There are many issues with computers that need support. The way we can receive that support is what computer support technology is all about. Since support is part of computing
life and there are always bugs, problems, guidance, etc… that need to be given by some sort of a support entity, we can expect ways that will help us receive that much-needed support.

The ways that we have today for giving support
are either making a phone call for a support member at the service center or contact him by online chat, and just chat with him about your problems, exactly as if you were chatting with your friends on a messenger software, describe your problem and get the instructions to your solution from the tech guy on the other side. Another option is to get someone to log in to your computer and see what you see and solve your problems. You can decide just to open a support case, on the company’s support page on the web, and you will get your solution via e-mail.

So, to summarize what I just mentioned, there are these types of support ways:

1. Calling a support tech, talking on the phone to describe the problem and get solution options.
2. Opening an online chat, write your problem description and read the answers given by the tech support person to get solution options.
3. Opening a support case, describe the problem, and wait for the solution via e-mail. Unless you have registered to get full support, then maybe you will get a call from the support person and get the solution options on the phone.
4. Ask someone to login to your computer with your permission and let him fix your problems online. (web-based shares – or programs that enable control).

•    The telephone, Cell-Phones: Well this technology is one of the oldest, as the first telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in the year 1876. Using phones is the quickest way of getting the information exactly when you need it. Many use cell phones today since it’s available, quick and efficient to get the information you need ASAP. If you get lost in a city and need to find a place you can call a friend with an internet connection, that can quickly check on an online map, to find you the address you need and direct you to it, so the Phone technology is one of the more common ways to get support.

You have to remember that every website – usually has the “contact” section, where you can usually contact the company, by either phone call, sending an e-mail request by filling out a form, etc… The contact ways will be detailed there.

•    Since most of us use the Internet today, there are options to browse online and seek a solution to your problem. You can address the company that gives the support, and if they have an online chat option, you can use that to talk to someone online and get the answers you need immediately.

i.    (the downfall of that is that most of those online chats are really busy, and you might spend some time waiting for the tech support person to be available to you.)

Some Examples:
a)    Live Person – This company has some solutions, for placing a live support chat on your website, check it out.
b)    Provide Support – This is another solution to place a live chat on your website.
c)    Mioot – Another live chat software – check it out.
d)    SightMax – This is a live chat software – that also fits a smart mobile phone.

•    Opening a Support Case: There are websites that enable their clients to open a support case. Mostly the support case might be available only for registered users, or it might enable you to enter the contact information, during the process of opening the support case, since they have to know how to contact you when they have the solution, which e-mail to contact or the phone number to give you a support call back.

Some Examples of Support Case websites:

• Citrix – Explanation on opening a support case.
• Automation Anywhere – This shows how does an online contact information form look like.
• Cisco – This shows a login screen for returning registered clients – by Cisco.
• SugarCRM – This website shows on the left menu – the options given for customer support.

•    Remote Desktop Sharing: There are ways to get the support you need by just allowing someone to access your computer, with your permission (you have to allow them to go in, following their instructions) so they could see your screen, and do the problem solving for you. They can see the problem you are experiencing and help you solve it. You can even see them do it.

Some Examples of such solutions:

• The top 6 remote desktop sharing programs – You can see some of the remote desktop sharing solutions out there, which enable a support person to access your computer, see your desktop and give you support.
• Mikogo – This website enables you to share your desktop, and other solutions like online meetings, conference and remote support.
• SkyFex – A web solution that enables remote desktop support.
• NetViewer – This website enables online support, online meetings, and presentations, etc…

We often get annoyed when we stumble upon a computer issue that we can’t solve, or we just can’t understand why something doesn’t work for us. We want to install something and we get errors. We want to operate software and it doesn’t do what we need it to do. When all of those annoying occurrences happen we wouldn’t mind having someone to call, someone to get computer help live, well… there are some options out there to do so.

Today most of the computer help you might find are remote live support. You contact a computer live help online (there are some who give 24/7 online support), explain your problem, and get the help you need. Those websites – which probably will take a small fee for giving you the service, or you might need to register with them, but eventually you will get the help you need from someone online, someone who will talk to you live, and figure out how to solve your problem.

This type of solution does help everyone, you will get your solution almost immediately (if the problem can be dealt with online, and it’s not a hardware problem issue, which needs you to take the computer to the “Doctor”, the closest computer lab in your area. You will not need to set an appointment with someone who needs to drive to your home, which might have a busy schedule, and can make time for you only in 2 days, those computer live help support team are there for you, and the support lab is open 24/7).

The type of computer live help you can get consists of: Virus & Spy-ware problems that might slow your computer down, popup windows, in short things that happen on your computer without your intervention. Printer issues,
Network issues, Unlock of forgotten passwords, Office installation and guidance issues, Sound problems, Data recovery, Backups and of course just pure advice.

Here are some links, just as an example – you might want to look for computer live help near your location, in your language.

Computer Live Help Example Websites:
http://computerhelpsos.com/
http://www.livepcrepairservices.com/
http://www.askdrtech.com/
http://www.computergeeksonline.net/
http://www.geeksbyminute.com/

We always want to be in control and some of us have information at home that we might want to be able to access remotely. Accessing the home computer remotely means that you connecting to the internet and want to be able to access your home computer and perform certain operations. Those types of operations have some effect on which tool to use since some of the tools enable a certain type of access and some take control of your own computer, so you could see the same screen of your home computer as if you are standing in front of your computer.

There are certain security measures that need to be understood. When we open access from the outside to our computer we actually open a door for someone (hacker) to access our computer, or to be able to do so. If the door would be closed and shut with a brick of the wall, then it is closed. But if we decide to make an opening, an external person can reach that opening, and might, of course, use it to do some harm, see our materials (in case they are confident – it might be risky) or spy on our actions, and maybe if we do not pay attention to see some important information like when we log-in to our bank account from home or place a credit card number on an online website to purchase something. If your computer is breached all of those actions and more can happen to your home computer.

The remote access tools are being divided to online programs, software programs. The online programs are programs which are using internet technology to enable the remote connection like the LogMeIn, GoToMyPC, TEAMVIEWER, WEBEX PCNOW, some of the support people use WEBEX technique to gain access to your computer, seeing your screen, with your permission of course (you initiate the session) and you can see everything the support person does on your computer. The software programs are tools that open access and enable the end-user (remote person) to take control of your home computer. Some of these programs are TightVNC, RealVNC, Symantec PCAnywhere, LAPLINK and there is a built-in application in Windows XP, called remote desktop (you can run it by typing on the start–>run MSTSC).

Some programs might require you to set a permanent IP (called Static IP), which means that you will need to ask your ISP for a permanent IP to your computer. The ISP will give you an IP, and you will need to configure your home computer’s firewall NAT (network address translation) which means you will have an internal IP translated to the IP the ISP gave you. The only IP a remote person (or anyone outside of your home) will be the ISP IP, which protects your internal IP (no one will know what your internal IP is they will only know the external IP that you set on your home computer firewall. That IP directs to your computer, and so there is a way to access it, with the correct tools, and of course only by knowing the access password.