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The Tech Support of the Crowds

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the better-than-that-scuzzy-guy-you-knew-in-college dept.

professorhojo writes "News.com reports on an innovative new use for instant messaging, meant to connect up strangers who need tech support with experts in their field. From the article: 'In my experience, the best technical support on any product will come from somebody who actually uses and likes the product, not a paid support rep following a script ... If you can't wait for a response in a message board, you can try a new service, Qunu, which is trying to replicate the message board community spirit, but in real time. [It] connects you via instant message to an expert on the topic you need help with. We already know that crowds are wise. They're altruistic and they love to talk, too. Qunu harnesses that.'"

8 of 99 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm..... by hnile_jablko · · Score: 2, Funny

    www.NerdFriendFinder.com?

  2. How do you avoid spam IMs? by CurtMonash · · Score: 5, Funny

    "I'll accept IMs from anybody who needs help with issue XYZ."

    "Hello, my name is Honeypot. I have issue XYZ, and I'm a hot, horny 21-year old blonde with big boobs. I'm just sooo grateful for your help. Click here to make a date with me so I can thank you properly!"

    --
    To err is human. To forgive is good system design.
  3. Re:I'm not so sure... by sam.thorogood · · Score: 2, Funny

    Especially if you're trying to IM on the same hardware you're trying to fix.

  4. but! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    pfft!!

    RTFM n00b!!

  5. Re:Tech Chat by dr_dank · · Score: 2, Funny

    but it's helped Tito tremendously in the past when he was stuck on a systems issue.

    I guess Jermaine or Michael weren't much help.

    --
    Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
  6. Re:wow, thats new by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well, sarcastic elitist bullshit wasn't an option.

    Apologies.

  7. new here? by rhesuspieces00 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "sarcastic elitist bullshit" constitutes about 95% of /.

  8. That Wouldn't Help by Greyfox · · Score: 3, Funny

    After all, everyone on the Internet is female, blonde and barely legal. Hell I'm female, blonde and barely legal, too. Well... except I have a penis. And am 36. I do have big man boobs though, if that helps at all. Which, interestingly enough, is the exact description of every person on the Internet who claims to be female, blonde and barely legal. Well... anyone on the Internet who claims to be female. It's not so much that the Internet is populated entirely by men (Although it is) but rather that anyone who would actually fit that description is usually pretending to be a 36 year old dude with big man boobs.

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?