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Learn how to get the Right help.
Imagine that you believe you have a virus, and you have asked your “friend” to remove it from your computer. Your friend boasts a lot of tech knowledge and has the latest software always at hand. And this is how the scenario unfolds: he may think he knows how to remove it, bringing over some software, installing it, trying to eradicate the virus from your machine. Ten minutes after installing this software, while you bite your finger nails, he may turn around to you and say, “Oops… it appears as though your hard disk has crashed. Sorry, you will have to format and reinstall now”. This may sound like technical jargon, but to you the translation means that now, instead of removing the virus, he has actually caused a complete failure of your computer. Now, victims of your friend’s technological frenzy, all of the files you had on your hard drive are wiped out permanently. All this because the person you’ve counted on, did not take the proper measures to prevent this from happening. The scenario you wish you had lived through would include someone who backed up all of your files to another location, verified whether there was actually a virus to remove, performed various other tasks, such as creating restore points, or recovery disks.
Most likely, this story sounds familiar and it brings us to the infamous or even better, the dreaded “How come my computer isn’t working?” Such a simple question, with literally 1000’s of possible answers—which make it even more daunting. In today’s age, the divide between those who know the answers and those who don’t is growing larger by the day.
The past 10 years have seen a phenomenal growth in the use of computers, and computer-related technology as a whole. As a race, we are growing more and more reliant on computer-related technology to perform daily tasks. Hence, the individuals we turn to for help are delegated an enormous responsibility. This incredible growth has produced a society where 90+% of the population is dependent on those who are truly equipped to assist, explain, and inform on how to use these computers, how to fix them, and most importantly how to get the most out of this constantly changing technology.
All this you already know. But your daunting question remains: “How come my computer isn’t working?”-- Fused with a “who can I get to fix it?” – You have a dilemma.
Getting your computer back into shape is not a task just for anyone. But how do we know if the person that we turn to for help is “the right person”? Luckily, many of us are now starting to ask this question to avoid the common disasters. Trouble is there is little or no advice out there to help make that decision.
Universities are currently churning out thousands of Computer Science graduates each and every year, and many of the other degrees available have large quantities of computer and I.T. related content. However considering the rate at which the technology is changing, those who don’t take it upon themselves to continually update and improve their skills, can become extremely dangerous. As the old adage explains, “a little bit of information can be a very dangerous thing”.
The “wrong person” will not know that prior to even sitting down in front of your machine, there are many questions they simply MUST ask you to help solve the problem, rather than cause a new one. For example:
• “Has this problem ever happened before?”
• “If so, what programs were you using or what were you doing when it did?”
• “Have you done anything to try and solve this problem yourself?”
• “What makes you think you have a virus in the first place?”
The decision you make when you turn your computer over to someone who calls themselves an expert, is far from trivial. The following paragraphs will act as a guide, providing you with a good framework of what to look for in both the “right person” and the “wrong person.”
How to spot the wrong person or company?
The following are a variety of “wrong persons” types to watch out for:
The “I know it all” person
By far the easiest “wrong person” to spot, is the “know it all.” This individual will answer any of your questions, without giving any thought to your question. He will seldom pose questions, and will likely claim that they know the problem immediately. These individuals have been working in I.T. related positions, often, for a very long time, and believe that they have encountered all possible computer related problems. Their arrogance will lead to forgetting or simply skipping the most important questions at the start. These individuals can often cause the worst disasters.
The “money-hungry” person / company
When you have a problem with your car, you take it to a mechanic to be repaired. When you have a problem with your computer, you ask someone or a company to fix it for you. A great deal of trust must be put into this person or company, and this trust can easily be abused. Just as the squeaking noise from your brakes can cost you 100 Euros to fix at one garage, and 700 Euros at another, the costs involved in repairing computers can vary dramatically, depending on who you approach. These “wrong people” are often not so easy to spot, however with a little bit of caution, you should be able to weed them out.
Prior to having anyone do any work on your computer, be sure to ask them exactly what is involved, and whether there is any possibility of acquiring additional costs. If they are recommending any necessary purchases (such as hardware or software), be sure to find out what you need, and ask another company/individual for a price quote prior to giving the go-ahead. When seeking a 2nd opinion, be sure to explain to them the reasons WHY you have been told that you need particular work done or hardware added. By doing this, you can often spot the money-hungry, when their quote comes to 200% of the competitor’s or if the 2nd opinion tells you the hardware or software is unnecessary. Some may say that it is worth spending the extra money, but the point to keep in the back of your mind is that these individuals and companies do not actually have your best interest in mind. There interests lie in their bank accounts. These types can and often do bombard their customers with a plethora of needless software and hardware. So look out.
The “aloof” person
The aloof can be the most difficult to spot. They are often very friendly and appear quite knowledgeable, but in reality do not possess the skills, knowledge or procedural expertise to effectively help you. These people will use trial and error to attempt to fix your problems. Often, fully aware that they may not be able to solve your problem, they will not charge a fee, but offer to try to fix it. Fixing a computer can be costly, so it’s tempting to save when offered. But keep in mind that these individuals can do more harm than good. If your computer is important to you, why would you entrust it to someone that does not recognize that importance? The only way to effectively spot the aloof is by learning a bit about the computer problem yourself. Offer your ideas as a potential solution, then evaluating their response. If the prospective “savior” explains in detail and in commonly understood terms, why your understanding of the problem could or could not be a valid explanation, then chances are she could be “the right” person. But the aloof will often respond with a “maybe” or “it’s possible.” without going into much more detail. Take that as your red-light warning.
How to spot the RIGHT person or company?
If you don’t have a “friend’ or a company that has worked on your computer, or if you have been dissatisfied in the past, and are now looking for capable hands and mind, the following should act as an excellent guideline. Now that you know what to avoid, here’s what to look for:
The Humble
• As with most intellects, those that truly know, accept that they do not know everything. The “right person” will always be humble about their skills and knowledge.
• They will compliment other colleagues and individuals about their expertise. Information Technology is a vast topic. General knowledge is common, but for the majority of problems, there is an array of specialists that know an extreme amount of information covering the smallest of areas. It is only through the virtue and acceptance of “ten minds are better than one” that the “right person” or company shines.
The Inquisitive
• In many life situations, answering a question with a question can be considered evasive. However, when it comes to troubleshooting any IT related problems, normally an enormous amount of information is required in order to effectively, quickly, and safely attempt repairs or changes.
• A “right person” will want to arm themselves with as much information about your problem and the conditions that may have led to the problem as possible. To further deduce the situation at hand, he is likely to interrogate you about recent actions, configuration, and attempt to gauge your own computer competence.
The Acting Translator
• You will know if you are speaking with the “right person” if they speak in your language. This means that they will not bombard you with tech jargon or say things that could potentially mislead or confuse you. This person will explain the entire process (from current state, through working state, and to the desired state), prior to starting work. She will make sure that you are aware of any related risks and what will be done to minimize these risks.
• The acting translator has the knowledge and experience necessary to explain to non-computer-literate individuals just what it is that’s going on.
The
Mentor
• The finest and most capable of “right people” and companies will not stop at solving your current computer problem. They will extend their help, offering recommendations, tips and tricks, and general advice that will help you be more efficient and productive. With these people you will discover a world of information and on preventative measures you can take to avoid recurring problems.
• They will offer sound recommendations and when possible, do their best to minimize cost and effort on your part. After all, if they are the “right person”, they would have YOUR best interest in mind—wouldn’t they?--and would make an effort to guarantee that you are getting maximum results from your hardware and software.
Once you have found the “right person” or company, you should do all that you can to strengthen the relationship past simple business standards. Cultivating this relationship will prove extremely fruitful; you will be kept abreast of the latest improvements and technological advances that you may very well benefit from.
An individual or company that has a wealth of IT experience and has your best interest in mind could very well be one of the most important assets you could posses as this technological whirlwind continues to swirl through the coming decades.
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