Slashdot Mirror
Please Don't Ask Me About Windows On Christmas
Like many Slashdot users I spend a wee bit of my otherwise leisure
time doing gratis tech support for people I may not even know. I usually don't
mind too much but last Christmas I got more than one call from distant
relatives that, along with wanting to spread holiday cheer, had me weigh in on
whatever might be wrong with their new gadget. I was pleased as punch to see this
article in the NYT (F.R.Y.Y.Y) about
where I might be able to send the less techo hip. If you do *Windows* tech
support for grandma after hours this article might also come in handy." Here are a couple of previous articles about the sorry state of conventional support options -- perhaps articles like this will spark some entrepreneurial ideas, too.
As someone who did PC support for years, I can relate to this. Everyone and their brother wants help with their PC's, and expects it for free. They think you like nothing better than to sit around giving computer advice at family functions, parties, etc. You wouldn't expect your brother-in-law the mechanic to fix your car for free, would you? Or get a free root canal from a relative who's a dentist? Why is there this perception that IT people should work for free, and live to fix your Windows problems? Now I just tell them I only work on mainframes (or "BIG Computers" when they give you a blank look), and don't know Windows. Anyway, sorry for the rant, this is something that's been bugging me for years.
Imagine I'm a Linux and BSD poweruser/sysadmin and the problem is related to Windoze or Mac. I honestly don't know that much about those systems (nor do I care to learn) so there's no 'pretend'.
I should probably explain this attitude more generally. Since I don't have anything to do with Microsoft, there's no basis for me to bash(1) their products. Likewise I don't fancy buying an Xbox to be modded into a Linux box, because I don't want to be involved with M$ in any way.
In many cases it's best just to ignore M$ quietly, and focus on doing your things with the best tools. I know there's the practical problem of getting a box (especially laptop) without Windows, but for many other things the quiet way should work.
Think of it this way: M$ is the neighbourhood bully who gets his satisfaction from pissing you off. He will be powerless if you just ignore him.
--
If you moderate this, then your children will be next.
You're a jackass, you know that? You only have one family, don't fucking laugh at them because they don't have the same interests you do.
We're called Geeks and Nerds in general...
...but when 'they' (the populace who ridicule or look down on us) want us to do something for them, we're called 'friends'. That is until we've fixed it and gone home.
Cynicism, don't you just love it, eh?
Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
Perhaps I don't get it. If its friends or family, why would this be a problem? I've been asked for help plenty of times over the years and never thought twice about it. Why would I?
Since I don't have anything to do with Microsoft, there's no basis for me to bash(1) their products
Well then, why the M$ crap?
"They created the abortion of an OS, so let them support it." Those are the exact words I use.
This is my thinking on the matter:
If I go do the job that MS tech support is supposed to be doing, I am, in fact, donating to them. Why should I do that? They have money and resources and time. They are not paying me to answer questions. So, why should I spend my time and energy?
Now, I am not talking about fixing stuff at work. I am talking about fixing other people's computers.
I first took this stance a few years ago at a family get together. Suddenly it was "let's ask Randy all our Windows questions." On the way home it dawned on me what an entirely shitty evening I had because I got to solve everyone's problems for free. I fixed their problems and got nothing in return.
What really took the cake though was this friend of a friend whose computer I got roped into fixing. While I am sitting there trying to fix a sound card problem and get the 10 different copies of Netscape off the machine (yes, she had 10 copies of Netscape) the lady says to me, "well, my son says there is nothing wrong with the sound card drivers." I looked her square in the eye and said "Who's your son?" Then I got up and promptly left. I wasn't charging the lady any money, but the last thing in the world I want is some car mechanic son of hers telling me how to do my job.
I now provide support for only two people - my mom and my dad. That's it. If someone asks me for help I tell them I charge $100/hour billable in 15 minute increments. Unless they are running Linux, then I do it for free.
One final story: I had this one chucklehead I used to work with call me up at work one day and ask some dumb Windows question - it was something like "Why do I get a blue screen?" My answer - "That's Windows!" He proceeds to tell me how Windows is really popular and that when he worked for some company on the help desk (like this guy could help anyone) he came to that conclusion because he got 100 calls for Windows support vs one call for Mac support. To which I replied, "Well, maybe that's because Windows is so shitty it needs that many support calls." He hung up pretty quick.
Bottom line, don't lament your inevitable consultation requests. Help them as best you can, and then cash in the karma for appropriate favors from them. I think you'll find it comes in handy.
"You're never ready, just less unprepared."
Imagine I'm a Linux and BSD poweruser/sysadmin and the problem is related to Windoze or Mac. I honestly don't know that much about those systems (nor do I care to learn) so there's no 'pretend'.
I used to work with a guy who had this same attitude.. The guy was a super genius and could to anything with linux you'd ever want done, but had some secret hatred of microsoft and refused to go near their products. Problem is, in the Real World you can't just ignore them. Case in point, said co-worker was asked to setup a samba server on linux. He had no problems setting up the server, but even *mapping a drive* from windows to test the server took him hours since he knew so little about windows. Like it or not, Microsoft has a MAJOR foothold in the PC and server world (to say the least), and simply ignoring them will do much more harm to you than to them.
In many cases it's best just to ignore M$ quietly, and focus on doing your things with the best tools.
That's YOUR decision if you choose to ignore Microsoft just because they're microsoft - and I certainly won't bash you for it - but sometimes a microsoft product IS the best tool for the job.. Throwing it away just because it is made my microsoft seems a little short sighted.. To me, "best tools" should include ANY tool that helps me accomplish what I need to accomplish with my PC.
Think of it this way: M$ is the neighbourhood bully who gets his satisfaction from pissing you off. He will be powerless if you just ignore him.
Ugh, slashdot analogies are always horrible.. And since we've established that, let me make an equally horrible one... Think of Microsoft as your corner crack dealer. You may not approve of what he does, and yes, if you ignore him he probably won't try to sell you crack.. But hey, if you need some crack, he's the only place you're gonna find it.
(Sheesh, did I just stick up for microsoft AND refer to them as a crack dealer in the same post? I need to leave the beer alone).
Shayne
Today I didn't even have to use my AK; I got to say it was a good day -- Icecube
I see a lot of griping about fixing computer problems here. Sure, I can understand politely saying "I'm sorry, its Xmas, I'll help you another day", but I don't understand saying "Go away, I'll never help you!"
I will admit, I have fixed computers for family and friends. I have even given away low cost parts for cheap. In return, I have called on the same members of my family and friends for help moving, for advice on vehicle problems, to borrow items, or just to dig their brains for a specific kernel of knowledge.
Help your family and friends. The only calls you should be turning down (or charging for) are from aquaintances that only contact you when they need computer help. Being friendly isn't an excuse to be walked on.
Just my $.02
I used to work with a guy who had this same attitude..
... ... hmm... I donno
Some of us don't have an attitude; we're just doing our job. And you know how you become a super Linux guru knowing little about Windows? It's because you focus your efforts. It's better to do one thing well than do a shitty job knowing a little bit of everything. I don't hold it against a Linux guru if he does a very good job not knowing windows, nor do I hold it against a good (yes GOOD) MS guru if they also know their stuff and know little about Linux. Rather smart people may be able to master everything, but not so smart people like me might have to concentrate our efforts to do a better job in other areas. I spend most of my time as an admin on our Linux/NT servers, but is it really my fault because I don't know every single problem with Windows? You tell me. I really don't think so.
user (on phone): Exel is giving me an error.
me: okay
user: something about not enough memory.
me:
user: But I just want to save the file but it won't let me. I don't even have anything else open.
me:
Some of us have to pick our battles.
See what could happen.
Don't be free tech support for Microsoft. If they want to use Windows, fine. It's their choice, their problem. Not yours. Let them pay... how much is now? $100 a call?
Users must learn the cost of their decissions.