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Thread ID: 48862	2004-09-03 04:41:00	Best Practise for Computer Repairs?	Captive (3159)	Press F1

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268950	2004-09-03 04:41:00	Computer Repairs – Ethicacy Standards Introduction My name is Creighton Brown, I studied Computer Support [CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+] at Ames IT Training Last year, I am not presently employed full time but do web development, primarily part time. The following is my opinion on computer repairs from what I have noticed so far. I am not an expert with computers unfortunately but I am an avid computer fan. I have been having strong ethicacy thoughts revolving in my head for best practise and wanted to express them and hear what other people think about the idea. The Problem Personally I would avoid people who have direct involvement with people who can take gain from their advice. Ideally complete separation from advice about doing a website in terms of site architecture or someone's separate opinion is desirable, who understands it an appropriate professional level if it’s to be an appropriate service. Testing stations for best practise If I was to seek computer advice I would also try to have people less partial. e.g. someone who tests the system at a certain agreed to rate, but the repairs should ideally either be documented exactly so people know exactly what they have paid for or even more ideally for the repairs to be separate from the 'testing station' if you like, similar to cars. Second opinion Try to get the machine looked at by someone else to confirm what is to be done. It might cost more to be looked at, but if the fee is noticeable you may want to consider this. Ideally the repairing shop will give Exact Document of all issues so they can be confirmed. Why separate it out? The reason is, computer repairers can make mistakes from lack of skills, by having more systems in place flaws may be able to be discovered. It is also possible they may overcharge, or deliberately damaged hardware/software for financial gain Snippet I viewed recently about Australia’s market quality: www.creightonbrown.geek.nz ( [url) www.creightonbrown.geek.nz Reality In my own opinion I think more standards for computer repairs, not in terms of the techniques to troubleshoot, but for safety for the end user should be established Thank you for taking the time to read this.	Captive (3159)
268951	2004-09-03 05:29:00	Registry of computer Repairs Maybe too ambitious, but it would kick ass for consumer and standard protection [well in my basic analysis anyway, someone out there can probably produce more detail *shrug*] 1] Repair shops to maintain a system documenting repairs, including categorised list of what work was done with details. National XML Web Service with only the shop/client being able to look at data or the admin for the XML service and associated management. Statistics are compiled as to problems. Service should be open to a variety of application developers to be implemented for shops 2] Complaints Through the web service customers can log in and look at their job or lay complaints to governing bodies. 3] Fines Those that fail on using static precautions or maintain other good work practise standards may be notified and inspected for problems. This could be used to assess the worst case offenders first. 4] Monitoring For those that are fined or have found to have below standard work practises the service could be utilised to contact other clients to check for further discrepancies in cases of suspect services.	Captive (3159)
268952	2004-09-03 05:36:00	There would need to be some assurance the system would be used though . E . g . an instant fine for those that do not log in the system if it were say nationally approved, and a fine of $150 . 00 would be adminstered on finding proof . The reporter would recieve part of the fine exchange for providing information about the breach of standard . Or maybe lose an accreditation rating? Govt standard would be best i would suppose, to make something like an ACC, a reasonable cover . . . but i guess various factors have to be weighed in e . g . cost, overhead, other Just ideas anyway I guess . . .	Captive (3159)
268953	2004-09-03 06:31:00	Hmmm. Have you looked at the margin in the hardware business lately? Better ways of protecting yourself as a consumer: Word of mouth. Listen to it. If one person says someone is ok at what they do then ask around. Get more than 3 positives and give it a shot. Educate yourself. Ask valid questions about could be involved in the repair. Would you drop your car off at the mechanics and say 'fix it' then walk away? You would be amazed at how many people will do just that with their computer. Ask for a receipt that lists work done and parts used. The problem with ethics is that some have em, some dont. Regulation will never change that.	Shaun Minfie (2961)
268954	2004-09-03 06:37:00	Hey Shaun :-) thanks for posting that Those are good points I definitly agree there may not be a universal fix for everything, but i have a theory that sometimes certain influences can effect the situation be it the same, an improvement or worsening depending on a large variety of elements which occur. I have a theory it would improve the market slightly but I do not know the figures or have any quantifiable data on it, well presently on hand atleast.	Captive (3159)
268955	2004-09-03 07:00:00	There are some regulated areas at present that use a similar system . LTSA and the WOF/COF system . The Electricity Industry and the Registry database of all installations Various certified tradesmen and their Registration details . The Police Wanganui Computer database These systems cost a lot of money . Thats not counting the maintenance, and one careless entry can cause a need for data cleansing periodically . As mentioned the profit margin is too low to support the overhead, and the majority of PCs never see a repairer in their lifetime (low hardware costs see to that) . If the cost is borne by only those repaierd PC's, nobody will repair, ever . The "health" of a PC is usually not a risk to personal life or safety, so unless we get a regulatory mad Government or a dictator then trust me, it will not happpen, it should not happen . If its an electrical risk, we already have regulations and a regime to handle that (The Electricity Regulations 1997) that must be complied with anyway .	godfather (25)
268956	2004-09-03 07:09:00	Hey Godfather :-) Yeah I suppose the margin isn't there, although i dont think it would need be as complicated as some of the ones you highlighted but i get the point, oh well. Might just be the smaller fixes that get used. Has anyone heard of Computer Repair stats in NZ?	Captive (3159)
268957	2004-09-03 08:01:00	Gentlemen, Ladies, and Others. As long as this industry is controlled/driven by Microsoft Intel Hp and the like there will always be service issues. There isn’t any real margin. The crews at the top are pushing replace every 20 months. Too many large and medium companies are riding the train. They can’t afford to let the public get off. Low margin = Low std service (I.e. its broken buy a new one). Linux and perhaps IBM are trying to indicate/drive a change. The pc of today is the law mower of the late 60s and early to 70s. Remember all those poky little shops fixing law mowers and kids bikes, and the dodgers that ran a lot of those shops. We may not like it but that’s were we are.	drb1 (4492)
268958	2004-09-04 03:00:00	Regulation in general will kill innovation unless some form of funding is also applied to R&D . I got to agree with those that have expressed in the negative with regard to regulation and/or statutary certification of PC repairers . There is nothing really to regulate; no health risk that is not already covered, no economic reason, no political motivation (ie, no votes) . As someone who practices in an industry that is moving to regulation/licencing of individuals, it is interesting to look at need vs want . Need is to protect the public and consumers and must have political support (and probably an economic function) . Want is to protect the (current) participants from interlopers and must have industry support (and financial incentive) and political allies . I my particular industry the vast majority of participants have no idea what is about to hit them or at what cost and, that there is a good chance they will no longer have a business (as an independent participant) . Mind you this lack of knowledge and understanding is endemic within the industry and one of the reasons regulation is required . Regulate/licence and watch businesses close and costs escalate, a totally un-necessary scenario in the computer industry in my opinion . Cheers Murray P	Murray P (44)
268959	2004-09-04 04:14:00	> Regulation in general will kill innovation unless > some form of funding is also applied to R&D. > > I got to agree with those that have expressed in the Ect > dustry and one > of the reasons regulation is required. > > Regulate/licence and watch businesses close and costs > escalate, a totally un-necessary scenario in the > computer industry in my opinion. > > Cheers Murray P You expressed this in a calmer manner than I, would but you are wright. Regulation will only bring jobs for the Govt boys, add to consumer cost, and Good small business failure.	drb1 (4492)
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