Ha!

[bamatone.livejournal.com]

So you know how your friends always ask you to fix their computer? Or friends of friends? (I really hate that one, btw.) I just figured out a loophole. This will only work on friends you don't see everyday, because they'll know better. Anyway, tell them that sure, you'll help out. But the catch is to tell them you're too busy to get to it until next week - as in seven (7) days. I kid you not, 90% of the time they will figure out "the problem" before a week goes by, then cancel the appointment.

A sigh of relief to follow.

Comments

[jenocyber.livejournal.com]

Oh yes it works wonders. When I did consulting I had a 30 minute rule for some of my clients.

I would let them go to voicemail and not call them back until 30 mins had passed, and wouldn't you know, they figured it out (usually just by restarting)

[jmdurron.livejournal.com]

I usually try a different solution. "I think Charlie knows that better than I do. Ask him!" Thus, my problem is solved.

[shirenomad]

Until Charlie bludgeons you to death with a laptop.

[bamatone.livejournal.com]

That is such a better answer than anything I could have come up with.

[canray.livejournal.com]

Friends, I have no issue with. Likely, I'll need help in their area of expertise someday.

Friends of Friends get a case-by-case basis. If it's simple, no problem if I'm not busy.

Not simple, I charge beer.

[captpackrat.livejournal.com]

Worse than helping family or friends or coworkers is when your neighbors ask for help.

And then if you turn them down, they make you feel bad because DorkSquad rips them off to the tune of $250 to install an anti-virus.

[featheredfrog.livejournal.com]

But if they solve the problem, then you get no moneys!

"What? you CHARGE your friends?"

"Yes, 'cause my enemies go elsewhere..."

[geekgrrl-ca.livejournal.com]

my friends know better then to ask, they end up with their settings set the way I like them

[sigurther.livejournal.com]

Amen to that. I know of at least 50 other computers that are set up exactly like mine. Today, the state, tomorrow, the WORLD!

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

A coworker would use the following method with friends and family: "Here's what I make with my freelancing gigs. Here's what I make with my work-study job. Still want me to help you?"

When I was finishing my thesis, I would get a lot of friends ask me LaTeX questions since I was one of the few student workers who really understood LaTeX. They'd IM me or approach me at dinner! I'd help with the interesting questions, but direct everything else to the help desk's mailing list.