AfterDawn: Tech news

Google reveals Helpouts to connect people with experts through video

Written by James Delahunty @ 05 Nov 2013 1:17 User comments (9)

Google reveals Helpouts to connect people with experts through video

Google has launched Helpouts to 'help people help each other' using the convenience of the web and video conferencing.
The goal is to make it possible to find help for almost any problem you might have like how to fix your garage door, or how to remove a computer virus; or it might be guidance completing a project, like building a deck, or to learn to have a basic conversation in a different language.

With Helpouts, you can choose who you get help from based on their qualifications, their availability, their price, their ratings and reviews. Brands already touted by Google as getting involved include Sephora, One Medical, Weight Watchers, Redbeacon (a Home Depot company), and Rosetta Stone.

Once you're in a Helpout, you can do more than just talk--you can share your computer screen, collaboratively edit a presentation, or record your Helpout.

Putting its money where its mouth is, Google offers a full money back guarantee if your experience lags your expectations.

For Now, Google Helpouts is starting small with only a few categories, but swing by helpouts.google.com and see what's available anyway.

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9 user comments

15.11.2013 13:36

Can't think of why I'd use it. Just sounds like a security nightmare..

25.11.2013 13:41

Originally posted by dEwMe:
Can't think of why I'd use it. Just sounds like a security nightmare..


I assume all people offering Helpout services are screened by Google in some way.

35.11.2013 14:41

I seriously doubt that. Just as an example, you're aware how little vetting of Play Store vendors is done, right? And that's actual executable code.

45.11.2013 15:17

im assuming google will make money off it,no different than hiring someone just its done by video conferencing rather than in person making for cheaper fees and easier access.

55.11.2013 15:53

I'm very happy with You-Tube Tutorials: Free & on my own phase.
All it takes is to find a Good Hosts (Usually with the highest view number on their videos).
Right now I'm into PC-Coding & other things.

Just saying.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 05 Nov 2013 @ 4:58

66.11.2013 06:36

Originally posted by Mrguss:
I'm very happy with You-Tube Tutorials: Free & on my own phase.
All it takes is to find a Good Hosts (Usually with the highest view number on their videos).
Right now I'm into PC-Coding & other things.

Just saying.
i find youtube videos can be hit and miss depends on what you're trying to do.

I thing that i find extremely annoying is people that tell you do to simple things that arn't simple ( just as an example i had a car issue m8 whos a panel beater said its an easy fix just take the transmission out and rebuild it).

78.11.2013 16:00

Originally posted by xboxdvl2:
Originally posted by Mrguss:
I'm very happy with You-Tube Tutorials: Free & on my own phase.
All it takes is to find a Good Hosts (Usually with the highest view number on their videos).
Right now I'm into PC-Coding & other things.

Just saying.
i find youtube videos can be hit and miss depends on what you're trying to do.

I thing that i find extremely annoying is people that tell you do to simple things that arn't simple ( just as an example i had a car issue m8 whos a panel beater said its an easy fix just take the transmission out and rebuild it).
Well. I been rebuilding car engines, transmissions & heads. I finally realize that is just like trowing money away; as "Mechanic" use it to get "jobs".

The simple way around is to get a use engine (with few miles on it & un-rebuild) transmission or head.
Try to fixing it, could last you 6 months or 1 year the most (with a lot of headache in between). Unless you are a real qualify expert.

Out there we have diff. learning levels.
Just saying.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 08 Nov 2013 @ 4:06

89.11.2013 01:05

Originally posted by Mrguss:
Originally posted by xboxdvl2:
Originally posted by Mrguss:
I'm very happy with You-Tube Tutorials: Free & on my own phase.
All it takes is to find a Good Hosts (Usually with the highest view number on their videos).
Right now I'm into PC-Coding & other things.

Just saying.
i find youtube videos can be hit and miss depends on what you're trying to do.

I thing that i find extremely annoying is people that tell you do to simple things that arn't simple ( just as an example i had a car issue m8 whos a panel beater said its an easy fix just take the transmission out and rebuild it).
Well. I been rebuilding car engines, transmissions & heads. I finally realize that is just like trowing money away; as "Mechanic" use it to get "jobs".

The simple way around is to get a use engine (with few miles on it & un-rebuild) transmission or head.
Try to fixing it, could last you 6 months or 1 year the most (with a lot of headache in between). Unless you are a real qualify expert.

Out there we have diff. learning levels.
Just saying.
the point i was trying to make is to a panel beater whos had 6 years of training and works in a workshop daily its a simple job.
to a person with very limited mechanical knowledge,no workshop and no tools its not simple.

99.11.2013 01:51

Originally posted by xboxdvl2:
to a person with very limited mechanical knowledge,no workshop and no tools its not simple.
Especially if you don't own a chainfall. Oy veh.

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