Ever since I left home for college in 25 years ago, I periodically get a call from my father that goes something like "Hi Brad, it’s Dad. I’m having trouble with my computer. Can you help me?" I fondly remember many long calls with my father where the exchange went as follows:
Brad: "Ok, now get to a DOS prompt."
Dad: "I’m there."
Brad: "What does it say?"
Dad: "C colon."
Brad: "Ok, type C colon backslash D O S"sound of dad typing way more than seven letters
Brad: "Dad, what are you typing"
Dad: "I thought I figured it out, but now it’s asking me to Abort, Retry, or Ignore"
Brad: "Hit Control C"
Dad: "Ok"
Brad: "Now type C colon backslash D O S"
And this would go on and on. About a decade ago, I told my dad I was retiring from tech support and now it was my younger brother Daniel’s turn. Daniel didn’t necessarily agree to this handoff of responsibility, so occasionally our IT guy Ross gets the call from my dad (usually after my dad leaving me a voicemail that says "Brad, can you remind me what Ross’s number is.")
Today, we announced that we’ve made an investment in Pie Digital. Soon, these tech support calls will be a part of history.
Don't think for a minute, Brad, that you're the only one to get a call like that from a parent (clearly you don't or you wouldn't have invested in Pie Digital).
Can they teach my dear wife how to use Excel?
Comment by steve_bergs2127 — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am
Before I was an investment banker, I was a marketing bozo; before that a product person, and before that an engineer. While I retain an immense interest in technology, software, and the web, I no longer keep up with the tricks necessary to integrate hardware, software, networking, and a host of third party service providers. Pie Digital might be one of the best ideas – ever!
Comment by John Ball — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am
My Parents are better than my kids. Last night I got the call "Dad, my laptop fell off my desk (As I slid my chair back, catching the cord). The case is broken, the power cord hole pulled out of back, the CD won't go back in and it won't power on any more. Can you help me?" groan.
Comment by John Buehler — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am
Every Father's Day my dad always says, "in lieu of presents, please provide tech support".
Comment by rick — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am
Brad — I suspect that your dad doesn't really want tech support. He just wants an excuse to talk to you. Pie Digital won't do much here.
Comment by Steve — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am
I'm in the middle of moving files from one pc to another for my brother via copilot. Can't wait to see what Pie Digital has in store.
Comment by Craig Plunkett — January 7, 2009 @ 1:55 am