# XKCD about how we "computer experts" really find the answers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 13, 2011, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192 "2011-02-13T05:07:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/1 "2011-02-13T05:07:13Z")
Umm, can’t find it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/2 "2011-02-13T05:09:26Z")
> **[Tech Support Cheat Sheet](https://xkcd.com/627/)** > > 'Hey Megan, it's your father. How do I print out a flowchart?' Googled XKCD Tech Support. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/3 "2011-02-13T18:07:27Z")
Nor really a General Question. MOved to MPSIMS. **samclem** Moderator, GQ ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/4 "2011-02-13T19:40:12Z")
I sent that cartoon to my uncle and told him that it is exactly what I do. He still calls me and expects me to fix things by phone. Nine time out of ten, I do fix the problem. By using that process. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/5 "2011-02-13T20:30:24Z")
> [@Garfield226](#): > > [xkcd: Tech Support Cheat Sheet](http://xkcd.com/627/) > > Googled XKCD Tech Support. You didn’t try a single menu item or button before rushing headlong to Google, did you? ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/6 "2011-02-14T11:18:29Z")
How would he know? He didn’t have the chart! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/7 "2011-02-14T19:57:39Z")
> [@maggenpye](#): > > I sent that cartoon to my uncle and told him that it is exactly what I do. > > He still calls me and expects me to fix things by phone. > > Nine time out of ten, I do fix the problem. > > By using that process. I used to do the same for my father-in-law, until he hit 92. Me: Tell me what’s on the screen. Him: File Edit … Me: Aargh! Anything in the middle of the screen? Him: You mean this message about the computer being about to explode? I didn’t think that was important. Well, he was good for 30 years or so, so I shouldn’t complain. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/8 "2011-02-15T02:57:02Z")
Fun, isn’t it? Still, he’s doing great for someone who never looked at a PC until he turned 70. And here’s an extra ‘s’ since I missed one before. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/9 "2011-02-15T03:30:27Z")
Here’s my recent one; Mom: I can’t get my printer to work. Me: Describe what is happening. Mom: My computer is jumping up and down. Me: What? Mom: My. computer. is. jumping. up. and. down. Me: ??? Is there an earthquake or something? Mom: Don’t be sarcastic. I’m just telling you what is happening! Me: Jumping. Up and down. Mom: Yes. Me: (light goes on) Do you mean one of the little pictures on the bottom of the screen? (Mac Icon) Mom: Yes. My computer. It’s jumping up and down. (finally troubleshoot, and get her to put more paper in the printer.) ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/10 "2011-02-15T06:32:26Z")
Boss: Sorry to call you on your day off, but I need the payroll file Me: It’s on the desktop He calls back several times, can’t find it, I can hear the grit between his teeth. Boss: Look, I’ve searched all over the desk top - let me tell you what’s on it - paper, pens, a ruler, the schedule, a coffee cup - no payroll file. Me: It’s on the computer desktop. Boss: On the screen? Why would you call THAT the desktop. Me: “thinks” It’s a fucking excel file, where else would you look for it? ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xkcd-about-how-we-computer-experts-really-find-the-answers/571192/11 "2011-02-15T08:33:01Z")
Boss: Your job is to train the new guy to fix computers. Me: Um, I’m only here for 3 more days, and 2 of those days I’m doing other stuff. Boss: Do your best. Me (to new guy): What computer experience do you have? New guy: I used one once. Me: How did you get this job? sigh. Ok, if you see any error messages, type them into google. New guy: Then what? Me: Follow instructions. New guy: Should I be taking notes? Me: If you think you are going to forget how to do this, you should take notes, but if you can’t remember this, I think you’re nearly guaranteed to lose the notes. New guy: So should I type it into the computer?