That’s what I’m here for, to be helpful! (that’s the plan anyway )

Thanks for your post too!

One thing that “may” be a problem is the use of the avast firewall. It’s a fine firewall to use but you must ensure that the Anti Virus component is switched off.
Otherwise you will have 2 Anti Virus programs running at the same time, which will slow the system down but can also cause problems inside Windows itself.

The main reason that I mention this is unless you are running a computer with MASSIVE amounts of data, the scan should not be taking 12 hours to complete.
Search and Destroy is another good program that I’ve used before but I found that during tests the Malware Bytes program was the best balance between removing rubbish and not removing useful files at the same time.

Thanks again for your post and interacting with the group!

Paul.

Thanks for the great FREE info. I’d like to add that I too have used Malware Bytes Free edition for a few years now. However, I’ve not tried the Microsoft product you mentioned. I use 2 other FREE programs that, so far (knock on wood) have done a great job for me. I use Super Anti-Virus Spyware software and Avast for my firewall. Avast is always running behind the scenes and updates itself at least once a day. The other two I manually update (free editions which is why it’s manual) every day, but Sunday. It usually takes about an hour to run each day and then I set up the full scans Sat. evening and those 2 running simultaneously (I know that running them separately is recommended, but as long as it works, I’ll continue to do it this way) take about 12 hours to run.

I’ve only had a couple of scares and when I do, I’ll run Spybot Search & Destroy (also FREE) and it seems to get me back on track. I would highly recommend all that I’ve mentioned, in addition to your recommendations Paul, just as alternatives. Hope this helps your readers.

It all depends on what your actually doing online and how much time you have to commit to it.
I think I’m probably the king of sleep deprivation these days lol, but it’s amazing what a 20 minute power nap can do for you in the afternoon

I’m usually up at 7-8am with my wife and son as the wee man starts nursery at 9am then I drop my wife off to work just afterwards.
Then when everyone’s gone to bed I come online to catch up with my friends and customers from around the world, and sometimes get some more work done.

I can and have survived on the 5-6 hour sleep and 20-30 minute powernap for quite some time but at least I get a wee lie in at the weekend, if my son hasn’t woken at the crack of dawn of course lol

Thanks again for your comments,
Paul.

Even if you know how to do stuff yourself, there’s not enough hours in the day for everything that needs to be done…extremely frustrating and ‘stress causing’.

So now I have lots of valuable information on the very best outsourcers and the best sites to go to…Just have to get my head around actually deciding to ‘let go’ a bit and choose what to give to experts to do for me.

Sleep deprivation? Yeah, I work best when the house is quiet and everything else is done, which means working far into the night and getting so absorbed I don’t notice the time! Is that just my peculiarity or are there others like me out there?

Paul.

I’ve known Paul since 2009! And I definitely consider you my friend even though we haven’t met and only talk every now and then!

You are definitely one persistent kind of guy and you can never fail if you don’t give up =).

You MADE it mentally already. Focus on the actions and you will be there financially before you know it!

Congrats Paul. It’s nice to see you still at it!!

Congrats on the WSO too!! I may buy a copy .

Matt

In the meantime, if you’re looking for simply amazing training for photoshop, the best place (in fact the ONLY place) that makes financial sense would be http://Lynda.com.
For about $19 a month you get access to so much training, it’s hard to see how they actually turn a profit.
I’ve learned tons over the years about Photoshop and other stuff besides.

I can’t recommend them enough. Go check out the site and see what you think!

Thanks,
Paul.

It’s a hard job a times, but so rewarding not just in a financial sense, but also getting to talk with so many others such as yourself.
I certainly wouldn’t change anything and It’s good to make contact with another fellow IM’er

Best of luck in all you do my friend, and take care.
Paul.