Would you like to share a printer connected to one computer, with other computers? Learn how the Tech Woes Pros Set up a Shared Printer.
A Shared printer
in its time, served a useful purpose. Sharing a printer involved connecting a
printer directly to a PC, and sharing that printer with others on the local network. Sharing like this required the host (directly connected PC) to always be on when others wanted to print. Needless to say, this arrangement was quite problematic. Finally, when inexpensive network printers became available, this type of sharing largely died off.
Following is a transcript
of a person wishing to share a printer and a mischievously unuseful tech support person. As is my policy, I have changed the names to protect the guilty. Any resemblance to real life situations is purely by chance. Or is it? Maybe a little bit of both. I hope you enjoy my subtle attempt at geek humor, and welcome you to express your opinions and share your frustrating experiences in the comments below. If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to share it with others. Thank you for stopping by. Craig Herberg
Unhelpful tech support guy: Technical support. How may we humiliate you?
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: I’m having trouble setting up a shared printer, and I get a message from my firewall. Can you help?
Unhelpful tech support guy: Of course. Ignore the firewall message. There is a better way.
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: I’m listening.
Unhelpful tech support guy: Open the document you want to print and write down everything in it on a piece of paper.
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: Are you kidding?
Unhelpful tech support guy: I’m technical support. Are you questioning me?
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: I’m sorry. Please continue.
Unhelpful tech support guy: After you write everything on a piece of paper, carry it to the computer connected to the printer and re-type it. Then print it.
Unsuspecting tech woes victim: You make it so easy. Thank you so much.
Unhelpful tech support guy: Any time. Thank you for calling technical support, where a stupid answer is only a phone call away.