On Computers: Help!
2006-10-09
By Bob and Joy Schwabach, Link to Original Article
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We tried a couple of online services that claim to solve your computer problems for a fee. Can they do it? Yes. Are they worth the price? We think so.
We used common problems that we think any small-business or home user might encounter. The fact is, computers are complex, there are lots of different setups, the manuals are awful, and most people still need help. They often ask their friends, but they wouldn't let amateurs work on their car, so why does it seem safe to have amateurs mess with your computer?
The first service we tried was HelpMeRemote.com. Joy wanted two computers to share the same printer. HelpMeRemote solved that problem in less time than it would have taken a technician to come to our office even if we were just a few blocks away. In about 10 minutes on the phone, HelpMeRemote technicians set up the two computers to use the same printer. Then they set them up to share data.
These are typical user requests, the company said, but it can also help with problems involving common programs, like Microsoft Office, Norton Security Suite and QuickBooks. Its technicians helped a woman who hadn't been able to get her QuickBooks accounting program working for over a month. She had spent an hour on the phone with Microsoft (expensive) and an hour and a half with tech support at Intuit, the company that makes QuickBooks. No luck. HelpMeRemote solved the problem in a few minutes.
One hour with their technicians costs $79 if you sign up for a service contract. Otherwise it costs $30 for 15 minutes. With the service contract, the support minutes can be spread throughout the year. Other pricing plans and additional information can be found at the Web site: HelpMeRemote.com.
You can talk to the technician while he or she is working on your computer through a remote control program, and this is very useful. He can tell you what he's doing while he fixes the problem and if you pay attention and have a good memory, or take notes, you can deal with it yourself if it comes up again. |
