I have a really big gripe about tech companies

[canetoad]

They act as if they are my best friend with terms like:

-Let's get you set up
-We're almost done
-Let's talk about your adblocker (Slate)
-Hang five (yes, I read this piece of 60s surfer jargon recently)

I'm sure you can fill in more of these cheesy, insincere crap messages. What I need from tech companies is a clear statement of what's happening, possibly a "loading" bar or dial so that I know something is still taking place.

What I don't need is a gigantic tech monopoly pretending to be my buddy, using stupid, condescending language when all they want is my money,

[Nictuku]

1. I hear that fake scammer tech companies pay for ads in Google

So be careful! Once these guys have your phone number they may never leave you alone. This is especially a problem with fake virus scares that have pop-up (takeover your entire screen), with a 'microsoft' number to call, or Norton, or many others. Tech scams are very prevalent. They try to convince you that you have current connections of people doing bad things. And then they get your permission to install a remote desktop app. Once they get access, then (god forbid you ever do any kind of online banking) - they clean you out.

Another one is they convince you that when you were getting a refund (for some kind of fake charge on your paypal or something), they trick the victim into thinking that TOO MUCH money was returned, and now you owe them (that is ok, they take payment in crypto or gift cards)

I may be preaching when not wanted, I'm just trying to help. I'm very frustrated with the fact that BILLIONS ANNUALLY are stolen from our fellow citizens, usually elderly and folks that may not be too savvy with computers. I wish Congress would at least talk about this (uh, when they aren't on vacation), because something needs to be done about this. Given that most of the scammers are from other countries, there is not a lot your local police can, or will do.

The best thing we can do is watch out for each other, and try to teach as many people as possible.

None of this may apply to you canetoad, it just struck a nerve with me and I had to get up on my soapbox. Getting Tech Support these days is dangerous. (I worked in tech support for 30 years, and I've seen a lot of bad things I guess)

[canetoad]

2. I get where you're coming from

I've been using, building and dismantling computers since the very early dedicated word processors and typesetting machines.

In the 90s I had a moment of clarity while smoking a joint and cruising usenet; we are entering a post-truth world. And ain't that the truth!

[Nictuku]

3. Worse than I ever imagined

I mean, our TVs are spying on us FFS! (let alone our phones)