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As we're all going about our various Easter, Passover, et al., family celebrations, I have the perfect solution to help train your families to stop asking you for help with mundane computer stuff:
Every time someone asks you to do/fix something, give them a full talk about what is going on in their computer around that system.
Don't forget you can talk about lots of things too:
- concurrency
- TCP IP / socket networking
- multi-threaded programs vs. single threads
- RISC vs. CISC processors
- Why linux is better than Windows or Mac
- algorithms
- logarithmic runtime
- teach them how to convert between hex, binary, and base ten
Really pour it on too. Soon they'll either figure out that you are a highly-skilled individual who is not their personal geek squad, or they'll be too afraid of a big lecture to ask for help.
Works with my in-laws like a charm.

Comments
  • 3
    Why Linux ia better than Windows or mac os for you (fixed)
  • 0
    I tried it. They wait until you are done, and then say : so can you fix it or not?
  • 0
    @magicMirror You didn't ramble on long enough.
  • 0
    It may take a few times, depending on how thick your loved-one's skull is.
  • 1
    Don't be afraid to have fun with it too: Draw a diagram of how hashing / SHA-256 works or something.
    My personal favorite is explaining all the different electric hardware components in a microcontroller, and how assembly code controls hardware directly.
  • 0
    @capnsoup trust me, I did. Family members got used to my monologe. I suspect they tune me out until I'm done...
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