ah, your good with 'computers' aren't you?
Discussion
Are you the IT support Lackey who unknowingly took the job of having to help your family/friends with all their computer/tech problems?
I bet when they spotted you were good with "computers", it was then your status of 'IT Guru' was eternally cemented in their minds.
If you've never had this role, you might be wondering "so what, it's nice to help people". Oh for sure, but it never ends ... the requests start off small and then become ridiculous over time - see below:
Example: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/computers
I remember once a friend asked me to help her sort out an issue she had with her mac (powerbook g4??) - I knew nothing about macs/OSX ... the CMD key left me stumped (I'm ok with OSX now). When I told her "I couldn't help because I don't know much about macs" she hit the roof, assuming I was just being uncooperative for the sake of it, "but your good with computas"
In later years, I started to act dumb about ipads and tech in general... this worked, I stopped getting annoying requests. Of course if my immediate family need help with tech I do what I can, everyone else can google.
Are any of you IT support for family/friends - share your stories
I bet when they spotted you were good with "computers", it was then your status of 'IT Guru' was eternally cemented in their minds.
If you've never had this role, you might be wondering "so what, it's nice to help people". Oh for sure, but it never ends ... the requests start off small and then become ridiculous over time - see below:
Example: https://theoatmeal.com/comics/computers
I remember once a friend asked me to help her sort out an issue she had with her mac (powerbook g4??) - I knew nothing about macs/OSX ... the CMD key left me stumped (I'm ok with OSX now). When I told her "I couldn't help because I don't know much about macs" she hit the roof, assuming I was just being uncooperative for the sake of it, "but your good with computas"
In later years, I started to act dumb about ipads and tech in general... this worked, I stopped getting annoying requests. Of course if my immediate family need help with tech I do what I can, everyone else can google.
Are any of you IT support for family/friends - share your stories
To use the example of the plumber mentioned earlier.
If the plumber turns up to help fix a problem, I'd wager most people feel inclined/want to offer something in return due to the 'work' of the plumber looking tangible (tools, materials, physically tinkering).
Yet when it comes to fixing tech stuff (mainly software) for others, no one wants to offer any reward. It's as though all they see is a tapping of keys and your working knowledge just isn't valued in the same way.
On another note, I have given my folks apple laptops and ipads and it's the best thing I ever did. It's very rare they need my help, the whole "it just works" mantra keeps them out of trouble.
If the plumber turns up to help fix a problem, I'd wager most people feel inclined/want to offer something in return due to the 'work' of the plumber looking tangible (tools, materials, physically tinkering).
Yet when it comes to fixing tech stuff (mainly software) for others, no one wants to offer any reward. It's as though all they see is a tapping of keys and your working knowledge just isn't valued in the same way.
On another note, I have given my folks apple laptops and ipads and it's the best thing I ever did. It's very rare they need my help, the whole "it just works" mantra keeps them out of trouble.
geeks said:
I just send people this when they ask me to look at their computers
Also when faced with the tech conversations, a friend recently built himself a mini pc to go under his TV so he could watch porn I assume. Anyway he was very impressed with himself and I nodded and made the right noises when pointed out various features. He then asked me what I do with the TV to watch things etc. He was very unimpressed when I told him I just use and Amazon Firestick for streaming services and an Xbox for DVD's and Blurays. What most people don't seem to understand is when you do that s
t for a living, the last thing you want to do at home is start fannying about with obscure Linux distros or odd hardware with weird drivers, it's no longer a hobby for me but a living.
Also when faced with the tech conversations, a friend recently built himself a mini pc to go under his TV so he could watch porn I assume. Anyway he was very impressed with himself and I nodded and made the right noises when pointed out various features. He then asked me what I do with the TV to watch things etc. He was very unimpressed when I told him I just use and Amazon Firestick for streaming services and an Xbox for DVD's and Blurays. What most people don't seem to understand is when you do that s
t for a living, the last thing you want to do at home is start fannying about with obscure Linux distros or odd hardware with weird drivers, it's no longer a hobby for me but a living. very good!Yes I agree, if you work day to day with tech you start to appreciate 'simpler technology' because you can't be arsed tinkering like a hobbyist would.
For example, many years ago I would never have purchased a NAS box... why? I can make my own HTPC/Server with windows Server, setup network shares, add users, install some custom backup software. Today I cannot be arsed with any of that. I just want to open the box, plug it in, go through initial setup, job done.
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