Chad and Christine

I quoted someone a price on computer repair today and I got the eye roll so…
This has been a long time coming and today is just a good a time as any.

Rant Mode ON
I get a lot of request to work on people’s personal computers. Most of the time if it’s something simple (ie. less than 30 minutes) I don’t charge, but ever so occasionally I do take on a project that justifies compensation. Almost every time I tell the “customer” that I’ll fix his/her computer for a price they pause….say something like, Oh…mmmm.
Then I see the smirk of disappointment come across his face.

Why is it that people always want something for nothing? In my case specifically I’m referring to computer repair. Before I accepted my current job as Network Administrator I was a computer technician in various respects for four years. During that time I attended several technology schools to hone my skills into what they are today. I spent upwards of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS in tuition on Microsoft training alone. In addition to that I have spent over $1600 on certification tests. This does not include books I’ve bought and read on the countless other technology areas that I’m required to be familiar with.
What I’m saying is that most of my colleagues and I are not on the same level as your nephew that has been taking computers apart since he was 8 years old (why do they always pick 8 years old?) and now works at Best Buy or as an accountant. In fact we don’t even care about him, take your computer to him if he’s so sharp. We are professional IT people. If you ask us to fix your computer, then we are going to do a better job than your nephew; whether you know it or not. When you ask us to fix your computer, even if it’s a small problem, we use experience and training that we invested great sums of money to develop and we are entitled to charge what ever we see fit. If we can do it in ten minutes, it’s because we are that good. Just because we make it look easy doesn’t mean that it is or we shouldn’t charge for it. We are highly certified professionals that must constantly continue our education to compete in the constantly changing arena that we chose as our vocation. We do this for a living people. We didn’t pay for all this training in hopes that you would someday bring us your home computer in shambles to fix for free. When you bring your taxes to the tax attorney do you pay her? Do you ever expect not to have to pay her? If you want a billboard designed by an artist do you pay him? Yes, you do. Then why are people shocked when an IT person says “Yea, sure bring your computer to me, I charge….”?
Wake up people even if we do it for free, it’s still bothersome. Don’t be an ass. If you ask someone to do something them pay him or her. If he/she is in a hump diddley dee mood and does it for free, then at least tip them you oblivion! Standard IT tip rate is now unofficially 5 dollars per hour, minimum. I also trade favors. For example: a friend of mine directed my wedding, so in return I fix her computer occasionally. It turned out to be a great deal for the both of us. What I mean is if you are short on cash at least offer to do something for your IT guy. Give him that cool carrying case he’s had his eye on, hook him up with your hot cousin, or clean his pocket protector. Just don’t take him for granted. You’ll miss him when he’s gone.

Nothing of interest happened to me today. I’ve kind of been in this sleepy / unmotivated funk all day long. My only accomplishment outside of work was beating the new Star Wars Xbox game.
One thing that did shake me into a good mood was running across this flash movie. It’s a good 60 sec load time, just be patient.

It’s a movie about forbidden love, and I love the music.
Warning, this movie involves a rabbit.

If anyone recognizes the song, please let me know. I would love to add it to my iTunes library.

Usually when I see guys driving overly large trucks or luxurious cars I assume they have a “size” complex. That said I have to admit the truck I spotted in Actions parking lot today was actually pretty cool looking. So, kudos to you cool truck owner, and sorry about your errr…well you know.