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 every day. 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 Fix Paper Capture Recognition Service Errors 10001 in Acrobat
If you’re stuck in Adobe Acrobat, you’ll need to fix Paper Capture recognition service errors before you can make changes to your PDF. The error pops up after you try to edit a scanned PDF document or export a PDF document into another file format, like Word. The full…
Synology NAS Package Center Doesn’t Connect
You go to your Package Center and your packages don’t load at all. The error is Connection failed. Please check your network and time settings. The problem is the URLs required by the Package Center can’t be resolved. There are a few issues that can cause this. They…
NAS Hard Drive Disappears From Synology Storage Pool
Upon entering your office, you hear beeping from your NAS. You log in to DSM and see that there is an alert that a drive has been removed, causing a System Partition Failure. The problem is the drive was never removed. To get the missing drive to show back up again,…
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
No matter how great you are at your technical skill set, if you can’t play nicely, then you won’t last long. Boost your collaboration credibility by seeking out opportunities to work in a group environment, especially cross-functional teams.
Strengthening a soft skill is one of the best investments you can make in your career, as they never go out of style. Plus, the rise of AI is only making soft skills increasingly important, as they are precisely the type of skills robots can’t automate.
We actually value skills over experience in the grand scheme of things. Apply if you have the relevant skills even if you don’t have the right experience, because we’re looking underneath the surface for what’s really going to matter here and that’s what skills you can bring to the table.
Critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and problem solving are a must as companies continue to blur the lines between business and IT.
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.