This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks 
wanting their XP PCs sorted out.

Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through 
some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their 
broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the 
fiftieth time.

Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a 
per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and 
will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english? 
Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop 
connections.

Location NW London.

-- 
Adrian C

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:50:31 +0000, Adrian C wrote:

> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks
> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
> 
> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the
> fiftieth time.
> 
> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a
> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and
> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english?
> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop
> connections.
> 
> Location NW London.

I would be very surprised if such companies existed; it always seems to 
take me three time as long to hand-hold someone through these sort of 
things rather than do it myself. The cost would not be viable.

I build and repair the machine for friends, neighbours and relatives. I 
have some standard documents that have basic information about updates 
and malware scans. I give them a hard copy, and leave a copy on their 
machine. If they ring me for help, I get them to try to do it themselves 
first. Quite a few gain confidence, and are better able to cope in the 
future.

Would the folk wanting your help be able to attend any of the many basic 
computer courses that are available just about everywhere?

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:50:31 +0000, Adrian C wrote:

> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks
> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
> 
> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the
> fiftieth time.
> 
> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a
> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and
> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english?
> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop
> connections.
> 
> Location NW London.

I would be very surprised if such companies existed; it always seems to 
take me three time as long to hand-hold someone through these sort of 
things rather than do it myself. The cost would not be viable.

I build and repair the machine for friends, neighbours and relatives. I 
have some standard documents that have basic information about updates 
and malware scans. I give them a hard copy, and leave a copy on their 
machine. If they ring me for help, I get them to try to do it themselves 
first. Quite a few gain confidence, and are better able to cope in the 
future.

Would the folk wanting your help be able to attend any of the many basic 
computer courses that are available just about everywhere?

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:50:31 +0000, Adrian C wrote:

> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks
> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
> 
> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the
> fiftieth time.
> 
> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a
> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and
> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english?
> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop
> connections.
> 
> Location NW London.

I would be very surprised if such companies existed; it always seems to 
take me three time as long to hand-hold someone through these sort of 
things rather than do it myself. The cost would not be viable.

I build and repair the machine for friends, neighbours and relatives. I 
have some standard documents that have basic information about updates 
and malware scans. I give them a hard copy, and leave a copy on their 
machine. If they ring me for help, I get them to try to do it themselves 
first. Quite a few gain confidence, and are better able to cope in the 
future.

Would the folk wanting your help be able to attend any of the many basic 
computer courses that are available just about everywhere?

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:50:31 +0000, Adrian C wrote:

> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks
> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
> 
> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the
> fiftieth time.
> 
> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a
> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and
> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english?
> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop
> connections.
> 
> Location NW London.

I would be very surprised if such companies existed; it always seems to 
take me three time as long to hand-hold someone through these sort of 
things rather than do it myself. The cost would not be viable.

I build and repair the machine for friends, neighbours and relatives. I 
have some standard documents that have basic information about updates 
and malware scans. I give them a hard copy, and leave a copy on their 
machine. If they ring me for help, I get them to try to do it themselves 
first. Quite a few gain confidence, and are better able to cope in the 
future.

Would the folk wanting your help be able to attend any of the many basic 
computer courses that are available just about everywhere?

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

On 6 Nov, 15:08, Chris Whelan  wrote:
> On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:50:31 +0000, Adrian C wrote:
> > This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks
> > wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>
> > Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
> > some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
> > broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the
> > fiftieth time.
>
> > Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a
> > per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and
> > will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english?
> > Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop
> > connections.
>
> > Location NW London.
>
> I would be very surprised if such companies existed; it always seems to
> take me three time as long to hand-hold someone through these sort of
> things rather than do it myself. The cost would not be viable.
>
> I build and repair the machine for friends, neighbours and relatives. I
> have some standard documents that have basic information about updates
> and malware scans. I give them a hard copy, and leave a copy on their
> machine. If they ring me for help, I get them to try to do it themselves
> first. Quite a few gain confidence, and are better able to cope in the
> future.
>
> Would the folk wanting your help be able to attend any of the many basic
> computer courses that are available just about everywhere?
>
> Chris
>
> --
> Remove prejudice to reply.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

What, the courses that show you how to post to usenet?!

Seems the OP's describing Geeksquad.

In article , Adrian C says...
> 
> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks 
> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
> 
> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through 
> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their 
> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the 
> fiftieth time.
> 
> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a 
> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and 
> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english? 
> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop 
> connections.
> 
Tell them to buy a copy of Windows XP/Vista for Dummies and sort 
themselves out.

I've stopped doing home visits because its nothing but grief. You can't 
charge for the time you lose travelling nor the 30 minutes per hour you 
spend watching the progress barand they don't let you get on with the 
job, waffling on incessantly about all kinds of shit you're just sick of 
hearing. 


-- 
Conor
www.notebooks-r-us.co.uk

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everybody equally.

In article <m_WIm.14329$uf7.2950@newsfe12.ams2>, Chris Whelan says...

> I build and repair the machine for friends, neighbours and relatives. I 
> have some standard documents that have basic information about updates 
> and malware scans. I give them a hard copy, and leave a copy on their 
> machine. If they ring me for help, I get them to try to do it themselves 
> first. Quite a few gain confidence, and are better able to cope in the 
> future.
> 
Recommend they buy Windows XP/Vista for Dummies. Its a very good book.



-- 
Conor
www.notebooks-r-us.co.uk

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everybody equally.

In article , Adrian C
<email@here.invalid> writes

>This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks 
>wanting their XP PCs sorted out.

Tell me about it.  I'm quite often grateful that my family is fairly
small.

Suggestions: (NOT recommendations, I've not used them)

* Pissy Werld's TechGuys

* Dial-a-Geek.  Thought this was London-centric, but a google suggests
it's based in Bristol.  There must be similar services in London tho.

Also see ads in the local paper for tech-guy-types. 

You're right though when you say they won't learn anything if they don't
have a go themselves.

-- 
Mike Tomlinson

In article <YYWIm.14326$uf7.6368@newsfe12.ams2>, Chris Whelan <cawhelan@
prejudicentlworld.com> writes

>Would the folk wanting your help be able to attend any of the many basic 
>computer courses that are available just about everywhere?

Do courses exist in how not to post the same text to usenet four times?
:)

-- 
Mike Tomlinson

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:32 +0000, Mike Tomlinson wrote:

> In article <YYWIm.14326$uf7.6368@newsfe12.ams2>, Chris Whelan <cawhelan@
> prejudicentlworld.com> writes
> 
>>Would the folk wanting your help be able to attend any of the many basic
>>computer courses that are available just about everywhere?
> 
> Do courses exist in how not to post the same text to usenet four times?
> :)

LOL!

I'm not asking for any help from anyone though!

I use, and like, Pan. The multiple post thing is something it seems to do 
sometimes, usually when my news server is slow. Oddly, it's always four 
times. It's not very well supported at the moment; the last update was 
over a year ago.

Chris

-- 
Remove prejudice to reply.

In message , Adrian C 
<email@here.invalid> writes
>This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks 
>wanting their XP PCs sorted out.

Tell them that you will give them a 50% discount on your normal 
commercial rates. Then tell them what those rates are. Don't forget to 
charge for travelling time too.



-- 
Bernard Peek

In article <saYIm.127632$R52.27840@newsfe24.ams2>, Chris Whelan
 writes

>I use, and like, Pan.

I tried it a few years ago, but it didn't agree with me.  I think at the
time it was online-only (i.e. it fetched articles from the server as and
when you read them) and I wanted an off-line reader.

> It's not very well supported at the moment; the last update was 
>over a year ago.

That's a shame: you see a fair few people using it.  I contacted the
author (Dutch as I remember) with a query while I was trying it out and
got a fast and friendly reply.

-- 
(\__/)   
(='.'=)  Bunny says Windows 7 is Vi$ta reloaded.
(")_(")  http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:30:16 GMT
Chris Whelan  wrote:

> I use, and like, Pan. The multiple post thing is something it seems to do 
> sometimes, usually when my news server is slow. Oddly, it's always four 
> times. It's not very well supported at the moment; the last update was 
> over a year ago.

If it's got an option to generate its own Message-IDs that should cure
that problem.

-- 
TH * http://www.realh.co.uk

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:04:27 -0000, Conor  wrote:

> In article , Adrian C says...
>>
>> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks
>> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>>
>> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
>> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
>> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the
>> fiftieth time.
>>
>> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a
>> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and
>> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english?
>> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop
>> connections.
>>
> Tell them to buy a copy of Windows XP/Vista for Dummies and sort
> themselves out.
>
> I've stopped doing home visits because its nothing but grief. You can't
> charge for the time you lose travelling nor the 30 minutes per hour you
> spend watching the progress barand they don't let you get on with the
> job, waffling on incessantly about all kinds of shit you're just sick of
> hearing.
>
>

Home visits:

I agree that home visits are often unproductive and jobs like virus  
removal or chkdsk /r repairs where you are sat waiting for a 30 min. scan  
to complete are just a PITA. I've migrated many of the jobs that I used to  
do on-site to a "bring it to me and I'll fix it" basis.

I charge less for this, get much more done and earn more.

If they a worried about reconnecting after I'll deliver it back and  
reconnect for an extra fee, otherwise they get a call when it's done and  
collect.

There are however some jobs which can't be done off-site i.e. Install  
wireless router, sort out dial problems etc.
For those I still visit.

I have also developed a "fix" for the constant interruptions you get when  
concentrating & trying to fix the problem you've come for.

Use body language: Turn away from their PC, face them and do nothing but  
politely listen and then reply to their barrage of questions.
Usually it soon dawns on them that they are paying for your time and  
getting nothing but a few questions answered - they then go quiet or go  
away.

If they don't, I don't mind either; nice to be paid to sit & chat...

Try it - It works.

"Adrian C" <email@here.invalid> wrote in message 
news:7lirdrF3cd8bmU1@mid.individual.net...
> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks 
> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>

Did you install pirated software or offer a service to them?
It seems odd that all of them have trouble at the same time.

> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through some 
> really silly problems

You mean you don't have a clue really so don't know what to say,

> (like updating AV software,

It is always set to automatic and does it in the background.

> install their broadband, etc...)

Why would they all want broadband installing at the same time or
refuse to follow advice on sticking a CD in a computer, or calling
a free helpline?

> and hold their hands explaining basic things for the fiftieth time.

Just as people have done with you so far.

>
> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a 
> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and 
> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english?

Yes, do you know how to use a web browser or would I need to charge you
to teach you a bit more about using your common sense?

> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop 
> connections.
>

You were interested in that this morning as you wanted to sell on the
services companies were offering.  Maybe you would introduce the
odd problem to generate income!  Who knows.

> Location NW London.
>

Go away.

> -- 
> Adrian C

" ><(((°>"  wrote in message 
news:op.u2zm2ke5cnngb9@xp64...
> On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:04:27 -0000, Conor  wrote:
>
>> In article , Adrian C says...
>>>
>>> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks
>>> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>>>
>>> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
>>> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
>>> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the
>>> fiftieth time.
>>>
>>> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a
>>> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and
>>> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english?
>>> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop
>>> connections.
>>>
>> Tell them to buy a copy of Windows XP/Vista for Dummies and sort
>> themselves out.
>>
>> I've stopped doing home visits because its nothing but grief. You can't
>> charge for the time you lose travelling nor the 30 minutes per hour you
>> spend watching the progress barand they don't let you get on with the
>> job, waffling on incessantly about all kinds of shit you're just sick of
>> hearing.
>>
>>
>
> Home visits:
>
> I agree that home visits are often unproductive and jobs like virus 
> removal or chkdsk /r repairs where you are sat waiting for a 30 min. scan 
> to complete are just a PITA. I've migrated many of the jobs that I used to 
> do on-site to a "bring it to me and I'll fix it" basis.
>
> I charge less for this, get much more done and earn more.
>
> If they a worried about reconnecting after I'll deliver it back and 
> reconnect for an extra fee, otherwise they get a call when it's done and 
> collect.
>
> There are however some jobs which can't be done off-site i.e. Install 
> wireless router, sort out dial problems etc.
> For those I still visit.
>
> I have also developed a "fix" for the constant interruptions you get when 
> concentrating & trying to fix the problem you've come for.
>
> Use body language: Turn away from their PC, face them and do nothing but 
> politely listen and then reply to their barrage of questions.
> Usually it soon dawns on them that they are paying for your time and 
> getting nothing but a few questions answered - they then go quiet or go 
> away.
>
> If they don't, I don't mind either; nice to be paid to sit & chat...
>
> Try it - It works.

I don't think Mr Toys-R-Us has the ability to communicate with other
people, never mind have a conversation.  If only his customers knew what
he said about them in newsgroups.  Wait until the toy firm sue him for
using  trademark without permission!

In article <hd1u5r$u5m$1@news.albasani.net>, Roger says...
> 
> Wait until the toy firm sue him for
> using  trademark without permission!

There is no trademark infringement. If you'd done some homework, you'd 
know they've failed frequently. Still, you're not called the Tiscali 
Idiot for nothing.


-- 
Conor
www.notebooks-r-us.co.uk

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everybody equally.

On Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:41:42 -0000, Roger   
wrote:

<<SNIP>>
>
> I don't think Mr Toys-R-Us has the ability to communicate with other
> people, never mind have a conversation.  If only his customers knew what
> he said about them in newsgroups.  Wait until the toy firm sue him for
> using  trademark without permission!
>
>

What's happened to the normal "donkey cock sucking midget" type language  
you normally use in motorcar Usenet groups?

Perhaps you feel computer related groups require that you get out of your  
grease monkey outfit and become human!

Roger wrote:

> Go away.

Just put me in your Killfile?

Poor Roger.

You keep posting here because we're the closest thing to friends
you've got.

And we all think you're a cunt.


-- 
Adrian C

Adrian C wrote:
> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home
> folks wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>
> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for
> the fiftieth time.
>
> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit
> on a per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge
> excessively, and will discuss these things with customers young and
> old in plain english? Not interested in firms that do *everything*
> via remote desktop connections.
>
> Location NW London.

You will find about a hundred independent one man bands who will do exactly 
the kind of thing you are asking for in the Yellow Pages or the BT book.

Gaz wrote:
> 
> You will find about a hundred independent one man bands who will do exactly 
> the kind of thing you are asking for in the Yellow Pages or the BT book.

Ah, between that and Google, pot luck then.

Now let's see - who has the bigest most professional looking display 
advertisement...

On the otherhand ...

www.checkatrade.com
www.yourecommend.me.uk
www.toptradespeople.co.uk

Few to none folks there.

-- 
Adrian C

On Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:50:22 -0000, Adrian C <email@here.invalid> wrote:

> Gaz wrote:
>>  You will find about a hundred independent one man bands who will do  
>> exactly the kind of thing you are asking for in the Yellow Pages or the  
>> BT book.
>
> Ah, between that and Google, pot luck then.
>
> Now let's see - who has the bigest most professional looking display  
> advertisement...
>
> On the otherhand ...
>
> www.checkatrade.com
> www.yourecommend.me.uk
> www.toptradespeople.co.uk
>
> Few to none folks there.
>


Could you please munge up and post your email address.
Would like to email you personally.

> wrote:
> 
> Could you please munge up and post your email address.
> Would like to email you personally.

Thanks ">"

I'm not looking for a particular service recommendation at the moment. 
I'd rather find the safest 'method' where I can say to them, here search 
this!

However, if you or anyone wants to take this to email, fine :-)

Its username turnstyler on the gmx.co.uk domain. I'll summarise whatever 
back to the group, if I manage to wade though the spam and other 
unfortunate idiots out of that mailbox!

-- 
Adrian C

In article , Adrian C
<email@here.invalid> writes

>www.checkatrade.com
>www.yourecommend.me.uk
>www.toptradespeople.co.uk

recommended  people? (not looked myself)

-- 
(\__/)   
(='.'=)  Bunny says Windows 7 is Vi$ta reloaded.
(")_(")  http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png

Gaz wrote:
> Adrian C wrote:
>> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home
>> folks wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>>
>> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
>> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
>> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for
>> the fiftieth time.
>>
>> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit
>> on a per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge
>> excessively, and will discuss these things with customers young and
>> old in plain english? Not interested in firms that do *everything*
>> via remote desktop connections.
>>
>> Location NW London.
> 
> You will find about a hundred independent one man bands who will do exactly 
> the kind of thing you are asking for in the Yellow Pages or the BT book.
> 
> 
> 

Me included (North East London).  It's quite a tough life, having every 
sort of problem thrown at you by people whose expectations can be rather 
odd, and who often forget that your time is of value, and in short 
supply.  On the positive side I've learned more in the last 8 years than 
in the previous 20, and I do quite enjoy hand-holding people who don't 
know much about all this.  I have one absolutely charming client, a 
retired civil-servant, who is running a PC and a Mac without knowing 
much about either, and who refers to an email as "your recent minute". 
He isn't a fool, and he takes notes (how I like the ones that take 
notes!) and helping him is a pleasure in itself.  (It's forced me to con 
up quickly on some basics of the Mac as well!).  I've become very good 
at tracking down solutions, through necessity!

In fact all of my customers are essentially agreeable.  I can say this 
now having ditched a singularly unpleasant idiot of a business customer. 
  If I disclose that he had 16 GB of data in Outlook Express, and had it 
set to poll the server at 1m intervals (despite my sneaking it up to 
3m), you'll get the idea.  He seemed to think that we had a 
service-level-agreement such that no problem could ever happen on his 
computer, and if anything held him up it was my fault - despite the fact 
that he was always "too busy" to take my advice, and never wanted to pay 
for enough time to sort things out properly.  Each of his succession of 
assistants hated him, as do his various service providers.  I don't know 
why I put up with him for so long.

The rest are lovely.  I do, though get tired of cleaning viruses and 
configuring email, and explaining that wireless networks are glitchy in 
some locations, although I never tire of demonstrating Google Earth to 
new broadband users.  I prefer the occasional website or database 
project, but it can be hard to find uninterrupted time to complete them.

The downside is that as your list of customers grows, your work becomes 
more and more of an emergency service, like the accountant who can't 
print today, and the business who discover their payroll won't work at 
the last possible moment.  Long hours.  It's also quite a solitary 
existence, and I do miss the politics of the office, having been a 
development manager in a vast corporation.

I too avoid home visits where I can.  A surprising number of people can 
be talked through the installation of VNC (with the aid of a web page) 
and I do most work that way.  I configure the VNC server to accept 
connections only from my static IP, and provide a script which sets up a 
connection (listening viewer) when double-clicked.  Things like 
non-bootable machines are brought to me, mostly - I offer a lower rate 
(for work that can be done in spare moments rather that as a priority) 
and if a format or scan takes 40m I don't charge for the time as I would 
on-site, making it much cheaper.

I'll never be rich, or have much spare time, but I can't imagine giving 
it up.

Phil, London

In article <frgJm.29379$tF5.12774@newsfe25.ams2>, Philip Herlihy
<me@here.localhost> writes

>I'll never be rich, or have much spare time, but I can't imagine giving 
>it up.

You clearly love the job - I very much get the impression that you're a
people person.  Well done.  I couldn't do it - I don't like driving
(when I have to get to a customer)  and I'm too blunt with idiots,
probably get a black eye instead of the money I'm owed for the job! :)

-- 
(\__/)   
(='.'=)  Bunny says Windows 7 is Vi$ta reloaded.
(")_(")  http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png

"Mike Tomlinson"  wrote in message 
news:JsRxPzHb+b9KFwJP@jasper.org.uk...
> In article <frgJm.29379$tF5.12774@newsfe25.ams2>, Philip Herlihy
> <me@here.localhost> writes
>
>>I'll never be rich, or have much spare time, but I can't imagine giving
>>it up.
>
> You clearly love the job - I very much get the impression that you're a
> people person.  Well done.  I couldn't do it - I don't like driving
> (when I have to get to a customer)  and I'm too blunt with idiots,
> probably get a black eye instead of the money I'm owed for the job! :)
>

Yeah your owed a few off me over the years but I am not a voilent person ;) 
but then again I am basically a clued up idiot but essentially an idiot at 
least I can admit that.

Nick Le Lievre wrote:
> "Mike Tomlinson"  wrote in message 
> news:JsRxPzHb+b9KFwJP@jasper.org.uk...
>> In article <frgJm.29379$tF5.12774@newsfe25.ams2>, Philip Herlihy
>> <me@here.localhost> writes
>>
>>> I'll never be rich, or have much spare time, but I can't imagine giving
>>> it up.
>>
>> You clearly love the job - I very much get the impression that you're a
>> people person.  Well done.  I couldn't do it - I don't like driving
>> (when I have to get to a customer)  and I'm too blunt with idiots,
>> probably get a black eye instead of the money I'm owed for the job! :)
>>
> 
> Yeah your owed a few off me over the years but I am not a voilent person 
> ;) but then again I am basically a clued up idiot but essentially an 
> idiot at least I can admit that.

We're all idiots at some level.  Heaven knows what I'd do without 
newsgroups when Google fails (or more accurately when I can't figure out 
how to frame a search string!).  This group is a particular godsend, as 
it's full of good helpful folk who don't seem to mind 
"ought-to-know-better" questions.  Meanwhile, I tell my customers to 
distrust anyone who radiates the impression they know everything and 
never make mistakes! Every now and then I reflect with amazement at how 
much I know, and at other times with amazement at how much I clearly 
still don't.

Phil

"Philip Herlihy" <me@here.localhost> wrote in message 
news:oWkJm.15720$9M4.1541@newsfe03.ams2...
>
> We're all idiots at some level.  Heaven knows what I'd do without 
> newsgroups when Google fails (or more accurately when I can't figure out 
> how to frame a search string!).  This group is a particular godsend, as 
> it's full of good helpful folk who don't seem to mind 
> "ought-to-know-better" questions.  Meanwhile, I tell my customers to 
> distrust anyone who radiates the impression they know everything and never 
> make mistakes! Every now and then I reflect with amazement at how much I 
> know, and at other times with amazement at how much I clearly still don't.

I was only trying desperately hard to make fun of myself, seriously I am not 
very intelligent at best average IQ and sometimes border on idiocracy. Mike 
does not suffer fools gladly. I guess he is not a people person as he puts 
it.

In article <oWkJm.15720$9M4.1541@newsfe03.ams2>, Philip Herlihy
<me@here.localhost> writes

> Every now and then I reflect with amazement at how 
>much I know, and at other times with amazement at how much I clearly 
>still don't.

Indeed.  I think you've just summed up life.

(I'm not gonna reply to Nick - I only saw his post 'cos he's in my
killfile and you quoted it.  I still think you're a twat Nick, and also
think  you get a very light ride from people in this group.  However,
I'm clearly in the minority so decided long ago to shut up.  I still
wonder how a mental defective on benefits can afford a trip to South
America and all the new kit he brags about on this group whenever he
gets a chance. The answer is that it's paid for by the hard-working UK
taxpayer.)

-- 
(\__/)   
(='.'=)  Bunny says Windows 7 is Vi$ta reloaded.
(")_(")  http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/windows_7.png

"Mike Tomlinson"  wrote in message 
news:eusUfUIsQq9KFwaR@jasper.org.uk...
>
> Indeed.  I think you've just summed up life.
>
> (I'm not gonna reply to Nick - I only saw his post 'cos he's in my
> killfile and you quoted it.  I still think you're a twat Nick, and also
> think  you get a very light ride from people in this group.  However,
> I'm clearly in the minority so decided long ago to shut up.  I still
> wonder how a mental defective on benefits can afford a trip to South
> America and all the new kit he brags about on this group whenever he
> gets a chance. The answer is that it's paid for by the hard-working UK
> taxpayer.)

Hi Mike, I am sorry you see things so negatively seriously dude lighten up!. 
My trip to South America only cost me £ 1500 inc spending because I went 
with my mother who had no-one else to go with so she helped me pay for it so 
I could go, if she had not done that the trip would never have happened. Yes 
I am on long term benefit which is due to a history of mental illness but I 
am hardly a dole scrounger.

I try not to spend money on things I can go without ie Takeaways, Pubs, 
Video Games, Cinema etc so this leaves me enough money each week to buy 
things from time to time or save up for a holiday... I have got to have some 
enjoyment out of life! For sure there is not enough spare money to waste on 
KFC every day etc so I do somewhat starve myself of things other people take 
for granted.

My new PDC 1.3ghz ULV notebook machine with Windows 7 cost £ 391.30 but I 
recouped £ 185 from the sale of my EEE PC 901 so in fact it only cost me £ 
206... you have to accept the fact that I do have enough money coming in 
each week to buy things occasionally as I do recieve £ 125 in benefit and £ 
20 from 9 hours part time each week.

In article <hd6a45$pvi$1@news.albasani.net>, Nick Le Lievre says...

> My new PDC 1.3ghz ULV notebook machine with Windows 7 cost £ 391.30 but I 
> recouped £ 185 from the sale of my EEE PC 901 so in fact it only cost me £ 
> 206...

Why, was the Eee PC free?


> you have to accept the fact that I do have enough money coming in 
> each week 

...thanks to the tax payer.

> to buy things occasionally as I do recieve £ 125 in benefit and £ 
> 20 from 9 hours part time each week. 

So 86% of your income is courtesy of the the tax payers.

Why only £20 from 9hrs a week? Surely that's below the national minimum 
wage or doesn't that apply over in your islands?

-- 
Conor
www.notebooks-r-us.co.uk

I'm not prejudiced. I hate everybody equally.

"Conor"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.2560be3f42bf637a989918@news.eternal-september.org...
> In article <hd6a45$pvi$1@news.albasani.net>, Nick Le Lievre says...
>
>> My new PDC 1.3ghz ULV notebook machine with Windows 7 cost £ 391.30 but I
>> recouped £ 185 from the sale of my EEE PC 901 so in fact it only cost me 
>> £
>> 206...
>
> Why, was the Eee PC free?

No it cost me £ 260 but that was over a year ago not last week.
>
>> you have to accept the fact that I do have enough money coming in
>> each week
>
> ...thanks to the tax payer.

Fair enough, thank you tax payers.

>> to buy things occasionally as I do recieve £ 125 in benefit and £
>> 20 from 9 hours part time each week.
>
> So 86% of your income is courtesy of the the tax payers.

Yes thanks once again to tax payers.

> Why only £20 from 9hrs a week? Surely that's below the national minimum
> wage or doesn't that apply over in your islands?

Its because I am on benefit and its sheltered work.

Nick Le Lievre wrote:
> "Conor"  wrote in message 
> news:MPG.2560be3f42bf637a989918@news.eternal-september.org...
>> In article <hd6a45$pvi$1@news.albasani.net>, Nick Le Lievre says...
>>
>>> My new PDC 1.3ghz ULV notebook machine with Windows 7 cost £ 391.30 
>>> but I
>>> recouped £ 185 from the sale of my EEE PC 901 so in fact it only cost 
>>> me £
>>> 206...
>>
>> Why, was the Eee PC free?
> 
> No it cost me £ 260 but that was over a year ago not last week.
>>
>>> you have to accept the fact that I do have enough money coming in
>>> each week
>>
>> ...thanks to the tax payer.
> 
> Fair enough, thank you tax payers.
> 
>>> to buy things occasionally as I do recieve £ 125 in benefit and £
>>> 20 from 9 hours part time each week.
>>
>> So 86% of your income is courtesy of the the tax payers.
> 
> Yes thanks once again to tax payers.
> 
>> Why only £20 from 9hrs a week? Surely that's below the national minimum
>> wage or doesn't that apply over in your islands?
> 
> Its because I am on benefit and its sheltered work.

I think it's best to leave the task of assessing entitlement to benefits 
to those people who know both the rules and the full details of an 
individual's circumstances.

PH

Philip Herlihy wrote:
> 
> I think it's best to leave the task of assessing entitlement to benefits 
> to those people who know both the rules and the full details of an 
> individual's circumstances.

Yes with schizophrenia you can go through long periods of being well 
during those times one can wonder why said person is recieving benefits, 
the thing with mental illness is that it does not just affect you when 
you are unwell its the instability that affects your whole life long 
term... when accessing someone for benefits you have to take into 
account the circumstances the person finds themselves in due to the 
disruption the illness has caused ie difficulties in finding stable 
employment.

Nick Le Lievre wrote:
> Philip Herlihy wrote:
>>
>> I think it's best to leave the task of assessing entitlement to 
>> benefits to those people who know both the rules and the full details 
>> of an individual's circumstances.
> 

Quite so, as an aside I don't know what's happening to propagation today but I 
can see Nick's reply to your post but not your actual post itself, which is unusual.

 >
> Yes with schizophrenia you can go through long periods of being well 
> during those times one can wonder why said person is recieving benefits, 
> the thing with mental illness is that it does not just affect you when 
> you are unwell its the instability that affects your whole life long 
> term... when accessing someone for benefits you have to take into 
> account the circumstances the person finds themselves in due to the 
> disruption the illness has caused ie difficulties in finding stable 
> employment.

On 7 Nov, 15:33, Philip Herlihy <m...@here.localhost> wrote:
> Gaz wrote:
> > Adrian C wrote:
> >> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home
> >> folks wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>
> >> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
> >> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
> >> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for
> >> the fiftieth time.
>
> >> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit
> >> on a per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge
> >> excessively, and will discuss these things with customers young and
> >> old in plain english? Not interested in firms that do *everything*
> >> via remote desktop connections.
>
> >> Location NW London.
>
> > You will find about a hundred independent one man bands who will do exactly
> > the kind of thing you are asking for in the Yellow Pages or the BT book> Me included (North East London).  It's quite a tough life, having every
> sort of problem thrown at you by people whose expectations can be rather
> odd, and who often forget that your time is of value, and in short
> supply.  On the positive side I've learned more in the last 8 years than
> in the previous 20, and I do quite enjoy hand-holding people who don't
> know much about all this.  I have one absolutely charming client, a
> retired civil-servant, who is running a PC and a Mac without knowing
> much about either, and who refers to an email as "your recent minute".
> He isn't a fool, and he takes notes (how I like the ones that take
> notes!) and helping him is a pleasure in itself.  (It's forced me to con
> up quickly on some basics of the Mac as well!).  I've become very good
> at tracking down solutions, through necessity!
>
> In fact all of my customers are essentially agreeable.  I can say this
> now having ditched a singularly unpleasant idiot of a business customer.
>   If I disclose that he had 16 GB of data in Outlook Express, and had it
> set to poll the server at 1m intervals (despite my sneaking it up to
> 3m), you'll get the idea.  He seemed to think that we had a
> service-level-agreement such that no problem could ever happen on his
> computer, and if anything held him up it was my fault - despite the fact
> that he was always "too busy" to take my advice, and never wanted to pay
> for enough time to sort things out properly.  Each of his succession of
> assistants hated him, as do his various service providers.  I don't know
> why I put up with him for so long.
>
> The rest are lovely.  I do, though get tired of cleaning viruses and
> configuring email, and explaining that wireless networks are glitchy in
> some locations, although I never tire of demonstrating Google Earth to
> new broadband users.  I prefer the occasional website or database
> project, but it can be hard to find uninterrupted time to complete them.
>
> The downside is that as your list of customers grows, your work becomes
> more and more of an emergency service, like the accountant who can't
> print today, and the business who discover their payroll won't work at
> the last possible moment.  Long hours.  It's also quite a solitary
> existence, and I do miss the politics of the office, having been a
> development manager in a vast corporation.
>
> I too avoid home visits where I can.  A surprising number of people can
> be talked through the installation of VNC (with the aid of a web page)
> and I do most work that way.  I configure the VNC server to accept
> connections only from my static IP, and provide a script which sets up a
> connection (listening viewer) when double-clicked.  Things like
> non-bootable machines are brought to me, mostly - I offer a lower rate
> (for work that can be done in spare moments rather that as a priority)
> and if a format or scan takes 40m I don't charge for the time as I would
> on-site, making it much cheaper.
>
> I'll never be rich, or have much spare time, but I can't imagine giving
> it up.
>
> Phil, London- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Have you tried reverse VNC?  It's much nicer.  You create an EXE file
which when clicked will connect to the VNC server running on your PC.
No need to mess with firewalls etc, and you can brand the exe with
your company logo.  Too tired to google it now, but it's way better
than doing it the other way around witn non-technical users.

On 8 Nov, 15:32, Nick Le Lievre
<nicklelie...@jerseymail.co.uk.invalid> wrote:
> Philip Herlihy wrote:
>
> > I think it's best to leave the task of assessing entitlement to benefits
> > to those people who know both the rules and the full details of an
> > individual's circumstances.
>
> Yes with schizophrenia you can go through long periods of being well
> during those times one can wonder why said person is recieving benefits,
> the thing with mental illness is that it does not just affect you when
> you are unwell its the instability that affects your whole life long
> term... when accessing someone for benefits you have to take into
> account the circumstances the person finds themselves in due to the
> disruption the illness has caused ie difficulties in finding stable
> employment.

Pretty OT, but as a taxpayer I've got zero problems with subsidising
those with physical or mental health issues.  It's easy to take an
overly simplistic view of these things - e.g. a broken leg takes a
fixed amount of time to heal and allow a person to work - but most
other issues aren't so clear cut.  I think our current benefits system
could do with some tweaks - e.g. the disincentive to working more than
16hrs a week before you lose all benefits - but I strongly think that
our welfare system is a sign of a developed society.
You don't fix mental health issues by keeping people in abject,
apologetic poverty...

Ric wrote:
> On 7 Nov, 15:33, Philip Herlihy <m...@here.localhost> wrote:
>> Gaz wrote:
>>> Adrian C wrote:
>>>> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home
>>>> folks wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>>>> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
>>>> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
>>>> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for
>>>> the fiftieth time.
>>>> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit
>>>> on a per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge
>>>> excessively, and will discuss these things with customers young and
>>>> old in plain english? Not interested in firms that do *everything*
>>>> via remote desktop connections.
>>>> Location NW London.
>>> You will find about a hundred independent one man bands who will do exactly
>>> the kind of thing you are asking for in the Yellow Pages or the BT book.
>> Me included (North East London).  It's quite a tough life, having every
>> sort of problem thrown at you by people whose expectations can be rather
>> odd, and who often forget that your time is of value, and in short
>> supply.  On the positive side I've learned more in the last 8 years than
>> in the previous 20, and I do quite enjoy hand-holding people who don't
>> know much about all this.  I have one absolutely charming client, a
>> retired civil-servant, who is running a PC and a Mac without knowing
>> much about either, and who refers to an email as "your recent minute".
>> He isn't a fool, and he takes notes (how I like the ones that take
>> notes!) and helping him is a pleasure in itself.  (It's forced me to con
>> up quickly on some basics of the Mac as well!).  I've become very good
>> at tracking down solutions, through necessity!
>>
>> In fact all of my customers are essentially agreeable.  I can say this
>> now having ditched a singularly unpleasant idiot of a business customer.
>>   If I disclose that he had 16 GB of data in Outlook Express, and had it
>> set to poll the server at 1m intervals (despite my sneaking it up to
>> 3m), you'll get the idea.  He seemed to think that we had a
>> service-level-agreement such that no problem could ever happen on his
>> computer, and if anything held him up it was my fault - despite the fact
>> that he was always "too busy" to take my advice, and never wanted to pay
>> for enough time to sort things out properly.  Each of his succession of
>> assistants hated him, as do his various service providers.  I don't know
>> why I put up with him for so long.
>>
>> The rest are lovely.  I do, though get tired of cleaning viruses and
>> configuring email, and explaining that wireless networks are glitchy in
>> some locations, although I never tire of demonstrating Google Earth to
>> new broadband users.  I prefer the occasional website or database
>> project, but it can be hard to find uninterrupted time to complete them.
>>
>> The downside is that as your list of customers grows, your work becomes
>> more and more of an emergency service, like the accountant who can't
>> print today, and the business who discover their payroll won't work at
>> the last possible moment.  Long hours.  It's also quite a solitary
>> existence, and I do miss the politics of the office, having been a
>> development manager in a vast corporation.
>>
>> I too avoid home visits where I can.  A surprising number of people can
>> be talked through the installation of VNC (with the aid of a web page)
>> and I do most work that way.  I configure the VNC server to accept
>> connections only from my static IP, and provide a script which sets up a
>> connection (listening viewer) when double-clicked.  Things like
>> non-bootable machines are brought to me, mostly - I offer a lower rate
>> (for work that can be done in spare moments rather that as a priority)
>> and if a format or scan takes 40m I don't charge for the time as I would
>> on-site, making it much cheaper.
>>
>> I'll never be rich, or have much spare time, but I can't imagine giving
>> it up.
>>
>> Phil, London- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
> 
> Have you tried reverse VNC?  It's much nicer.  You create an EXE file
> which when clicked will connect to the VNC server running on your PC.
> No need to mess with firewalls etc, and you can brand the exe with
> your company logo.  Too tired to google it now, but it's way better
> than doing it the other way around witn non-technical users.

I've tried out something called "PCHelpware" which works just this way, 
but I found the performance rather poor - probably time for another 
look.  Certainly, having the connection initiated from the customer end 
saves a lot of grief!

Phil

In article , email@here.invalid 
says...
> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks 
> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
> 
> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through 
> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their 
> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the 
> fiftieth time.
> 
> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a 
> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and 
> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english? 
> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop 
> connections.
> 
> Location NW London.

www.pchomehelp.org puts people willing to work cheaply in touch with 
people who have computer problems?
-- 
Regards
Jon

Jon wrote:

> www.pchomehelp.org puts people willing to work cheaply in touch with 
> people who have computer problems?

Useful, thanks.

Great news on one bunch of friends that are requiring help. The lady 
just phoned today to announce that they are buying into Apple machines 
and slinging out their PCs.

Good. I'm now down to 4.

However on my last meet up with her, she gave me her cold.

/sniff. I'm not well... Grrrr...

-- 
Adrian C

Tony Houghton  wrote
>In ,
>Adrian C <email@here.invalid> wrote:
>
>> Great news on one bunch of friends that are requiring help. The lady 
>> just phoned today to announce that they are buying into Apple machines 
>> and slinging out their PCs.
>>
>> Good. I'm now down to 4.
>>
>> However on my last meet up with her, she gave me her cold.
>>
>> /sniff. I'm not well... Grrrr...
>
>At least that'll be the last time she gives you a virus ;-).
>
But it will now be passed to the other four. And so a plague is born.
-- 
Roger Hunt

Jon wrote:
> In article , email@here.invalid 
> says...
>> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home folks 
>> wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>>
>> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through 
>> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their 
>> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for the 
>> fiftieth time.
>>
>> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit on a 
>> per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge excessively, and 
>> will discuss these things with customers young and old in plain english? 
>> Not interested in firms that do *everything* via remote desktop 
>> connections.
>>
>> Location NW London.
> 
> www.pchomehelp.org puts people willing to work cheaply in touch with 
> people who have computer problems?

The "helper" has to pay £12.50 commission on a first-hour fee of £30, 
and nets £6.50 per half-hour after that.  I remember being similarly 
shocked when I first saw what the likes of "Tech Guys" are paid.

Phil

In article <qyaKm.150532$ei3.145636@newsfe22.ams2>, Philip Herlihy
<me@here.localhost> writes

>The "helper" has to pay £12.50 commission on a first-hour fee of £30, 
>and nets £6.50 per half-hour after that.  I remember being similarly 
>shocked when I first saw what the likes of "Tech Guys" are paid.

Indeed.  Friends and family know I don't help out.  One lady (friend of
my Mum's) persisted and said she would pay me what I wanted to sort out
her laptop.  Told her my consluting (sic) rate was 300 quid an hour.
She beetled off PDQ :)

-- 
Mike Tomlinson

"Ric"  wrote in message news:b3520633-f891-487e-9e68-
>
> Pretty OT, but as a taxpayer I've got zero problems with subsidising
> those with physical or mental health issues.  It's easy to take an
> overly simplistic view of these things - e.g. a broken leg takes a
> fixed amount of time to heal and allow a person to work - but most
> other issues aren't so clear cut.  I think our current benefits system
> could do with some tweaks - e.g. the disincentive to working more than
> 16hrs a week before you lose all benefits - but I strongly think that
> our welfare system is a sign of a developed society.
> You don't fix mental health issues by keeping people in abject,
> apologetic poverty...

I have suffered from the most devastating symptoms of schizophrenia during 
two acute episodes, one began in April 2006 and the most recent around the 
end of December 2008. I was hospitalised on both occasions and spent 2-3 
months in recovery... if one has suffered or has the potential to suffer an 
acute episode of schizophrenia one is said to be "schizophrenic" and may 
need medication to lower the risk of further acute episodes.

This does not mean you are suffering from acute symptoms all the time 
although there are so called negative symptoms such as apathy and lack of 
motivation which people who have suffered from schizophrenia commonly have 
this makes it harder to work as you just cannot be bothered, there is no 
motivation to improve you life you just do not see the point.

For this reason I am doing better then a lot of people with the disease 
because I get out of bed three times a week to go to work, its therapeutic 
work and I can not really be arsed with it but I do it because they want me 
to.

Philip Herlihy wrote:
> Jon wrote:
>> In article , email@here.invalid
>> says...
>>> This week I have had 5 calls from very non-technical stay-at-home
>>> folks wanting their XP PCs sorted out.
>>>
>>> Due to commitments I'm not able to jump around and help them through
>>> some really silly problems (like updating AV software, install their
>>> broadband, etc...) and hold their hands explaining basic things for
>>> the fiftieth time.
>>>
>>> Isn't there an online directory of support companies that can visit
>>> on a per-hour / or better per-job basis, that won't charge
>>> excessively, and will discuss these things with customers young and
>>> old in plain english? Not interested in firms that do *everything*
>>> via remote desktop connections.
>>>
>>> Location NW London.
>>
>> www.pchomehelp.org puts people willing to work cheaply in touch with
>> people who have computer problems?
>
> The "helper" has to pay £12.50 commission on a first-hour fee of £30,
> and nets £6.50 per half-hour after that.  I remember being similarly
> shocked when I first saw what the likes of "Tech Guys" are paid.
>
> Phil

The tech guys subcontracting made sense because of the pure volume of work, 
£200 a day isnt a bad pay, but you worked your arse off for it.