PC's, tech support and Falling Down.

I love PC's. I really do. What else allows you to burn half a Sunday on the phone with tech support halfway around the world? Let alone, still not get a solution to your problem.

Now, I'm a Mac evangelist, disciple, freak, etc., so I've had mostly good experiences with computers. The times I've had to call tech support for a Mac went smoothly, mostly because I knew my way around. I could jump ahead to the advanced section of my tech's 3 x 5 'have you tried this...' notecard and with their help, figure out a solution quickly.

But... enter Bill Gates' demon.

I have never been able to call up tech support for a PC with the same problem and have them give me the same solution. Not once. Apparently, there are about 342 ways to troubleshoot one problem, and each involves more college degrees to understand the work-around they give you than is required to fly the shuttle.

And sooner or later, as sure as Courtney Love going ballistic at a PTA meeting, (allegedly), every call reaches the point where this universal gem is heard: "Oh, I don't know why the other tech told you to do that. Here's what you should do."

Now I know how Michael Douglas got to the breaking point in Falling Down.


How hard is it to just put down the card and listen to the problem. Not, "Have you turned off the power ?" Um, no. But I want to right now so this call will end. And, do you have to repeat the last thing you just asked me to do every single time?

Tech: "Ok, now type in cmd, hit return, ok?"

Me: "Okay, did that."

Tech "Okay. Now type in cmd, hit return, ok? Then type in..."

You're kidding, right? (Or is that, 'you're kidding, okay?')