It’s been almost a year since I last worked with DIY repair site FixYa but I still remember the traffic spike we’d see every Christmas. While families would be thrilled to unwrap smart phones, netbooks and flat screen monitors in the early morning, they’d find themselves lost in a sea of instructions by noon. There is nothing worse than having a new shiny toy and not being able to play with it. In addition to FixYa, below are a few resources you can use to help set up your new gadgets.
1. How Stuff Works: If you’re looking for a basic understanding of your computer or device, you can always check out this site for some helpful videos. The site offers tips on everything from adding RAM to your laptop to deconstructing your wireless mouse.
2. Videojug: This site offers videos on everything from cooking to cars. The site’s technology and cars section offers a variety of how-to information including how to get videos onto your iPod to how to set up your PlayStation.
3. Aardvark: When in doubt, ask the mob. While not specifically a gadget site, Aardvark allows you query your network for answers via email, instant message, iPhone app and web interface. Named ReadWriteWeb’s Best Little Co. of 2009, the beauty of this site is that only those with a self-proclaimed expertise will be asked to solve your gadget problems.
4. Gdgt: Gdgt is a social wiki site where users trade tips and tricks on their favorite gadgets. Launched by former Engadget editors Ryan Block and Peter Rojas, the site offers specs and reviews on some of the newest products on the market. If you can’t solve your gadget-related issue on one of the video sites, it’s probably because the product is too new to have how-to videos. Check Gdgt for the listing and look at the discussion page for details.
5. iFixit Teardowns: And finally, if you’re feeling ambitious and you don’t want to wait on the phone for a manufacturer’s 1-800 number, iFixit offers user-generated teardown guides. The guides give a photo documentation of gadget disassembly as well as commentary on parts and hardware. Check your product documentation before venturing into this territory, you wouldn’t want to void your warranty before getting the device working.
