Tuesday, April 19, 2011

On being a mobile helpdesk

On being a mobile helpdesk

I'm reasonably good with computers. The trouble is, once other people find out, you become their ad hoc mobile helpdesk.

Now, I don't mind setting up the odd home wireless network for the technologically challenged, but then you get the supplementary questions.

For example:

"When I switch it on, it just shuts straight down again"
"That's because the battery's run out"
"Oh, right. Right. I have to plug it in, then?"
"Yes. Yes you do. With a plug."

And:

"Why is my internet going so slow?"
"That's because you've got six search bars on your browser all called SuperMegaHyperSearch"
"What's a browser?"

Also:

"Where's my Facebook? WHERE IS IT? I WANT MY FARMVILLE!"
"You're logged out."
"What?"
"You need to log in."
"How do I do that then?"

Now, who needs a bit of help? Bored housewives given priority.

14 comments:

Pseudonymph said...

Bored housewives. You could try turning them off and turning them on again.

Richard said...

Or pull their plugs out.

Anonymous said...

Bored or drilled?

-skirmishmonkey

nrp said...

Years ago, before wireless networks were invented, I worked in the IT dept for a computer networking company. One salesman kept complaining that he couldn't get on the network to check his mail. I kept going to his desk to point out the network cable and the matching socket in his laptop, explaining that they needed to be connected.

He didn't work there for long.

Erin said...

LOL@Pseusie!

When I need computer help at home, I ask my friend's boyfriend. He's an IT person. I pay him with cookies. So far it's worked out well.

Alistair Coleman said...

"So far it's worked out well."

...except that he now weighs 400 pounds

gently steaming yak said...

disable cookies-problem solved

snee said...

*chortle* at disable cookies.

As reasonably techie, I often do work for meals (my metabolism is teh AWESOME!)

Anonymous said...

When we made the switch from DOS to Windows at my office, I was the only one of the eight of us who had any experience with said Windows. Hilarity ensued.

WoD

Donna said...

Suppose I'm one of those idiots who want to just plug in and look at pictures of kittehs and sod all that URL, username whatever crap.
Not IT minded at all.

SUPPORTWESSEX81 said...

MORE OWLS!

unexpectedtraveller said...

We've all been there - if flashing lights don't turn you into a catatonic bored-housewife zombie, you're asked to lend a hand with anything that is not made of wood.

This happened to me in an airport once: http://unexpectedtraveller.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/attention-seeking/

Elise said...

Hahaha, I love your blog! 'The scary duck - not scary. Not a duck'

Debster said...

MORE KITTEHS!

And not those squashed ones you keep posting.