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Agent: Allan Blackstock
I have a huge interest in computing, and in bringing home entertainment to the masses. The internet is my real area of speciality. I really like to help people get the most out of the web and cyberspace.
Geek Squad, Technology and Me!
- I had a Star Wars celebrity call for tech help...
...we get all sorts of people calling here. They had a computer that's really old, and you'd think with him being from a movie that's such a sci-fi legend he'd have a really up-to-date machine. But he was still running on Windows XP when he first called, and his machine was really slow. We sorted it out. - We do get some really tricky calls...
...and the hardest tend to be with people who have about five computers running in the same house. They are all on different systems, and the callers normally want them to come through the same router. They also usually want wireless printers, and streaming to the TV too, and it can become really complex. Getting a Windows Vista machine to talk to another one on XP, remotely, is incredibly tough. But we always get there. - I normally workout a situation in 20secs...
...because as the person explains their issues to me, I can pick up not only what's going wrong, but the level of their understanding and how best I'm going to be able to tackle the problem. The same issue can be solved in a different style depending on the confidence of the person calling up. Once I've worked out what kind of situation we're in, I get straight to the point and solve it.
Essential Gadget
Sony Walkman
The original is classic tech history. We wouldn't have the iPhone if Walkman hadn't come first.
Favourite Gadget
Nintendo NES
I loved it so much. I think it cost me about õ00. I still have it, but don't play it that much.
I'd recommend...
Microsoft Windows
From the very first to Windows 7 right now. Without it, we'd all be in a horrible DOS mess.
Watch out for...
The Cloud
In the next few years, more and more things aren't going to be stored on your computer's hard drive. Instead they're going to be on an online server in what is known as The Cloud. That will be your operating system, your anti-virus software, your files, everything. The advantage is that your computer doesn't have to be as big or powerful. As everything is stored online, it should also lower the cost of PCs significantly.
My most satisfying Geek Squad moment...
...finding someone who wasn't very confident with a computer and then totally turning that around. People are easily put off by computers, they think they're going to break all the time. Being able to build up someone's confidence and turn that view around is extremely satisfying.
WE CARE ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND ABOUT YOU
A large number of our customers are older, and have never encountered computer systems. They are keen to learn but don't know where to begin. We help them work out what the machine does and show how it can benefit them.
