Why I pretend I don't know anything about computers (COMIC)

[KK]

I told my mother to get a Mac.

 

[CRXican]

Just give them this:
http://xkcd.com/627/

That's pretty much perfect. Nearly every time I help my mom I get the "How do you know all this!?!?"

 

[Exterous]

I help out my immediate family because, well... you just should. Yeah it's a pin in the ass sometimes but then I can ask my sister (who is a vet) advice about pets or have my dad help me replace a few things around the house (countertops, fixtures, etc)

I also help a few close friends but only the ones I worked with and they understand the situation from being around myself and other 'techies' when we complain about some of the people we have to deal with

 

[D1gger]

I have an aunt that used to call me at least weekly with some computer grief or question. Over the years I have probably spent man-weeks of effort removing spyware and crapware from her computer only to have her download the same crap again next month.

Fortunately she made friends with someone in the building who is helping her now so I don't get the calls. My parents and sibling don't own computers, so they don't call which is good.

 

[rgwalt]

I told my mother to get a Mac.

I told my aunt, uncle, and cousins the same thing and it worked! I don't know a thing about macs, so now I can't help them when they have problems. Its great!

For everyone else, I offer to fix a problem once. I tell the person that they need to pay attention so they can fix it the next time. Teach a man to fish...

 

[slackerinabox]

I used to get annoyed with the overwhelming need to pick my brain but, honestly, I like being useful now.

 

[F1N3ST]

Epic win.

 

[xanis]

That guy is fucking awesome. I read some of the other comics and I'm dying over here.

My favorite so far: How to Ride a Pony

 

[DrPizza]

Just give them this:
http://xkcd.com/627/

I've seen staff express the opinion of our tech department that they should know every last little function in every program that has ever been made, or is yet to be created. (These are usually the type of people who say things like "okay, I know how to open up a Word document, edit it, and save it. But, how do I open an Excel document and save it?") I printed that comic out & they've taped it to their door.

 

[Rubycon]

Says you with a image of a highly accomplished mechanical engineer as your avatar!

Shens!!

Mechotronic engineer but off the record does a pretty good female impersonation of Gilligan!

It can be a pain in the butt sometimes...

MotionMan

Sounds like you're doing it wrong.

 

[Zebo]

Just say $125 hr - usually shuts people up.

 

[frostedflakes]

This is how it usually goes down:

"Hey, you know about computers and stuff, right?"
"No I don't, you must be mistaken"

Simple as that.

I will do stuff for a few family members and friends who I know won't take advantage of me. But everyone else is on their own.

 

[Brainonska511]

I help immediate family. I provide advice on what steps could be taken for close friends. Beyond that, it's I don't know anything about computers, I'm busy, or I never encountered their problem and thus can't help them.

 

[clamum]

Fuck I love The Oatmeal. :awe:

 

[shortylickens]

I told my aunt, uncle, and cousins the same thing and it worked! I don't know a thing about macs, so now I can't help them when they have problems. Its great!

This.

 

[slightlyhuman]

OP is gold.

 

[KDOG]

LOL Bookmarked. Love the one about owning horses...

 

[alfa147x]

OP is gold.

Thanks!
I try