If you have ever been enlisted as tech support via phone for a parent or grandparent trying to work through a problem with technology, you know how frustrating it can be. You have to figure out how to solve their problem, but you also have to figure out how to talk them through the fix. You spend a lot of time asking questions like, "Is there a button that says something like 'input'?"
Take a few photos next time you visit, which may be this holiday season, to prepare yourself for the next time this happens. If they ask for help with the TV remotes, take a picture. Take a picture of the back of the TV. If they never use the convection setting in the oven, you can take a picture of the control panel. If you can make a note of their preferred settings, you can get bonus points.
If they need help with their phone, you can send them a screen shot of their home screens and settings if you know their phone model.
To aid your future self, note the make and model of everything they will call to ask you about a month from now. If you don't know which button to push, you can use this method to find the manual.
The tip is not only for kids looking to help their elders, either: One redditor says, "When my son moved onto his freshman dorm, I took a picture of the dials of the washers/dryers in the laundry room so I could talk him through his first couple of times Tech support can be offered both ways.
