A Cry for Help | July 2009 | Copyright 2009

I just got done Skype-ing with my Mom for the second day in a row. These seemingly innocent video communications invariably turn into drawn-out tech support sessions. Yesterday, Mom’s video camera wasn’t working, so I walked her through several checks and supports, ending in an entire system reboot. When her Skype came finally back online, the camera was working (hooray!), yet her video feed was now mysteriously bordered by cartoony yellow stars.

As a computer professional, I take the simplest point-and-click tasks for granted. Being the family tech support means talking my relatives through finding the proper button to shut down the computer, and locating the ever-wily USB port on a new machine. Breaking a multi-step task down to its basic components is a surprisingly Zen experience. It’s good practice for me.

The pay stinks though. I’m thinking of asking for a raise.

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