idea for a book

i'm thinking about writing a book about "the (x) things they won't tell you about computers."

maybe not a book. maybe a common sense-type pamphlet.

it hit me the other night. we had friends over for dinner, and the husband was telling us about a horror story involving DSL installation and a new wireless network. i casually told him that he should go into his wireless router and, for the love of all that is holy, change the SSID from "d-link" or, worse, "default," to something a bit more unique.

i know that i can hop on a "default" network with no troubles in my neighborhood. and if i can do it, someone else sure can as well.

he was stunned. he never thought he'd have to do that, and he got a bit paranoid about it. not that i blame him -- but, there are just some things they don't tell you about wireless networks.

that's the idea -- a compilation of the things that aren't common sense to anyone but computer nerds, but could save non-nerds a ton of time and heartache.

things such as:

rename your wireless network and turn on encryption

don't use IE if you're running windows

if you must use IE, turn off ActiveX scripting

if you must use windows, pay good money for antivirus software and a router/firewall

all told, macs are cheaper in the long run -- if your time counts for anything

feel free to add to the list. i might credit you in the pamphlet!