WTF I don't think I'm ever going to tell anybody I work with computers

[alkemyst]

I make a pretty good penny doing side work. Of course I am catering to those that live in multi-million dollar homes rather than the walmart crowd.

I am not even marketing my business anymore and generated $600 in billing this past week (about 5 hours of my time spent)

 

[FelixDeCat]

Whew!! I am glad I found this thread!!

My computer is running real slow and I have viruses that laugh at me at night. Can I ship my computer to some generous person in this thread? Oh yeah, let me know when you can paypal me some money to ship my computer to you.

Here's my rig if it helps you any:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/felixdekat/my_rig.jpg

 

[destrekor]

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/computers

uhhhh. this.

When I was in high school, my parents would basically tell everyone I am a computer genius. Yes, I know parents love to brag of their kid's successes, and going from local to state to national competitions for the "PC Troubleshooting" category is great... except it was a multiple choice test. Local level I placed 1st, State level I placed 4th or 5th (Top 5 went to Nationals), and at the National level I placed Top 15 (of roughly 250). Something to be proud of, I guess. It was basically questions pulled from A+ material. That was my junior year... senior year? Didn't even advance from my high school, my CCNA Junior-level apprentice took that honor. Quite simply, I quit caring about computers as anything other than a hobby.

Anyhow, that led to people asking my parents if I could fix their computer. They passed on the question to me, and it was nice the first time.

Once I got to college, outside of my roommates, I try to keep it quiet. And hell, all they see is I'm a gadget freak and have a custom PC. Very few people know I'm awesome with computers, but at the same time, my skills have diminished like crazy.

And yet... I am vying to get back into "computers" as a career. Networking most likely. Seeing as that is what I'll be managing in the Army Reserve (Signal), re-training and getting some certifications would most definitely help my career goals. Yet... my entire time here at school, not a single computer-related course on my transcript. Fuck me, I am an idiot for changing my mind. Maybe I can get into communications security for the government without certifications or a related degree. My major focus is called "Security and Intelligence", that's gotta mean something right?

 

[AdamK47]

If there was ever a need for a "Everyone knows this" it's now.

 

[GlacierFreeze]

If there was every a need for a "Everyone knows this" it's now.

Everyone knows this.

 

[CountZero]

Honestly, if it was just a one-time thing, it wouldn't be an issue. But the second you sit in front of their PC, you're signing a lifetime free warranty with that for any issues or questions the users may have. People treat those that know a thing or two about computers like they would treat plumbers and electricians-- we're just people who know how to fix utilities to make them working again.

With that said, I've learned to say no and to refer them to such services as Geek Squad. Again, not because I don't want to take the time to fix their spyware once, but because I don't want to deal with the calls starting a week later about how their PC "never used to do this before..." or how they're "thinking about a new printer." Makes me want to off myself.

Funny you should mention electrician. My dad's an electrician, my stepmom is a dental assistant. They used to constantly bombard me with computer questions. Very easy ones that they could figure out with a quick search. When they were up visiting a few years ago they started complaining about people expecting free help just because they are an electrician/dental assistant. Without even thinking about it I just said 'yeah, like computers for me' and it just clicked with them. Since then they rarely ask computer questions and when they do they are fairly complex (and for that reason I rarely know the answer anyways) and frankly it has made getting calls from them infinitely more pleasant.

 

[moshquerade]

Especially older people/relatives. Not only are they expecting me to fix it, they also are expecting me to drive over there. Seriously wtf. The least they could do is bring it over here. You really can't tell old people bluntly can you? And they don't like driving at night either.

some day we'll all be there, old and set in our ways, because our mind has narrowed.
so sympathize with them.

but you can always tell them you aren't at work right now. that's what i tell people sometimes who start to ask for advice about their oral health woes after business hours.

 

[amdhunter]

I used to constantly be hounde by family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to fix their computer problems without the offer of compensation. I learned real quick to demand they bring their crippled computer to my place where I had my "test bench". Then when they showed up I would show them where the lawn mower was or what areas I wanted them to pull weeds from. Word got around and I haven't been asked to fix a computer for about 5 years now. Bliss.

That's awesome.