Re: tech help, sanity and in laws
- From: Journey <rainbow@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 19:57:43 -0500
On Wed, 16 May 2007 10:30:41 -0500, RnR <rnrtexas@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
How do you guys keep your sanity when you have to fix other's pc's
after you already did it before and they can't tell what they did to
mess it up again? I fixed my sister in law's pc about 6 months or so
ago (lot of viri) which I probably spent about a day or so (for free)
getting it cleaned up only to find it messed up again last nite (this
time probably not viri).
To make a short story, she has a dell 2400 and lost an excel file and
asked if I could find it; looks like she wrote over it and it wasn't
in the recycle bin. But the problem is everything I wanted to try,
took so long I lost my patience and I couldn't stay that long to fix
it. Even my thumb drive which was recognized wouldn't open (or so it
seemed after a couple of minutes). I managed to clean the registry
and a few other things but really didn't help much. I finally
suggested it was probably best to wipe the disk and reinstall the OS
(xp home) because I told her for me to fix it would take too long. I
suggested I'd partition her drive so she could move her important
stuff on that partition and then I could do the OS reinstall. I know
she doesn't understand me fully but that's another story. And don't
ask about a backup.... I doubt she would even know what it is <g>
(next time I fix it, I'll make a backup).
I know I need more patience because my wife gets mad at me when I get
mad at her computer illiteracy. I guess I expect people by now to
know more about pc's (at least basics) but that's not the case. All
they seem to want to know is how to use the keyboard :( . Geeze..
(maybe I'm hanging out in here too long and expect the rest to know
what we are all talking about)
The biggest thing that helps me keep my sanity when asked for computer
help is the word "no". It's funny -- we learn it, love it, and use it
effectively when we are 2 years old, but in the course of development
many people, myself included, forget how useful it can be.
Say it with me: "I reclaim the use of the word no". <jk>
The other thing that helps is the phrase "I am a computer professional
and charge for my services".
I don't let myself be known as "the computer guy" when I am in a
circle of friends. I don't discuss the computer problems of others
when I am out on a social event with people. It's like being a lawyer
or a doctor -- they might say call me during business hours or call me
to set up an appointment. Same thing.
These guidelines are by no means absolute. I help people who don't
have the resources to get help. I help good friends when we have a
reciprocal kind of relationship. I help people who fix me a nice big
ribeye steak :-)
Before touching someone's computer I make sure that they know and
agree with the fact that I could damage their computer or make any
problem worse. If that should happen, I am not responsible for fixing
it.
Recently someone who considered me a "friend" approached me with "hey
buddy, what are you doing this weekend?", then went on to say that he
messed up his computer and needed help. He was _very_ irritated when
I didn't buy into his expectations of free help due to
acquaintenceship (sp). It ended up that he paid me to help him (which
required a reinstall of the OS) $200 up front -- brought his laptop to
my place, it took a few hours because some unexpected problems came
up, and now when I see him I know he's not being friendly to "the
computer guy" -- he's being friendly to me.
.
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