Download the new Switched app for your iPhone

Skip to Content

AOL Tech

helpdesk posts

China Used Social Stalking in Google Attack, Big Quarter and Big News for Apple


Highlights from this morning's other big tech headlines....
  • The cyber storm brewing between Google and China could inspire its own network television tale of international Internet espionage. The most recent revelation concerning the Google hack has shown that China employed a familiar technique to lead Google employees to malware-infested sites: social network stalking. By posing as friends, the Chinese agents actually attempted to lure Google workers with fake links. [From: CNET]
  • The 2010 first quarter results are in for Apple, and the company experienced several significant increases since the first quarter of 2009. Computer sales escalated 33-percent, while iPod numbers surged by an incredible 100-percent. That's not the only good Apple news, either, as Steve Jobs has confirmed that a "major new product" will launch this week. Hmmm. Wonder what that could be? [From: Apple and Business Insider]
  • NASA astronaut Timothy Creamer may have just sent the first official tweet from space, but NASA isn't exactly content with the current state of surfing in the stratosphere. The organization is consolidating three outdated modes of Web connection into one faster, unified system. [From: Dvice]
  • Turkey censors certain Internet content (primarily for political reasons), like YouTube and various Google pages. Activists are currently planning a protest march, but the proposed walk on parliament won't just be limited to the locals. With the aid of Google Documents and Maps, the organizers are inviting protesters from around the world to virtually take part in the demonstration. [From: Read Write Web]
  • The next time you sit endlessly on help desk hold, ready to lambaste the next support tech, don't blame the poor customer service rep; blame the economy. Corporate help desks have reportedly been hit particularly hard by the recession, as employees are apparently suffering through poor job stability, decreased wages, heavy workload, and antiquated technology. [From: Computer World]

Computers

The Most Bizarre Tech Support Questions

Classic Stupid Tech Support Questions
For those of you out there who have or had tech-support jobs, most of this will just sound like another day at the office. For those on the other side of the phone, this might be a little enlightening. You might not be aware of just how infuriating, difficult, and hilarious your calls and questions can be.

Robert Half Technology, an IT contracting firm, asked CIOs (Chief Information Officers) from around the country to send in some of the most bizarre questions they've been asked. Perennial favorites like "where is the 'any' key?" and questions about the retractable cup holder were among the responses. The true highlights, though, are the out-of-this-world requests like: "My daughter is locked in the bathroom, can you pick the lock?"; "Can you reset the Internet for me?"; and "Why isn't my wireless mouse connected to the computer?"

Of course, Robert Half does not have a monopoly on hilarious tech support calls. One of our contributors, while working tech support at a major financial institution, was asked "how do you type backslash?" Goes a long way towards explaining the market collapse doesn't it?

You can find more priceless tech support stories in the 'read' link below, as well as here at GetAmused.com and at TSC, Technical Support Comedy (NSFW). [From: The Age]

Computers

IT Workers Like Sleep and Hanky Panky on the Job

Half of IT-Workers Sleep, Make Out at Work

Is your computer still on the fritz and that helpdesk worker you called a week ago still hasn't shown up? We know what's keeping him.

A new online survey indicates that nearly half of IT workers have fallen asleep on the job. About the same number have kissed a co-worker -- on the job. That first statistic should be no surprise to any techie who has pulled an all-nighter or come in at an ungodly hour of the morning to get some software release completed. However, that second statistic is a bit surprising. Perhaps that lends a little more credence to the theory that geeks do it better.

From Slashdot

Related Links:
Follow Switched on Twitter
Become a fan of Switched on Facebook

Deals of the Day

Our Writers

Thomas Houston

Editor-in-chief

RSS Feed

Leila Brillson

Managing Editor

RSS Feed

View more Writers

Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

  • Home Audio Reviews

    9.0 out of 10

    Definitive Technology BPX
    Works great with Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital. Full Review

    8.8 out of 10

    KEF KHT3005 (black)
    The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review

    8.8 out of 10

    KEF KHT3005 (silver)
    The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review

  • Cell Phone Reviews
  • Digital Camera Reviews

    9.3 out of 10

    Canon EOS 1D Mark III
    Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review

    9.0 out of 10

    Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
    Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review

    8.9 out of 10

    EOS-1D Mark II Digital Camera
    Combination of fast drive mode and high resolution; large buffer; highly customizable; saves custom camera setups to media; improved E-TTL II flash performance. Full Review

  • Desktop Reviews

    8.5 out of 10

    Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
    A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review

    8.4 out of 10

    Apple iMac (27-inch, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, ATI Radeon HD 4670, fall 2009)
    Largest display among all-in-ones; fast dual-core CPU makes up for lack of quad-core (mostly); finally has an SD card slot; wireless mouse and keyboard; Mini DisplayPort input ripe with possibility. Full Review

    8.1 out of 10

    Apple Mac Pro (Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Winter 2009)
    Best-in-class desktop design; interior makes upgrades and parts replacement simple; strong performance on HD video and 3D rendering thanks to new Intel CPU and faster RAM Full Review

Featured Galleries

Scuba Suits on Street View
Lady Gaga at Monster
Lady Gaga at Polaroid
Geneva at Digital Experience
Motorola Backflip: Hands On
Hannspree at CES
Parrot AR.Drone
Chase Jarvis
Nathaniel Mellor

 

AOL Tech Network

Resources