Survey: Computer Needs and Who to Call for Help

  • Thread starter Thread starter david90
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Survey
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around participants sharing their experiences and needs related to computers, including both hardware and software issues. The scope includes personal anecdotes, troubleshooting experiences, and inquiries about who individuals turn to for assistance with computer-related problems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a need for clarification on what "computer needs" entails, questioning whether it refers to hardware or software issues.
  • One participant mentions their reliance on Google and friends for tech support, suggesting that many members may be self-sufficient in resolving computer problems.
  • Another participant highlights the broad nature of the question, indicating that "computer needs" could encompass a wide range of issues, from purchasing software to troubleshooting problems.
  • A participant shares their personal experience with software and hardware issues, detailing a specific laptop problem and potential causes, including driver issues and motherboard breakdown.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the initial question, suggesting that most people can fix their own problems and that only those who are less tech-savvy seek help.
  • One participant discusses their friend's computer support business, noting the challenges of getting paid and the types of clients they served.
  • Another participant mentions the importance of market research for starting a computer services business, suggesting resources for finding information.
  • Several participants share humorous or sarcastic remarks about common computer issues, such as the "any" key and the challenges of explaining basic computer functions to less experienced users.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial question, with multiple competing views on the nature of computer needs and the willingness of individuals to seek help. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific types of computer problems people encounter and how they address them.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express frustration with the vagueness of the question, indicating that it may not yield meaningful responses. There are also references to personal experiences that may not be representative of the broader community's needs.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals considering starting a computer services business, as well as those curious about common computer issues and the support systems people utilize.

  • #31
Twice I have taken my office laptop to my company's IT dept., after my kid pulled all the keys out. Third time when it happened, I learned to fix it myself. The computer key mechanism was more complex than I thought initially.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #32
I need a spreadsheet program capable of charting at least as many data points as I can count on my fingers and toes.

More and more, I come to the conclusion that Microsoft just plain sucks - especially their Office 2007 package.

(STK has some real crappy graphs, so the data really has to be exported into something else to really create the charts I want.)

I'm also really starting to stress about the year 2038, so I could use a computer therapist.
 
  • #33
BobG said:
I need a spreadsheet program capable of charting at least as many data points as I can count on my fingers and toes.

More and more, I come to the conclusion that Microsoft just plain sucks - especially their Office 2007 package.
Office 2007 is the spawn of Satan! I have been using it since pretty soon after it came out (just happened to have a new computer at the time, and figured it wouldn't be long before I'd be forced to upgrade anyway...I just didn't know how awful it would be before I installed it). I'm now the person others ask for help with it since the entire campus has just been forced to upgrade due to a change in our email system, but I can't say I'm very helpful. After about 2 years of using it...or has it been 3 now?...I'm STILL hunting for features that previous versions had in nice, logical, easily accessible places. And I think Excel is missing features that used to exist in previous versions...I end up having to import graphs into PowerPoint and then drawing in content by hand.

I'm also really starting to stress about the year 2038, so I could use a computer therapist.

What's special about 2038?
 
  • #34
Moonbear said:
What's special about 2038?

The UNIX version of Y2K.

You can't import equations from Equation Editor or MathType into Power Point the way you used to, either.
 
  • #35
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Need advice on a computer monitor that goes dark
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
How can a quantum computer be faster than a classic computer?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K
Ratio of Computation power over time: Consumer PCs vs. Supercomputers?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
What are underlying "system hardware devices" in computer systems?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Seeing a mobile phone screen remotely
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
How to simulate feelings and instinct in computers
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
I want to learn about Quantum Computing
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Computer repair guy wants "48-bit encryption code" for HDD
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
Using Tablets & Phones instead of a PC for data storage
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Is My New Windows 11 Laptop Infected with Malware?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K