When You Get "The Phone Call" – A Light-Hearted Look at Helping Friends with Tech Troubles

Ah yes, the phone call. 

It’s something every tech-savvy person, especially those of us who have been around computers for a few decades, has experienced more times than we’d care to count. 

Whether from friends, family, or even neighbours, the conversation often starts innocently enough, with a friendly, “Hello, how are you?” 

But you know it’s coming, and soon it will slip out...

“Something's wrong with my computer... It's acting funny.”

You sigh, but with a smile. 

You know the drill by now. You’ve been through it countless times before. 

The computer is "acting funny," which is code for, "I did something, but I don’t know what, and now everything is broken." And of course, there’s always that inevitable admission:

“I clicked on something... I don’t know what I clicked on, but now everything’s all messed up.”

I often reply to this with a half-joking, "... when you clicked on it, did it say, 'click on this and it will totally mess up your computer..?'"

"I don't know," is the reply... 

Here’s the thing – as much as we roll our eyes and brace ourselves for what will probably be a long and winding troubleshooting session, there's a part of us that enjoys these calls... we learn from them... and as every day's a school day, we find ourselves in our favourite class.

Having a reputation for being the go-to techie when friends or family members have a tech problem, means they trust us to be the digital Sherlock Holmes who can solve the mystery of why their computer now resembles something from a bad science fiction movie.  

That trust in us is motivation to calm them down and solve the problem as smoothly as possible.

So, let’s take a light-hearted journey through what happens when you get "the phone call".

Microsoft and Autism: A Journey Toward Inclusive Technology for Neurodiverse Users

Microsoft has long been recognised as one of the world's leading technology companies, but in recent years it has distinguished itself as a pioneer in accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for neurodiverse individuals, including those on the autism spectrum. 

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition affecting how individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. 

This can include challenges with social communication, heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli, and difficulties with traditional work environments. 

With autism estimated to affect around 1 in 100 people in the UK and millions globally, Microsoft has made great strides in addressing the unique needs of neurodiverse users and employees.

From product innovations to inclusive hiring practices, Microsoft’s approach is built on a philosophy of empowerment—using technology to unlock the potential of every person.

This article explores the various ways Microsoft is creating accessible experiences for people with autism, including their cutting-edge tools, platforms, and inclusive employment strategies.