(no subject)
June 22 2006:
I am now tasked with finding a local computer rental place (I am adamant that none exist, Germany is in the stone age) to conjure a stand in for his busted VAIO.
Didn't even ask politely. Addressing me on my bed, "You look comfortable, but I'm not happy with what you're doing for me. You need to find me a replacement computer."
Confronted him, wondering why his requests for technical help sounded more like expectation. "Because you're the guru", came the answer. I suggested that the "guru" would still like some politeness and gratitude, as follows: "Diene fragen nach technischer hilfe haben eine veil bessere chance, erfolgreich erfullt zuwerden, wenn sie das wort 'bitte' enthalten." Literally translated, "Your requests for techincal help stand a much higher chance of being successfully fulfilled, if they contain the word 'please'". To this, he answered "Maybe".
Personal commentary for my LJ readers: These sorts of situations are the ones that make me want to sell all my technology and go live in a cave. These, and the ones where people who don't know me at all use me for tech support. This is where I could give my rant - two seperate rants, actually: the one about how I'm just "the computer guy" to some 70% of my peers, and the one about how IT people in general are ignored until something goes wrong, and then treated with disdain.
Luckily for y'all, my readers, though, the first rant will never see the light of day because I'm quite content with the 30% of everyone that does know me, and because the people who do use me for tech support always express their gratitude very politely. The second rant is unjustified because my boss at The Printing Spot is very reasonable when it comes to IT demands and everything not running perfectly.
Case in point, I accidentally unplugged the server cabinet while working on a machine. Plugged everything back in ASAP, then ran to his office to apologize profusely for the downtime, but he was super chill about it. (The front desk ladies are a different story but they're not human, I've learned.) So the second rant might see the light of day when I have a more typical IT job.
Anyway, sorry for filling your friends page with this tripe/thanks for giving it your time and consideration if you do actually read it. I've said a thousand times that LJ is one of the safest places to keep this crap.