I recently did a quick interview on troubleshooting website/computer problems with LaVonne Ellis of The Complete Flake (she's not).

It's definitely much easier for me to *do* the troubleshooting than explain the exact process.  Partly because each situation is unique.  There are some commonalities, but it's a challenge coming up with things that work in all cases.

General Approach to Debugging Computer Problems

1. Gather info
   • Did this *ever* work?  When?  What's changed since then (no matter how minor it seems)
   • Program version numbers, product details, etc...
   • Operating System, web host name, etc..
   • Login details
2. Eliminate "interference" (narrow down problem location) if exact problem location unknown
   • If anything's been changed, undo the change if possible
   • Disable or remove potentially related devices, plugins, and other software
   • Verify any related configuration settings (volume/mute controls, userid's and passwords, etc).  Surprisingly often you'll be able to fix things during this step.
   • If it works elsewhere, see if settings differ, and note any other differences between the machines
3. Search for others having similar problems
   • Use as many keywords as you can to narrow the results (you want the results that are as close to your problem as possible)
   • Include any error messages and numbers
   • Exclude anything that may relate specifically to your computer/website... Don't include your domain, etc in any of the keywords
   • Experiment with variations on keywords if you aren't getting useful results (eg, "account", "userid", "user", "login")
   • When clicking on a search result, do a Right-Click and open it in a new window or tab.  You will often need to visit a fair number of sites to find the answers you seek.  Being able to go back to your search results list and continue can come in handy.  I often open up the top 3 or 4 promising results first, then go and view them.
4. Keep experimenting and trying things until the issue is solved.  This is the real "secret" to solving your computer problems.  I can't tell you how many people have told me how patient I am in dealing with this stuff.  Seriously, if I gave up early, I'd have far fewer positive results.  The more success you have, the quicker it will be next time.  Your  new knowledge builds to help each time you have a new problem.

The Computer Troubleshooting Interview has a few other tips sprinkled in, and as LaVonne points out, I blurted out something at the end, for her listeners which can help get you a real head start.  The offer may disappear once I've gathered the variety of case-studies I need to take things to the next step.

I know the list above isn't complete by a long shot, but it's a good start.

What other ideas and tools have you found to help you solve a computer or website problem?

-Tim

[this offer is over, but you can get even more time with me by heading over to the Tech Hotline page and signing up!]

I really like talking to people about tech stuff on the phone.  Whether it's the very basics of deciphering geek-speak terminology, or making sense of various WordPress, Drupal or general website problems and troubleshooting, it never fails to be interesting and fun.

With this in mind, and as a way to introduce myself to you, I'd like to offer FREE ($65 real world value) 30 minute Tech Hotline calls to everyone who either requests one in comments below, or tweets about it via twitter (@mindcue) between now and Tuesday Thursday midnight Pacific Standard Time.Offer closed.

If you tweet about it, please either also leave a comment below, or send a message via the contact form so I don't miss it.  If this is too much tech for you, just go to the contact form and request it there.

You can get some ideas from the Tech Hotline info page, or take a cue from these starting points:

• Website beginner: "I want a website, technology scares me, Tim, help!"
• Website novice: "I have a website, I think it oculd be better, Tim, help me rock it."
• Website professional: "I'm scoping out my competition, I want to know how they have this cool thing on their site and if I can do the same on mine".
• Anyone with computer troubles: "This doohickey is not working the way I expect, help!"

In reality, we can talk about anything, it's OUR 30 minutes to use in whatever way fits!  Often there will be follow-up via email, since it's virtually impossible to know details of every situation while on the call (and who wants those long pauses while something is being looked up?)

Remember, the window closes soon, so don't wait.  Your questions and thoughts don't have to be formulated yet.  You can wing it!

Details will be send via email once you comment or tweet.  I prefer calls done through Skype, and I don't care what country or time zone you are in.  If you don't have a Skype account, we can arrange calls via regular phone lines (or other services), no problem.

The fine print:  There's no way to guarantee that I'll have or be able to find the answer to everything you ask, especially in just 30 minutes. BUT I promise to do my best, and to follow through on any lingering items via email.  Fair enough?

Now.

3.....2....1....GO!

-Tim

Well, I did it.  I sold my childhood Hot Wheels collection last week.

Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it was still somewhat of an emotional roller coaster ride, which had a big dip for me this week.

When I was a kid, I used to spend most of my free money on Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.  Every sale one of the local stores had, I was in there looking for ones I didn't have.  Luckily I could ride my bike to most of them.

From time to time, I actually played with them, but mostly I collected, and admired them.  So much so that I even build a special stepped stand for them.  We're talking something like 300+ cars!  So the stand was either 8' or 10' long, with something like 4 two inch wide steps.

I'd sold the matchbox cars, and some of the newer, non "red line" cars for pennies on the dollar when I was a little older.  Probably not one of my better moves, but whatever.  This left me with a little over 100 cars left.  The oldest, and most interesting ones.

About a year ago I started pricing them out on ebay, and found that I had some rare/valuable ones.  Hmm...  I could continue to keep them in the garage, or sell them and make a few bucks.

A year later.  Last week, that's just what I did.

OVERNIGHT via buy-it-now.

Now, normally I might take that as good news, but I was actually somewhat distraught.  My thoughts kept going to the fact that I probably drastically under priced them, as anyone on ebay can tell you when something sells that fast--it's probably the case.

Then there's the packing up, individually wrapping each car, and getting the box ready to ship.  I misjudged the shipping price as well...

Jeeze Tim GET TO THE POINT ALREADY!

Ok, so I get it shipped out, and put it towards the back of my mind.

Then, I get what I at first interpreted to be one of the absolute worst notes I could have received from the buyer:

I got the box today no problems.

I have just two words………………..UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

These cars are much better than expected.

These are the best group of cars I have come across in a long time.

I am very happy and glad I splurged on myself.

I will be leaving positive feedback for you and would appreciate the same.

Hopefully you're having a good laugh, but let me explain.

You may have figured out why I at first considered this to be horrible.  I already suspected that I did a piss poor job of pricing the collection, and I still felt a strong emotional connection to the cars.  This just confirmed that I probably could have received substantially more for them, and my lack of knowledge in the condition grading process probably ruined any chance I had of getting a better price.

But what's really going on here?  Realistically, this:

• I made some pretty good money for something that was sitting in my garage
• I made someone extremely happy for splurging on them self
• I learned a valuable lesson about how to sell collectibles on ebay
• I freed up some room in the garage
• I got some positive ebay feedback
• I have a unique story and lesson to talk about on this site

Instead of bitching and moaning that through my own fault, I got ripped off, instead I realized that I really got a lot of benefit from the experience.  I reframed things in the positive, and most importantly in my mind, I made some ones day!

Sometimes it's not easy to do when there are emotional attachments.

What helped me in this case was realizing a few things.  The first of which was that it made more sense for someone who would continue to admire and enjoy them to own them.  Additionally, I tend to be pretty altruistic in nature, and there are many times I've done things with no expectation of payment at all, just to help someone out, or to make someone happy.  These things come easily for me.

There's no reason I can't change my outlook, and view this as a super win-win, so that's what I've done.  I'm glad to have passed them on to the right person!

Similarly, you can do this in all kinds of outwardly negative or challenging situations...

• Car brakes need replacing? -- good thing you had them checked, and even better that you didn't lose control because they failed on the road
• Lost your job? -- Now you have time and motivation to create your own ideal business
• Having trouble finding time to do *all* of the things you *want* to do? -- You have a creative mind, and will stay mentally young because you'll always be keeping active!
• fill in your own blanks here (it's late and this was an impromptu post!) _______
• ________________

The easiest way to do this (for me) is to make a list of the positives and the negatives, and then simply chose to focus on the positive, and consider the negatives as just noise trying to get in my way.  Another good way is to step back and look at yourself as you would a friend (you are you own best friend, are you not?) and follow through with what you would say to them--but tell it to yourself.

I'm sure these are just tips of the iceberg.

Check out Tim Borwnson's A Daring Adventure blog and coaching for many more (and potentially better) examples if this line of thought resonates with you.  I can't do justice to him and the amount of awesome content is on his site.

Cheers!

Ok, I just realized that I accidentally stole one of Richard Branson's book titles (or at least most of it).  Guess I should finally read the book, since it's been sitting my shelf for many months.

I'm going to be quick and dirty with this thought.  You've no doubt heard variations of it before, but it's always worth a reminder--as it was for me.  In fact it was the push I needed to start posting again.  It comes in the form of a simple analogy.  One which may have been used before, or not.

Credit Karen over at effindiets.com for being the catalyst, and I hope that she doesn't mind me making this public...  She'd recently commented that she was "in the process of screwing her head on straight", which is silly if you know her, since she's very much got her (non computer techie) stuff together.  Of course her comment could have had something to do with Yesterday's BoobQuake, but I unless I missed that post, I doubt it!

Here's the first thing out of my fingers from that comment:

As for screwing your head on straight--you are of course aware that it's far more likely that you'll cross-thread things a few times before getting it right (hey, I like that analogy!) Just a reminder not to worry about it, constant course corrections are inevitable and not something to be concerned about.  Tis all just a part of finding the right fit.

Put another way, if you just say "screw it," and just "do it", you'll make great progress.  It may take backing up a few times along the way, but that's to be expected.  It's all part of the process.  Of course every once in a while you'll have to replace the screw or nut, but that's another post entirely.

So what?  Well...

It reminded me that I need to start moving myself in the right direction.

It reminded me that perfectionism is drop dead fatal to my progress.

It reminded me that there is no substitute for taking action, and making course corrections along the way.

It reminded me that the only real barrier to almost all of my ideas is my own thoughts--and those can change on a dime.

It reminds me of much more, which I'll be sharing along the way as I post more (shoot me an email or tweet if I sluff off, ok?).

How are you going to say "screw it" and just "do it"?  What demons are holding you back, and what are you prepared to cross thread a few times on your journey?

Thanks,

Tim
[partial WBP]

P.S. Sometimes you  have just got to save the best for last, and I quote Karen this time:  "Of course, I do agree that it is very important to keep screwing until you get it right." ;-)