Discuss: Are you happy to help fix your friends' computers?

by Chris Jager | Wednesday 18 January 2012

According to a recent Newspoll study, more and more Australians are downplaying their tech skills to avoid helping friends and family.

You know the drill: you're minding your own business at a family gathering when your uncle/niece/next door neighbour suddenly starts talking about computers. You know what's coming.

Despite your best attempts to extricate yourself from the conversation, you eventually get hit with that all-too familiar request: "My [Product X] has been acting up. Do you think you could take a look at it for me?" Naturally, you're expected to do this free of charge. And preferably, as soon as humanly possible.

If only you'd never taken computer studies in high school, eh?

But imagine a world in which nobody knows you're computer-literate. A world in which you get to sit with the rest of the luddites, unmolested by technical requests. According to a Newspoll study commissioned by internet service provider iiNet, this is exactly what a new generation of techheads are doing.

"Despite being branded the tech-generation, young adult Australians are downplaying their tech skills to avoid being nominated the resident IT expert for family and friends", iiNet's press release claims.

The Newspoll study found that while nearly half of surveyed Australians aged 18-34 said they are regularly asked to help with tech issues, around a third pretended to lack the required skills. The Newspoll study also found that men were more likely to downplay their tech-skills than women when family and friends asked them to lend a hand.

And it's not just young people either; the poll found that 26 per cent of Australians aged 35-49 years old also feigned ignorance when asked by friends and family to help solve tech issues.

“Most of us have been in a position where a family member or friend has relied on us for ongoing help with email or trouble shooting," said iiNet’s Chief Customer Officer, Maryna Fewster. "...You can’t blame people for getting a little tired of the expectation that they will always be there to help.”

You can read the full iiNet report here.

Discuss:

Are you happy to help your friends and family with technology problems? When does a request for help become a hassle? Have you ever pretended that a technical problem was beyond your skills to avoid wasting time on a friend's computer?

We'd also love to hear about the types of problems you've been asked to fix -- from the laughably simple to the fiendishly hard. Let us know in the comments section below.

See more about: pcbuilding | discussion | computers

Readers of this article also read...

Faster, lighter, more juice: meet 20 new laptops with Intel's new chip

marrow 18 January 2012	Yes. I end up being the guy at work and home that everyone turns to. The people I really enjoy helping are my elderly mother and mother-in-law, both of whom have a new lease of life in their 80s by beiung able to surf, read foreign papers and communicate on Skype. The most common request: find a lost file or folder or program icon. It's usually not too hard. Comment made about the PC & Tech Authority article: Discuss: Are you happy to help fix your friends' computers?? According to a recent Newspoll study, more and more Australians are downplaying their tech skills to avoid helping friends and family. What do you think? Join the discussion.
mulder 18 January 2012	Once people know your capabilities you are hounded to fix every man and his dogs computer. My next door neighbour dropped his computer round to me and said he had a pop up screen that kept appearing on his computer. After 16 hours ( I wasnt in front of it the whole time whilst it was scanning, loading etc) of work I finally got rid of it. Installed spyware, anti virus, defragged, scanned etc I finally go it back to him. Another hour to run him through what he had to do to keep the thing free of viruses and malware. Rewarded with a thanks even though I told him the hours involved. Nothing unusual to spend hours on the phone talking to people in other states to fix their computers. I dont tell any one any more.
vonkprop 18 January 2012	Ditto for all of the above, with an addition. I am in my late 50s, programming since the 70s, and have a "computer" family. Immediate that is. Fixing theirs is enough. Although my 3 adult boys are good enough themselves now. Others can get knotted. The addition to the above though is the fact that after you've fixed their computers for free and something goes wrong again, down the track, it's your fault. You get the "what did you do to my computer?"
PhilipBarrington 18 January 2012	The difficulty is if you can do a bit, people think you can do it all, and it it goes to badly then you can waste days whilst you friends think you wrecked it.
jer1au 18 January 2012	As I have worked in IT for more years than I care to think about, I can't really pretend to not have the skills. That being said, I am always getting asked about things and in most cases don't mind helping out. Generally the cost for family and close friends is that they invite me and my wife and son around for dinner and I'll fix the issue as part of the visit. For anyone less close, they get an hourly rate for anything more than a discussion of the issue. My most common issue by far and away is viruses and malware.
htcs 18 January 2012	Agree with Mulder. Phone fixes are even worse when they are running non-English versions of software and operating systems. Now I charge all my friends something for my time. It doesn't have to be money. The other thing is I keep getting lumbered with out-of-date boxes/monitors/printers with the helpful comment "Maybe you can use some of the bits in it?". Eventually I had to dispose of the junk myself. I mean who wants a 40 gig ATA HD? or 128MB ram stick? Now I don't accept anything. Let them get rid of it. There's one 'friend' about 2 hrs away who has no attention span. I visit him every 6 months, but I get all meals, good wine, a relaxing atmosphere and an overnight stay. That I don't mind.
chuboy 18 January 2012	Wasn't it the Joker who said "if you can do something well, don't do it for free"? Certainly food for thought.
Lawry 18 January 2012	I am computer literate and regularly help people with their computers but no one person can know it all and I just as often ask my friends to help me. Helping each other is the system that made Western civilisation civilised. I think it is deplorable to avoid helping anyone when you can on computers or otherwise. The 26% should be ashamed of themselves; they are only marginally above the 18 scum who ignored the little girl hit by a car in China recently http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTEvB4z6CWs.
lrd390 18 January 2012	The fact that anyone is asked to help with friends/acquaintances computers and operating systems indicates that in general computers are not as reliable or intuitive as software or hardware producers like to advertise. The same could be said of quite a bit of modern technology (video recorders anyone?) I have to agree with the other comments - one gets little thanks for what often is a lot of wasted time.
BlackShadowKiwi 18 January 2012	Having worked in IT for over 20 years, it becomes a standard that people just assume that you are willing to help them when they have a problem....and while I am not against helping, I am not a charity. These days, it is only my parents, my brother-in-law and my best mate who I will gladly help. Anyone else, gets told that my rate is $50 per hour, with a 4 hour minimum, and then gently suggest the local computer shop. You have to remember, we have lives as well. After spending the better part of 10 hours per days working on computers, we don't want to go and spend more time fixing other peoples problems.
Tool Monkey 18 January 2012	Totally Agree with BlackShadowKiwi We're not mean spirited. We're just over it. After spending the day in front of a computer fixing peoples problems I/we have lives too. And want to do something with them. That's not too much to ask is it? I'll still help poeple but depending on how ordinary my day has been determines my level of support.
Jnic 18 January 2012	If you can help, why wouldn't you ??? I know 1% more about computers than 99% of the population, which elevates me to GURU status in their eyes. I am more than happy to do what I can to help others, with the proviso that I'm only an amateur and there will be some things beyond my capabilities (although that is yet to happen). My fee is an excellent cup of coffee (instant is RIGHT OUT), which seems to fit within most people's budget.
CapableCate 18 January 2012	Absolutely agree with all before me, as I've had the same experiences. Although, I found that what seemed to work, was when I suggested for anything that required more than 15mins on phone, or 30mins in person, I had decided to set up my own consulting business, gave them all the name, and a schedule of my charges, highlighting that I, very generously, had set my friends, family, and pensioners at $40 per hour. Astounding how quickly they've all avoided even mentioning their computers since! I would be quite well off now if I'd even charged out the help I've given over just the last 3 years. Computers can be the most time consuming 'Sons of . . .', and in the hands of computer illiterate users . . . hmmmm, I know we all understand!! I must add though, that I don't begrudge those of my age group, baby boomers, the help, as if they are brave enough to want to learn, it's immensely satisfying when they achieve what they set out to, with your help. It's the one's who are blatantly using us, as it's quicker for them to ask us than try, who I tend to get a bit short with. They are also usually the same one's that accuse you of wrecking their computer!! A very wise elderly friend once told me years ago, that if you don't charge what you are worth, some people will always use you, as in a sense, by not charging, you devalue yourself and your expertise.
photohounds 18 January 2012	"Computer problems", so-called are almost invariably NOT "computer problems" at all. They are Windows, MacOS or simple failure to RTFM problems. Since I ditched the Proprietary OS life when OS/2 faltered and went to Linux where I'm very happy for the most part (you set it up, it STAYS set up and never magically reconfigures itself). It also means that I can claim (some) ignorance - unless their computer runs Linux (or z/OS) :) We all benefit from the occasional tip, so I still help, but avoid 'frequent flyers' who often have more free time than I do, but simply can't be bothered to read anything about how their software (as opposed to computer) works. I feel pretty helpless when I hear (after "all my data's gone") because I know that asking: "Where are your most recent backups" almost always returns me an expression that says "huh?"
TheToid 18 January 2012	I definitely do this for extended family, and I do it a little for immediate family too, it just gets too much sometimes, and people dont seem to be able to even TRY to fix things themselves. They become too dependent on me, and I end up having no spare time at all. I dont even like to buy parts and build machines for family and friends anymore, because once you do that, they own you for the life of the machine. If 5 years down the track they get a virus, im the one to fix it because I built the machine for them. Its CRAZY! And sends you bonkers. But rather than down play my skills, I usually just say im too busy. From a 30/yo Male.
Myrish Swamp 18 January 2012	It's times like these when it pays to just be a rude ass. Instead of faking ignorance, just tell them to fix it themselves. :P
magicmat 18 January 2012	For me personally, this was the point where I realised that I actually knew more about computers than I thought. People started coming to me and asking me how to fix this and that and I usually obliged. Not long after that is when I realised that what can start as what appears to be a pretty simple problem, can turn in to a nightmare that consumes many more hours than ever expected! Plus, once you actually do fix a laymens computer - so many of them seem to think that also means you are now their dedicated 24/7 tech support for any (mostly end user) 'issues' they face for the next year or so! I take my hat off to tech support people... bugger that!
girlie90 18 January 2012	I'm always happy to help people do stuff.. But sometimes, you have to be paid for your talent.. so, i guess it depends.. some of my friends just buy me a drink or we go out clubbing after, their treat.. \:d/
j876 18 January 2012	I am one of these fix all for tech issues too. Most of my skills (like most people posting here) are self taught but it is a matter of give and take. I use the barter system most of the time swapping is a good way to make sure your effort isn't wasted. If cash is more your thing charge for it but prepare for the flashback when the (have a guess what) hits the fan. My opinion is that the vast majority of people do not have a clue how to use or buy technology and expect people to help them all the time (often for nothing). I teach people what I know if they are prepared to learn. Like everything in life, if you want to learn something and you give it a shot, you will learn it. At lot of people can't be bothered learning and complain when their tech goes haywire.
Rallygreg 18 January 2012	I get this problem all the time. I work in computer shop both fixing computers and doing onsite support. I don't mind fixing the family computers and the occasional friends computer, but it is the friends computer that is always the problem. The friend will always say can't you just pop around tonight and I'll give you a few beers for your trouble - the trouble is I don't have time to drink the beers because I'm fixing computers!
Haratu 18 January 2012	I don't mind helping others.. what really annoys me though is when they blame me because I can not help them due to it being a hardware issue or I don't know the problem. There are things I can not fix becasue I am only human, live with it.
monkie 18 January 2012	This is my favorite question that is thrown at me Why doesn't my 2004 computer play Battlefield 3? Would $100 fix it.(there still on XP)
fourassedmonkey 18 January 2012	I genuinely enjoy fixing borked computers, but have grown sick and tired of friends/family coming back with the same stupid problems I have previously fixed. Anti-virus disabled or uninstalled, cracked games and programs (with their included virus) and every installed program somehow now running at startup or a simple problem that could be solved with a search engine and half a brain. Every single time. I decided recently to stop helping all but the closest friends and family after I was actually abused by a friend of a friend for daring to not know enough about Macs to fix her damn Macbook I thought you were supposed to be god with computers Stuff 'em.
DrLOK 18 January 2012	I thoroughly sympathize with the professional IT people. However, as a retired research scientist - a physical chemist, I enjoy helping others to build and maintained their computers. Every new situation is a challenge and solving the problem gives me satisfaction. But I do it for fun and that makes a difference. Still, I believe we all should help others if we can and learn to say NO to 'users'.
anthonyqld 19 January 2012	All the time. I repair computers as a business and get friends, family, and friends of friends & family calling me expecting me to fix their computer for free. I asked one family member that is a painter and whose computer I fixed a few times if he could help me paint my house - did he do it for free? of course not.
shamaka 19 January 2012	I have to say I have never minded helping people with most problems. However, some former employers seem to expect ongoing "support" for customisations and help linking in analytical equipment - all for free. Given that the boss proclaimed that it was a job any idiot could do, I left it for him! Sadly, I have met a few ex-bosses like that and am astounded how often the same problems arise - and the same level of insults. I have documented fixes in the past, but sometimes you wonder if they can read.
dak 19 January 2012	I'm not an IT pro, so when I fix something I always make the point of my "amateur" status, and talk with them about the problem. This gets them thinking about what actually happened, and gives me the chance to educate them on their own problem solving skills : "Write down the error message!" The good: a problem that is easy to fix, or has a direct simple answer (Sorry, you'll have to buy a new monitor!) The bad: when someone forgets something incredibly basic (Yes, Control+C to copy, Control+V to paste ... grrr!) Usual fee: a 6 pack for easy jobs, a carton for the worst!
raggamuffin 19 January 2012	Yes i am happy to fix my friends computer but nobody ever asks me. I'd say that the funnest part of computers is setting them up to use with no faults.
n3m3515 19 January 2012	I often help friends and family even though I can't stand doing help desk over the phone. For this very reason I like to use applications that allow you to take remote control of their computer so I can show and explain what I'm doing to fix it. I highly recommend people use the free remote connection programs TeamViewer or Ultra VNC.
Arley 19 January 2012	I like doing it; every time I help someone is an chance to give him or her some 'take away' skills, so that people have, and feel, like they have more control over their own computers, etc. There's nothing like seeing someone get excited over learning something new, seeing them start to lose their fear - just showing someone that he or she can google their entire question, or giving them manageable security basics - that the resources are all there, in a real way that's relevant to them - it makes all the difference. So I get to help people, help them out of thinking they need my help, and even hear back sometimes that they've 'passed it on' to someone else, which is just so cool. Of course, I'm not an IT pro, just an enthusiastic amateur, so this is strictly funtime.
Dinks-c 19 January 2012	When someone new asks about a computer problem, the first question is "How much do you want to spend on it" That usually gives them pause, as most people don't what to spend any money fixing a computer for some strange reason. Then I say its a minimum $50 (or barter with help or goods) for me plus any hardware/software I need to purchase. Then I state it will need Acronis True Image for starters. Have you backed up your files? NO, then another ~$100 for an external HDD ETC. The next question is how old is it. If the answer is greater than 4 years, I recommend a new computer. Explaining the benefits of a good after sales service centre, as computers do go bang more often than most other goods. When asked to recommend a new computer, I ask, what do you want it for, I print out a few deals from the computer shop (www.computeralliance.com.au) that I recommend and send them to buy it. These days I tend to steer them towards a $600~$1500 laptop. Offering to set it up for them for $50 Plus Acronis, etc. Then I format the lot and install software as needed and supplied. If they don't have an anti virus application then it gets MS Security Essentials. I have found over the years that by being relatively hard nosed about it, and setting people's computers up well the first time, most stay satisfied and return for the next computer. Then if they need a problem solved it's relatively easy to fix using (the supplied 6 pack) Acronis and the external HDD. For those really sticky hardware issues there is the Computer shop from which they purchased it, as they offer a very good service centre. Friends know the above and if they want to use my talents I find they are more than happy with the cost and the end results. Those that don't must either know how to fix their own computer, take it to a shop or bludge off someone that will fix it for free. For the Luddite I recommend they purchase a MAC, as I have never really spent any time on one and will not attempt to fix it. :-)
george36 19 January 2012	I enjoy helping others especially the oldies like myself who are seeking a way to enhance their latter years. The pleasure their computers give them and the thanks I get are payment enough. Besides I regard each job as a challenge and something new to learn from as each problem is different.
gwandad 19 January 2012	Well, I'm in my 70's & live in a retirement villagee. I'm the local "guru" & I'm in constant demand. I run computer classes to assist older people to get onto the internet, I fix & keep running all the absolute crap that well meaning reles give to them in the belief they don't need much. I build new pc's for them & load up whatever they need, starting with backup. I steer them away from cheap laptops because our eyesight isn't the greatest, so we need a decent sized screen. I also get to tune in new tv sets & teach them to use dvd recorders. Yes, they often drive me nuts, but seeing the smiles on their faces when they get replies to their first emails, or create some beautiful birthday cards, that makes it all worth while. They all offer to pay, but I refuse. However it's a long time since I had to pay for a beer at "Happy Hour".
j876 19 January 2012	Has anyone seen people's resume's when they apply for jobs (not just IT jobs). The often throw-away line that is used is "Competent in Microsoft Office and Windows. Really? If this were true there would be a massive reduction in nuisance calls to IT helpdesks worldwide and calls to the resident computer gurus that this article refers to. Edited by J876: 19/1/2012 05:33:33 PM
Lawry 19 January 2012	I see a strong tend in the responses towards: It is ok to help friends and relatives with their computers for free but not strangers. Apparently many of you must walk around with T-shirts that say "I am a computer expert" or similar. In 40 years of working on computers no one who doesn't know me has even approached me to fix their computer, but then I don't wear a t-shirt so how would they know. So if you want to avoid the "burden" of helping 'a friend you haven't met yet' just take off that t-shirt or stop bragging or whatever is attracting them.
rubaiyat 19 January 2012	j876 wrote: Has anyone seen people's resume's when they apply for jobs (not just IT jobs). The often throw-away line that is used is "Competent in Microsoft Office and Windows. Really? If this were true there would be a massive reduction in nuisance calls to IT helpdesks worldwide and calls to the resident computer gurus that this article refers to. Edited by J876: 19/1/2012 05:33:33 PM I've seen where "programming skills" turns out to be crude spreadsheets in Excel.
notso 19 January 2012	I became the IT manager after convincing the organisation to introduce computers in the early 80s. They decided they needed someone to blame for all the problems so they gave me the job. Now I've retired I have a group of friends around Aus who use me as their IT Advisor. No money changes hands but I do rather well with Red Wine. The worst problems I have had to fix up are after the Scammers get access to a PC by phoning up older folk and convincing them there is something amiss with their computer.
DrLOK 19 January 2012	Cheers gwandad! you are a hero of these pages!
Shodan 20 January 2012	I actually /don't/ mind fixing the occasional computer (for a friend - parts charged at cost) but I do get a bit annoyed with the assumption that I have been born with an inbuilt encylopedic knowledge of ALL technological devices and software "oh you know "computer stuff".. well tell me how to use this [insert gadget/software I have never used here]" and can fix anything electric/electronic, and stating "well I'll have a go but I can't promise anything..." fails to remove the inevitable disappointment if I can't fix the darn thing. I just failed to fix a DVD player and an android tablet, and I've got a PS2 waiting sigh. Give me a /computer/ to fix dammit!
Kurupt 20 January 2012	Does anyone know about graphic card fan bearings and if I should do it myself or just RMA it as it still under warranty?
girlie90 20 January 2012	Rallygreg wrote: I get this problem all the time. I work in computer shop both fixing computers and doing onsite support. I don't mind fixing the family computers and the occasional friends computer, but it is the friends computer that is always the problem. The friend will always say can't you just pop around tonight and I'll give you a few beers for your trouble - the trouble is I don't have time to drink the beers because I'm fixing computers! haha..true, it's not fun fixing and drinking the beer at the same time..why not bring it home.. :D
gerrybnz 22 January 2012	I am now 80 and have been earning my keep at this game having started in Dec 1960 and have now concluded either do it professionally to your standards and at your rates or not at all. I am horrified at the mess I find with so many systems with no real motivation to scrap it all and start again and thereby inheriting the whole shooting match and if you compromise and charge anything then your reputation and pride get hammered !
Digger53 22 January 2012	I fix PCs for my friends who are mostly retirees. The majority have done courses at TAFE or where ever but have never learnt the basics of computers, thus, transferring files from one storage medium to another is a problem. Even downloading photos from a camera causes them headaches (but once done they know how to upload to Facebook etc.) I also eavesdrop in PC Stores where the, usually youngish, salesperson is trying to sell a PC to elderly customers. Most are sold machines way and above what they want to do with it, unless I can get to them when the salesperson does not have their attention. I do not mind "fixing" their new acquisitions because of lack of "after sales service" but, will not try to do it over the phone.
Nat.W¿LL¿ 22 January 2012	I used to enjoy fixing friends computers whenever but there's a time when you get over being paid in love. When you take your car to the workshop you don't expect free work but for some reason in IT people expect free advice etc. Even for family I will charge. It also greatly depends on the problem and if I have shown them how to rectify it before. You can't teach a man to fish by giving him a fish.
darylcheshire 23 January 2012	I don't mind some problems but my main bugbear is the person who installs crapware and I'm asked to reimage their computer twice a year now that it's slow. In recent times I've refused to do so as it will take all day to reimage it and put everything back the way it was. The other thing is the cheap underpowered computers people buy and then expect me to prop it up for them. In one case I almost considered it an investment (in my time) to subsidise a friend's computer so she won't bother me with it's slowness (But I didn't).
darylcheshire 23 January 2012	Same problem with people who own tray type utes, they have a bumper sticker which says "No I won't help you move house"
CodeMaster 23 January 2012	The only time I see some of my neighbours is when they have a problem with their computer. they are quite happy to ignore me at the local supermarket or when I pass them on the street. I have a helpful nature, so it's hard to say no sometimes. However, the lack of thanks always has me promising myself that I won't help them next time. There are neighbours who say they will gladly do favours in exchange for all of the work I do on their computer, but those favours never get paid. It's a no-win situation. If you're nice to these people, they take advantage of your helpful nature. If you decide that enough is enough and tell them "No" then they take it as a personal insult. I tried charging a friend for the last job. His computer was really screwed. It took me days to fix. He was calling me every other hour asking when it would be ready because he needed to get work done. I worked through the night on it. Since I game him back his computer and sent him the bill (with a sizable mate's rate discount), I haven't heard back from him, nor has he paid the bill. I guess it doesn't pay to be 'Mr Nice Guy'.
CodeMaster 24 January 2012	I just had a read through most of the posts on this topic. It certainly seems to divide people's opinions on the matter. One major thing I noticed was that most of the people who were negative about helping others for free were computer professionals (most likely with formal IT qualifications). They see value in what they do, and their expert services should be worth something to others and should be paid for. There is usually the exception of providing free support to immediate family members. The people who posted that they were more than happy to help others fix their computer problems were mainly people who might refer to themselves as "Guru's" and most likely have no formal training nor qualifications in IT. They seem to do it because they like to get praise for their help and they appear to like the fact that they know more about the computers than their friends. I guess they are looking for some sort of validation, which is usually given by those with lesser knowledge or experience. IT professionals went to a lot of effort to study at University to achieve their qualifications. They feel that their work is worth something of value, so they are less likely to help others for free. Why should they? They make a living by doing that sort of work. If they did it for nothing too often, they wouldn't be able to afford the necessities of life. The "Guru's" help for free because they want to feel validated. They don't actually have an IT degree, so they try to be the next best thing. They like to feel important and admired because they have some skill with a computer. They may be helping for free (in money terms), but they are still getting something out of it for themselves: a feeling of self-importance. I question what quality of help these people provide. As an IT professional, I quite often come across computers that have been worked-on by self-proclaimed "Guru's". There is no substitute for formal training. I doubt any of those Guru's would pass any of the University exams if given the chance to sit them. Knowing more about computers than your neighbour or your friend does not automatically make you a computer consultant. Therefore, it is right that unqualified IT people should not charge for the work that they do, as it is most likely done based on personal experience rather than formal training. No doubt this post will upset many, but you can't deny that there is a division between those who feel that their work if worth something, compared to those who do it for free.
MikeKF 24 January 2012	Would I ask a friend who was a chef to cater my next party for free? No. That friend spent years honing a skill, and gaining a qualification, which they get paid well for by complete strangers. Those years of learning cost them money and that skill has monetary worth. Why would I treat my friend worse than a complete stranger would? Would I ask my friend who is an electrician to wire up my garage with lights and power sockets for free? No. That person also laboured for years through an apprenticeship and spent years adding worth to their skills and they get paid well by complete strangers. Again, why would I treat them worse than a complete stranger would? So why would I, who spent more money and at least as much time, than most of my friends on gaining a skill, think that my time was worth nothing? Why would I let my friends and colleagues treat me worse than a complete stranger? If skills are synonymous to tangible objects (since both have value), then it would be like buying something for yourself and having a friend ask if they can have it for nothing. Implied social convention anywhere I have lived would allow such behaviour to be characterised as rude if not offensive. I am willing to provide free IT services for my parents, my mother-in-law, and my children, but nobody else gets my IT services for free unless I choose to donate my time as charity (which I have in the past teaching school children). I would much rather spend time with my family and not be paid, than work and not not be paid. Those equating not performing IT work for free to not assisting a child in a life threatening situation and the like are arguing 'reductio ad absurdum' in what I can only surmise is an attempt to polarise the discussion further with emotion. Using the argument that as part of a society where assisting each other is a means to enhance our lives also is a logical fallacy, since I would be more than willing to provide my services for free as long as everything I wanted was given to me at the same cost (which logically would have to be, for the point to be valid), yet I have not seen that perspective in the same argument where it belongs. There have been societies that tried that, and I am unaware of any long term or modern successes. Edited by MikeKF: 24/1/2012 02:19:26 PM
ewhizz 24 January 2012	I'd previously helped my computer fearing luddite neighbour save some files on her computer and show'd her how to backup. Hadn't heard from her for a few weeks. My Neighbour then came around at 8am one Sunday morning. Knock on door. "My computer won't save" No a mention of 'Excuse me" No "How are you?" Not even "I hope you don't mind waking you on your only tech free (well within limits) day of the week" I told her to go away. She never bothered me again. Her husband brought it up with me a few weeks later and somewhat surprisingly gave me a pat on the back for sticking to my guns!. There are limits. I have to bite my tongue sometimes.
pabloaust 24 January 2012	I do it because of the challenges involved. A good and interesting way to ward off dementia when you retire. So many people think that a computer should work like a kitchen appliance.
petergaskin 24 January 2012	I help for several reasons. Sometimes I like to show off. Sometimes I dont wnat my relatives sending me malware if their pc is infected. Sometimes it provides a learnign experience for me! If possible I will use it to maybe rescue my own pc. Ultimately I know my limiots and am not afraid to recommend to soem one taking the problem to a professionaql.
MikeKF 25 January 2012	I'd like to add to my earlier post, that I think being part of a community with like interests tends to cause people to help each other out. I am not inclined to get stuck with a complex task, requiring hours of my time and effort, with no reward. On the other hand I have no problem being on a well run forum and providing a little help to people. I think that stems from enjoying a discussion about common interests as well as the ability to easily control my level of involvement without a need for any adherence to complex social rituals regarding manners. By that I mean if I no longer want to participate in a discussion on a forum then I simply stop whereas social conventions means if you were to simply stop in a conversation with a friend down the street and walk off abruptly it would carry further implications than may be intended. I would tend to agree that in general many people enjoy the acclaim, and sometimes the admiration, that usually comes with solving a problem for a friend or colleague who otherwise would not have been able to. I found that I did enjoy that when I was young, before I entered the professional IT world. Over time I have felt I no longer need or want that. I think that comes from self confidence in my abilities and a strong desire for a happy and stable life away from IT. I think in the end it comes down to 'Am I doing this on my own terms?' For some people that involves money and for others it involves intellectual or emotional satisfaction. In either case, if you are not doing it on your own terms, you will feel negative about it. Edited by MikeKF: 25/1/2012 09:48:51 AM
qhe432 28 January 2012	I am happy to fix my friend's computers, in fact, at home I am in charge of all the computers and updating them, fixing problems, cleaning the registry, fixing broken links etc, and I'm just a teenager. But as a non-adult, I think one of the main reasons I do this is because of a sense of responsibility, whereas, as an adult, it is just another job to do.
pvisser 31 January 2012	I just downloaded all the drivers for a mate's laptop. I cringed when he started it up: all the docs on the desktop, running vista and all sorts of error messages popping up. I enjoy fixing up computers but only do it for mates and colleagues. To others I just say I have no time. I give no guarantees and make sure they backup their files even before running ccleaner. They have to sit next to me and agree with what i do and take responsibility. They can buy me a beer after..