‘Technical Assistance’ Funny Youtube Videos

I am not one for passing along the many Youtube clips that are emailed to me regularly, but on this ocassion I couldn’t pass up these quite humorous clips I received recently on the subject of technical assistance. We have all had experiences (often negative) of dealing with technical support for Broadband, telephone and computers, so enjoy these clips.

Let me know what you think of them. And more importantly why not share your own real life experiences dealing with company technical assistance staff. I am sure there are lots of interesting, humorous and frustrating tales to share.

JEBBS JOBS TECHNICAL SUPPORT<object width=”425″ height=”355″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/yzNbji5m5e0&rel=1″></param><param name=”wmode” value=”transparent”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/yzNbji5m5e0&rel=1” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” wmode=”transparent” width=”425″ height=”355″></embed></object>

FUNNY MICROSOFT SUPPORT CENTRE CALL <object width=”425″ height=”355″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/A-u9B6nouBo&rel=1″></param><param name=”wmode” value=”transparent”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/A-u9B6nouBo&rel=1” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” wmode=”transparent” width=”425″ height=”355″></embed></object>

DELL SUPPORT CALL (Please excuse the language) <object width=”425″ height=”355″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/TNPzgPhHeWQ&rel=1″></param><param name=”wmode” value=”transparent”></param><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/TNPzgPhHeWQ&rel=1” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” wmode=”transparent” width=”425″ height=”355″></embed></object>

Synchronise Blackberry Calendar with Google Calendar(s) using Free ‘Google Sync’

This is the latest software I have come across for my Blackberry.

Google recently released a free download that allows Blackberry handheld owners to sync their Google Calendar (http://calendar.google.com) with their device, called ‘Google Sync’.

The mobile method (http://m.google.com/sync) can be accessed via users BlackBerry‘s Web browser to download and install Google Sync – the quickest and easiest method. Or it can be downloaded and installed first on users PC running the BlackBerry desktop software, followed by installing it to the BlackBerry device via a USB connection when next syncing the device.

It works well and can be set to synchronise manually or automatically (every 2 hours) and can sync events for the next 4 weeks up to a maximum of 24 weeks ahead. For conflicts you can set the option to either handheld or server wins.

Benefits are it is easy to install, the Sync application becomes part of the Blackberry Calendar menu, it provides a useful backup to your Blackberry Calendar accessible via the Google Calendar on the Web.

One limitation that I discovered is that it will only sync new entries, thus entries you already have entered or that are historical will not be synchronised and recorded onto your Google Calendar.

Backup Data from one Apple Computer to another

There are many useful and easy to do things with Apple Computers.

If you have failed to back up your data (which should never be the case) and for whatever reason are unable to access your desktop you can still easily retrieve your data (assuming that the data itself is not corrupted).

You create a firewire connection between two Apple computers. The working one will recognise your broken one (the one whose data you cannot access) and recognise it as a standalone drive. You then can simply drag and drop the data you wish to move to the new machine before possibly reinstalling the Apple operating system, or whatever else is necessary to return your computer to stability, onto the broken machine.

The same can be done in the Windows environment, i.e. reading data from a corrupted drive, but it means dissasembling your PC, removing the hard drive and connecting it via the CD or DVD drive of your computer. However, it is not as straightforward as in the Apple environment.

Your Favourite Web Sites, Links, Applications

I am in the process of creating an extensive links listing page covering numerous categories of interest. As all of us would be aware the Internet is a ‘mess’, in the sense that the information we want is all over the place. It is sometimes hard to locate, even using search engines such as the ubiquitous Google. I often get frustrated when, for example, I see a link to something interesting I have read, providing the main page of the site, and then I have to spend an unnecessary amount of time looking for the specific information referred to in the article. Rather I want the actual address of the item referred to in the article. I realise that sometimes this is not possible due to a) the length of the web address and b) a constantly changing address, so better to publish only the main page address.

Still my idea is to publish a single resource that will be easy to navigate and bearing in mind the ever-changing content available and growing on the Internet daily.

I already have thousands of interesting and useful weblinks, including those of the most popular as well as obscure applications available today. All there to assist clients and others to have a one-stop shop (so to speak) for all the places you could ever wish to visit on the Internet.

Please get in touch via this blog or my email and let me know your favourite links as well as your favourite applications. I intend this list to be a dynamic and growing resource, so any input will be gratefully acknowledged and attributed (if not already in my listing). You can also ask your friends and colleagues to send their choices through as well.

Seasons Greetings to all of you visiting this blog.

I am always on the lookout for ideas to write about. Maybe you have a topic that you would like covered. Once again, like always drop me a note.

Computer Hard Drive Recovery Disks

Many, if not most, new computers these days do not come with installation or recovery disks.

They have a dedicated partition where these files are stored, including system drivers and some programs. Manufacturers include Toshiba, Hewlett Packard (HP) and Acer.

One of the first things you should do is to create recovery disks from this partition, in case of a hard disk failure. This process typically requires 2 DVDs. Many manufacturers only allow this to be done once, such as HP. Typically this takes up to two blank DVDs. These partitions are all well and good if you can still boot into your system and then you can run the recovery routine. If however you cannot boot into Windows you will need these recovery disks – booting from your CD/DVD drive to enter Windows to either repair the specific problem, do a hard drive recovery or completely reinstall Windows.

Like all backups it is only if you have a problem that having taken the time and trouble to make these DVDs in advance will reduce any heart palpitations that might otherwise have ensued.

When customers purchase a new computer from GJ’s Computer Services, Geejay creates these recovery disks for you or shows you how to do it.