Aaaarrrrggggghhh!

[NotAllThere]

I only go near the problem if my wife says that I should. I'm usually quite happy to have a quick look, but if it is too old, and completely messed up, I'll just say - you need a new one. My neighbours are well aware that it's part of my business, my livelihood, and are smart enough not to take the mickey. Did get my conservatory designed for free, however, and a few crates of wine and whisky.

[Sausage Surprise]

Thing is, if you were a plumber or an electrician or some other tradesman, then invariably you would be offered payment for your work. These people look upon IT as some sort of "hobby" that you do and not your livelihood.

I point blank refuse with the excuse that even if you paid me, if it goes tits up again then I'll get the blame for that and I don't want it to affect a good friendship - seems to work.

[PAH]

One of the benefits of contracting away from 'home' is that I can just say I haven't got time whenever I pop round to the parents or friends who have problems with their computers. In truth I just can't be arsed.

If they aren't capable of sorting it out themselves, willing to look up solutions on the internet, or willing to pay someone to fix it for them, it's their own fault for having unreasonable expectations when they bought it in the first place.

Even my dad has grasped how to create restore points before installing anything, after me fobbing him off for the umpteenth time. I think he learnt it from Windows for Dummies, it certainly wasn't from me!