Wow, I promised myself that I wouldn't fall to a yearly post schedule. I'm honestly surprised I've kept to that, although it could use some improvement. Alright, down to brass tax. These past few months have been particularly grueling for me as my job takes precedent over blogging.
Today, I'd like to talk about fundamentals. Fundamentals are your building blocks with anything and are especially important for working with and around technology. A lot of people I encounter, both on and off the job, explain to me that they are not technically savvy. This is alright, but what does it really mean? Are they afraid to step outside of their comfort zone when confronted with a problem? Do they think it's too complex? Are they reading the instructions or "how-to" and just not getting it? We've been there. Any one of us has encountered problems either with tech, cars, life, etc. and just see no way of getting past them without assistance. There are options though. I can help with the technical fundamentals of operating a computer on a general level. However, when a 2 hour service call turns into a 6 hour tutoring session however, I'm out of my league.
Know Your Limits (Then Exceed Them)
Sounds cheesy, but you have to know what you can and can't handle when it comes to computer operation. A lot of users treat their computers like an A-bomb that's going to go off at the slightest click or incorrect keystroke. The truth of the matter is that if this is the case, then why do we still use them? It's true they have sort of been forced on us, but it was going to happen to one generation or another. I'm right on the borderline personally, a lot of new things are coming out that I sometimes don't have a clue about. Whether it's hardware, software or architecture (yeah they're generalized) I just become curious and start Googling about them. Some stuff I pick up and other stuff falls to the wayside. When you're not sure of what you're doing you have to make a choice, either dive in or call the lifeguard. I think some water wings are a good start.
Option 1: Back to School (Even with a degree)
Colleges have been offering basic computer courses for years (if not decades) and can provide the start you need to shed your fears of the monster under the keyboard. Some of you already know what a mouse is and how it works, but an instructor needs to generalize their knowledge so their class can be on the same page. In other words, don't walk out or quit the class just because the first few sessions may cover material you already know. The benefits you can reap from persevering through that material will snowball, but you have to start somewhere.
Option 2: Tutoring
It's harder to manage with the "technical genius" that fixes your computer usually because of their tight schedule, but if you can name the right price you might have your own tutor who can tailor their knowledge to your level. This is not always the case as some techs will have a difficult time compressing their information to a level you can digest and may even have patience issues (I'm one of them, but I'm working on it). The benefit is, that "instructor" will be focused on you and not a mass of people and therefore you will have that undivided attention if you need to skip ahead or there's something that just "isn't going through". If it "isn't going through" after twenty trials, then there may be another issue which is best left to the professionals of Option 1. The reason this is Option 2 is because of some factors:
Time: Sometimes none of us feel we have it (tech and user alike) and scheduling around two calendars is much tougher than just one
Money: It is more expensive for the luxury of extra attention
Location, Location, Location: Face it, if you're in the middle of nowhere, you probably will have a hard time convincing anyone to come to you regardless of what you're willing to pay.
Option 3: Be a Bookworm
Start with your local library and look for a "For Dummies" series book. No offense intended at all, these are the most highly recommended book series for learning. Not just computer hardware or software in general, even the most in-depth subjects such as programming in Java, Networking or all the way up to Server operation. I've perused these books when I've had questions too. If you're feeling particularly adventurous or you finish a couple of the aforementioned, you could try the O'Reilly series of books. Option 3 is a moderate amount of money, either cash for gas driving to and from libraries or starting your own reference section in your home office.
Option 4: Self-Discipline
You CAN teach yourself. If something pops up on your computer try Googling exactly what it says. If you're running Office 2007 and an "Undefined Error" message pops-up, note what you were doing at the time, exactly what the message says, if any, and the OS that you're running
(Tip: press the Windows Key (looks like a little flag) + Pause on your keyboard and a window should pop up with this information).
Enter that collected information into Google and start looking for forum post links. Usually, it can be something simple and other times you might have to start a forum account (a majority of them are free) and post your question. The more information the better in this case.
Option 4 is the hardest because it requires the most patience, headaches and perseverance. The good news is this option is the cheapest of the three.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Asking questions of an average Techie (i.e. IT person, geek, nerd, etc.)
The life of being an "IT Pro" is not all glamorous, people want to ask you questions at your busiest times. If you (in rarity) have the time to answer a question, you are personable and given a "genius" gold star by the inquirer. If time is not a luxury you can afford (average case scenario) you may come off without the actual intent of being, condescending, short, hurried and even inexplicably frustrated when answering a query posed to you. If you don't have the time to come down off of your perceived throne to even address the issue (i.e. appear to ignore the inquiry while deep in thought), people perceive you as a d*** (whether they're right or wrong will require a long look in the mirror). I will state, here and now, that offensive words will be censored (free speech or not I don't wish to offend anyone with my posting of words thought to be ill, though I may offend others for not doing so).
The best scenario is of course number 1, so I need not explain that further. However, scenarios number 2 and 3, I can teach you to avoid. The answer to these last two scenarios are answered by the simple response of, "I'm a little busy at the moment, can I get back to you about that later?" This will tell them 2 things: 1. You're busy (you're a person with a workload too) and 2. You have noted their question and you will try to come up with a solution by your next meeting.
We are not generally frustrated people. We're not aliens or abnormalities to the human condition. We're the same as you, though interests may differ.
As an inquirer (yes we request a little effort as well) there are some things you can do to help your answer resolve quicker if your IT guy/girl is pressed for time. Try the following:
1. Help - Most programs (unless very cheaply made) have some form of help. Most people/end users neglect this method to save themselves time from reading and use the excuse of it being too technical. Read the help as it usually provides step-by-step instructions on simple questions for resolution. Believe it or not that's how I got my start on knowing my way around a lot of different software.
2. Asking another co-worker/friend - If the question, when posed to yourself seems simple, there are chances that others might have a solution. You'd be surprised at the combined knowledge of our species, this holds true for all levels of technical ability.
3. Google - www.google.com has been my friend for a long while and as such has served my needs for finding answers across the whole spectrum of lifes little issues, technical and non, complex or no. Plus, it's a lot better to attempt this and tell your technician you have done so, than to receive a lmgtfy.com (let me google that for you) link. You can start your own search for answers by following the example:
Question as you would pose to a technician:
"Is it possible to do ________ with Office 20XX?"
As you would enter it on Google.com:
"Is it possible to do ________ with Office 20XX?"
Following those steps may help you save time and even provide more answers to questions you have had for a while about computer software, hardware and uses. There are a number of technicians who have dedicated their lives to helping others become "tech savvy" with instructions that can tackle issues from almost any angle. Much like a newspaper, there are authors you will like and others, not so much. Take the time and opportunity to read here and there.
The best scenario is of course number 1, so I need not explain that further. However, scenarios number 2 and 3, I can teach you to avoid. The answer to these last two scenarios are answered by the simple response of, "I'm a little busy at the moment, can I get back to you about that later?" This will tell them 2 things: 1. You're busy (you're a person with a workload too) and 2. You have noted their question and you will try to come up with a solution by your next meeting.
We are not generally frustrated people. We're not aliens or abnormalities to the human condition. We're the same as you, though interests may differ.
As an inquirer (yes we request a little effort as well) there are some things you can do to help your answer resolve quicker if your IT guy/girl is pressed for time. Try the following:
1. Help - Most programs (unless very cheaply made) have some form of help. Most people/end users neglect this method to save themselves time from reading and use the excuse of it being too technical. Read the help as it usually provides step-by-step instructions on simple questions for resolution. Believe it or not that's how I got my start on knowing my way around a lot of different software.
2. Asking another co-worker/friend - If the question, when posed to yourself seems simple, there are chances that others might have a solution. You'd be surprised at the combined knowledge of our species, this holds true for all levels of technical ability.
3. Google - www.google.com has been my friend for a long while and as such has served my needs for finding answers across the whole spectrum of lifes little issues, technical and non, complex or no. Plus, it's a lot better to attempt this and tell your technician you have done so, than to receive a lmgtfy.com (let me google that for you) link. You can start your own search for answers by following the example:
Question as you would pose to a technician:
"Is it possible to do ________ with Office 20XX?"
As you would enter it on Google.com:
"Is it possible to do ________ with Office 20XX?"
Following those steps may help you save time and even provide more answers to questions you have had for a while about computer software, hardware and uses. There are a number of technicians who have dedicated their lives to helping others become "tech savvy" with instructions that can tackle issues from almost any angle. Much like a newspaper, there are authors you will like and others, not so much. Take the time and opportunity to read here and there.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Doomed to Fail(?)
Well, greetings again interwebs. Seems I have come back to chronicling my life once again. However, when I first started with online journals I had no direction or any clue on what my life would actually involve. To be honest, I felt unimportant and looking back that made sense. Thus, my online journals have fallen to obscurity due to laziness and lack of interest, save for a Google search of my internet handle.
Enough about the past though, let's talk about the future. I have made the realization that my life and those around me have been enveloped by technology. From the microprocessors that drive our smart phones to the server farms that store information like what you read here. I have decided to chronicle, when I can, about who I am, what I do and sometimes even how to help yourself become an adept of the technology that is wired into our lives. Let me state for the record here and now that I do not know everything about technology, only what I find out and is interesting to me will be shared here. Contradictions, addendum, completion and corrections to what I write here are more than welcome as long as they are relevant to the post.
Thus my friends, I welcome you to the Misadventures of IT.
P.S. Tell your friends.
- Dustin (aka Dustrega)
Enough about the past though, let's talk about the future. I have made the realization that my life and those around me have been enveloped by technology. From the microprocessors that drive our smart phones to the server farms that store information like what you read here. I have decided to chronicle, when I can, about who I am, what I do and sometimes even how to help yourself become an adept of the technology that is wired into our lives. Let me state for the record here and now that I do not know everything about technology, only what I find out and is interesting to me will be shared here. Contradictions, addendum, completion and corrections to what I write here are more than welcome as long as they are relevant to the post.
Thus my friends, I welcome you to the Misadventures of IT.
P.S. Tell your friends.
- Dustin (aka Dustrega)
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