#familytechsupport — Public Fediverse posts

What it's like being the technical one in your extended family, part no. 348...

Actual conversation tonight:

Me: Do you have anything in the dryer right now?

Partner: No, why?

Me: Because there's a bag leaning up against the dryer door that contains a partially-disassembled laptop that would really rather be on fire right now, so I was going to say if you have to move it, do so gingerly.

#technical #TechSupport #TechnicalSupport #FamilyTechSupport #family

What it's like being the technical one in your extended family, part no. 348...

Actual conversation tonight:

Me: Do you have anything in the dryer right now?

Partner: No, why?

Me: Because there's a bag leaning up against the dryer door that contains a partially-disassembled laptop that would really rather be on fire right now, so I was going to say if you have to move it, do so gingerly.

#technical #TechSupport #TechnicalSupport #FamilyTechSupport #family

Dear Mastodon, I'm looking for an easy to use (preferably open source) mail app on android phone, and I'm sure you're the best set of people to ask for this kind of advice.

It should be usable for IMAP account, the configuration can be technical, but the daily use should be user friendly, and the app should not export data from the phone.

#FamilyTechSupport #degafamisation

Dear Mastodon, I'm looking for an easy to use (preferably open source) mail app on android phone, and I'm sure you're the best set of people to ask for this kind of advice.

It should be usable for IMAP account, the configuration can be technical, but the daily use should be user friendly, and the app should not export data from the phone.

#FamilyTechSupport #degafamisation

On Windows 11 Firefox can save a screenshot with a veeery long file name in a directory where the total path length then exceeds some limit.

And now neither the Windows file explorer, nor cmd.exe ("dir /x" short name), nor PowerShell ("Remove-Item") can rename or delete the file.

But the 7-Zip File Manager can.

#FamilyTechSupport

Breaking rocks in the [thud] hot sun!
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.

I needed money cause...I had none!
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.

I left my baby and it feels so bad
I guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I ever had

I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.

#FamilyTechSupport #WhyAmIEvenTrying #WasteOfTime

Breaking rocks in the [thud] hot sun!
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.

I needed money cause...I had none!
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.

I left my baby and it feels so bad
I guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I ever had

I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.
I fought the Microsoft Login screen and the [thud] Microsoft Login Screen won.

#FamilyTechSupport #WhyAmIEvenTrying #WasteOfTime

When you finally win the argument and get a family member to give up their addiction to fucking Outlook.

#FamilyTechSupport

When you finally win the argument and get a family member to give up their addiction to fucking Outlook.

#FamilyTechSupport

Ugh .. trying to unravel the mess my Mama's laptop is in. Microsoft really have designed office tools to bamboozle everyone into using OneDrive and fuck them very much for that. :blobcateyes:

(Yes I know I should try to move her to Linux, but she's doing her best and we're still working on getting off facey. 🤦)

#FamilyTechSupport

Ugh .. trying to unravel the mess my Mama's laptop is in. Microsoft really have designed office tools to bamboozle everyone into using OneDrive and fuck them very much for that. :blobcateyes:

(Yes I know I should try to move her to Linux, but she's doing her best and we're still working on getting off facey. 🤦)

#FamilyTechSupport

Family tech support tasks:
1. Undo the layering of multiple tools that do the same thing, e.g. password managers, and explain why just one thing to do a job is a better choice.
2. Ensure *good* or *better* tools are the choice for defaults where possible, e.g. browsers, plugins, office tools, and explain why the choice you prefer is better.
3. Guide cleanups and explain what is happening and why.
4. Set up automated rules to improve management of mail and explain why.
5. Undo installations of objectively bad apps and explain why and offer alternatives (see 2 above).
6. Over time, encourage migration to apps that do not support billionaires, fascists, and surveillance capitalists and explain why.
7. Encourage some kind of backups and explain why.
8. Explain enshittification and how it can be avoided.
9. Teach them to fish.

"Use Linux on the desktop” is not an answer to any of these as a *first* step. Nor is “just use Signal/LibreOffice/Fastmail/Proton/other things we know are better” because that's a demand, not an encouragement. Show, don't tell or demand.

#techsupport #familytechsupport

Family tech support tasks:
1. Undo the layering of multiple tools that do the same thing, e.g. password managers, and explain why just one thing to do a job is a better choice.
2. Ensure *good* or *better* tools are the choice for defaults where possible, e.g. browsers, plugins, office tools, and explain why the choice you prefer is better.
3. Guide cleanups and explain what is happening and why.
4. Set up automated rules to improve management of mail and explain why.
5. Undo installations of objectively bad apps and explain why and offer alternatives (see 2 above).
6. Over time, encourage migration to apps that do not support billionaires, fascists, and surveillance capitalists and explain why.
7. Encourage some kind of backups and explain why.
8. Explain enshittification and how it can be avoided.
9. Teach them to fish.

"Use Linux on the desktop” is not an answer to any of these as a *first* step. Nor is “just use Signal/LibreOffice/Fastmail/Proton/other things we know are better” because that's a demand, not an encouragement. Show, don't tell or demand.

#techsupport #familytechsupport

The fix worked 😭

I don't have to go around again and waste a good part of my afternoon.

I was dreading the prospect of having to call up again.

#FamilyTechSupport

The fix worked 😭

I don't have to go around again and waste a good part of my afternoon.

I was dreading the prospect of having to call up again.

#FamilyTechSupport

I have to go and help my Mum sort out her smartphone later and it's going to involve calling up her service provider.

Wish me luck.

#FamilyTechSupport

I have to go and help my Mum sort out her smartphone later and it's going to involve calling up her service provider.

Wish me luck.

#FamilyTechSupport

When your remote hands to connect up the car battery charger are your 78 year old mother's...

#familytechsupport

When your remote hands to connect up the car battery charger are your 78 year old mother's...

#familytechsupport

Does anyone know how to find a breakdown of what is included in Storage: Other on an unrooted #Samsung #Galaxy A02s phone?

My elderly uncle's phone is almost out of storage. Looking at his storage stats, there is 21Gb in Other, but I can't find it! Samsung's docs are completely unhelpful:
"The “Other” storage category contains data from apps you have installed on your smartphone or tablet. It includes items such as system files, cached data, and temporary files that do not fall into any other storage categories.
The data contained in the “Other” storage category cannot be deleted directly from your device. However, you can clear some of it by deleting cache or app data."

I've looked at the apps on his phone and none are using nearly that much. Downloaded CX File Explorer, but I don't see anything obvious with that either. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

#Android #FamilyTechSupport

Does anyone know how to find a breakdown of what is included in Storage: Other on an unrooted #Samsung #Galaxy A02s phone?

My elderly uncle's phone is almost out of storage. Looking at his storage stats, there is 21Gb in Other, but I can't find it! Samsung's docs are completely unhelpful:
"The “Other” storage category contains data from apps you have installed on your smartphone or tablet. It includes items such as system files, cached data, and temporary files that do not fall into any other storage categories.
The data contained in the “Other” storage category cannot be deleted directly from your device. However, you can clear some of it by deleting cache or app data."

I've looked at the apps on his phone and none are using nearly that much. Downloaded CX File Explorer, but I don't see anything obvious with that either. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

#Android #FamilyTechSupport

What would #Christmas be without doing #FamilyTechSupport

What would #Christmas be without doing #FamilyTechSupport

@jchyip

So does OutLook on Windows 10. There was an update this week.

#familytechsupport

@jchyip

So does OutLook on Windows 10. There was an update this week.

#familytechsupport

Anyone any tips for getting remote family to start using #XMPP rather than WhatsApp etc? Offered to setup accounts and send login details? Apart from transatlantic flights any other tips? #FamilyTechSupport

Anyone any tips for getting remote family to start using #XMPP rather than WhatsApp etc? Offered to setup accounts and send login details? Apart from transatlantic flights any other tips? #FamilyTechSupport

ETA: solved!! Thank you to everyone who offered such helpful suggestions...

#FamilyTechSupport question: is there any simple way to copy non-camera-roll images from a non-jailbroken #iPhone to a Windows laptop?

My FIL has pictures of his great-grandkids were texted to him, and he'd like to get them on his computer. I tried just grabbing them via USB, as we do on Android, but Apple only exposes his camera roll that way. The Internet is not encouraging - looks like he could share a folder from his laptop and mount it on the iPhone, but that's a lot for an 83-year-old (sharp, but non-technical) to handle! Especially since I'd want it unshared when not actively in use...

Any suggestions will be most appreciated!

ETA: solved!! Thank you to everyone who offered such helpful suggestions...

#FamilyTechSupport question: is there any simple way to copy non-camera-roll images from a non-jailbroken #iPhone to a Windows laptop?

My FIL has pictures of his great-grandkids were texted to him, and he'd like to get them on his computer. I tried just grabbing them via USB, as we do on Android, but Apple only exposes his camera roll that way. The Internet is not encouraging - looks like he could share a folder from his laptop and mount it on the iPhone, but that's a lot for an 83-year-old (sharp, but non-technical) to handle! Especially since I'd want it unshared when not actively in use...

Any suggestions will be most appreciated!

What's in your #FamilyTechSupport kit this year? Or do you avoid it at all costs?

It's inevitable that someone will bring a laptop or invite me over to "have a look". I honestly don't mind, gives my ears a break. 😆

* RealVNC (use to be TeamViewer)
* Screwdriver kit
* CR2032, AA, AAA Batteries
* 1Password or Bitwarden
* Linux Boot Stick (for fun)

I honestly steer away from virus protectors. They all seem like bloatware. Is that wrong?

#InfoSec #FamilyTechSupport

What's in your #FamilyTechSupport kit this year? Or do you avoid it at all costs?

It's inevitable that someone will bring a laptop or invite me over to "have a look". I honestly don't mind, gives my ears a break. 😆

* RealVNC (use to be TeamViewer)
* Screwdriver kit
* CR2032, AA, AAA Batteries
* 1Password or Bitwarden
* Linux Boot Stick (for fun)

I honestly steer away from virus protectors. They all seem like bloatware. Is that wrong?

#InfoSec #FamilyTechSupport

OK major victory today, I might FINALLY have convinced my father to occasionally restart his computer.

(I remember back in the day an IT guy telling me my computer is like a fridge, you can just leave it permanently on. I don't remember why he felt the need to tell me that.)

#FamilyTechSupport

OK major victory today, I might FINALLY have convinced my father to occasionally restart his computer.

(I remember back in the day an IT guy telling me my computer is like a fridge, you can just leave it permanently on. I don't remember why he felt the need to tell me that.)

#FamilyTechSupport

Who moved the ‘print’ button in Apple Pages to be under the document name? In every other app it’s in the share sheet. You know who likes to print stuff, old people, and who doesn’t like change, old people.
#FamilyTechSupport

Just put another print button in the share sheet.

Today's friendly tip is #Windows centric, but something I got asked a lot by family members over the holiday period.
If you run into the dreaded "low risk space" warning, or just want to ensure your PC is optimal, Storage Sense is there to help.

Learn how to set it up correctly on your (or a family members) PC in this short guide video.
https://youtu.be/ij-JGEuwK6Q

Please #boost if you like and a sub to the channel would be legendary.

#Windows11 #FamilyTechSupport

Tech friends, is there something like an “Awesome Email Filter” compilation? Trying to avoid having to become an email admin this Christmas but family are getting hit hard by the gift card scams

#cybersecurity #spam #sysadmin #FamilyTechSupport

Updated a couple of old macs (2009 iMac, 2012 mini) this weekend using OpenCore. Works really well, and didn't have to even reformat the old OS that was on them. Might be something to consider when you're visiting family who are still running older machines Apple has stopped supporting. The update process is largely automatic, but it took about an hour for each machine to complete (both had SSDs) https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/

#apple #legacy #opencore #familytechsupport

Updated a couple of old macs (2009 iMac, 2012 mini) this weekend using OpenCore. Works really well, and didn't have to even reformat the old OS that was on them. Might be something to consider when you're visiting family who are still running older machines Apple has stopped supporting. The update process is largely automatic, but it took about an hour for each machine to complete (both had SSDs) https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/

#apple #legacy #opencore #familytechsupport

Family tech support, this is Robbie. Have you tried turning it off and on again?
#itcrowd #familytechsupport

Yesterday I went out to my mother-in-law who's sick to fix her phone or rather replace her phone with my old (and newer one), she couldn't call with her old one and being in her 70's and sick this worried husband-dude (plus the woman needs a phone).
Now I have her OLD phone and intend to replace it with Lineage just to make sure she has a backup that works if she needs it.

#FamilyTechSupport