Tech Support Is Your Good Friend

An admittance up front: I am technically inept.  Have dubbed myself a techno-Neanderthal.  I learn computer operation by the "Monkey see, Monkey do" method.  I watch somebody else do it, make some notes, and then try it myself.  Ask questions if needed.  Works so far so I function like a cog in the machine.

Fixing tech issues without guidance is just asking for trouble.  Been there, done that.

So I declare that Tech Support is the paragon of efficiency.

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We had an issue of bumper music playing too loud on a talk show.  Had to remember to turn down the volume to prevent the music blasting into the host's ear over a headset.

My supervisor and I tried to adjust the volume on a digital bumper audio.  We got nowhere fast.  These software programs are so complicated, with so many bells and whistles, that a CS degree is needed to fix anything.  We hit error messages and save audio as new file messages.  We abandoned our feeble attempts within 30 minutes.

I submitted a ticket to Tech Support.  Soon a message arrived from Erica asking one question for clarification; soon after I responded she emailed a short paragraph with instructions.

Erica is Wonderful

She helped install new software for our radio stations and spent hours tailoring it for our specific needs.  She provided training so we achieved comfort in a short time and has since provided prompt support.

With her instructions in hand, I returned to the bumper volume task.  A few clicks on the computer mouse, a couple keystrokes and the audio was quieter.  I referred to the instructions for the first four audio files and fixed the rest by short term memory.  Had the steps down.  Over a dozen bumpers fixed within ten minutes.

Don't Try These Things on Your Own

If we had tried to figure it out on our own, it would have taken hours of frustration.  And we could have made matters worse by clicking and changing things that only create new problems.

Like mechanics, dentistry or heart surgery, it's best to seek professional help.