Yikes. You just can’t trust anybody anymore, eh? This video is a news expose from Canada about the crooks in the computer repair industry. Only 3 repair guys out of 10 got the diagnosis right. Most repair estimates were waaaaay over-diagnosed, and waaaaay, waaaay over-priced. ($2,000?!?!?!)
It really pays to know your computer! Or, at least have a trusted friend or family member to rely on.
I’m blessed. I have a natural affinity for discovering “how stuff works,” and I like computers. I grew up in the 1970s and 80s, just before personal computing was taking off. I got my first computer in 1999 (I inherited a 1984 Macintosh!), and the next year I got a Windows 3.1 and a Windows ME- yah, the big time! So for the past eight years, I’ve been learning about software, hardware, and web design. I’ve got a long way to go, as I am completely self-taught; but I am now pretty comfortable sticking my hands into the guts of my computer or tinkering with software applications. But it’s pretty obvious that it pays to know your computer!
Watching this video makes me wonder about car repairs… hmmm….
Life is never dull, and exciting things just seem to always happen to me... why me... when I'm not running around the house fixing things, I'm a freelance writer for national media outlets like USAToday.com, Salon.com, and others. I've even been interviewed by TIME and The Wall Street Journal about blogging. Can you believe it?! Here is where I express my zany, creative, motherly side. 
January 8, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Wow! If I only knew… The problem with relying on friends and family to do your computer repairs is that when they do it all day long, coming home to work on another one really isn’t all that happy. I have friends/family who call me ONLY to ask computer questions. They’ll call at all hours, not respecting me or my time because they do not want someone to rip them off. I would rather they found a repair shop that they trusted (local ones are usually good) so that we can both sleep more comfortably!
January 9, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Didn’t get a chance to stop over here yesterday to CONGRATULATE you…you WON the Dining on a Dime give-away over at my place. Of course, you are going to have to send me your shipping info to pass on to Tawra! Thanks for participating!
oh..and…i have two posts about two other drawings on other peoples’ blogs if you are feelin’ lucky! {smiles}