Family Tech Support? Call 1-800-Call-Chris
Because I work in the technology field, I have become my family’s 27/4 tech support. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family and don’t mind helping them, but have you ever tried to explain to somebody how to copy and paste? Install printer drivers? Internet not working? How about a conversation like this:
Family Member: I can’t get to my e-mail.
Me: Okay, open up your web browser.
Family Member: My what?
Me: Your web browser….just…just look on your desktop. Do you see a big E?
Family Member: Desktop ?!?
Me: Yeah, the screen that you look at when the computer first comes on
Family Member: Oh, oh. Okay, I’m on it. I don’t see a big E, though.
Me: Okay, well, I was trying to get you to Internet Explorer but maybe you don’t have a shortcut. Okay, click on the “Start” button and go to “All Programs.”
Family Member: The “Start” button? What’s that? I don’t see it.
That’s when I go ballistic. Especially if they have to read each and every screen that pops up to me. If you have had these feelings before, or if you are your families’ computer tech support, here is a program I use:
Teamviewer: A remote desktop assistance program that lets you VPN into another computer. Sure, there are plenty out there but this one is faster, is lightweight, and gives you more options like FTP, disable remote input, etc.
This tool has helped me avoid much consternation and frustration. Try it. You’ll like it.
3 Comments
Chris,
I laughed right out loud when I read, “Have you ever tried to teach someone to cut and paste?” ROFL, I have had that exact conversation with my mother so many times and whenever I say “just cut and paste it…” she always says, “Now, how do you do that again?” My mom is extremely smart and has a memory like a steel trap for names, historical dates, or anything academic. She just has a block on cut and paste. She can research the internet like a pro, but attach something to an email, or download a document? I pull my hair out every time. I’m taking your advice and installing Team Viewer on her computer! She sent me an email with a hyperlink in it the other day and I nearly fell out of my chair.
Mary
good one, I spend a lot of my time doing exactly that, in fact even though I moved to a different continent I still get calls sometimes to help my friends and family with their problems…teamviewer is awesome, I’ve used it personally and for work, try explaining how to defrag a hard drive over the phone to someone who can’t get to a dos prompt
Oh my gosh, I go through this, too! In fact, the other day I had to send a “cut and paste” tutorial to someone. Argh!