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Quick tip: Use AI for tech support

Quick tip: Use AI for tech support

Do you ever have software headaches?

Or some new gadget you’re trying to figure out?

I know I do.

But any writer working from a home office doesn’t have any IT team to call.

When we need tech support, we’re often stuck. We can try:

  • Combing through online help for unhelpful answers
  • Searching Google to see if anyone else has the same problem
  • Watching 10-minute videos on YouTube that may not answer our question
  • Waiting for tech support or online chat

All these can be time-consuming and frustrating. But here’s a new twist.

Next time you’re stuck with a tech problem, give AI a try. It’s awesome.

And so what if it’s wrong once in a while? So are the people answering tech support calls.

robotic hand placing final piece of jigsaw puzzle

AI serves up good answers to tech questions

I recently asked ChatGPT for help with three different software issues.

All three times, the AI helped solve my problem quickly.

Here’s the first prompt I used:

You are a seasoned accounting expert with in-depth knowledge of Quickbooks Online. I’d like your help with a problem.

I am trying to enter an expense and I keep getting this error message:

Something’s not quite right. Unexpected problem: -1

I’m using Safari v17.1 on a recent iMac with 16 Gigs of RAM.

I already cleared my browser cache. What else can I try to solve this problem and get back to work?

ChatGT instantly came back with a well-structured list of seven things to try.

I tried the first suggestion: Refresh the page.

Who woulda thunk it? It worked?!

A few days later, I used AI to answer a question on Camtasia video software. It gave a good answer in five seconds.

And third, ChatGPT patiently guided me to set up a shared drive for confidential records—a problem that had stumped a GeekSquad technician on an all-day house call.

That’s three out of three problems solved in minutes.

So next time you need help with some tech problem, try AI. It’s awesome.

 


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About Gordon Graham

Worked on 323 white papers for clients from Silicon Valley to Switzerland, on everything from choosing enterprise software to designing virtual worlds for kids, for clients from tiny startups to 3M, Google, and Verizon. Wrote White Papers for Dummies which earned 60+ 5-star ratings on Amazon. Won 16 awards from the Society for Technical Communication. Named AWAI 2019 Copywriter of the Year.

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