tech support
Computers
Carol Brady Creates The Worst Ever Tech Support Job
9:20AM Sean Fallon | If you thought your IT job was filled with annoying questions, try working for Florence Henderson’s new FloH Club. It’s a telephone-based tech support service for old people. More »
Random Stuff
Verizon’s Tech Support Repertoire Includes Punching You In The Face
11:30AM John Herrman | This according to a young gentleman in New York City, who says that a Verizon support guy sent to fix his phone ended up fixing his face, with fists. In corporate speak, I believe that’s called “thinking outside the box.” More »
Online
2:56PM Nick Broughall | Waiting on hold when you need tech support, want to make a complaint or just need to pay a bill is the bane of humanity. That’s why Internode’s new beta service, that lets you check the average wait time for their support lines online is like manna from heaven for Internode customers. More »
Want To Call Up Internode? Check Their Wait Times First
2:56PM Nick Broughall | Waiting on hold when you need tech support, want to make a complaint or just need to pay a bill is the bane of humanity. That’s why Internode’s new beta service, that lets you check the average wait time for their support lines online is like manna from heaven for Internode customers. More »
Computers
The First Apple Tech Support Call Ever
2:30PM Jesus Diaz | Stan Veit–first editor Computer Shopper–has a fascinating first-person account on the very early years of Apple, starting with what may be the very first Apple tech support call ever, answered by Steve Jobs himself. More »
Networks
Netgear Launches GearHead Home Network Support Service, Has Geek Squad and Firedog in Their Crosshairs
6:40AM Adrian Covert | Netgear is launching their new GearHead service, which provides support and assistance in setting up any of your home networking gear—whether it’s made by Netgear or not. The brand independent service is a service in the same vein as Best Buy’s Geek Squad, except it’s focused soley on home networking (and they probably won’t steal your porn). It’s available 24/7, and comes in two different pricing plans: An annual subscription that offer’s unlimited support, or a one-off, pay-per-incident service. More »
Gadgets
Apple Store Geniuses Might Actually Be Dunces
11:30AM Matt Buchanan | You’ve probably wondered what it takes to become a Genius at an Apple Store. I mean, they’re called Geniuses, and it’s Apple, and they only deal with Apple products, so they know them to the core, right? Well, in at least one Apple Store, not so much. MacBlogz’s Aviv went through the whole process of applying, which he has helpfully documented for us. After answering 17 out of 20 ridiculously easy technical questions correctly, he was offered the job for $US17 an hour (which you can see in the letter below). Because that made him not just a Genius, but a superstar. More »
Software
Microsoft to Deploy Their Own Version of the Apple Genius
6:38AM Sean Fallon | As part of their US$300 Million ad campaign Microsoft has announced that they will begin to deploy in-store representatives to large chains like Best Buy and Circuit City to help consumers with their PC issues. Like their Apple counterparts, The “Microsoft Gurus” will not be paid on commission and they will be available to handle general questions and give demos of products—but they will not be available for any real tech support or repairs. So they are kind of like Apple Geniuses, only a lot less useful. Nonetheless, Microsoft plans to roll out around 155 of these trained experts during an initial trial run sometime before the end of the year. [Electronista] More »
Computers
2:11PM Nick Broughall | If only John Mayer’s dad lived in Australia and owned a Dell. Then all of John Mayer’s dad’s tech support questions could have been easily answered by the good folks at Gizmo.
You see, today Dell and Gizmo announced that they were going to get intimate, with Gizmo services like setting up your Dell PC or setting up a wireless network available as an optional extra when purchasing a new Dell machine.
While it’s highly unlikely that anybody reading this would need tech support to set up their own computer, this could be the kind of thing that you purchase for your own mum or dad when buying them a PC, so you can save yourself the 1,742 phone calls about how to get the computer working or, in John Mayer’s case, finding an application.
Pricing is a bit on the expensive side, but look at it this way: they have to put up with all of those inane questions from old people so you don’t have to. Isn’t that worth something?
Pricing is below: More »
Dell And Gizmo Get It On For Home Computing Support
2:11PM Nick Broughall | If only John Mayer’s dad lived in Australia and owned a Dell. Then all of John Mayer’s dad’s tech support questions could have been easily answered by the good folks at Gizmo.
You see, today Dell and Gizmo announced that they were going to get intimate, with Gizmo services like setting up your Dell PC or setting up a wireless network available as an optional extra when purchasing a new Dell machine.
While it’s highly unlikely that anybody reading this would need tech support to set up their own computer, this could be the kind of thing that you purchase for your own mum or dad when buying them a PC, so you can save yourself the 1,742 phone calls about how to get the computer working or, in John Mayer’s case, finding an application.
Pricing is a bit on the expensive side, but look at it this way: they have to put up with all of those inane questions from old people so you don’t have to. Isn’t that worth something?
Pricing is below: More »
Computers
John Mayer Does Apple Tech Support for His Dad, Fails Miserably
10:00PM Jesus Diaz | In a twist of destiny, John Mayer–the guy who writes to Apple Support saying “Hey guys, John Mayer here” and actually gets replies back–had to turn into tech support guy after his dad called saying “Hey, John Mayer’s dad here.” The musician tried to guide his father through Mac OS X in order to find his Entourage icon with no success, getting more and more frustrated with every turn of the conversation. We were able to grab the hilarious 100% unedited clip from TMZ before it disappeared. More »
Gadgets
