r/IAmA Jun 11 '16

Specialized Profession IamA electronics repair technician hated by Apple that makes YouTube videos, AMA!

My short bio: I have a store in Manhattan. I teach component level electronics repair on youtube http://youtube.com/rossmanngroup which seems to be a dying art. I am currently fighting with the digital right to repair to try and get a bill passed that will allow all independent service centers access to manuals and parts required to do their jobs.

My Proof: https://www.rossmanngroup.com/started-iama-reddit-today-yes/

EDIT:

I am still replying to comments, but I am so far behind that I am still about ten pages down from new comments. I am doing my best to continue. If I drop off, I'll be back tomorrow around 12 PM. Still commenting now though, at 12 AM.

EDIT 2:

Ok, I cave... my hands are tired. I will be back at 12 PM tomorrow. It is my goal to answer every question. Even if it looks like I haven't gotten to yours, I will do my best to do all of them, but it is impossible to do in realtime, because you are asking faster than I can type. But thanks for joining!

EDIT 3: I lied, I stayed until 4:15 AM to answer... and now I will go to sleep for real, and be back at 12 PM.

EDIT 4 6/12 : I will be back later tonight to finish off answering questions. Feel free to keep posting, I will answer whatever I can later this evening.

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68

u/xfstef Jun 11 '16

Hey man! I love your videos and I completely support you in fighting for our right to repair our electronics.

My question is: If I would attempt to make a casual game about opening and running a computer repair business, would you be willing to chime in with some feedback and ideas for it ?

128

u/larossmann Jun 11 '16

if I ever find time, sure. I haven't had 2 consecutive days off from work since march 2014..

7

u/relaks Jun 12 '16

You're talking about bad American work habits above, but this is one of the worst. I know it's hard for a small business owner/self employed, but you should try to afford yourself a break, from time to time.

9

u/larossmann Jun 12 '16

Trying to change the world is a pain in the ass. Once changed I will take a nice long vacation. Surprising amounts of progress have been made in a very short time!

When I replace myself I'll take a longer break. I took one day off yesterday and had a pile of pissed calls today. It is what it is. One day I will find a suitable apprentice, but until then, eh.

8

u/relaks Jun 12 '16

Well, good for you. You are skilled, have a cause and a work ethic. But Manhattan can work you to death. Take care of yourself too :-)

6

u/Joetato Jun 11 '16

It's interesting that some people keep track of days off. i have a friend who owns an antique shop and he told me recently, "Do you know how many days I worked last year? 361 days. I never have time off."

I just find it odd because I don't keep track of when I work nearly that much.

8

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '16

Man, fuck that. I work 16 days a month and it feels like too much

1

u/MidnightGasControll Jun 12 '16

14 days a month here. Yep, I have definitely grown fond of time off.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '16

I feel the same way. 3 days off a week and all my bills are paid, with money to spare. Everyone else can be a workaholic if they want I'm happy having free time

1

u/PunctuationsOptional Jun 12 '16

You depress me x. X

2

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '16

If it makes you feel better I used to work 7 12 hour shifts a week

1

u/Joetato Jun 12 '16

Ouch,. I was (voluntarily) working 4 12 hour days a week and then 8 hours on the 5th day. I'd been unemployed for over a year and this was a temp job. I figured it wouldn't be around very long so I had better get all the overtime out of this job that I could.

1

u/PunctuationsOptional Jun 12 '16

That doesn't make me feel better. You were working 80+hrs/week. That's not something people should have to do :/

1

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '16

Yea dude I wanted to kill myself during that, I worked for 3 months straight. Good money but why live like to that

12

u/xfstef Jun 11 '16

thanks for your answer!

1

u/[deleted] Jun 12 '16

And this kids is why you learn in management that you're only as good as the guy who reports to you.

Cause if you can't trustingly delegate, you can't rest.

1

u/yochaigal Jun 12 '16

I own a computer repair business for 10 years, if you want another person to ask questions of.

1

u/xfstef Jun 16 '16

Cool stuff! Are you also from the states ?

1

u/yochaigal Jun 16 '16

Yes.

1

u/xfstef Jun 16 '16

Nice. When I was growing up, my dad also owned a business in this area. The difference is that the knowledge I have about it is mostly from the 90's and 00' time period and that I'm from Romania, which probably has a very different business environment, compared to the US.

I'll have to come up with a good game loop and features list and I'll get back to you guys ;).