You are your own worst enemy!

Pretty bold statement, but I felt like I needed to get your attention quickly.  I am of the opinion that the real estate industry is masterful at shooting itself in the foot.  We have a number of ways that we do this, many because of national and state association policies, to say nothing of MLSs that refuse to come in the 21st century.

But the way that I am referring to is our stead fast refusal to pay even the most basic attention to our computers.

Let me explain.  For the past few weeks I have been visiting real estate offices to train them on some fabulous software that they get as a member benefit from their association.  The association has hired me to visit these offices and work one on one with the agents who cannot get the software to work.  Without exception, I have found that the number one reason that they can’t get the system to work for them is because their computers get in the way…the very computers that they depend on for their livelihood defeat them before they can get started.

Here is a small sampling of what I found:

Computers running Windows 2000 … really?  I mean come on folks, Microsoft hasn’t supported that for years.  A Windows 2000 machine on the internet is like a breeding ground for viruses and mal-ware as it is likely unprotected.

Other computers running Adobe Reader 7…seriously?  Older versions of Adobe Reader have serious security flaws that have been addressed in version X.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6…oh come on now.  Why are you even running Internet Explorer in the first place, let alone Version 6?  Friends don’t let Friends run Internet Explorer at all, but if you have to run it because your MLS is so far out of touch with modern day computing that you must, at least upgrade to version 8.  Even the most backward MLS system can handle that version.  If you don’t have to run Internet Explorer, don’t.  Opt for Firefox instead.

These three issues alone have been the reason why the agents of that association hated the new system.  Once we upgraded Adobe Reader to version X, and moved them to Firefox, they fell in love with the new system.

Here is some action that you can take:

First  of all, go here and read this article: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/windows-update which will you understand how to keep your Windows computer updated.  Then go here to get the free Adobe Reader Version X: http://get.adobe.com/reader/. Then go here to get Firefox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/new/

Mac users, click on the Apple logo in the upper left of your screen, then click on Software Update.  That will check all of the software on your Mac and allow you to upgrade anything that has a newer version. You can then update Adobe Reader by following the link above. No need for you to grab Firefox unless you want to, because the browser that comes with your Mac (Safari), is also an excellent browser.

I can hear you now, though:  “I’m not running that software and I am not having any problems”. Really?  You could be having issues with old and antiquated software and not even be aware of how much your computer is slowing you down.  Best to take a few minutes and check things out.  In fact, why not calendar this as a “To Do” every few months.

Give your computer a little attention and it will stop fighting you! (You can thank me later!)
*** This Just In*** Life Hacker just posted this video on how to do updates on your computer! http://lifehacker.com/5802139/how-to-update-software-for-beginners