No, not really, but some people wonder… I think the wondering is actually a mixture of bewilderment, awe, and a slight hint of envy. I think the same thoughts when I watch Rachel Ray cook, an electrician wire, my Dad build stuff, Eric Clapton play his guitar, and a gear head work on a car. All these people are good at what they do because of two reasons: it's what they do, and they enjoy doing it. It amazes me that people look at the work I do and are amazed at how swiftly I can work through a problem or hunt something down on the Internet…it's what I do, and I enjoy doing it.
You have heard Adam and I talk about it often that for some reason computer users feel like they need to know everything about their computer including the troubleshooting and securing of it. The reality is that computers are as specialized a piece of machinery as you can buy today. Anyone can sit down and use a computer, but few have the knowledge to know how to make it work and act the way it should and there is nothing wrong with that. I can't fix and keep my cars running the way they should, so I have to resort to repair shops…I don't necessarily like it, but I don't have a choice either. My aptitude for fixing cars is low, and my time to learn that skill is nil.
Today, I had three of my six customers express this type of sentiment towards me. Another asked how much I charge (and I've been helping him for at least seven or so years). He said that he heard from a friend that I charge $100 per hour! I replied, "I wish I could charge $100 per hour, but no my charge is half of that amount." He said, "I would happily pay you $100 per hour."
I went on to explain that certain national outlets with 'in-house' tech folks charge more than $100 per hour for home visits and those techs don't provide the personal service or have 1/20th the experience that I have. I'm just stating a fact and have no ill will towards those companies, but I'm not out to bilk anyone. Another customer today relayed a story about a local tech guy who charged him over $700 for work on a single computer and that it still didn't work! I was incredulous. I could never charge anyone $700 for work on a single computer…especially since you can buy TWO computers for that price!
I enjoy the challenge of solving computer problems, teaching computer users how to get the most out of their computers, and watching other people carry out their craft with ease and pride. Today's Shotgun seems a little multi-threaded, but hopefully there is a connection in here somewhere.
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