I enjoy being helpful for people, but saying yes to being helpful takes you away from home where you’d probably rather be anyway. One of the truths of supporting some people’s computers is that some of the steps required are time consuming, but not attention intensive. You start a process and let the computer or application do what it does. You don’t need to watch it.

Using LogMeIn, I can now connect remotely to client machines and provide security support and maintenance for items like scanning for viruses, malware, defragging, troubleshooting and other tasks; all from the comfort of my own home. As I’m doing right now sitting on my couch, watching Animal Planet, blogging and running a scan on a computer at our church. Very helpful.

Another nice feature of LogMeInis that the remote user can be watching what I’m doing at the same time. With the case of supporting family members, I can login to my dad’s computer and show him how (or remind him) to do a certain task with his file management or using a program.

LogMeInprovides all the features I’ve mentioned above all for the amazing low, low price of… FREE! There are other premium versions you can purchase to provide more functions, but for what I need and for my budget, the FREE version is accomplishing the task set out before it. To be HELPFUL!

Image: Snagit of LogMeIn running in a browser window.

Post from: EveryJoe

Use LogMeIn to Manage Computers and Your Time

“Should it take a genius to effectively use your software and products?”

Granted, Apple’s core target consumer and Microsoft’s are very different, but in the end does that matter?

I won’t argue that training on any software is usually helpful and that’s surely the case with Apple and their products, but calling them “Geniuses” is it just marketing spin? I’d be curious as to how much they really know compared to your average, experienced Microsoft product user.

Here’s my other thought though. I think Microsoft should setup similar types of services at malls all over the country. You know those little kiosks areas that all the malls have. What if Microsoft had a kiosk that showcased their own products and software and let people play with them and get to know the software before they purchased it.

Could they play off their name a little bit even.

“It’s Microsoft. Not Hard”

What if private training sessions could be setup with a user on a laptop in the mall food court with a drink and snack provided by Microsoft from a food court vendor. Microsoft would provide free wi-fi for the entire mall as a promotion for all malls they’re located.

I think that would go a long way in helping their public image and idea of being much more open.

Thoughts? Arguments? Any Apple Geniuses out there that would like to share your thoughts?

Post from: EveryJoe

Does It Take A Genius to Use Microsoft