Get The Most From Free Tech Support
Ranting below….
I’m a software developer. Almost everyone I know knows that. Many of my friends are software developers or other computer professionals. The one constant in all of our lives is fielding requests from friends for free technical support. Below are the most common requests:
- My DSL is acting up, will you come over and look at it?
- I can’t get E-Mail, will you come over and look at it?
- My Internet is broken!
- Where can I get free music?
- I’d like to get the new version of (very expensive software package), can you get me a copy for free?
- Can you help me start a website?
Aside from the obvious illegal activities above, I usually do what I can to help out. My first response is usually a few questions to help identify the problem. I’ll then respond with a few tasks for you to do to make sure it’s not something easy, like no filters on your phone line or something. If it’s truly a problem, I’ll usually make at least one visit to your house to help you get past the problem. I’m not in the minority in this chain of events, most of my friends go about diagnosing and fixing problems for their friends in much the same way.
If you ask me (or any of your friends) for free tech support, here are a few tips to ensure you get the best support possible:
- Ask politely
- I’ll most likely be unable to help if you demand help, or persistently ask for help when I’m obviously busy.
- Humor me
- I usually ask you to do several things to help diagnose the problem. I am not frivolously asking you to do these things. I’ve seen many different problems, and the answers to the questions will help expedite the solution to your problem.
- Thank me
- I’m taking my personal time to help make your life easier, and possibly save you money. I don’t charge for my services, but I do appreciate your recognizing my efforts.
- Offer your services
- If there’s something you can do for me, please offer, or at least let me know you’d like to do something for me. Even if you don’t feel like there’s anything you can do for me, I can be bribed. Cookies, cakes, brownies, even a thank you note will insure that you get repeated calls from me making sure your problems don’t come back.
Free tech support isn’t your birthright. Most computer professionals feel a genuine desire to help folks out with technical problems. Make it easy on everyone by observing the rules of common courtesy when asking for help.
…Rant complete