If you’re in IT, you all too often find yourself in a support role regardless of whether support is, technically, in your job description. It’s inevitable, really. At some point in a typical day someone is going to flag you down, ignore the fact that you’re busy, and ask you a question that they are perfectly capable of googling themselves.
It’s sort of what we do, isn’t it? We google things for other people. Nice to meet you! My name is Chris, and I’m a Google Engineer. Oh, I’m sorry, no I don’t actually work for Google. That would be sweet. No, I just use Google. You know, so you don’t have to.
I’m digressing, but stick with me, I’ve found a solution and if you’re anything like me, you’re going to love it.
You know the rest of the story of course. We give them the answers they sought, they remind us how clever we are and how they could never do our job (heh), they pat us on the bum and push us along on our merry way. Until they need us again at 3am in a panic because the computer just ate a sermon they’re giving in 5 hours. Again with the digressing. Sorry!
Well fear not yon battle weary IT person, help is here! You, too, can teach your users how to google, coupled with an object lesson in geek-laden sarcasm, with Let Me Google That For You!
Here’s how it works, let’s say you receive an email that asks the age old question, “Mac or a PC?” Go to the Let Me Google That For You site, plug in the search, and grab the link. Then you shoot back an email like so.
Hey Reginald! Got your 3 text messages, 2 voicemails, and the post-it note you left on my computer. Here’s a link that should help you with your decision…
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=mac+or+pc
If I can be of further assistance, let me know!
Bucky
It really is a beautiful thing.
[HT: Kevin Switzer]
Henry says
Absolutely right on! I have a couple of people in mind for this already. 😉
Kevin says
That’s one of my favorite tools…even though it doesn’t always, get me the results I want, at least it feels good. 🙂
Adam Lehman says
I use this all the time.
BenJPickett says
Can I embed this is into the main page on my company’s portal? As if it would actually make any difference…. I’ve already tried embedding a Google search bar. But maybe something large, that stares them in the face…..
dewde says
I think this is an idea worth trying out and I think you’re just the guy to do it. Make sure to report your results back here :-).
peace | dewde