When does an end user become a technician?

[Jacob Anthony]

Hi guys,

I have noticed that there are some on here who don't want end users using this forum and to an extent I do agree with this. However, I was hoping to clarify a something with you guys.

Given that a person can act as PC Repair Technician with being certified, at what point does an end user become a PC Repair Technician.

What is the minimum that someone should know before you guys would class them as a PC Repair Technician?

What is your definition of a PC Repair Technician?

I ask this because I have fixed lots of PC's in my time but I often come across a problem I haven't dealt with before and I have to research it.

Hope you can help!

Thanks

Jacob

 

[Xander]

When they stop needing help on the common issues.
When they don't need to spend 2 hrs formatting a flash drive.
When they've heard of (and used) all the common tech tools like Autoruns; things you could learn about with 10 minutes of googling.
When they realize that scanning, alone, doesn't count as virus removal.
When they understand what can cause what, and that an IP problem doesn't mean troubleshooting the PSU.
When they show that a problem they've not dealt with before doesn't mean to post here first but to, as you said, "research it" first.
....

 

[minc3d]

This is a very very hard question to answer. This same thing can go for many professions. How many people fix their own cars but don't consider themselves mechanics? How about people that know plumbing but don't consider themselves plumbers?

There is a very large gray area here, but I think the real question is at what point does the person rely on himself/herself and is able to find the answers needed to most given problems with computers and related tech. Sure, any teenager can pretend to be a tech, but with this label actually comes the necessity for a good deal of experience with troubleshooting and applying solutions.

Anyone can google for an answer to an issue. But a good tech will know WHAT to search for, WHEN to search for it, and HOW to get around issues that come about in between. Lastly, they know WHEN to ask for help when truly needed.

That's my difference between a tech and non-tech.

 

[mraikes]

Hi guys,

I have noticed that there are some on here who don't want end users using this forum and to an extent I do agree with this. However, I was hoping to clarify a something with you guys.

Given that a person can act as PC Repair Technician with being certified, at what point does an end user become a PC Repair Technician.

What is the minimum that someone should know before you guys would class them as a PC Repair Technician?

What is your definition of a PC Repair Technician?

I ask this because I have fixed lots of PC's in my time but I often come across a problem I haven't dealt with before and I have to research it.

Hope you can help!

Thanks

Jacob

IMO, the short answer is an end user becomes a technician when they start getting paid for what they know about a computer, not what they do "on" a computer.

However, you may be missing the point that Technibble isn't for "technicians" regardless of how you define them. It's for computer repair business owners, or those actively planning to open a computer repair business.

Sure, most of us are also technicians because we're "one man bands", but strictly speaking a non-technician computer repair business owner would still be welcomed with open arms. It's about business, not repairs.

There are at least 10,000 tech support websites that provide reasonably good advice to technicians & end-users.

There are VERY few websites that will help you grow your computer repair business.

Sure, we discuss techy things and provide support & education to one another on techy issues. But it's not THE reason for Technibble's existence.

We gather here to support one another in growing our businesses and as a place of refuge where we can commiserate or laugh with others like us. A flood of end-users and/or "technicians" trolling the forums or simply seeking answers to tech support questions derails the primary purpose of Technibble.

 

[iisjman07]

When they start getting paid to repair computers

 

[Elemdee]

When they stop needing help on the common issues.
When they don't need to spend 2 hrs formatting a flash drive.
When they've heard of (and used) all the common tech tools like Autoruns; things you could learn about with 10 minutes of googling.
When they realize that scanning, alone, doesn't count as virus removal.
When they understand what can cause what, and that an IP problem doesn't mean troubleshooting the PSU.
When they show that a problem they've not dealt with before doesn't mean to post here first but to, as you said, "research it" first.
....

Lol Xander, I felt that rant vibe all the way down here!

 

[Xander]

I've got to disagree with you on several points:

IMO, the short answer is an end user becomes a technician when they start getting paid for what they know about a computer, not what they do "on" a computer.

Lots of wanna-bes charge for their work. (Edit: Emphasis added for iisjman)
A line can be drawn on whether they're being paid on what they know, or what the customer thinks they know. How many times have we seen, "I've got this customer's computer..." and the first (and correct) response is, "Take it to a tech."?

However, you may be missing the point that Technibble isn't for "technicians" regardless of how you define them. It's for computer repair business owners, or those actively planning to open a computer repair business.

"No End Users
​

These forums are for either current computer technicians, or soon to be computer technicians. We do not provide computer help to any non-technicians ."
​

Being a tech has nothing to do being a business owner. We've got plenty of good, competent techs here who work in IT depts, or as hired help in a repair shop.
There's not, actually, anything in the forum rules about business ownership. The fact that you can get business advice here is, IMO, a bonus.

Sure, most of us are also technicians because we're "one man bands", ....

Most pizza techs work alone - that doesn't make them techs. I met a panhandler once who worked alone...that didn't make him a 'social marketing expert.'

...but strictly speaking a non-technician computer repair business owner would still be welcomed with open arms. It's about business, not repairs.

It's about repairs and business info is a perk.

There are at least 10,000 tech support websites that provide reasonably good advice to technicians & end-users.

There are VERY few websites that will help you grow your computer repair business.

I see it more as:
There are 10,000 grow-your-business websites that provide reasonably good advice to business owners.
There are VERY few websites that will provide you with competent computer repair advice.

Sure, we discuss techy things and provide support & education to one another on techy issues. But it's not THE reason for Technibble's existence.

I'm not tight with Bryce. Where is the mission statement you're quoting?
The best I can find is this, right from the main page:

"What is Technibble? Technibble is a resource for computer technicians who are looking to start their own computer business or improve their existing one. Technibble also provides an amazing place for technicians to help other technicians via our forums."
​

Seems that business ownership is a goal, but being a computer technician is an expectation.

We gather here to support one another in growing our businesses ...

er, rather, our diagnostic and repair skills

...and as a place of refuge where we can commiserate or laugh with others like us. A flood of end-users and/or "technicians" trolling the forums or simply seeking answers to tech support questions derails the primary purpose of Technibble.

Can't argue with the last bit.

Edit:

Lol Xander, I felt that rant vibe all the way down here!

Really? That was just off-the-cuff and typed smilingly.

 

[Jacob Anthony]

Thanks for your answers guys, I'm learning loads from them.

@eHousecalls - thanks, you've just given me a learning action plan!

@minc3ed - if I understand you correctly you're saying that knowing how to search for a solution to a problem is more important than trying to learn each and every problem that could occur and their respective solutions.

@mraikes - Thanks! Your post was very insightful and has made me feel like I belong here. From what I've read on your website you have the same philosophy as I have regarding customer servicein that I would treat the owner as well as the pc i.e. by teaching them how they can get the best out of their pc and avoid issues like the one I have solved for them.

 

[Xander]

@minc3ed - if I understand you correctly you're saying that knowing how to search for a solution to a problem is more important than trying to learn each and every problem that could occur and their respective solutions.

AS IMPORTANT, not more important. Learning should never be secondary but Google is a tech's best friend. No one should ever be posting here for help if s/he hasn't tried to find the answer him/herself.

 

[Jacob Anthony]

Lol Xander, I felt that rant vibe all the way down here!

Actually I found it very insightful!

 

[Jacob Anthony]

AS IMPORTANT, not more important. Learning should never be secondary but Google is a tech's best friend. No one should ever be posting here for help if s/he hasn't tried to find the answer him/herself.

Okay I stand corrected!

 

[mraikes]

................

The best I can find is this, right from the main page:

"What is Technibble? Technibble is a resource for computer technicians who are looking to start their own computer business or improve their existing one. Technibble also provides an amazing place for technicians to help other technicians via our forums."
​

Seems that business ownership is a goal, but being a computer .

You're emphasizing the words "computer technicians" in a way that Bryce didn't. I believe that very same statement makes it clear that Technibble has a business focus. "Technibble is a resource for computer technicians who are looking to start their own computer business or improve their existing one.

If you aren't planning on starting a business or improving one you already have, you might be a technician but you are not the intended audience of Technibble.

That's why so many new members are quizzed in the introduction forum about their existing business, or plans to start a business.

A quick review of Bryce's recent topics (also on the home page) support the business concept. Many if not most of the topics are of interest to those of us in business, but are of less importance to someone who is "just a tech" working for the Man.

However, if you think I'm wrong - I'm OK with it. (My wife says it happens all the time!).

 

[ATTech]

When does an end user become a technician

To me, you become a technician when you start repairing issues by finding out why the issue is occruing, rather than just finding what fixes it.

 

[vdub12]

When they realize that scanning, alone, doesn't count as virus removal.

Isn't that the truth. How many people come in here ready to format because they have ran all the scans they know of and can't think of any other alternative. Then when you mention autoruns they have no idea what your talking about. Honestly manual removal is WAY faster.

I can honestly say that this month I have done at least 10+ virus removals and the only scans I have ran is I always like to run the AVG rescue CD and MSE ""AFTER"" a virus removal to make sure I didn't miss anything. However, thats only on systems in the shop. If I am on site its manual removal and thats it.

 

[Xander]

Mraikes, it's cool to agree to disagree. People get different things out of the forum and the site.

"Technibble is a resource for computer technicians who are looking to start their own computer business or improve their existing one. "

With this on the main page, one can assume this to be Technibble's mission statement.
I think we can agree that, regardless of one's business ownership, one is expected to be, first and foremost, a computer repair technician.

 

[iptech]

To me, you become a technician when you start repairing issues by finding out why the issue is occruing, rather than just finding what fixes it.

That's a good analogy.

The crux is you cannot learn how to repair a modern computer from being an end user, you have to learn how the hardare and software work beneath the gloss of the operating system user shell if you are to become confident and competent. Too many think a few years experience is enough - most of our customers have a few years experience using a computer, but they expect a higher level of understanding when employing a technician.

 

[ATSCF]

What makes a computer tech...

When you can fix almost any problem on a PC the right way. I find this stuff simple and childs play. It gets harder when you start doing server work and
nuke and pave is not an option.

 

[Vicenarian]

One good requirement for forum membership:
Having worked at least a year in the IT field and/or having/studying for A+ certification.


Because...anybody serious about making IT a career, will by nature, have an interest in pursuing at LEAST A+ certification.

 

[meanderer]

I would say any of the following:

1. currently running your own computer repair business and being the technician working there.
2. working for a company whose job description specifically says maintenance, service, or repair computer equipments and ensure working order, or something or that sort

certifications.... I think they are overrated. I know some middle aged old lady who has all sorts of MS CISCO certs but she really does just office clerical work. (my view can be skewed since I don't have A+ myself either XD )

 

[Gmckinnell]

Anyone can google for an answer to an issue. But a good tech will know WHAT to search for, WHEN to search for it, and HOW to get around issues that come about in between. Lastly, they know WHEN to ask for help when truly needed.

That's my difference between a tech and non-tech.

And HOW to discard the rubbish results and interpret the good ones. I had a client recently who rang me and said "I tried to google the problem but it came up with over 300,000 results and I couldn't understand any of them".