Becoming a Problem Solving Tech
Tactful Tech is the project that helps you learn IT skills. You really should learn about the stuff you use everyday. Save time, make yourself feel awesome, and learn something new by becoming tech savvy. This is especially important if you offer tech support!
Some of What You Need to Know
Laptop and Desktop Repair
Sometimes good tech goes bad. You need to know how to diagnose issues and work with manufacturers and their RMA process.
Malware Removal
This category includes viruses, spyware, adware, and more. Sometimes users accidentally install this garbage. Most of the time it's on purpose because they choose shady applications.
Data Recovery and Backup Plan
You can't always recover deleted data but you can try. Most of the time stuff goes out and data isn't recoverable. Make sure to stress the importance of backups.
Network Support
You'll most likely be supporting wireless connectivity but it also helps to understand how to terminate ends if you have to run cable. Cable management a plus.
Mobile Device Support
Email and wireless will be huge here. There will be general application support but the big issue now is EMM (MDM) usage and support.
Cybersecurity
This category encompasses so many things. You'll run into this with basic support to accounts, antivirus, filters, system availability, VPNs, and more!
There's so Much to be Excited About
You don't have to be a tech for the rest of your life. IT and even cybersecurity are such broad fields.
There are many pivot points and so much stuff to manage!
If you don't have a clear path or even have a tech job yet, volunteer or freelance! I did this as side husles and even in gaps in employement.
Tactful Tech Articles
How to Batch Export Multiple Images in Photoshop
Whether you are exporting multiple custom images or resizing multiple stock images, you don't have to do them one by one. Save some time by using batch actions! What you will be doing is making an action that saves files with the settings you want. To start, do the...
Is KeyPass Safe to Use? Is the KeyPass Database Secure?
Password managers really have taken off since 2014. Of course, power users have been using them prior to 2014. One of my favorite password managers is KeyPass. It was one of the first ones I used and for good reasons. One of the reasons is KeePass has one of the best...
Why Is ModifiableWindowsApps and Program Files Folders in My D Drive?
One day, you look in your D Drive and see two extra folders: Program Files (with ModifiableWindowsApps inside)WindowsApps Program Files is owned by Services and WindowsApps is owned by TrustedInstaller. Attempting to delete these folders will throw an error, even as...
How to Fix Office Application Unable to Start 0xc0000142 in Office 2019/2016
I had an interesting Office application unable to start error (0xc0000142) today on Windows 10 when the OneNote icon loaded in the notification area. When I tried to open all the other Office 365 applications installed on my computer, they all started with an updating...
About That Subscribe to PewDiePie Printer Hack
There's another interesting hack in the works that shows printers are computers too. This has to do with that "PewDiePie printer hack." https://twitter.com/apex2504/status/1067512945322676230 People are posting printer hacks of weird messages to Twitter. This is in...
Reminder, Printers are Computers too
That's right. Printers are computers too. Remember when we found out a Canon Pixma printer can run Doom? That fun hack was nearly 3 years ago (at least published 3 years ago anyway). A security researcher from Context Information Security used modified firmware from...
Discover Your Favorite Tasks
Even though techs are deemed generalists, you can still find stuff to specialize in. You'll naturally gravitate to things anyway.
My favorite aspect was working with hardware – desktops, laptops, servers, and network devices. I love tech and could tinker with the hardware all day.
You Still Have Other Obligations
Unfortunately you can't spend all your time doing what you love. You still have to meet the needs of the department and overall business.
Learn to become a people person if you aren't becoming one already. This is the biggest lesson in being a Tactful Tech. Learn to talk to anyone and learn to love people! Don't get too swept up by tech or coding.
Invest in Yourself
Education doesn't stop after college and experience isn't the only thing that matters out there.
Keep up with learning by using learning platforms such as Udemy, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning, and CBT Nuggets.
You're not done when you get that course certificate though. Prove you're ready to use your new knowledge and put yourself out there.
What Employers Are Looking For
Potential Tactful Tech Topic Sources
It's quite a challenge coming up with everything you'll see in IT. Listed below are some of the things I could think of that I've gone through as a tech. At some point I'll most likely write about these topics.