Comments on: With CrossLoop, Users Can Get Help From Techie Friend http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/ from The Wall Street Journal Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:56:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jason Mattingly http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-1884 Jason Mattingly Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:31:51 +0000 http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/#comment-1884 John, if you would like to reboot the machine or even access a distant machine without anybody being in front of it, use Teamviewer (www.teamviewer.com). It's free for private use and allows to remote reboot and log in. The PC of my mom is always broken as well so I know what I'm talking about;) John,
if you would like to reboot the machine or even access a distant machine without anybody being in front of it, use Teamviewer (www.teamviewer.com). It’s free for private use and allows to remote reboot and log in.

The PC of my mom is always broken as well so I know what I’m talking about;)

]]> By: John Fu http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-1882 John Fu Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:07:32 +0000 http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/#comment-1882 I'm definitely a fan of Crossloop, having used it to set up my Mom's new laptop remotely. It's simple and just works. The biggest flaw in my mind is that when doing remote tech support, you often need to restart the computer multiple times. This means the person receiving help needs to relaunch the Crossloop app every time the machine is rebooted and provide the required passcode to the person providing assistance. In my case, that meant I had to call my Mom every time I rebooted the machine, as I didn't expect her to just sit there watching the PC. I’m definitely a fan of Crossloop, having used it to set up my Mom’s new laptop remotely. It’s simple and just works.

The biggest flaw in my mind is that when doing remote tech support, you often need to restart the computer multiple times. This means the person receiving help needs to relaunch the Crossloop app every time the machine is rebooted and provide the required passcode to the person providing assistance. In my case, that meant I had to call my Mom every time I rebooted the machine, as I didn’t expect her to just sit there watching the PC.

]]> By: Richard Mitnick http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-1875 Richard Mitnick Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:10:27 +0000 http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/#comment-1875 While I admire the purpose here, I believe that this process if pregnant with negative possibilities. First, I have found that my vendors, especially Dell and Microsoft, have this sort of service available pretty much free. Microsoft in Bangalore re-installed Office 2007 Professional for me when I screwed up and uninstalled it in error. Dell removed to filters from iTunes in my Registry when they disabled my optical drive. But, those are the good stories. Even with factory techs, my "rule of six" is that it takes six phone calls to find a tech who knows the answer to my problem. Meanwhile, all of those who do not know the answer will ask me to do things to my computers which even I know are incorrect. I cannot imagine trusting anyone whose bona fides I do not know to take over my computer and do something to it. It is in my mind far better to take the problem message and out it into a search, which will probably turn up the answer, confirmed several times, in a forum. While I admire the purpose here, I believe that this process if pregnant with negative possibilities.

First, I have found that my vendors, especially Dell and Microsoft, have this sort of service available pretty much free.

Microsoft in Bangalore re-installed Office 2007 Professional for me when I screwed up and uninstalled it in error.

Dell removed to filters from iTunes in my Registry when they disabled my optical drive.

But, those are the good stories. Even with factory techs, my “rule of six” is that it takes six phone calls to find a tech who knows the answer to my problem. Meanwhile, all of those who do not know the answer will ask me to do things to my computers which even I know are incorrect.

I cannot imagine trusting anyone whose bona fides I do not know to take over my computer and do something to it.

It is in my mind far better to take the problem message and out it into a search, which will probably turn up the answer, confirmed several times, in a forum.

]]> By: Ken Okel http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/comment-page-1/#comment-1874 Ken Okel Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:01:53 +0000 http://ptech.allthingsd.com/20080924/with-crossloop-users-can-get-help-from-techie-friend/#comment-1874 An interesting service. Many support companies have similar processes but charge more for their services. It could be useful to receive help from someone you know, rather than a technician who's talking to you in a highly accented voice from another part of the world. In my experience tech calls either work perfectly or are a source of frustration. The difference is rarely the computer but rather the effectiveness of the communication between the two parties. An interesting service. Many support companies have similar processes but charge more for their services. It could be useful to receive help from someone you know, rather than a technician who’s talking to you in a highly accented voice from another part of the world. In my experience tech calls either work perfectly or are a source of frustration. The difference is rarely the computer but rather the effectiveness of the communication between the two parties.

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