I know I'm a geek and I understand Technology . . . the whining post

I've been officially out of the tech industry for over 4 years now. Do I keep up on current technology trends? Somewhat. Am I as sharp as I once was? Not even close. Am I flattered when someone asks me my advice on anything Real Estate? Absolutely. I light up like a christmas tree in a cave! I love talking real estate. Buyer? Seller? Investor? Just kickin' the tires to see what they're made of, I don't care, ask me a question. If I don't know the answer, I'll get it.

I'm surrounded by some of the best agents in Pierce County, I dare say the state. Many of them I look up to for advice and counsel. Thankfullly they freely give it. And are happy to. When they call me asking for advice or help with a technology issue, I'm happy to consult, or even dig in and repair a computer or three. But here's where I get miffed . . . . (get ready for the whine).

When an agent in my office calls up to ask my advice about something technology related that normally wouldn't give me the time of day . . . it sets me off. I've even had people from my office call me that I didn't even know. They called up and said "Hi John? This is Dave Smith, from the office?" I say "Hi Dave, what can I do for you?" thinking in my mind they are calling on one of my listings and desperately trying to remember who Dave is or what he looks like or even if I've ever met him before. "Tim told me you were the tech guy in the office and I'm having a problem with my do you have a few minutes to help me?" My favorite question is "I'm having problems with Adobe, can you help me" and when I reply "Adobe what?" I get silence. I say "You're having a problem with Adobe the company? So am I, they laid me off 4 years ago and now here I am left explaining to you that Adobe is a company NOT a fricking product! Adobe makes dozens of products, but you in your infinite wisdom are probably referring to Acrobat Reader not realizing that Adobe also makes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.etc. No you're too G** D*** ignorant to even ask me the appropriate question!" OK, maybe I don't say that, but I think it and it comes out like "Sure, what's the problem?" And I spend 15 minutes of my day explaining that the "Any" in "Press Any Key to Continue" does not necessarily refer to ANY key. Like pressing the Shift key for example . . . but I digress . . . It would be nice if in return they said "Hey John, I really appreciate the help. Would you like to co-list this $3M mansion on Lake Tapps with me? It's just a bit out of my league and I could sure use your expert market knowledge on this one." But I guess that's just a pipe dream.

So now I get to call an agent back and explain to her why changing the drum in her color laser printer is a lot easier and cheaper solution than buying a whole new laser printer. Or maybe I'll pick up a nice HP all in on color laser printer for the cost of a drum? Who knows? She's lucky she's one of the agents I respect and look up to, or I might just recommend that she buy a Cannon bubble jet for her flyers cause bubbles are the way of the future you know? I mean they're BUBBLES man! How can you not like BUBBLES! Then I'll tell her she needs the new Microsoft Surface for her listing presentations. Just think how impressed your future clients will be when you bring a forklift to your listing presentation and it sets the Surface table down in your living room.

22 Jun '07 - 14:26 | John | General | 2 comments | Permalink

It's not a computer . . . it's a big ass table . . .

OK, a few weeks ago, a friend of mine sent me a cool video about a cool new product from Microsoft called "Surface". It is aimed squarely at Apple and it looks REALLY cool. First look at this video to familiarize yourself with surface . . . then go on to the one that follows from Sarcasticgamer.com. Hilarious!

The "Real Video"

The Parody

Too frickin funnuy!