Could the OP be updated more frequently? It’s dated 2009, and AFAICT it’s unchanged other than a couple of pretty minor adds in 2012. That’s a Rip Van Winkle nap - and then some - in Internet years.
Hell, even most of the non-mod posts are pretty long in the tooth, and of dubious value even in the opinion of other posters here. For instance, I tried NoScript because it was highly recommended in that thread, and when I mentioned my difficulties with it in another thread, the general reaction was “NoScript? That old thing? You should be using X, Y, or Z instead.”
I bring this up because my desktop computer’s acting pretty buggy these days, and if the OP were fairly recent, I’d take its advice on cleaning it up. But I’m kinda hesitant to follow computer-cleaning instructions left over from 2009 when it’s 2015.
Honestly, I think that thread should be split in two: one sticky for posts by mods and others authorized by the SDMB to give the semi-official Dope word on what works these days, and a second sticky for suggestions from the rest of us. As it is, the only way to make sure there are no official updates buried in the thread somewhere is to read through all the posts by random Dopers.
I will second this OP, and support the suggestion of a locked stickie with frequently updated instructions for computer cleanup that is useful to non-technical computer users. As a computer support professional, I would be happy to contribute to an updated thread.
Talk about “read my mind”! Thank you for asking RTF.
I’ve been wondering how to ask this very question recently but hadn’t come up with anything. I’m also usually lost when it comes to finding the best, safest, “flavor-of-the-day” cleaners/scanners available.
So much out there, and so much crap sprinkled with some truly awesome stuff. I’ve always looked to the SD for quality, trusted advice when it comes to hygiene.
Still a good idea. Unfortunately there is probably only one mod qualified to do the job well. I’ll poke him with a stick and see if he’s got the time to do something with it now.
