Get Help
Links to Solutions (Overview) page.
Online Resources.
Consulting (tele or in person)
Request a on-site – Virginia.
As stable and wonderful and great as Open Source Software is, there will still be times when people get stuck. We try to make it extremely easy and as painless as possible, but there are those days when the computer becomes stubborn, or the person sitting at the keyboard just does not understand the appropriate geek-speak needed. That is where we come in.
- Documentation: The best way to fix a problem is not to have one. The second best way is to answer the question before it is even asked. OTM will be providing extensive documentation and tutorials on how to use the programs contained. Some will be independent, and some will be integrated into the educational curriculum. Feedback will always be welcome.
- Online Forums: Forums are perhaps my favorite way to find out an answer when I’m stuck. A well-managed forum allows people to interact and share experiences and advice. They allow you to post messages, much like a public bulletin board, and after people read them, they reply to comment or answer your questions. You can also search forums for previous posts that may answer your question without having to post a question.
- Internet Relay Chat (IRC) will also be used. Already installed, it is like instant messenger and forums combined. People watch and interactively message one another with help. I am often in the #morphix channel on freenode.net.
- Email & Phone: Email seems to be pretty obvious. We will probably try to use mailing lists. That means when you send your support request, it will be forwarded to a group of people who might be able to help (much like the forums above). Phone support will be limited, but some things are still better said by mouth than type.
- On-site services: This will depend on region and availability. If it is a big job, and resources are available, we may fly an expert out to you. If not, we may contact a local Linux guru (meaning he is a super-geek) and either ask him to volunteer a little time (very likely) or offer pay him for it. One large resource is Linux User Groups, which normally meet once a month and are generally interested in helping causes like Open Tech Ministries – especially if it promotes a better understanding and propagation of their favorite Operating System – Linux.