Support Tech Specialist Website Customers Companies Purchased Common

Many companies offer "tech support" (technical support; assistance in using products or services correctly) to their customers, especially to those who have purchased computers, phones, cameras, or other technology-based "devices" (small machines). Sometimes basic tech support is included in the price of the product, but in other cases, the tech support must be purchased separately.

One common type of tech support is "live chat support." In this service, the user goes to a website and opens an "instant messaging session" (a window where two people can exchange typed messages to communicate) with a "support specialist" (a person whose job is to provide tech support to customers). The customer describes the problem, and the support specialist provides simple instructions to "troubleshoot" (identify the problem and find a solution).

For more complex problems, "remote PC support" is a common type of tech support. With "remote PC support," the support specialist "temporarily" (for a short period of time) "takes control of" (has the ability to control) the computer, and the customer can see what the specialist is doing by watching the screen. This way, the support specialist can explore the computer settings and make technical changes as needed, without having to explain the details to the customer.

"Nowadays" (now; in modern times), some companies are "turning to" (beginning to have or use) "crowdsourced tech support" in which customers provide advice and guidance to other customers. Website "forums" and "message boards" (websites that allow people to exchange messages, and keep those messages on the website into the future) let customers ask questions and receive answers from other customers, as well as support specialists paid by the company. Customers can search these websites to find out whether their questions have already been "addressed" (answered; responded to).