Gizmo: For Dads who need professional help
Here’s a gift idea to break the monotony of socks, ties, and hankies this Fathers’ Day, and it might give a hint to your family that there are professionals now available to do all that shitty family tech support you/we/all geeks are tired of having to do.
If you haven’t heard of Gizmo, it’s like the Geek Squad thing in America. Like tradies for your home computers and gadgetry – but unlike a tradesman they’ll come exactly when you book them to come. They sent us word on some ideas for what they could do for your Dad this Fathers’ Day. They’re getting creative with how you can use their services, so we thought we’d share:
Shop with me!
A Gizmotech will come shopping with you and help you with your home technology purchases, ensuring that you purchase the best products to meet your needs and budget.Show Me!
What can’t you do? Tell Gizmo and tech will come to your place and show you how to do it. (eg. teach you how to set up email, web cam, organise your files).Network Me!
Install the wireless gear you need (like a router and network card) and connect your computer to another computer or gaming console, ensure your wireless network is set up securely to deter hackers and prevent your neighbours from ‘borrowing’ your internet connection, and show you how to get the most out of your networking.
I like introducing my family to sexy new tech stuff, but I HATE the process of trying to show them how to use it. Funny how I can have patience when explaining stuff to people I don’t know, but as soon as it is family my frustration factor flies through the roof. A Gizmo tech could save everyone’s sanity in my house… how about yours? Anyone got any good stories to share on teaching the parentals / grandparentals to use tech? [Gizmo]
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Comments
I set up a remote connection to my mums computer so now remote-in and show her how to do stuff like i would with any support call. She lives in a different state so it makes things alot easier. And it means i can continue using other programs while im talking to her on the hands-free. However, this only makes the process less infuriating.
How much did Gizmo pay you to put that news item/Advertisment on gizmodo?
Aaaah, always the “how much did they pay…” comment when I just point out something I think sounds good. I’m seriously jack of dealing with family tech support, so I figure I’m probably not the only geek out there who feels this way.
So yeah, that, and a brown paper bag of unmarked fifties. Thanks for asking.
this story is only about one of the many companies around australia that can do this for people. while gizmo has only been around for a short time, i would be inclined to use one of the more established companies, like quicknowledge. (they are also cheaper)
Here’s my issue, Paul. Sadly, it does take these companies some effort to genuinely ’sell’ themselves to the public – I’ve never heard of quicknowledge. It’s an industry BEGGING for a serious player to deliver something akin to reliable tradesperson services, but it’s generally been marred by dipshits overcharging based on ads placed on community noticeboards in local malls. I do hope Gizmo has success, and I ALSO hope we see one or two other players step up and become solid names in this game so that pricing and service options become very competitive.