Tech Support

Gadgets

Are Kids Today Feigning IT Ignorance?

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11:00AM January 17, 2012 | Nick Broughall

Kids today! According to a press release from iiNet, these little upstarts are feigning ignorance when it comes to technology matters so they don’t end up with the unpaid title of resident IT support person. More »


Computing

How Can I Make Sure My New PC Isn’t A Dud?

10:30AM November 2, 2011 | Adam Dachis

I just bought a new computer and, seeing as hardware failure rates are pretty high these days, I want to make sure it isn’t going to suddenly die on me in the middle of an important project. Is there anything I can do to ensure it isn’t a dud? Sincerely, Paranoid Computer Buyer More »


Mobile

Ever Used Twitter Or Facebook For Help With Your Mobile?

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3:45PM August 16, 2011 | Danny Allen

I ask because Telstra has just started 24/7 Twitter support and finally launched Facebook customer service, too. We can be hard on the telcos (usually rightfully so) but this is good to see. Still, I’d like to hear about your experience. More »


News

Australians Are ‘Technically Backward And Drink Constantly’

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2:00PM July 7, 2011 | Danny Allen

That’s the delightful view of the ‘culture instructor’ at an Indian IT call centre group. A Mother Jones reporter recently went behind the scenes, and discovered that apparently, “the average Australian’s mobile would be no better than, say, a Nokia 3110 classic.” More »


Computing

The Worst Part Of Coming Home For Christmas

3:20PM December 22, 2010 | Jason M. Mustian - McSweeneys

I swear to fucking God, if I come home this Christmas and find out my parents are still unplugging their computer from the wall when they want to turn it off, I will fucking snap. More »


Computing

Carol Brady Creates The Worst Ever Tech Support Job

9:20AM October 15, 2009 | 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 »


Geek Out

Verizon’s Tech Support Repertoire Includes Punching You In The Face

11:30AM August 19, 2009 | 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

Want To Call Up Internode? Check Their Wait Times First

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2:56PM August 17, 2009 | 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 »


Computing

The First Apple Tech Support Call Ever

2:30PM December 9, 2008 | 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.

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Netgear Launches GearHead Home Network Support Service, Has Geek Squad and Firedog in Their Crosshairs

6:40AM November 19, 2008 | 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.

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