Do you have friends like this? LONG RANT

turtleb16a · 09-30-2005, 02:50 PM

Can someone tell me why some people can ask you for assistance on an issue but does nothing but keep asking you to help.

Here is the story:

He has the main computer on the third floor and would like to have wireless on the first floor. Here is the tricky part: Main computer cannot be moved (Only place to put it I'm guessing), it is next to a microwave AND 2.4Ghz phone. The room which he wants wireless is on the FIRST floor and other side of the house. Said it worked fine for a month.... Told him there are a lot of wireless connections around you and they may be using the same channel or have other obstacles blocking (like their microwaves or cordless phones). So I tried my laptop down there.. The signal is weak but I can surf. His wireless connection on his lappy drops.

This is the kicker...Advised him he may need an expander....but he doesn’t want to spend the money. So he calls me all the time.. So what should I do about this connection of mine? It got to the point where I told him to ask a another friend since he had a co-worker use an extender and got it going. The person he asked recommended an expander as well (must sound better coming from someone else). Now he calls to ask which expander? Again, I advised him to talk with the friend....but he doesn’t.. He asks me... Why? I have no idea...I don’t know the co-worker and I am not about to go out and buy the equipment for him... Now he is sending links on various expanders (even after I tell him to ask which one the co-worker is using). On top of that, I'm taking this class that is kicking my a$$ and I'm studying all the time. I wouldn’t be so bent out of shape if he put some effort into his OWN connection. Does he really think I care if he can't surf PRON or anything else on the web?

Short version:

Friend has computer/modem/router on third floor
Wants wireless on the first but is too far, but he keeps calling.
Advised him to get expander but doesn’t want to spend the money, but he keeps calling.
Told him to ask another friend, but he keeps calling.
Keeps calling like I'm his personal tech guy who setup the connection for him.

Do you have friends like this?

tupacboy · 09-30-2005, 03:00 PM

i think we all kinda know someone like this... doesn't know **** about computers... so he's relying on someone that does... but my 2 questions are... his house is 3 stories?!?! and has a internet connection in the kitchen ("next to a microwave")?!?! wtf...

MikeD · 09-30-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turtleb16a

Here is the story:

He has the main computer on the third floor and would like to have wireless on the first floor. Here is the tricky part: Main computer cannot be moved (Only place to put it I'm guessing), it is next to a microwave AND 2.4Ghz phone.

You could have stopped typing right there...

Next to microwave and phone? If he can't move the PC, maybe he should move those.

DarkFury · 09-30-2005, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeD

You could have stopped typing right there...

Next to microwave and phone? If he can't move the PC, maybe he should move those.

but as far as the phone goes... either switch to 900 Mhz or 5 GHz... I'd get rid of that 2.5 GHz as they cause more problems than they are worth with wireless connections.

brainsmile · 09-30-2005, 03:43 PM

I have no friends

Nija · 09-30-2005, 03:59 PM

Tell you friend that you are going to charge him, since you are his consultant.

DarkFury · 09-30-2005, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nija

Tell you friend that you are going to charge him, since you are his consultant.

You'd be amazed at how quick some folks "shut up" as soon as the threat of you charging them money for your services kicks in....

MikeD · 09-30-2005, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nija

Tell you friend that you are going to charge him, since you are his consultant.

No doubt...had a co-worker in IT at my last job who would install wireless routers for folks for $75. Said it was cheaper than what Geeks/Best Buy, etc. would charge.

For an additional $50, he would even lock the router down!

People eat that stuff up all day.

Seriously, you probably could make a few bucks off of it.

gear02 · 09-30-2005, 08:54 PM

I have had a similar "friend." My solution was to ignore him for a while until he gets the point that I'm not his tech support guy. Sure it may have hurt the relationship, but it wasn't a very close one anyway.

Grimm · 10-01-2005, 12:38 PM

Tell him you are a recovering geek and you resent his attempts to reintroduce you to your addiction.

09-30-2005, 02:50 PM	#1
turtleb16a Ensign Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 28	Do you have friends like this? LONG RANT Can someone tell me why some people can ask you for assistance on an issue but does nothing but keep asking you to help. Here is the story: He has the main computer on the third floor and would like to have wireless on the first floor. Here is the tricky part: Main computer cannot be moved (Only place to put it I'm guessing), it is next to a microwave AND 2.4Ghz phone. The room which he wants wireless is on the FIRST floor and other side of the house. Said it worked fine for a month.... Told him there are a lot of wireless connections around you and they may be using the same channel or have other obstacles blocking (like their microwaves or cordless phones). So I tried my laptop down there.. The signal is weak but I can surf. His wireless connection on his lappy drops. This is the kicker...Advised him he may need an expander....but he doesn’t want to spend the money. So he calls me all the time.. So what should I do about this connection of mine? It got to the point where I told him to ask a another friend since he had a co-worker use an extender and got it going. The person he asked recommended an expander as well (must sound better coming from someone else). Now he calls to ask which expander? Again, I advised him to talk with the friend....but he doesn’t.. He asks me... Why? I have no idea...I don’t know the co-worker and I am not about to go out and buy the equipment for him... Now he is sending links on various expanders (even after I tell him to ask which one the co-worker is using). On top of that, I'm taking this class that is kicking my a$$ and I'm studying all the time. I wouldn’t be so bent out of shape if he put some effort into his OWN connection. Does he really think I care if he can't surf PRON or anything else on the web? Short version: Friend has computer/modem/router on third floor Wants wireless on the first but is too far, but he keeps calling. Advised him to get expander but doesn’t want to spend the money, but he keeps calling. Told him to ask another friend, but he keeps calling. Keeps calling like I'm his personal tech guy who setup the connection for him. Do you have friends like this?

09-30-2005, 03:43 PM	#5
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,754	I have no friends __________________ ********************************** DCM #1 (Founder) "Nobody beats Vitus Gerulaitis 18 times in a row." - Vitus Gerulaitis on beating Jimmy Connors after 17 failed attempts.

09-30-2005, 03:59 PM	#6
Nija Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2001 Location: City of The Dead Posts: 13,552	Tell you friend that you are going to charge him, since you are his consultant. __________________ "Nija is the dark soul of gotapex. We don't like to talk about him." - LPMiller

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09-30-2005, 03:00 PM	#2
tupacboy Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: May 2000 Location: border of oc and la Posts: 2,382	i think we all kinda know someone like this... doesn't know **** about computers... so he's relying on someone that does... but my 2 questions are... his house is 3 stories?!?! and has a internet connection in the kitchen ("next to a microwave")?!?! wtf...

09-30-2005, 08:54 PM	#9
gear02 Admiral Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 7,223	I have had a similar "friend." My solution was to ignore him for a while until he gets the point that I'm not his tech support guy. Sure it may have hurt the relationship, but it wasn't a very close one anyway.

10-01-2005, 12:38 PM	#10
Grimm 100% Pure Evil Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,861	Tell him you are a recovering geek and you resent his attempts to reintroduce you to your addiction.

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