What do you do when you need a helping hand?

My first job at AMD was as a Support Engineer helping customers with our networking products.  Back then, I was dealing primarily with engineers at companies like Cisco, Netgear, and even the federal government that used AMD’s networking chips at the time.  After a while, I took on the role of CPU support engineer and eventually I supervised the whole North America support team.  One thing I quickly learned is that there are a wide variety of support issues out there and no matter how well trained you might be, no one knows everything.  It is important to have variety of resources available when you need that next level of support.

The Internet has become a great resource for getting support, sharing ideas, researching products and so much more.  Forums, blogs, support sites, web review sites, the list goes on and on.  There is almost limitless information out there that can greatly aid you in your endeavors. 

To ensure we are all on the same page, let me provide a brief explanation on terms I am using. 

Forums are community message boards where members can interact, and post questions/answers to other members.  These are typically user to user environments.  They are often organized by topic and in many cases free to join. Some forums may be regional in nature (language, etc.) while others are more international.

Blogs (like this one) are typically limited to a few (or even a single) author writing about various topics. They may be informal experiences or formal guides on a specific topic.  It is usually one way communication but often also allows for comments that may or may not be addressed by the author. 

Support sites are typically the official communication channel back into the manufacturer for any support related issues.  They may include email forms, telephone support numbers, knowledgebases and FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) along with product documentation.  Some support sites will also have their own forums dedicated to their products. 

Web Review sites are typically 3rd party sites that independently review products in the market.  These vendors may buy hardware off the shelf and review it or be sent products from the manufacturer for review.  Review sites try to maintain an independent voice when reviewing products to maintain their credibility.

In keeping with the HTPC theme I started, I thought I would share some specific resources that I have found useful in my HTPC travels.

Some of these sites are forums (community gatherings of people with similar interests) while others are blogs (like our own blogs here) written by people that may have some level of expertise in the HTPC arena.  Sites are listed in no particular order and are a mix of Forums and Blogs. 

AVS Forum. One of the premier sites for anything audio/video related and a great resource for the HTPC.

Australia’s XP/Media Center Forum. A great bunch of blokes sharing an interest in the HTPC community in the land of Oz.

AV Forums in the UK. A great forum for HTPC and general computer related topics.

Ian Dixon’s website. A great source and early pioneer for HTPC and Home Server related topics.

Chris Lanier’s blog.  Another one of the pioneers of the HTPC space.

Missing Remote. A general HTPC resource.

HTPC Forums. A small forum community dedicated to all things HTPC related.

The Green Button. Another great resource for Microsoft’s Media Center.

Hack 7MC. Another great resource for Microsoft’s Media Center that is focused on Window’s 7.

Geek Tonic. A great resource for Sage TV related content.

Silent PC Review. 3rd party review site and a great source of info for helping keep your HTPC quiet.

If you are having difficulties with your HTPC, there are plenty of people out there willing to lend a helping hand.  Sometimes, it is just a matter of knowing where to look.

The sites listed above are just a few of the great resources and communities that can help you on your way and only begin to scratch the surface.  If you know of some great HTPC support sites and communities, please leave a comment.  I am sure others would love to hear about new places where knowledge can be shared and gained.

Till next time, Happy Trails!

Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.