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TalesFromTechSupport

When Mom and Pop Want to Make a Game: A Tech Support Tale of Passion, Perseverance, and Webhooks

Have you ever answered a tech support call that started simple—“I can’t access my database”—only to find yourself tumbling down a rabbit hole of quirky ambition, perseverance, and a dash of confusion? Well, buckle in, because today’s tale from r/TalesFromTechSupport is a delightful blend of heartwarming determination and classic tech chaos.

Meet our protagonists: a mom-and-pop team, two decades removed from a humble flyer for a “tech guy/coder,” who unknowingly set off a chain of events leading straight to a web game passion project. What could possibly go wrong? Spoiler: a lot, but not the way you might expect.

When Manuals Lie and Engineers Troll: The Wild World of AV Timecode Troubles

In the high-stakes world of live events, there’s one thing more terrifying than a client with a last-minute change: a piece of gear that refuses to play by the rules. Well, that and discovering the “loop-through” port is more of a “loop-and-pray” situation. If you’ve ever found yourself doubting the wisdom of a product brochure or cursing the name of an engineer you’ve never met, settle in—you’re among friends.

Recently, a tale surfaced from the trenches of commercial AV that will make any tech support veteran nod knowingly, clutch their oscilloscope a little tighter, and perhaps pour one out for lost hours spent syncing footage manually. It’s a story of sync signals, timecode, and the age-old battle between documentation and reality.

Tech Support Across Time Zones: The Printer that Wasn't Plugged In (Twice)

A family member troubleshooting a printer issue remotely with tech support on a laptop, illustrating family connections.
In this photorealistic scene, a tech-savvy family member assists their father with printer troubles, showcasing the importance of remote support in maintaining family connections, no matter the distance.

There’s an old saying in tech support: “Users lie.” But nothing quite prepares you for the moment you realize the “user” is your own father—and you’re troubleshooting his printer across seven time zones, while simultaneously picking up after your dog.

If you’ve ever been the designated family tech guru, you know the unique blend of pride and panic that comes when you get that phone call: “The printer’s not working.” You’re pulled from your evening walk, your mind races with troubleshooting steps, and, above all, you know—deep down—that the simplest explanation is usually the right one. But will your relative admit it? Unlikely.

When WiFi Gremlins Strike: The IoT Device That Defied All Logic

IoT network troubleshooting with SugarPixel device and hidden SSID issue in a photorealistic setting.
A close-up of a technician grappling with IoT device connectivity issues, highlighting the common frustrations of hidden SSIDs in a bustling network environment.

If you’ve ever worked in IT support, you know that Internet of Things (IoT) devices are the gremlins of the modern network. They multiply overnight, demand constant attention, and—worst of all—insist on their own special set of rules. But every once in a while, one of these gadgets decides to break not just the rules, but the very laws of physics as we know them.

That’s exactly what happened to Reddit user u/TechieJay23, who recently shared a tale from the trenches that’ll have any techie simultaneously laughing, groaning, and maybe even shedding a sympathetic tear. Welcome to the world of the SugarPixel—a device so quirky, it made a whole school’s WiFi cry for mercy.

When Desktop Icons Live in Monitors and NumLock is Witchcraft: Hilarious Tech Support Tales

Anime illustration of a confused user with desktop icons missing from a computer display.
In this engaging anime scene, we see the perplexity of a user facing the mystery of missing desktop icons. A relatable moment for anyone who's ever struggled with technology!

If you’ve ever worked in IT support, you know that sometimes, the only thing keeping you from rolling on the floor laughing is professional courtesy (and maybe the fear of being fired). From the legendary “cup holder” CD tray saga to asking if “the internet will fit on this USB drive,” tech support pros have seen it all. But every so often, a gem comes along that deserves a place in the Hall of Fame.

Today’s tales come courtesy of Reddit user u/dandy_g, who shared a pair of classic stories from their time as the all-in-one tech wizard at a small printing company. Prepare to giggle, groan, and maybe give your own monitor a reassuring pat.

How a Floppy Disk Boot Fiasco Taught One Company the Value of Hard Drives

Vintage PCs booting from floppy disks, showcasing Windows 95 and network connections in a retro office setting.
Dive into the nostalgic world of the 90s as we explore how our AS/400 programming firm utilized vintage PCs, network cards, and Windows 95 to connect seamlessly over Ethernet. This cinematic illustration captures the essence of our tech journey, highlighting the unique blend of custom software and file server networks that defined our daily operations.

Picture this: It’s the mid-90s, pastel colors and dial-up tones fill the air, and your boss just spent hundreds of dollars—per computer—to ensure that not a single byte of precious project data gets stranded on someone’s C: drive. How, you ask? By custom-ordering brand-new Compaq PCs with no hard drives, forcing everyone to boot from floppy disks like digital pioneers crossing the Oregon Trail. What could possibly go wrong?

Welcome to the world of AS/400 wizards, Netware magic, and the most creative (if ultimately regrettable) attempt at centralized computing you’ll ever hear. Today, we’re diving into a real-life tale from Reddit’s r/TalesFromTechSupport—one that’s equal parts nostalgia, facepalm, and pure IT comedy gold. Grab your 3.5" disks and let’s boot up this story.

The Case of the Missing Terminator: 1980s Tech Support and the “Ether” Panic

Cartoon depiction of thin Ethernet cables connecting vintage Mac SE computers in a school setting.
This vibrant cartoon-3D illustration captures the nostalgic essence of thin Ethernet networks connecting Mac SE computers in a school district office during the late '80s.

If you think IT support is wild today, imagine being a tech wrangler in the late ‘80s—armed with a trunk full of cables, a Radio Shack loyalty card, and nerves of steel. Today’s story, plucked from the nostalgia-fueled halls of r/TalesFromTechSupport, proves that some tech headaches are truly timeless.

Let’s set the scene: It’s 1988. The Mac SE is Apple’s hot new thing, shoulder pads are big, and Thin Ethernet (10BASE2 to the cool kids) is the backbone of school district networks—literally. Our protagonist, u/jasondbk, embarks on a 4-hour odyssey to save a small office from the brink of network oblivion. Why? Because one tiny piece of hardware—about the size of a large grape—keeps going missing. And the reason? Pure, unfiltered user logic.

When Mom and Pop Want to Make a Game: A Wholesome Saga of Passion, Webhosts, and the Elusive Good Dev

A cinematic image of a mom-and-pop team brainstorming ideas for a new game project, surrounded by tech tools.
In this cinematic scene, a dedicated mom-and-pop duo dives into creative brainstorming, inspired by a 20-year-old flyer that changed everything. Their journey into game development is just beginning!

Picture this: It’s just another day, you’re minding your own business, when your phone rings. The voice on the other end is an older woman, polite and a bit flustered, asking for help with her “database” on something called Hostinger. You offer your best support voice, thinking you’re about to guide someone through a routine password reset. But as the conversation unfolds, you’re pulled into a tale that’s equal parts heartwarming, bewildering, and a little bit tragicomic: a mom-and-pop team chasing their game-making dream, tangled in web hosting woes, and searching for a developer who won’t ghost them—or, uh, get deported.

This is no ordinary tech support call. This is the story of Mom and Pop’s Game Development Adventure.

When Manuals Lie: The AV Timecode Fiasco That Drove a Tech Mad

Close-up of commercial AV equipment showcasing sync and timecode connections for event setup.
A photorealistic glimpse into the intricate world of commercial AV gear, highlighting the crucial sync and timecode connections essential for seamless event setups. Discover why trusting the brochure might not always be the best approach!

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blinking control panel, clutching a user manual that reads like a choose-your-own-nightmare, and wondering why tech never works as promised, you’re in good company. There are few places more chaotic than the backstage of a live AV production—except, perhaps, the mind of the engineer who designed your gear. Today, we dive into a tale of timecode gone rogue, looping lies, and why sometimes, the best troubleshooting tool is a healthy dose of skepticism.

It all started innocently enough: a seasoned tech prepping for a high-stakes event, confident in his gear (well, as confident as anyone can be in flaky AV hardware). What could possibly go wrong? Spoiler: Everything. This is a story from the trenches, where manuals are more fiction than fact, and “loop-through” means whatever the engineer decided that day.

When Mark Said “No New PC For You!”: A Tech Support Tale of Office Awkwardness

Mark denying a new PC request in a tech department, illustrating office dynamics and decision-making challenges.
In this cinematic depiction, Mark stands firm against a request for a new PC, capturing the tense moments of office politics and decision-making that many can relate to in tech environments.

Picture this: It’s 2010. Windows 7 is the hot new thing, the world is finally breaking free from the shackles of Windows Vista, and your company is rolling out shiny new PCs for the whole department. The air is thick with anticipation—there’s nothing quite like the promise of a faster, cleaner computer to boost morale. Five desks, five people, five boxes of cutting-edge IT hope… or so it seemed.

Then comes Mark. Mark, the manager with a penchant for micromanaging and, apparently, for public humiliation. As our intrepid tech support hero (u/OinkyConfidence) is midway through the rollout, Mark strolls by, surveys the scene, and drops a bombshell: “Not one for her.” Cue the record scratch. The unlucky “her” is Sarah, still sitting at her desk, dreams of a new PC dashed in front of her entire team.