interview!  I like to ask people who are in the tech field (or that I know have technical aptitude with computers) some simple yet curious questions about what they think and who they are.  Here’s an interview with Paul Eckstrom, PC technician and tech blogger over at Tech–for Everyone.  Enjoy!

Bio:

I am a CompTIA Certified computer technician, and the owner of Aplus Computer Aid. I write a daily Tech Tips & Tricks, and How-To blog, Tech–for Everyone with an emphasis on the “for everyone”.

Do you mind being called a “techie” friend?

Um.. do I mind being called a “techie”? I prefer “Über Geek”.. but since I have been using, building, and repairing computers since Win 95, I definitely qualify as a “techie”.

How long have you been interested in technology or computers?

As I just mentioned, I have been involved with computers since just before the “dot com bubble“, but I actually didn’t develop a special interest in computers until rather late in life (I was kind of afraid of them there for a while, actually). But, with the advent of 56K modems, the “opening up” of the Internet to the public, and video games like Duke Nukem 3D, I was hooked.

Do people in your life (friends or relatives) seem to turn to you for computer related problems?

Well, a vigorous campaign of insulting them as morons, and charging them twice my going rate, has pretty well put an end to that annoyance.. I kid!

If so, does this bother you?

No. Not generally. Despite the advances in technology (I mean, the days of DOS are long gone — replaced by the GUI and icons), computers still aren’t the easiest things to figure out — they are NOT appliances like a TV set or microwave oven, though people often seem to see them as such.. But there are limits.

If someone would contact you for assistance, what kind of steps should they take before asking for help?

1) reboot 2) Google it.

Where do you see the internet in 10 years?

It either won’t exist because the hackers and cybercriminals will have totally corrupted it, or it will be the most ubiquitous part of our lives. (It’s already the largest man-made object on earth.) If it somehow survives, it will be the repository of all knowledge, the method of commerce, and a “Big Brother” watchdog unimagined by George Orwell.

Related to the last question, where do you see computers in 10 years?

They will be everywhere.. including sewn into your clothes. Wireless technology will keep them in constant contact.

Your opinion on:

Best OS?

Windows 7

Best Web browser?

Firefox

Best free/paid antivirus program?

Avast! Home Edition

Best search engine?

The 300lb gorilla (starts with a “G”)

What are the top 3-5 websites you visit regularly?

• Bill Mullins Weblog-Tech Thoughts
• What’s On My PC…
• TWiT.TV
• Security Fix (blog)
• Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows

Thank you Paul for taking the time to share!

-Anyone else, feel free to add to or comment on anything discussed above!

Related posts:

1. “Techie” Interview Series 1 – Mark Bouchard
2. “Techie” Interview Series 2 – Matt Rodela