ARTICLE: Feeling Lost in Computerland?

THERE'S HOPE FOR YOU!
You may have been using a computer for a few months or a few years. But there are still moments when you feel lost! Suddenly, just when you thought you were beginning to become a "master" of your computer, it whisks away one of your files, or begins giving you strange messages! Of course, it's always helpful to remember that in the end - it's just a machine! But if its practical, rather than philosophical assistance you're looking for, we've discovered several resources that could offer you some hope. You don't have to feel like you're alone!

HOW TO FIND HELP
Maybe your fellow innkeepers aren't "whizzes" when it comes to computers either, and the nearest Best Buy is seventy miles away. So where can you turn for help when you need it? Despite the commercialization of the Internet, there are still some great online communities where you can find FREE advice and information. Many of you may be familiar with this kind of online community through the popular web site, http://bandb.about.com managed by Elizabeth Arneson. Online communities like About.com usually include helpful articles, a newsletter and a Forum or Chat area where you can post questions or enter discussions. For information specifically about computer or Internet related questions, you can login into the Forum area of http://netforbeginners.about.com and search for information on your particular problem and/or post your question.

WHY SEARCH FOR ANSWERS FROM AN INTERNET SITE?
Recently while attending a leadership seminar the speaker described his role as the one who helps "uncover the treasures of knowledge within." Any gathering of people carries a wealth of experiential and practical knowledge. Discussion boards are online treasures of knowledge that grow in depth and breadth with time. Many times, you will find your answer by performing a search of previous discussions on a particular topic. One of my favorite discussion boards to search for questions on Internet or computer related issues is http://www.zdnet.com/community/.

CLOSER TO HOME
If you feel more comfortable receiving advice from "familiar" sources - here are a couple used by innkeepers like you! Resources like "Technology for Innkeepers" - Discussion Board (www.easyinnkeeping.com) and PAII's web site (www.paii.org) contain searchable databases of resourceful advice - from your own colleagues and associated vendors! In both discussion boards you can search archives of old topics and/or post new questions. The "Technology for Innkeepers" board is open to anyone who visits www.easyinnkeeping.com

ABOUT YOUR SOFTWARE
Whether you have trouble with your reservation software or an accounting program - today's vendors usually provide lots of help on their web site - most of which is FREE of charge. Depending on the vendor you will find a list of FAQ, discussion area or even live online help as part of their customer service to you! Don't be afraid to email what you think may be a "silly" question! Most likely your software provider has heard your question before and has a ready and quick answer.

ABOUT YOUR COMPUTER
If you purchased your computer from one of the manufacturing giants like Dell®, Gateway®, eMachine®, or Compaq®(among others) - their web sites also provide free information on a seemingly infinite range of issues from installation trouble to adding memory to your computer. Their online forums are very well organized, making it easy to find information about your exact model of computer, monitor or other computer device. So if you've had trouble getting through on their customer service number, a visit to their web site may be worthwhile!

ABOUT OTHER TOPICS
Online discussion groups and forums can be useful for any area of business management in which you are seeking advice or suggestions. For example, the http://www.wineloverspage.com/ has several forums related to wine tasting and how to match a particular wine with an appropriate cuisine, to name a few.

TECHNOLOGY FOR INNKEEPERS
For some time, www.easyinnkeping.com has been offering a discussion board to its customers. Recently, I made a decision to open this board to the innkeeping community at large - as a place to entertain technology questions in general. Over the past few months, innkeepers would call in with questions related to topics on our resources section, or related to articles published here in the B&B Journal. Oftentimes, other innkeepers had asked the same question previously. By opening this board to the community, more people can benefit from the sharing of information!

I'll be monitoring our "Technology for Innkeepers" Discussion board in the coming weeks - so if you're still "Lost" feel free to ask me a question at www.easyinnkeeping.com I "hope" this article helps you find your way to practical answers and advice. Next time you feel lost, use these resources as a path leading you back to familiar ground!