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How many of you deny you know anything at all about computers

K1052

K1052

Elite Member
I started doing this a few years ago when it was just getting out of hand. Some people either don't understand the meaning of the word no or act like they?ve made an enemy for life if you don't help them out. Invariably someone you know (usually family) breaks the silence and volunteers your services without your consent. In this case you can refuse but it makes you and said family member look like asses in the process. *sigh*

In the immortal words of Michael Corleone: "Just when I thought that I was out they pull me back in."
 
I hear people have trouble with PCs and I think of chiming in... but then I think of the future where people bother me too much for help. So I just sit back and don't say anything to avoid it. No one needs to know that I used to work in IT 😉.
 
I'd be glad to help you configure your Dell Online. Yeah, I think the 4year service plan sounds right for you.
 
if i believe there is a high chance of me getting paid....i'll offer my advice. If not no way..."I dunno dude sounds wierd to me....I would search google and see what they have to say. "
 
I used to do it free. Now, if they want help, I charge. I don't get as many requests for help as I used to, but the ones that do ask will pay the $$ for the help. And normally it's not verbal advice, it's actual work (clean/repair/replace, etc.).
 
I work and go to school. I say "I don't have enough time to do things for free. Sorry." If it's for the family or close friends i'm willing to help out for free though.
 
Family, I don't mind helping out. Even with stupid questions. Friends, well all of them live at least several hundred miles away or know how to work on their own computers . 😀
 
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I work in an engineering dept. If you don't know anything about computers you don't work around me.
Click to expand...

Would assume by the OP and other responses that it means in general
 
I deny that I deny that I know anything about computers, just to be sure. However, I obviously do admit that I deny that I deny that I know anything about computers to people.
 
Yes I do and it's now the truth. It didn't use to be but I became so bored with working on them I stopped following all the technical advances of hardware. I probably couldn't build one these days without a manual and some advice from those in the know.
 
Once people close to you knows you are knowledgeable about PCs they will swarm you with questions and expect them help them for free...So I decided to act ignorant or avoid helping them on tedious stuff like formatting PCs.
 
I'll help my close friends for free. If they know a trade, they'll help me for free. So its all good.

The deal I have with my close friends is that I will work for free, but I assume no responsibility. If they want insurance, they can pay me a normal fee. Nobody pays me and so far I haven't broken anything.

 
<---- IT System Admin @ a Fortune 500 Co.

People ask me about computers and I say something like "Those danged computers are such a pain, glad I don't have one".
 
I help my closest friends for free. They in turn help me with other things. Beyond that... take it to geek squad.
 
Since I run a consulting firm I can't really deny that I know about computers, but I usually tell people either a) I only work on servers (uhh, this isn't *nix, I have no idea, what's this start button thing for anyways and why do I have to click start to shutdown??) or b) bring it by the shop I'll give you 10% off. Since we really only do work for businesses our rates aren't really competitive for home users, so even with 10% off they usually realize they're better off taking it to someone else heh.
 
I help sometimes when I have time.

Years ago it got out of hand when I worked for an ISP. I just had to start saying no, I don't do any work after hours ect.. These people were running me ragged. When I would say no, the first thing out of their mouth was.. "But.. I'll pay you."

I wanted to ask them if they originally intended to or not.

Now, I do it on occassion for friends, managers/executives ect.
 
I help people out when I have the time ... and if it is something that is going to take me a while I'll charge people to make it fair to myself. When the local shops charge $75 per hour and take 2-3 weeks to get to people's machines, why shouldn't I charge $50/hour when I usually get the machines back to them in a few days at most. I don't often do this, but when pressed I do.

Now if only I could fix my own damn problem :| Stupid crapped out motherboard ... again.
 
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