[ubuntu-uk] Remote support was Sad but true? From the Register

[Rob Beard]

On 18/01/2009 10:49, Paul Sutton wrote:
>> While just fixing things is what some people want, some level of
>> education should be involved (I believe anyway) so that if it happens
>> again they can fix it themselves.
>>
>> Just a few points to think about, otherwise I fully support the idea!
>>
>> -Matt Daubney
>>      
Yep I agree with that, help them help themselves.  Maybe with feedback 
from newbies we could look at creating more screencasts too?
> I agree here, a few years a go I found myself fixing a friends computer
> and re-installing windows etc from the restore cd's
>
> I got him to the point quite easily where he could insert the start up
> floppy, follow the instructions and get back to a working system, on his
> own, so he relied far less on me to walk round,
>
>    
The only issue I can see with this is the potential for the user to 
loose data.  I've found a few people have had screwed Windows PCs, 
usually they can at least retrieve their data onto a USB stick or 
external hard drive if they use Ubuntu.
> I tried this with someone else and he was not interested, in me actually
> teaching him things,
>
>    
I've had that too.
> So it depends on the individual and perhaps their attitudes. Personally
> if i am constantly fixing virus problems and recommend using a virus
> checker, which I download and install, if they can't be bothered to keep
> it maintained, then what chance have we got, but I would have to teach
> them how to keep it maintained, in the same way someone teaches me how
> to check the oil in a car (see below)
>
> Preventative maintenance is simple enough.
>
>    
You mean things like making sure they install security updates and 
possibly backing up important data?

Rob