Ron Schenone

Why Is This So Hard To Understand, People? We Need Info!

Posted by on Feb 27, 2008 | 5 Comments

This morning I received a comment in which the writer stated he had a new PC using Vista and he tried to record a show and the system froze and would not come out of sleep mode. Also with a question as to why is this? If this was an isolated incident I would not have given it much thought. But this is usually normal when people ask computer related questions. They don’t provide any information about their computer nor the software they are using.

I normally do not find this lack of information to be bothersome, but this time I did. You see, I had just taken my crystal ball into the repair shop for a tune-up! So why is this lack of information a problem for tech support folks?

There is quite a bit of difference between a system running Vista Basic that was purchased on sale for $399 with 512MB of RAM compared to a rocket Vista system running Ultimate with 4G of RAM and a super fast video card along with a dual-core processor. How about software? Which program are you using? Is it Vista compatible? Are all fixes in place? Just giving the name of the software would be helpful.

So it would be most helpful if users provided some additional information when asking for help, and not just a one liner that says ‘my computer is broke, how come?’ :-)

Rant off. Comments welcome.

  • http://computerconsulting101.blogspot.com/ Computer Consulting Kit Preview Blog

    Working with computer consultants on a regular basis, I know how important communication between a helper and a “helpee” is. If you don’t have detailed communication and get a real assessment of a problem, how are you going to find the solution? I agree with you. People need to give more details, especially when asking for help to solve technology problems (which can be complicated enough as it is, without lack of information). Any time you are asking for interactive computer help, whether as part of a long-term, professional agreement (such as when you work with a computer consultant or like-minded individual) or just in passing, you are setting up some kind of relationship. And to have a relationship that works, you need communication and to get a genuine assessment of problems and facts.

  • D Lowrey

    Another way which is probably not blocked is by getting there through the IP address. This way…if the network techs are lazy and blocking by DNS only…you will get through all day long. The best part is no special hardware or software is needed…just the IP address of Facebook or any other website.

  • http://twitter.com/RestlessMouse RestlessMouse

    I don’t know about school, but in many workplaces, that could get you fired. Get a smartphone or wait until you get home.

  • blizzard

    i sell proxys to the losers at my school and https sometimes works and if you use google it can get you in through a different url to check if the ip thing works go to note pad type command.com save it as a .bat file open it through your file tree to get to this through novel security triple click the programs button double click your file it opens cmd the ping the website you want to go too

    • http://chris.pirillo.com/ Chris Pirillo

      That could be a good way to get yourself suspended. ;)