Although I know that my experiences with technical support services are by no means atypical, it was nice to see them so accurately depicted in yesterday’s Dilbert comic strip. Especially when it comes to computers, I’m well-versed enough to be able to solve most problems on my own. I call technical support only as a last resort, knowing that in almost every case I will be forced to go through the tedious process of waiting on hold, only to have to rehash my problem with several layers of cue-card readers who are well-versed in walking people through such difficult procedures as rebooting, before possibly speaking to someone that can help me with the actual problem. I used to be an amicable, patient person when it came to such matters, but after too many mind-numbingly frustrating encounters I’ve turned into a cynical, bitter man with a short fuse. Stop making me repeat myself and *fix it* dammit! There, much better.
