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Two things that I love to do are writing, fixing problems, and helping people out. After quitting my job of 13 years in the PC and Server Support field, I have plenty of time to write, but not a lot of problems to fix.
This week, I tackled Mo-licous’s virus issues and took on explaining drive fragmentation to the non-computer wizard, and in the past, I’ve tackled social bookmarking, social networking, instant messangers, why you should be using RSS, and even how to fix your PS2. These are topics are sometimes missing from the radar of people who don’t live and breathe by the PC, but many find them beneficial once they understand them.
So, I’m going to make an offer to my readers: If you have a PC or tech related problem, or a topic that you’d like explained in regular terms, drop me a note with my contact form and I’ll pick one submission and try to fix or explain it to you in a post.
It’s free tech support from a qualified geek who wants to help you. How can you go wrong?
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September 23rd, 2007 at 8:02 am
What about setting a quick-take fee, for questions you don’t deem column-worthy? I’d have had zero problem if you’d said, ‘that’ll be 20 bucks’ for the thoughts you shared by mail. Figured if the project turned out, we could work out some hourly fee, but I can’t offer that security right now. Leaving a bottle of wine on your porch on my next swing through MA could get me arrested. I always look for ways I can give back, but sometimes cold hard cash is a dandy solution for all sides.
In Germany’s take-all-you-can-get social clime, putting a dollar value on “favors” requested of me has been a helpful tool. It’s not about money; money just provides the vocabulary and metrics for determining valuation and contribution on both sides. “You know, I just billed a client 2K Euro for a similar project, and right now I need some time off. It would take 5K Euro to motivate me to burn my weekend on your project.” Germans tend (far moreso than do Americans or the French) to devalue what they don’t want to pay for. Instead of asking why they’d want me to do the work if they think I’m so lousy, I now say something like “Right, I’m sure you can find someone cheaper. If not, let me know by Wednesday, so I can get you a contract to look at.” Many have the gall (by anglo standards) to ask me for names of cheaper options!
Lawyers have it worse, since most people don’t understand that 1) lawyers are liable for advice that they give, 2) lawyers don’t have every current law on their brain, 3) lawyers sometimes like to have a beer without solving other people’s problems.
It’s great to help other people, but if I didn’t think the tips you gave me were worth even 20 bucks, why should you waste your time? (I’m not saying your input was worth =only= 20 dollars; that’s just a figure I know from an on-line support site for general computing.)
September 24th, 2007 at 8:17 am
I left a decently high paying job on good terms to spend a lot of time writing on the web. I don’t make even close to what I made, but I’m happier than I’ve ever been with this work. If I was in this for the money, there are much higher paying gigs that I could get tomorrow.
Free tech support is about giving people something for nothing which is becoming a less and less popular idea these days.
September 24th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Here’s one for you… If I were to buy a Microsoft OS ( and not an Xbox360, the PS2 just keeps on rockin’ =), would you recommend going for the “New Hotness” or the “Old and Busted”? Follow up for extra credit, is the bidnes version something to consider as necessary for a true geek or just more money not in one’s own cheeseburger locker?
-d—
September 27th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Right, I get that it’s not about money. But sometimes there are dull questions that people with any self-respect wouldn’t ask for free … but would like answered.