The Family Tech Support Person

[mw0uzo]

My mum and gran have decided to get on line. Neither have *ever* used a computer before. I am tech support..........ARRRARGRGGRHGRHGHH!

Looking past the jawdropping retardation of computer newbies and the unbelieveable talent for not listening my nan has, the people that are causing the main problems are actually the tech support people at their ISPs. To avoid bothering me, they rang tech support instead. Accounts got broken, email providers got changed and complete confusion was caused.

I have told them not to ring tech support, ring me instead. Its quicker and easier to deal with normal problems rather than the mess tech support has made.

A few things that have have helped me not hang myself from the nearest tree:

1. Set up all accounts for them. Newbies don't know how to fill in forms, or click Next or comprehend any of the text within installers or sign up pages. Choose sensible passwords and email addresses that are memorable to them.
2. No matter how much you hate it and don't want to be pestered by annoying newbs, install Windows Live Messenger and sign up for them and add yourself as a friend. Make sure they know how to find your name, initiate a chat and find the Request remote assistance button. Failure of this step will result in your death.
3. Install a VM on your home machine set up with their version of windows and software. Its a lot easier guiding them that way as you see what you are describing.
4. Set up an ISP independent email e.g. Gmail and get it working with windows live mail.
5. Relax, and when they don't listen, just tell them to fucking listen.
6. Windows usability for newbies is *really* bad. MS have really buggered things up. Icons in stupid places, icons that are difficult to work out what they do. What happened to words and menus? If you have physical access to the computers for these relatives (I do not) seriously consider installing Linux for them. Its usability and simple, clear GNOME interface is far more suitable for newbs. Seriously it is. There is a downside of course... the pain when they bring home a randomly chosen piece of hardware e.g. wi-fi printer. One thing you can be sure of however is whether its Linux or Windows, you will be rung in a panic when they fail pathetically at the first hurdle of setting it up, so you'll have to do it anyway. Choose a stable distro (e.g. ubloatu LTS) and know that hopefully, it will stay working.
7. Computer security from web browsing newbs - see 6. 99% less work.

Thats my solution to the problems anyway. What's yours?

[n6hcm]

What's yours?

turn off admin on their accounts. windows xp (at least) wants you to make one account with admin privileges--make it a separate account and have them login as ordinary users.

[mw0uzo]

8. 'Where's my bottle of Laphroaig for Christmas newbs?' should be on your Windows Live sub-name status

[W2NAP]

thats why i charge anyone $20 just for me to look at there pc.

[N2CHX]

Bump.... Because it's still true and still funny.

These days my answer to family computer problems is to hand them a Linux install disk or give them the phone number for Geek Squad. Not worth the hassle.

[WØTKX]

Remote Desktop Support FTW. Used to use VNC, and Winders Remote Desktop is OK.

I have been using Teamviewer for a while now. Recommended.

[NQ6U]

I just convinced everyone in the family to replace their Windows machine with a Mac. Calls tapered off over the next few months until now I get maybe one a year.

[K7SGJ]

I wish Mom and Dad were still around so I could fix their computer.

[n2ize]

I wish Mom and Dad were still around so I could fix their computer.

That is a nice thought. I wish my Grandparents were still around to experience the Internet. They would have loved it.

[N2CHX]

I wish Mom and Dad were still around so I could fix their computer.

Awww. My Mom has one and I used to maintain it but now my sister lives right next door and I'm 45 miles away, so it's become her responsibility. My Dad simply won't touch them.