Deals.Woot

I don't have quite the same problem as you, since ppl come to my house for the holidays, not the other way around. BUT, I've become very careful about what I give to whom in terms of tech stuff, specifically because I don't want to be an on-call support person for that gift throughout the year. For some folks, I won't even give an sd card or mp3 player, or they'll be bringing me their laptops and asking me to download songs for them and load them on the cards & mp3 players. Honestly, it's happened.

Oh yeah, been there, done that, although since I moved from helping remove virus's to recommending we do a full Flaten/rebuild on their computer, I've been asked far less often to work on them... The one exception was my grandfathers computer, which he used for Geneological work, but continually got trashed out by all my cousins downloading WildTangent games, and other malware based games on his computer.

I have built computers for pretty much every member of my family. Most of them are pretty competent and can fix most things on their own. My parents, on the other hand, are different. My dad called me over to fix his computer because the speakers stopped working. After spending 2 minutes checking all the wires, I found out they were unplugged from the subwoofer. I know this holiday season will be spent setting up everyone's stuff. My dad just bought a laptop and I am sure as soon as he receives it, I'll have to go over there just to connect it to his network, which I set up. I love my parents, but the constant phone calls for the simplest tech questions gets really annoying. Then they go and tell all their friends how I can fix computers and more and they expect me to do it for free because they are "friends of the family".

Interesting. I'm not an IT guy and I do the same crap. I suspect just having a clue about computers is what draws the attention.

heh, good question.
I wound up removing a virus/malware of some sort on my Aunt's computer last year...probably going to have to look at it again this year....

Yeah, I'm already in loathing of the season. I've had two relatives so far blatantly admit they are bringing a laptop to the family gathering so I can "take a look at it". This happens every year and if two are actually admitting it, that means the other members of the extended family have thought about it and I'll be open cases before I can watch anyone open gifts ><

I'm a Mac/Linux guy, so I always say "Sorry, I don't really know Windows. But, I hear of something called Malwarebytes, or something. You should try that."

Family/friends that have Macs never ask for help, and saying "I'm a Mac guy" in some form usually keeps others away. I also have a shirt that says "No, I won't fix your computer", that I sometimes wear as an undershirt, and show it when needed.

Not an IT person, but just dreading going to my wife's family gatherings.

I used to be the goto guy for family tech issues, but I finally broke them of the habit when they started getting vista machines. I simply told them that it was too different from Win98 (last version of wintendo i used) that I didn't feel competent to fix whatever may be wrong. (Yes, it was a lame excuse, but they bought it.)

I feel like sitting in the corner tinkering with someone's computer issue is often much easier than interacting with my significant's family.

I think some of you are missing a great opportunity! Fix the computer, then, when presents are unwrapped, you get your choice of whatever the computer owner gets!

Won't take long to cure that problem...or you get some extra presents for being so "good"...

@ekgflatliner: Yes, beer and nachos are very strong items to barter with when it comes to fixing stupid problems. We should use beer and nachos our national currency. Cheese!

Love this question. =) We are home for the holidays this year, but every time I go home to my parents', I spend about 1-8 hours removing spyware and assorted malware from their machines.

In a related story, I vowed never to buy my father any more electronic presents after getting non-stop calls about setting up Tivos, iPods, or Kindles (despite him being ex-IT himself).

Happy Holidays, fellow geeks.

Does Festivus count as a holiday? If so, no I do not dread. If we are talking Christmas, then yes. I don't have time to remove garbage from my family desktop. I sure won't have time to remove it from other's computers.

It's always what people get on Xmas I wind up installing, configuring, fixing, reading instructions for, etc. I swear to the Baby Jesus, someone could buy a frakkin nuclear reactor and if it had a USB cord I would be expected to get it powering the house before the ham comes out of the oven.

@pattiq: Ooooh I like that!! Maybe I should try "Oh looks like you need to just buy a new one, if you do I can help by recycling the old one/using it for parts" it might be last season's tech but free is good ;)

Nope, they have never said they got a virus or asked me to fix anything. In fact they get nervous if I do use their computer because I might "mess it up" i.e. change settings or install something.

@goatcrapp: Your story reminded me of a visit I made across country a few years back. My bro had been after me for years & I finally went. When I got there, my bro showed me the guest room. On the dresser was a box of chocolates and a letter from my s-i-l, who was not at work. Both were sitting atop her laptop. The "letter" was a "welcome!" and then a list of things she wanted done on her laptop!

I used to, then I started giving out rocks to those that took advantage of my "that's not a coffee holder it's the CD tray" skills.

I still do it for my sis though.

Christmas Day at my parents I'm already booked to set up a new home TV and home theatre, set up two new computers, set up a new wireless network system, and update lots of software and firmware. Yay.

Yes and no. I always dread the stupid questions, but now that my business has an online store I can try to make some sales. HAHA!

If someone wants to know more about becoming a pilot I talk with them about it. That's what I know. If I want help with my computer I talk to my brother about it, that is what he knows. When I have a question about health or the human body, I talk to my doctor friends. When I have a question about a pet, I speak to my sister-in-law, the veterinarian.
If you dread helping people with the very skill that makes you worth a pay-check, then you should find a job that you do not hate. People who are veterinarians spend most of their free time talking to people about pets. Just like everyone else who has a skill of any value. It is a major part of who are to be able to share your profession. You probably need to get over yourself. Or maybe you like to vent a little bit by complaining here on some semi-anonymous message forum. In which case, moan away.

Honestly, spending a holiday celebration fixing a computer is one of the most fun ways I can imagine it. Just give me some spiked eggnog, tell me what is wrong and leave me alone. I'll be fine sitting in the office fixing whatever...

@acraigl: i am sorry