Did I mention communication? This is the single most important thing you can do when when explaining a technology problem to a techie. About 50% of the Dilbert comic strip is based on communication issues on the topic of technology (so true to life at times I want to cry instead of laugh).
Putting this into context: You would not call the police to report your car has been stolen and demand it be found within the next 5 minutes. Good luck getting your car back! The police cannot do their job without knowing the color, make, model and license plate #. Technology issues are like mysteries and the more clues there are, the better the chance of finding a cause.
If you have ever heard the radio DJs Bob and Tom recording of the Mr. Obvious show, you know what I am talking about. Timely enough, with Thanksgiving around the corner - the one about difficulty cooking the turkey is my favorite.
The second most important thing is to having enough patience to cope with frustration. Don't bite the hand that feeds you. Taking frustration out on the person who is there to help you is highly overated. Technology is complicated. Problems are often fixed by trial and error which is the best way to learn - ask a Montessori school - but also can be the longest path to a solution.
IT stands for Information Technology and when it breaks, it ceases to exist (or work) if you do not give the Information necessary to fix the Technology.
Smart Christy
