Technology for the Masses

Ever had someone call you and explain their computer problems or the series of events that led to some kind of error?  Of course if you’re in IT support most problems are explained like this: “Nothing is working!”.  Kind of broad.  It’s time to put on our thinking caps TftM fans!  I recently came across a very simple to use website that you can use to help find out the specific problem on someone’s PC – as THEY see it.

So you aren’t sitting right next to them but you can still ask them, “Show me whats wrong” and they will be able to.  In my job I am often not able to sit in front of someone to watch for the error to pop up (or the series of events that lead to it).  Technicians will appreciate this tool because it adds a ton of insight into the “Nothing works!” user-diagnosis.  Lets jump in and see how it works.

“Show Me Whats Wrong!”

Step 1: Go to ShowMeWhatsWrong website tool

Step 2: They will ask for your name and email address.  Basically, you fill that out and hit GENERATE. 

Step 3: A website address will be assigned for you to send to your friends and family.  Copy this down and send it to whomever says “Nothing is working on the PC!”

Step 4: Great!  Your part is done.  Now when someone uses the link you sent via email it will bring them to the above screen.  They enter their name and click Start Recording.

User Interaction

What will happen is that it records everything on their screen including audio from their microphone (if they have one). The simple screen below will pop up and basically start recording. The user can then perform the series of events that led to the error and when done, just click STOP. 

Simple user interface!

Conclusion

It will process the video, upload, and send an email to you!  Pretty awesome right? I think this tool is a boon to anyone who likes helping out friends and family, right on down to the typical IT Technician who wants more clarity on a problem.  It’s a nice tool/favorite to keep in your browser so check out ShowMeWhatsWrong. 

You’ll get an email after they process the screen/mic capture like this

Obviously, this does not give you a hands-on way of fixing the problem but it can give you more information to research a problem before attempting to fix it.  If you want to do more hands-on remote support then I suggest checking out my article on Remote Access with LogMeIn.  What tools do you like to use to get to your pc remotely, help friends, or diagnose problems?