Would it hurt you to reboot?

[catmmo.livejournal.com]

We have about 80 computers that are basically dummy systems - they're used for one thing, and that's it. The lusers just input numbers that write back to a database on the server. I don't mind the systems themselves - they're simple and straightforward. This is what I hate:

1. In order for them to start their input, the service has to be running. The service is built into the startup of the o/s, and whenever you reboot one of these, a HUGE window pops up that says "Starting Service" and after that runs, the program they use can be opened up and all is well. Sounds easy enough ... you would think...
Trouble is, the lusers don't like to wait for the service to start, and just try opening the program. I tell them over and over *headdesk* that "the big black window has to go away before you can start your program". Do they listen? Hell no.

2. <shock!> yes, occasionally they lose connection - 9 times out of 10 if they are getting an error, that's what the problem is. Easy fix? Reboot. Do they? Nope. Call in a problem ticket so I can go out and reboot for them. 
Then again, I think half of them think that when I ask them if they rebooted, they think I meant, "did you log out of the program and log back in?" Not hardly the same thing. I don't think they're smart enough to realize that, yes, I can find out when you last logged in or rebooted. I enjoy calling them out on that.

3. Okay, so there's 80 computers writing back to the server at the same time - it may be possible that they may experience some lag from time to time. They don't understand that either - it's always, "My computer is too slow," or "It's taking a long time to print out my tag after I put my number in," and so on. 

Random rant:
Dear Luser: When you open a problem ticket that just says, "My keyboard doesn't work" it might be nice if you added "...because I'm a dumbass and spilled and entire bottle of Pepsi on it."

Comments

[the-s-guy.livejournal.com]

Mmm... maybe try "OK, hit Start-Shutdown-Restart... now go get a cup of coffee. I'll be running some diagnostics on this end during the restart. If the black screen hasn't cleared away in exactly eleven minutes from now, call me back" ?

Sorry Not Topic Related.

[vespiamoon.livejournal.com]

Sorry this is not topic related, but I have been so busy helping a friend move, that I didn't even realize you're B-DAY just past. So I wanted to say "HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY" I HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT ONE! And hope you have many more.
AGAIN, I'M SO,SO,SO SO SORRY I MISSED IT.

Re: Sorry Not Topic Related.

[catmmo.livejournal.com]

1. Um, my birthday is in February, so yeah, that's REALLY belated.
2. Do I know you?

Re: Sorry Not Topic Related.

[kait-the-great.livejournal.com]

This thread is made of win.

/cause I like random stuff

[mouser.livejournal.com]

I've found a good fix for 1 and 2 is to talk to the person like an adult - and EACH time you have to repeat the instructions, like they were 5-10 years younger. (I got one done to "And them we take Mr. Mouse and click on Mr. Button...")


For number three, I tell them I'lll check, verify network usage of bandwith, then check LJ. When I get back to them, it's AMAZING how much better it is.

[mouser.livejournal.com]

Oh, and the last time I found food in a keyboard (ketchup) I took the keyboard and just walked away...

[reddalek.livejournal.com]

That's awesome. If they are going to act like children, why not treat them like children.

On the other hand...

It would suck if they started then to act like the age level you were treating them like (them being smartasses or if it was like some sort of Twilight Zone thing where they start regressing/de-evolving).

"That's a mouse? But I don't want to touch a yucky Mouse, ewwwww!"

[ladynisa.livejournal.com]

I've gotten out of the habit of telling people to 'reboot' because most of the time they think that turning the monitor off and on constitutes as a reboot. Telling them to shut the computer completely off has been much more effective.

[reddalek.livejournal.com]

1. They don't read either. It could say "Starting Service" or "I am starting up, jackass" and most will never catch on because they never read.

Error messages would be great also if they would read them and then let you know what the message says without just saying "The program crashed and there was some error".

2. The other end of the luser spectrum contains people who reboot by violently unpluging the cable or hitting the power button therefore depriving the OS its ability to cleanly shutdown and restart. Aren't they fun as well?

3. Explaining why there are lags or network performance issues can be completely pointless. Might as well play on with their fantasy that it is all magic. State that Bob from accounting is killing the pixie fairies and the gnomes so now the survivors are now having to pick up the slack.

If you give in and say it is the computer being slow to get them to shut the hell up, then they are just going to try to weasel out for new systems.