Is it a mandatory qualification that if you're a computer geek, you have to be a condescending-?

Question

- anally-retentive, unsympathetic, smug bar-steward?

And why do they all worship at the altar of ASSUMPTION ?

And when is microsoft going to consider a directory for error messages that's easily available for joe public?

E.G. - MY pet hate error message:-

instead of:-

UNKNOWN ERROR

why can'te we have

UNKNOWN ERROR - code 43731

something like that - so you know where to bloody go to find out what's the matter with the flaming thing & dare I suggest it - get a reason or list of possible reasons on which to formulate a course of action to rectify said cryptic error message!

Is that too much to ask of these lazy, self-centered smug I want smash their bloody faces in - socially inept weazles that hold us to ransom over our computers?

Please don't be predictable and come back and say

"Yes"!

&/or

"Thanks for the 2 points" - that's a bit like going on the radio, asking for you favourite dics to be played and saying

"Hello to everybody that knows me"!

Right you lot! Have you read Cam's answer - excellent! He seems to have understood something that the majority of you haven't. That would be what I am - I am a customer and some of you don't seem to be aware of what a customer is.
A customer is someone who is always in the right and even when the customer's wrong they're still in the right.

Some of you have given examples of other tools like chainsaws and lawnmowers (why you're all obsessed with the garden I'm not quite sure!)! THEY HAVE ONE FUNCTION. A computer has many, and as a customer I don't want to take a PhD in computer science to use it. Some of you have mentioned manuals - I actually read some of self-help computer book that actually said, when you first get your computer you should first sling it the other side of the room and just experiment - that you'll learn far more and more quickly than you will from starting with the computer manual. The problem is, alot of computer manuals assume a basic even intermediary-

- knowledge in the first place - it shouldn't be that way - it should be writtin in plain English with extra elaboration for complex points, to make the transference of information a fluid process not one of walking through treacle.

Most of you have completely missed the point about the 'Unknown Error' query - there shouldn't be any bloody UNKNOWN ERRORS - that's the problem and if there is, I shouldn't have keep running of to a geek - I should be POINTED in the right direction to solve it myself - why - because I'm the bloody CUSTOMER!!!!!

Answer 1

if its an unknown error how will it know which code to give? think about it.

and theres no reason to get upset because you're ignorant when it comes to computers. if you dont like what people have to say why dont you learn so you can answer your own questions?

Answer 2

OK here is the deal. Read the manual. You wouldnt use a chain saw without reading the directions first but you will buy a new computer and load it with a 100 different pieces of software and then you expect the computer guy to do all the learning for you. If you paid an IT persn what he was worth; 1) You wouldnt be able to afford a computer and 2) He wouldnt be condescending.

Add to this the fact that you want your computer to do everything and somehow the Computer experts have to make that happen for you. I don't see people buying lawnmowers and expect them to cut down trees, grind up hamburger, and chop onions. Thats what people expect from computers. They want to crunch numbers write letters edit videos and play music. Who gets the blame when something doesnt work. Some computer guy that is going to read the same help file you could have read to get the answer.

Next time you get an error message, try typing it into google and reading what the error means and how to fix it. Chances are thats what the IT professional is going to do anyway.

If you did it a little more yourself instead of complaining that someone else hasnt done it for you, that guy might be a little less condescending when you really need him.

Answer 3

I agree about the geek thing but the unknown error would be a known error if it had a code

Answer 4

Ive never had an error message what are they ??? do you have to be a complete moron to get one ???or do you have to mess with your machine until its nackered ???if you keep getting the same message does this mean your a complete dolt because you keep doing the same thing wrong over and over ???

Answer 5

As above. Learning about computers is an on-going process as no-one knows everything.

Answer 6

I imagine it's partly self-preservation. They don't want Joe Ordinary to learn how to fix their own problems, or they wouldn't have a job. Computers are very common now, but most people are still somewhat suspicious of them, or scared of messing around with things that they shouldn't. As a result, there's a huge amount of business there if you make it sound like it's harder/more dangerous than it really is. Acting all condescending and smug makes you seem more credible and educated, kind of like a doctor who gives you your medicine and you just take it like you're told to. Don't ask, don't question and definitely don't self-medicate.

They don't want you to solve your problems, or have any idea how to solve your problems. They want you to ask them to do it for you, so they get paid.

Answer 7

If unknown error has an error code, it wouldnt be unknown anymore would it ??

Answer 8

Why are all computer illiterate people insulting over their inadequacies?