• The average consumer has experienced computer troubles eight times - about every four months - over the last three years.
• The average American is wasting 12 hours per month - the equivalent of half a weekend - due to problems with their home computer.
• A majority of Americans (52%) describe their most recent experience with a computer problem as one of anger, sadness or alienation.

information compliments of PR Newswire Poll

MinuteFix may be the most obvious form of tech help to come down the pipe in the last five years. It is not about the end product all the time though. The end product can sometimes be hugely obvious. At the same time it is also not about the money a company can make either. Sometimes it can be about the quality of life afforded to all involved through the availability of a product. So, what are some of the primary things that I have been thinking about that keeps me so interested in MinuteFix?

• Community of technicians. MinuteFix is unique in that it matches up certified technicians with computer users experiencing problems. If you have an issue with the Windows platform, what better way to see how to fix your problem than to watch someone as they walk through it with you?
• No waiting in line. I won’t lie. I am a Mac guy. I you were to cut me I would bleed candy apple red. I use my Windows box as a coaster most times. However, I have absolutely hated the two times I have had to get help with my computer(s) via Apple tech or (cue: “God forbid” gasp from the audience) stand in line at the Genius Bar to find out I just didn’t have a preference checked right.
• Easy payment. Have you ever bought a book from Amazon? Have you ever purchased a song from iTunes? If so, you are familiar with digital payment. That is what MinuteFix will operate on. You get help for seventeen minutes? You pay only for seventeen minutes. It’s going to be that easy. Hopefully we will accept Visa, debit, PayPal, etc.

Shortly after arriving in Paris to set up shop, my trusty Latitude D830 fell ill to USB food poisoning. Turns out that an external USB hub I had brought along with me, overpowered from the change in voltage and burnt out all USB ports on the computer. Luckily, Parham, at Booknolia, and an advisor to us on everything from shaving cream to hardware purchases, insisted on the Dell Total Care package when the laptop was purchased. It proved a life-saver in two ways. Meet Abdel. His nimble, long hands withdrew over 30 screws from my laptop, and changed the motherboard in an incredible, heart-pounding 5 minutes. Tempted by his talent, I inquired about his software skills. “I am Microsoft Certified”, he smiled and said along with his thick Parisian accent, “I can fix anysing.”

And there you have it, our first foreign technician recruit.

With a service like MinuteFix the question has, of course, been asked numerous times as to why we think it will even work. “Don’t you think people will be hesitant to turn over their desktop to a person out in cyberland?” Kind of ironic, I think, since the last time I heard this question was from a friend as he sat hunched over his laptop transferring funds from his savings account to his checking. “You seem pretty comfortable putting sensitive info out there,” I shot back.

There is no doubt that the mild submission of watching your desktop start moving on its own is a bit nerve-wracking. Considering that it is an almost instant way to receive tech support, it sure does beat that Muzak!