Do you help friends and relatives with their security software?

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I suppose I would be the go to guy in my family when that something isn't right issue comes up.  Doesn't happen all that often, but it does happen and its usually something that I can resolveover the phone, but if I'm in the area for a visit then I'll just take care of it then. 

I can say that I'm the person who fix every problem for my neighbors, family, friends...

Sometimes it annoyes me, when it's the same problem again ("Can't write video dvds, because I forget how.", "I've got a virus, what do I have to do?", "Can't install a game, why?"...and so on), and they never learn it how to fix it. I'm a patient man who like help others, but sometimes it's hard, when they don't listen, and don't care.... You just fix it, and next time you will do the same.....:smileymad:

 

Edit: I do it mostly in person or via WLM.

Message Edited by PapauZ on 04-08-2008 08:37 PM

Being a computer professional (been a programmer and systems analyst for about 30 years) I'm usually the person that family and friends turn to with "issues".  Most of the time, I'm more than happy to oblige as their problems are usually much easier than some of the problems I have to grapple with at work.  The other times (such as recently when a 75-year-old friend's granddaughter had so corrupter her grandfather's PC that it took me the better part of a week to "de-junk" it, it had so much spyware and crap on it), it usually turns into a challenge.  But even the challenges, frustrating though they may be at times, can be fun once you get them resolved.

 

Paul

 

Message Edited by matlinp on 04-08-2008 03:35 PM

Hi,

     Immediate family and friends do ring for advice on how to's regarding their computer issues and I'm only to

pleased to help. Sometimes the problem is caused by security software but it's mostly just inexperienced users

getting confused by the technology. I do worry that they think I know more than I do! But I do my best.

Regards, Sherlock.

My Computer Career was started by doing Upgrades, AntiVirus, & Security work for my neighbors, friends, and family, but now it is the main focus of my business and I enjoy this kind of work! What started as a very interesting sideline has for me - turned into a real passion for computers and it has supported our way of life for the last 15 years!  

 

I think at this point that I'd like to thank Tony Weiss, Tim Lopez, the Programmers, and the rest of the Beta testing Staff at Symantec for the opportunity to work with them as a Beta tester on several of their projects in recent years. I especially liked last year's NIS InterNet Security Product - talk about a Rock Solid World Class piece of programming! I believe I am qualified to say that too - I hold a Degree in Programming and Business, Several Network Engineering Certificates and Microsoft Certifications.

 

Nice Job Team!

 

David Naylor @ PC Rescue

 

I am my families, and extended families, computer problem "solver", and that covers a lot of territory. Sometimes its about recommendations - what kind of software or hardware to buy - and that's fine via email or phone. But when "something isn't right", I've moved exclusively to remote assist as it is by far the most effective method for getting under what are often nebuluously identified "problems". And it seems to work best when I have them on the phone simultanously, so that I can get context for things I run across (and problems they neglected to mention up front). And occasionally I can do a little education or identify needs in this manner.

 

It can be frustrating, especially when you don't have the tools to get after the problem. But "helping" out family and friends with computer problems has always given me an odd pleasure.

Yes I do.

My environment looks at me like some sort of security expert

I tend to be the "go to" person with all my friends and family. I (like lots of other folks here) work in the IT field so that makes me an "expert" to them. I also have been the victim of ID theft and still to this day feel the repercussions of it. So, when a tool like Internet Security comes along - I take it pretty serious. The cool thing for me is that I can set everyone of my friends and family up and really not have to worry too much about the "what the heck is this thing doing" - or - the "I clicked on this and I think something bad happened" calls with this product. I know - I sound like a salesman for it but really, it is like the Wild West on the internet. With everyone getting more sophisticated on phishing scams and pages that really look like bank/mortgage companies/paypal/eBay and knowing the pain I suffered because I was confirming an account with my "bank" - that if (going back to the Wild West metaphor) I can get my hands on a Peacemaker - then you better believe I am!

I will arm my entire family and friends if I had my way.

 

So, to answer your question - yes, I help out anyway in any fashion I can. I really enjoy it. I have in the past just done all the tweaking myself. But, I like to give my friends and family some experience in taking control of things and understanding what they see or do when stuff like this happens. So, I tend to talk them through it over the phone or by email. Sometimes I can stop by and show them in person.

Hi,

 

here´s the same. My friends say "You should open a technical hotline $$$", but I must say...I love it. At work ( I am an employee of a big german electronic discounter)  I have to maintain all the workstations and printers and so on as a volunteer- All the things that our central IT-Management can't do. My colleagues know me and I answer all their questions (if i know the answer). 

I help my friends with WLM and use VNC to connect to their computers remotely, because the most of them live hundreds of kilometers away. Sometimes it's a full time job, but one hand give another. 

 

Cheerio

 

Lars

Message Edited by HorstL on 04-08-2008 09:33 PM

I am the go-to guy for my family as well as my in-laws. I am a computer consultant, and that can be a blessing and a curse sometimes. My family usually calls at the worst times, but I am always happy to help out. I have PCs and Macs in my world, so I keep on my toes.

 

Ken

 

Symantec Tester for over 15 years!

my email name, goaskal, says it all. when friends have a problem with their computers (or other electronics) they go ask Al. Phone calls are not uncommon and I do go to their homes if needed. I don't mind helping and it has become a bit of a business. My friends refer their friends when they need help. The only problem with this is that I don't have anyone to call when I have problems of my own!

 

Al

 

By the way, I've been beta testing for so long that I don't remember when I started!

Message Edited by goaskal on 04-08-2008 01:30 PM

Yes, I'm  point person to some of my friends , relatives and my parents for sure.  I accept the fact, there's a pecking order.  I'm hardly the most technical person in the world.  When I get stumped, I call on friends who are software architect/CIO/CTO types. 

 

Whenever I provide support, I actually initiate a GoToMeeting session in order to remotely diagnose people's problem while I'm on the phone with them.  I find the ability to see/access people's computer to be invaluable.

 

A remote diagnostic tool like GoToMeeting help minimize miscommunication and frustration.  Whenever I'm able to solve my friends' problems with my limited technical knowhow, I do get a tremendous sense of satisfaction.  Who wouldn't? 

 

 

I don’t have to write something down… All is already written by the other forum members… :manvery-happy: In this case I don't have to do something....:smileyvery-happy:

 

Evert Maurer

Hello,

 

    Yes, I am the person that everyone goes to for any type of technical problem. Nearly daily there is something I am asked to help with. I am always happy to help! My parents, too, ask for help on the computer. I usually help people many, many ways. One of my favorite is using free software such as LogMeIn, while talking on the phone with the person. LogMeIn allows me to view another computer through my own. In combination of the telephone and LogMeIn, I am usually able to get any task completed within a short period of time. I really enjoy helping people, athough I do have to agree that it is somewhat frustrating. Many people don't want to learn, and always decide to ask a million times for help with the same problem. 

 

Thanks!

 

Josh R. 

 

Come on make us happy :smileywink:

Like others here, I am the tech support for my family. My uncle, in particular, a retired Bell Labs engineer, calls me frequently to discuss problems and questions, though I think mostly he wants reassurance.  I enjoy talking to him so I don’t mind.  Most recently, I’ve been working through his issues trying to keep NIS2005 updated on his Windows 98 system (a creaky Dell 386 box).  One of these days, he promises me, he’ll get a new PC and I’ll have him put Norton 360 on it.

Oh, the remote desktop software I use is TeamViewer3 (based on UltraVNC), which is free for personal use.  I’m amazed at how easy and fast it is and it works where Windows Remote Assistance doesn’t.

I've worked with computers for over 20 years now and get questioned by friends, relatives, coworkers and others. Part of the time I've held positions as a bench tech for a vendor and a network administrator for another firm. Currently I work in law enforcement where one of my "additional" duties is tech support. How do I feel about it? It's been a part of my life for so long that it feels "natural" to be answering questions, suggesting software and counseling purchases and practices. I've been a Norton user for most of my computer years and a strong supporter of their products. I even have a copy of "The Norton Utilities, An Illustrated Tutorial" written in 198x :)

For family support I go in person locally and use the phone for long distance support. At work I do some in person and the balance via remote desktop. I have the trust of our IT department not to mess too many things up too much so they allow me to play in their sand box. For the most part it keeps the day fresh and interesting. I get to change subjects and help others. Keeps me thinking and satisfied.

The simple answer is yes, I do help my family and others with there security software setup and other computer problem as much I am capable of and often it is not very complicated things that are stopping people. Even today some people do not care about there security and do even not have an anti virus program, they tell my that nothing will happen they do only browse a secure internet site, but do we know better! :robotsurprised. It is sometimes a frustrating one especially when a person has done nothing to protect him self, but usually it is an enjoyable work and rewarding.

Regards,

G. Einarsson