Jim Regan - Site Reviews
MyHelpDesk.com
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In a nutshell, MHD is a place to find useful answers to your hardware and software questions. Outside the nutshell, MHD is a directory of support and productivity resources - sorted, searchable and, best explained by using a specific example.
To the left of MHD's opening page is the Sample Helpdesk -- a short list of hardware and software that a typical computer user might have. (The total database to date includes more than 1500 products.) Clicking on the most common of these common denominators -- Netscape Navigator -- takes the visitor to the Navigator directory, a complete collection of related resources which includes Support Links, (including vendor support Web sites, phone numbers and e-mail addresses) more than a dozen sites to improve productivity, FAQ lists, Plug-ins, Updates, Beta Information, Online Training, Magazines, Articles, CNET and Compuserve Navigator Help Centers, and even information related to Navigator's Y2K compatibility.
There is also an assortment of relevant 'community' links -- Forums and Message boards, Clubs, User Groups and NewsGroups. If you've never taken advantage of the knowledge that resides in these societies, let me strongly suggest you give them a try. The first time I used a Message Board dedicated to my particular brand of MacIntosh clone, I was shown how to stop a new scanner from repeatedly trashing my hard drive. (The manufacturer was in full denial.)
Later, when my power supply's fan seemed to be dying, the members saved me from a retailer's costly assertion that I'd have to replace the entire power supply, by providing detailed information on where to get, and how to install, a replacement fan. One member even suggested the 'temporary' -- 10 months so far -- fix of using the topical application of some 3-in-1 oil. Not only do members of these communities know what they're talking about, first hand and from full-time, real-world use, they're enthusiastic about helping you solve your problem.
In addition to all this information -- and similar collections for the other products catalogued -- MHD also provides links to Infonet.com's searchable Computer Glossary, and invites visitors to suggest products and resources that are not yet listed in the database. (MHD launched on September 20, so it will undoubtedly grow as surfers discover and contribute to the site.)
Last, are the 'member specific' features of MyHelpDesk. Membership is free, (an extensive Privacy Policy page explains the hows, whys and where-tos of information collected) and brings with it such bonuses as the ability to create a personalized Help Desk -- specific to your hardware and software collection -- access to MHD Forums and Live Chats, and Notification Services to keep up-to-date with latest plug-ins, updates and other important developments.
(In the interest of making this review something more than one long feature menu...the design of the site is attractive as well -- easy to read and navigate -- though too wide for a 640x480 screen. Outside links open into their own windows -- under a Frame which includes links back to the MHD page as well as a highly unusual, but very useful, 'get rid of this Frame' link.)
That said, the features are what make the site worth bookmarking. MHD is essentially a tool -- it's not there to entertain or inspire, it's there to help. And if help is what you need, this site is the best place to start -- and probably as far as you'll need to go.
MyHelpDesk.com can be found, logically enough, at http://www.MyHelpDesk.com/.
(And, just to make it clear that not all support frustrations are on the consumer side, Computer Stupidities shows us the view from the other side of the fence. eg:"A girl walked into the computer center where I work. She said she was having problems with her Mac. I asked what kind of Mac she had. In an indignant voice, she replied, 'Duh, Intosh.'")
Jim Regan provides 'Today's Links' to the e-Monitor. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.