| Author | Message | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1348 Registered: 11-2003 |
I’m going to host a series of stupidities puzzles, some of them computer stupidities. You won’t find them on the Computer Stupidities web site though, as these are all from my own work experiences throughout my 8+ years in tech support. In addition to others; just plain stupid behaviour I’ve either experienced myself or read/heard about. And I will simply give them all the same title – Stupidity series. Enjoy everyone, here is the first one. Hmmm, wonder how that translate in baby language? | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 25 Registered: 9-2010 |
First, is this a computer stupidity? If so, did the customer accuse tech support of "acting like a baby"? The other way around? And is it relevant that "[I] wonder how that translate in baby language?" is improper grammar? It would either be "how that translates", "how that would translate", or "how that translated". So is that a typo or did you mean to put it that way? And if it was a typo, what was it supposed to be? Are babies at all relevant? The word "baby"? Someone acting immature? Diapers? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1349 Registered: 11-2003 |
First, is this a computer stupidity? Yes, the very first stupid customer I had. If so, did the customer accuse tech support of "acting like a baby"? The other way around? Neither And is it relevant that "[I] wonder how that translate in baby language?" is improper grammar? It would either be "how that translates", "how that would translate", or "how that translated". So is that a typo or did you mean to put it that way? And if it was a typo, what was it supposed to be? Sorry, a typo despite "quality control", lol. Either of the two first ones would do Are babies at all relevant? The word "baby"? Someone acting immature? Wouldn't actually say 'acting immature', but... Diapers? No to rest | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5930 Registered: 4-2010 |
Yay for computer stupidities! Did the customer yell at you? Is the specific problem relevant? Was the problem more of a "user error"? An "eye-dee-ten-tee" problem? Was there a problem with the computer at all? If so, did it have a simple solution? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1350 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did the customer yell at you? No, but he got very agitated. Is the specific problem relevant? A bit of FA there, but the reason why he called in was relevant. Was the problem more of a "user error"? Same FA An "eye-dee-ten-tee" problem? Same FA Was there a problem with the computer at all? And there the FA was cleared up, there was no fault with his computer. There was another reason for why he called. If so, did it have a simple solution? | ||
| Kaygee (Kaygee)
New member Username: Kaygee Post Number: 580 Registered: 9-2008 |
Oh, goody. This will be fun! Was the Tech trying to say something in "baby language"? Or was the tech trying to translate something that the caller had said? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5943 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he call to try and purchase a computer? Or other equipment? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1353 Registered: 11-2003 |
Kaygee (Kaygee) Oh, goody. This will be fun!Sure hope so, lol Was the Tech trying to say something in "baby language"? No, I was using normal language, but.. Or was the tech trying to translate something that the caller had said? No Balin (Balin) Did he call to try and purchase a computer? Or other equipment? No to both | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5961 Registered: 4-2010 |
Were you and the customer speaking the same language? Did you misunderstand something? Did he misunderstand something? Customer: HAM? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1357 Registered: 11-2003 |
Were you and the customer speaking the same language? Yes, we did. We were both communicating in our first language - Norwegian, so language mixups. Did you misunderstand something? Not at all Did he misunderstand something? Yope-ish, 'misunderstand' doesn't really cover it Customer: HAM?Yes | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5971 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he misinterpret something you said? Take something out of context? Mishear something? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1362 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he misinterpret something you said? Take something out of context? Mishear something? No to all, but..... | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5981 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he think you said something you hadn't? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1364 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he think you said something you hadn't? Nothing like that. Hint: He is really stupid and probably just got his first computer a couple of days before. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5983 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he ask for help turning on his computer? | ||
| Kaygee (Kaygee)
New member Username: Kaygee Post Number: 587 Registered: 9-2008 |
Okay, yope-ish on "misunderstand" - Did he just not have any clue what you meant? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1366 Registered: 11-2003 |
Okay, yope-ish on "misunderstand" - Did he just not have any clue what you meant? Correct, he didn't understand a word! Now, what was I trying to explain? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5989 Registered: 4-2010 |
How to turn on his computer? | ||
| Kaygee (Kaygee)
New member Username: Kaygee Post Number: 589 Registered: 9-2008 |
Is there any other hardware or software relevant? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1369 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) How to turn on his computer? Not this Kaygee (Kaygee) Is there any other hardware or software relevant? His question was related to sw, but... | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 5995 Registered: 4-2010 |
How to install something? Something like "press any key" and he didn't know where the "any" key was? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1372 Registered: 11-2003 |
How to install something? Something like "press any key" and he didn't know where the "any" key was? No to both, and believe me it was even sillier than the latter, lol | ||
| Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin)
New member Username: Kayleetonkslupin Post Number: 447 Registered: 9-2010 |
I can't wait to see what could top THAT, lol... | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6006 Registered: 4-2010 |
Please tell me it's dumber than all of the following that I've heard: -using the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder -using the mouse as a foot pedal -complaining that the computer was calling him "bad" and an "invalid" (in response to "Bad Command" and "Invalid" error messages) -attaching papers to the computer with magnets -trying to scan papers into the computer by holding them up to the monitor ? Wild guess: did he try to turn on the monitor with a TV remote? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1375 Registered: 11-2003 |
Wild guess: did he try to turn on the monitor with a TV remote? No When it comes to how silly this is, it's on the same level as the story when the techie told the user to take the computer back and get a refund - because she was too stupid to own a computer. After spending a long time trying to get it to work, he suddenly realized there was a power cut in the whole area. | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1378 Registered: 11-2003 |
Just a tiny hint, before I go to bed (should have done it 2 hours ago, lol). He calls to inquire about a certain funcionality, and he's on a PC, running Windows. Good night, everyone. | ||
| Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin)
New member Username: Kayleetonkslupin Post Number: 453 Registered: 9-2010 |
Good night, Eli! *hugs* | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6014 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was the server down? Was the power out? Were some components installed incorrectly? Was the computer unplugged? | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2010 |
Did he ask why he couldn't see in through the Windows? Blue screen of death relevant? Did he think it was a terror airline plot? (Supposedly some airport detained somebody for pointing out the BSoD on an airport monitor which was supposed to have flights on it because they thought "blue screen of death" was terrorist code. Once they explained that it was in fact tech jargon they let the guy go.) | ||
| Peter365 (Peter365)
New member Username: Peter365 Post Number: 2937 Registered: 1-2007 |
Did he think he needed a pair of scissors and an evostick to cut & paste? | ||
| Woodworm (Woodworm)
New member Username: Woodworm Post Number: 2106 Registered: 3-2006 |
Upside-down mouse? Did he take the word 'desktop' a bit too literally and try to drag something out of the screen? Would this not work on a Mac? to be fair, not many things do ... | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6032 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he try to play a game by shoving a Nintendo cartridge into the floppy slot? Or CD drive? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1381 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) Was the server down? Was the power out? Were some components installed incorrectly? Was the computer unplugged? No to all Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn) Did he ask why he couldn't see in through the Windows? Blue screen of death relevant? Did he think it was a terror airline plot? (Supposedly some airport detained somebody for pointing out the BSoD on an airport monitor which was supposed to have flights on it because they thought "blue screen of death" was terrorist code. Once they explained that it was in fact tech jargon they let the guy go.) No to all Peter365 (Peter365) Did he think he needed a pair of scissors and an evostick to cut & paste? Nope Woodworm (Woodworm) Upside-down mouse? No, but..... Did he take the word 'desktop' a bit too literally and try to drag something out of the screen? No Would this not work on a Mac? to be fair, not many things do ... To be honest, I do not know if the functionality he inquired about is available on a Mac system. However, the functionality itself was not the reason as such that made him look stupid, rather something he said. I always thought Mac users were fairly clued up on computers, but after reading a lot of the stories on Computer Stupidities, I have to rethink that one, lol. The reason for mentioning the functionality is that if you find out what it is he is asking for, it might be a little helpful for all you brilliant puzzlers! | ||
| Woodworm (Woodworm)
New member Username: Woodworm Post Number: 2115 Registered: 3-2006 |
So ... mice? Something about mice? Maybe somebody thought you were being childish and patronising when you called it a mouse? (Hehe) | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1384 Registered: 11-2003 |
So ... mice? Something about mice? Maybe somebody thought you were being childish and patronising when you called it a mouse? (Hehe) No, lol. But you're right, the functionality he was asking about is somehow linked to the mouse. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6135 Registered: 4-2010 |
Right-clicking? Did he write the word "click"? Type it? | ||
| Kaygee (Kaygee)
New member Username: Kaygee Post Number: 603 Registered: 9-2008 |
Did he think he couldn't move the cursor to the other side of the screen because his mouse pad wasn't big enough? I had to help a colleague with this "problem" many years ago. LOL! | ||
| Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin)
New member Username: Kayleetonkslupin Post Number: 535 Registered: 9-2010 |
Alternatively to Balin; Left-clicking? Did he say "I'm right-handed"? | ||
| Peter365 (Peter365)
New member Username: Peter365 Post Number: 2947 Registered: 1-2007 |
Did he keep switching hands when the he was left clicking and right clicking | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 29 Registered: 9-2010 |
Did he refuse to touch the mouse because he thought it was a live mouse (like the animal?) Or did he try to connect a real mouse (ie the animal) to the computer? Or did he call to complain that his mouse "died" and you took this to mean that he had a broken computer mouse, but it turns out that his pet had gone to the great mousecage in the sky? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1385 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) Right-clicking? Did he write the word "click"? Type it? Kaygee (Kaygee) Did he think he couldn't move the cursor to the other side of the screen because his mouse pad wasn't big enough? I had to help a colleague with this "problem" many years ago. LOL! Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin) Alternatively to Balin; Left-clicking? Did he say "I'm right-handed"? Peter365 (Peter365) Did he keep switching hands when the he was left clicking and right clicking Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn) Did he refuse to touch the mouse because he thought it was a live mouse (like the animal?) Or did he try to connect a real mouse (ie the animal) to the computer? Or did he call to complain that his mouse "died" and you took this to mean that he had a broken computer mouse, but it turns out that his pet had gone to the great mousecage in the sky? So many good suggestions, lol!! But no to all of them. | ||
| Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin)
New member Username: Kayleetonkslupin Post Number: 582 Registered: 9-2010 |
Then evidently none of us are stupid enough to think like this stupid person, lolol!!! Any chance of a recap or possible hint? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1388 Registered: 11-2003 |
Then evidently none of us are stupid enough to think like this stupid person, lolol!!! Any chance of a recap or possible hint? You're all too smart, Elizabeth!! But of course I'll give you a recap, with a little hint included. A customer called me up to ask about a special functionality in Windows. Even though we only did hardware support, I did my best to guide him in the right direction, but he ended up extremely agitated and angry. Strictly speaking it is not necessary to find out what the functionality was, but doing so should theoretically assist in finding the solution. This functionality is somewhat related to a mouse, but none of the suggestions have been right. HINT - it's not the way to use a mouse he's asking about, on the contrary, and neither is he using it incorrectly. | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 1095 Registered: 6-2008 |
Does the functionality he was asking about, in fact, exist? as part of Windows? as part of other software? or did he have a scrund that it exists? Is the appearance of the cursor relevant? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1390 Registered: 11-2003 |
Does the functionality he was asking about, in fact, exist? Yes, it does as part of Windows? Yes as part of other software? Yes or did he have a scrund that it exists? No, he had actually seen his neighbour doing it. Is the appearance of the cursor relevant? No | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6249 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was he asking about the cursor? Was he worrying it would start swearing at him? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1392 Registered: 11-2003 |
Was he asking about the cursor? Was he worrying it would start swearing at him? No to both. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6283 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was the mouse optical? Normal (with a mouse ball)? Relevant? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1394 Registered: 11-2003 |
Was the mouse optical? Normal (with a mouse ball)? Relevant? Nope. I'll throw in another hint at this stage. A mouse and the use of it is somewhat relevant, but only in a "opposite" way. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6347 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was he holding the mouse the wrong way? Did he have the buttons at the bottom? So that confused his left-clicking and right-clicking? Was he holding the mouse so the buttons were facing the desk (or whatever)? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1397 Registered: 11-2003 |
Was he holding the mouse the wrong way? Did he have the buttons at the bottom? So that confused his left-clicking and right-clicking? Was he holding the mouse so the buttons were facing the desk (or whatever)? No to all. I'll be generous and give you one more hint. Think of various ways to for instance print a document. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6352 Registered: 4-2010 |
Was he clicking on "Print"? Did he try to print a document by typing "Print"? Did he even own a printer? Or have access to one? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1401 Registered: 11-2003 |
Was he clicking on "Print"? Did he try to print a document by typing "Print"? Did he even own a printer? Or have access to one? Printing is not really relevant, but try to think of ways to print a document - besides clicking the printer icon. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6433 Registered: 4-2010 |
The only one I can think of right now is hitting Ctrl-P; is this relevant? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1413 Registered: 11-2003 |
The only one I can think of right now is hitting Ctrl-P; is this relevant? Very much so!! Now for the last bit. Printing itself is not relevant, just used it as an example. But the CTRL+P is relevant. Can you guess what he was enquiring about? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6444 Registered: 4-2010 |
Bladder control? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1416 Registered: 11-2003 |
Bladder control? That was actually a very funny suggestion, but no. I discovered when I posted the last one that I should have added a little info before the last sentence. He wanted to be able to use CTRL+P, but not only that one. His inquiry was more general than that. And now I revert back to the "old" ways (haven't seen it used lately) - hint in white Up until then he had only used his mouse for commands. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6448 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he try to click somewhere and type "print"? Is there a print command involving typing "print" and the file name? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1421 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he try to click somewhere and type "print"? Is there a print command involving typing "print" and the file name? No to both. Did you check out the hint? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 1111 Registered: 6-2008 |
Did he ask which button on the mouse was "control"? or under what drop-down menu it was? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6455 Registered: 4-2010 |
I did...did he not even own a keyboard? Or not know how to use it? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1423 Registered: 11-2003 |
Biograd (Biograd) Did he ask which button on the mouse was "control"? or under what drop-down menu it was? No Balin (Balin) I did...did he not even own a keyboard? He had a keyboard Or not know how to use it? Soon there!! Even though I think (or hope, lol) that he knew how to use the keyboard for typing, he didn't know that you could use the keyboard for other things, until he saw a neighbour doing it. What's left now is to find out what he asked and where the baby language enters the picture. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6459 Registered: 4-2010 |
Are any of the F-keys (F1 and the rest) relevant? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1428 Registered: 11-2003 |
Are any of the F-keys (F1 and the rest) relevant? They are all relevant, but not only those. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6469 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he know that he could use keyboard shortcuts? Did he think they wouldn't work? | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 1112 Registered: 6-2008 |
Is a misunderstanding of the word "shortcut" relevant? Did he think it had something to do with moving your mouse cursor in a straight line, as opposed to a longer path? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1430 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) Did he know that he could use keyboard shortcuts? He did not know until he saw his neighbour using the keyboard to enter commands Did he think they wouldn't work? Since he had seen them being used, he knew they worked. Biograd (Biograd) Is a misunderstanding of the word "shortcut" relevant? Did he think it had something to do with moving your mouse cursor in a straight line, as opposed to a longer path? No to both | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6507 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he hit the buttons one after the other? Rather than holding down "CTRL" and pressing "P", for instance? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1433 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he hit the buttons one after the other? Rather than holding down "CTRL" and pressing "P", for instance? Nothing at all like that I'm afraid. HINT: He admits to being a bit computer illiterate and up to that point has used the mouse for commands (but to be honest, I'm still puzzled how he managed to get any tasks done, lol. You'll understand when it's solved). When he sees his neighbour using the keyboard he is intrigued. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6517 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he not understand the specific commands? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1436 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he not understand the specific commands? This is not it either, I'm afraid. He has not even got that far. Try to think of the situation. He sees the neighbour using the keyboard to enter commands and then realizes that you can use the keyboard to enter commands. What do you think happens next? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6534 Registered: 4-2010 |
Does he try typing the command name? Does he try to enter commands on his computer using his neighbor's keyboard? Does he try to use the mouse to click on the keyboard? Use the keyboard to click on the screen? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1439 Registered: 11-2003 |
Does he try typing the command name? Does he try to enter commands on his computer using his neighbor's keyboard? Does he try to use the mouse to click on the keyboard? Use the keyboard to click on the screen? No to all. And if there is no movement by tomorrow, I'll post a really juicy hint, lol. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6538 Registered: 4-2010 |
Does he correctly input the commands? Is his computer on when he tries to input the commands? Is it plugged in? | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 65 Registered: 9-2010 |
Does he actually hit the "control" key? Or does he try to type "Control"? Relevant that the key says "ctrl" and not "control"? Did he misunderstand "Control plus P" as "hit control key, plus key, and P key"? Did he have a keyboard in the proper language? Layout (this is different because for instance English could be in QWERTY or Dvorak - aka nerd keys)? In the same language/layout as the neighbor? Did he think the neighbor had a "special" keyboard since it was able to do that? So he tried to steal it? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1440 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) Does he correctly input the commands? Is his computer on when he tries to input the commands? Is it plugged in? Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn) Does he actually hit the "control" key? Or does he try to type "Control"? Relevant that the key says "ctrl" and not "control"? Did he misunderstand "Control plus P" as "hit control key, plus key, and P key"? Did he have a keyboard in the proper language? Layout (this is different because for instance English could be in QWERTY or Dvorak - aka nerd keys)? In the same language/layout as the neighbor? Did he think the neighbor had a "special" keyboard since it was able to do that? So he tried to steal it? Time for a little push in the right direction. None of the above suggestions are correct, and the last few postings have all actually had a little FA. Maybe this helps?? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6659 Registered: 4-2010 |
Does he even hit his keyboard keys? Or use the mouse? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1444 Registered: 11-2003 |
Does he even hit his keyboard keys? No!! He hasn't gotten that far yet. Or use the mouse? He wanted to not use the mouse as much. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6664 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he try using the monitor as a touch-screen? Did he think his neighbor's keyboard would "send the shortcuts" to his computer? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1447 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he try using the monitor as a touch-screen? Did he think his neighbor's keyboard would "send the shortcuts" to his computer? No to both. It's much easier that this. Remember, he calls tech support to enquire about something. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6673 Registered: 4-2010 |
Does he ask how to use his keyboard? | ||
| Noel (Noel)
New member Username: Noel Post Number: 1926 Registered: 7-2009 |
Does he try writing down the commands on a piece of paper? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1448 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) Does he ask how to use his keyboard? YES! So we're soon there. He calls us to ask about this, as he has seen his neighbour using the keyboard for commands. And it is important to remember that his question was (almost word for word) like this 'I saw my neighbour using the keyboard instead of the mouse when he wanted something done. How does that work?' So what is left to discover is what happens next? Noel (Noel) Does he try writing down the commands on a piece of paper? No | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6740 Registered: 4-2010 |
Had he even tried pressing the keys before? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1450 Registered: 11-2003 |
Had he even tried pressing the keys before? Not the F-keys and any other key just as part of normal typing. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6768 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he know he could press two keys at the same time? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1454 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he know he could press two keys at the same time? I don't think he knew that, except for perhapse CTRL+ALT+DEL. HINT: He doesn't seem to have asked the neighbour about it. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6789 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he just try random key combinations? That didn't work? Or worked catastrophically? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1455 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he just try random key combinations? That didn't work? Or worked catastrophically? No to all. The thing he did next was probably the only somewhat smart thing about this story, lol. And I'll do a recap tomorrow (or more correct - later today). Too tired now. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6799 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he try to find the keyboard shortcuts in his manual? | ||
| Noel (Noel)
New member Username: Noel Post Number: 1956 Registered: 7-2009 |
Did he try to use the "Print Screen" button? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1457 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) Did he try to find the keyboard shortcuts in his manual? No, he didn't. Good question. Noel (Noel) Did he try to use the "Print Screen" button? Nope RECAP/HINT Let's call him Tom, to make it a little easier. Tom visits his neighbour and sees him using the keyboard instead of the mouse to enter certain commands. As Tom is interested in using the mouse less, this intrigues him and he wants to start using that functionality himself. However, he doesn't ask the neighbour how to do it, neither does Tom look in any manual. So how does he go about finding out about this? It is important to remember something I said a little while ago; what Tom does now is not the stupid part of the story (the really stupid bit comes later). He does NOT at any stage simply try random combinations. So where would you go to find information about how to do this? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6823 Registered: 4-2010 |
Does he try to get on the Internet? Using only the keyboard? Does he try to not use the mouse entirely? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1458 Registered: 11-2003 |
Does he try to get on the Internet? Using only the keyboard? Does he try to not use the mouse entirely? No to all | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6861 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he call tech support just to get the combinations? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1460 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he call tech support just to get the combinations? Yes!! Well, he wasn't even as smart as that. What he said was that he had seen his neighbour using the keyboard to control his pc and asked 'how do I do that'? It's important to know that I was working for a hardware company, and we only did hardware troubleshooting, not user support. So we were told that we should never teach the customers how to use the equipment (like how to print out, or how to format a word document), that it was their own responsibility to teach themselves those things. However, we were allowed, of course, to guide them in the right direction. So what happened next?? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6864 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he hang up the phone to try the keyboard commands? | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 132 Registered: 9-2010 |
Did you ask if he had a pen handy and he asked "what's a pen-handy?" (Sorry, that's on Notalwaysright right now.) | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 133 Registered: 9-2010 |
How is this solved? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6929 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he try the shortcuts using the keys on the phone instead of the keys on the keyboard? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1464 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) Did he hang up the phone to try the keyboard commands? No Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn) Did you ask if he had a pen handy and he asked "what's a pen-handy?" (Sorry, that's on Notalwaysright right now.) No, and I read that story as well. Fun!! How is this solved? Waiting for them to move it back Balin (Balin) Did he try the shortcuts using the keys on the phone instead of the keys on the keyboard? Nope | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6950 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he actually try to input the commands? To input any commands at all? Into the keyboard? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1471 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he actually try to input the commands? To input any commands at all? Into the keyboard? No, he simply picks up the phone and calls the hardware tech support line for his pc brand. I'll give a little push in the right direction (maybe this will be solved before it's moved back, lol). He called in and explained about his neighbour etc, then asked how he too could use this functionality. Since we were not allowed to do user training, I thought I'd tell him where to find the information. And asked one important question. What? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6982 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he even know the specific commands? Did you ask him "do you know what the commands are"? Did you tell him to ask his neighbor? Look online? | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 152 Registered: 9-2010 |
Random question: Was his neighbor H? A? M? Or was he a baby? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1476 Registered: 11-2003 |
Balin (Balin) Did he even know the specific commands? No, he didn't. Did you ask him "do you know what the commands are"? No Did you tell him to ask his neighbor? Nope Look online? No, not online. Where is the other place you would look for information? Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn) Random question: Was his neighbor H? A? M? HA, gender irrelevant Or was he a baby? No | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 6995 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he try looking in the manual? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1480 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he try looking in the manual? No, and that is what I would suggest to him. But there is a vital part missing here. What manual??? | ||
| Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin)
New member Username: Kayleetonkslupin Post Number: 815 Registered: 9-2010 |
Does the mouse have a manual? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 7007 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he look in the computer manual? Keyboard manual? Mouse manual? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1483 Registered: 11-2003 |
Kayleetonkslupin (Kayleetonkslupin) Does the mouse have a manual? Irr Balin (Balin) Did he look in the computer manual? Keyboard manual? Mouse manual? No, he does not look in any manual. In fact, that is what I am trying to suggest. However, I need some vital information from him to be able to guide in in the right direction. | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 7013 Registered: 4-2010 |
Is he looking for an online manual? Or a non-booklike manual? Does he even have a manual? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1487 Registered: 11-2003 |
Is he looking for an online manual? Or a non-booklike manual? No to both Does he even have a manual? He should have, never actually got to that point. I'll leave a little hint before I'm off to bed. You switch your computer on. Then what do you do next - before you can even start using the keyboard or mouse? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 7021 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he not log in? Not turn on the monitor? Not have the keyboard or mouse plugged in? | ||
| Kaygee (Kaygee)
New member Username: Kaygee Post Number: 611 Registered: 9-2008 |
You wait while the computer loads the software and network settings -- did you need to know what operating system he was using? | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 156 Registered: 9-2010 |
Did you ask something about a programming language? And he replied "English". | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1490 Registered: 11-2003 |
Before answering the questions I will have to admit to a little blooper from last night. He could still use is mouse of course. But the rest is still valid, he needs to do something before being able to use CTRL+P for instance. Balin (Balin) Did he not log in? Not turn on the monitor? Not have the keyboard or mouse plugged in? No to all Kaygee (Kaygee) You wait while the computer loads the software and network settings -- did you need to know what operating system he was using? Not the operating system, but OTRT Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn) Did you ask something about a programming language? And he replied "English". Nope | ||
| Gregoryuconn (Gregoryuconn)
New member Username: Gregoryuconn Post Number: 162 Registered: 9-2010 |
Open a program? Or did he think he had to do a pogrom and do just that? (I heard a story of someone who called tech support Anti-Semetic because the guy said "Press start.... programs" and the guy thought he said "start a pogrom". | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1493 Registered: 11-2003 |
Open a program? This is it, the stupidity was related to programs in general. Or did he think he had to do a pogrom and do just that? (I heard a story of someone who called tech support Anti-Semetic because the guy said "Press start.... programs" and the guy thought he said "start a pogrom". Nope | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 1151 Registered: 6-2008 |
Was it anything to do with programs vs. the shortcuts representing them on the desktop? Did he think that if he was unable to see an icon for a program, that he must not have it installed? or that any program whose icon was visible was already open? Or did he think that one could only open one program at a time? or that keyboard shortcuts were the only way to use multiple programs at the same time? Did he think that there were "keyboard programs" and "mouse programs", in the sense of Mac and PC versions of programs, and that one could never use both input devices for he same program? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 7103 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he try to input the commands without having opened the programs necessary for said commands? Like trying to print something without having Word open? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1496 Registered: 11-2003 |
Biograd (Biograd) Was it anything to do with programs vs. the shortcuts representing them on the desktop? Did he think that if he was unable to see an icon for a program, that he must not have it installed? or that any program whose icon was visible was already open? Or did he think that one could only open one program at a time? or that keyboard shortcuts were the only way to use multiple programs at the same time? Did he think that there were "keyboard programs" and "mouse programs", in the sense of Mac and PC versions of programs, and that one could never use both input devices for he same program? No to all Balin (Balin) Did he try to input the commands without having opened the programs necessary for said commands? Like trying to print something without having Word open? This is it! Or at least on the right track, and now we're coming to the 'baby talk' part. Because that is exactly what I asked him. In order to tell him where to find the information he needed, I asked what application he was using. But what do you think happened next? What was his reply? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 7143 Registered: 4-2010 |
Did he ask what an application was? Where he could find one? Or buy one? | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1500 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did he ask what an application was? Not really, but this is so close, I'll fill in the rest Where he could find one? Or buy one? *************SPOILER****************** As I mentioned earlier, in my previous job I did hardware tech support. One day, a customer called in and said he had seen his neighbour using keyboard instead of mouse to operate his computer and if I knew anything about this as he would like to learn how to do it himself. Since we were only doing hardware, we were not allowed to teach them these kind of things, but I thought I'd nudge him in the right direction regarding finding the information he needed. The conversation went something like this: Me: What you are looking for, Sir, is called keyboard shortcuts. Caller: And how do I use them? Me: Well, that differs from application to application, some combinations are always the same, others may vary. You will find information about the various keyboard combination in the manual for the applications Caller: Application? What do you mean? Me: Application is the same as software, sir. Caller: I don't understand what you're talking about, stop talking this technical babble with me. Me: What I mean, is the tool or the program you are using, for instance when you want to write something, or play a game. Caller: If you insist on using this technical language, I refuse to talk to you anymore. And then he hung up. LOL | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 7152 Registered: 4-2010 |
What is it with stupid customers and "technical language"? Makes for great stories though, and great puzzles! | ||
| Eli (Eli)
New member Username: Eli Post Number: 1504 Registered: 11-2003 |
Well, this is where the baby language would have come in handy, lol. But I just couldn't find the baby word for software!! | ||
| Biograd (Biograd)
New member Username: Biograd Post Number: 1157 Registered: 6-2008 |
An application in baby language has do be a "clicky-dooey" because you click on it and it does something. |
