I know exactly how a doctor feels when telling people about the profession and I also have no issue comparing myself to a Doctor.
At first, I told my friends and associates that I am pretty good with computers and dont mind helping them fix issues.
Most times if it was a Software issue, it was normally a click of a few buttons and a long wait as things updated or did their thing.
Sometimes I would be asked to install a Hard Drive or other device, which again I didnt mind doing.
UNTIL....
I went with a mate to help him choose a new graphics card and after picking one, he went to pay for it and as this was many years back, installations werent as easy as they are now.
So the shop keeper asked if he needed help with installation and if so, a modest $10 fee is charged to make sure the system is operating at optimal capacity...
My mate just said no thanks, I have a mate that does it free, at which time the shop keeper looked at me, smiled sarcastically and said, "No problem"
That evening, I installed and setup the graphics card for my mate and I asked him if he wanted a pizza, which he replied, he did, but only wanted a slice, so shouldnt need to pay....
Anyway, when I got home, I had this niggly feeling that I couldnt shake and came to the conclusion, my mate wanted my expertise, but not only hasnt he ever offered me anything, also took quite a few slices of my pizza that he also got for free.
Since that time, I stopped offering my help and I let my circle of friends know as well, that I dont do freebies anymore.
Its also amazing how much my mates now pay someone else to do the work on their PC's, which I would have done for a 3rd of the price.
I go to parties at mates places and there is always at least one person talking about issue they have with the internet, browser or just speed of their systems and if I eavesdrop on the conversation, 9 times out of 10, I have the issue diagnosed, but of course, never letting anyone know.
These days, I build water cooled behemoth of machines and my mates want one as well, but to this day, not one of the has asked e to build them one, but instead asked a retail shop for a premade WC machine or asked a shop to build them a custom box, which I know is at a very inflated price.
Of course I help mates with quick fixes and so on, but I stopped all the free support I gave out before and I NEVER tell new people that I work on computers.
Funny thing is....
One day I was at a medical clinic doing some repair work on a PC when a Doctor started talking to me...
As I knew where the conversation was going to lead, I told the Doc that I understood why they never tell people what they do, as suddenly they get asked to diagnose systems etc...
The Doc chuckled at me and we had a long chat about things in general...
As I finished up and was on my way out, the Doc came up to me and asked me if I could quickly look at their laptop...
I laughed at the Doctor and said.. "Funny one Doc", and continued walking out of the building...
As I got in my car, I realized the Doc was serious as I flashbacked to the expression on his face as I laughed...
FFS, I have a boil on my Butt that needs some free work done on it... so I reminded myself to visit the clinic the next day!
All true, except the butt boil bit :P
