A little recognition goes a long way.

[mightyj.livejournal.com]

I am the IT Operations department for my company. I install, maintain, and support 2 distinct networks, 35 servers, 50 PC's, 12 Macs, our company web sites and our antiquated phone system. I am responsible for our SOX and PCI (credit card industry) compliance. I am on call 7x24x365.

Today I was helping a user with an especially difficult to track down intermittent problem on his PC. It was extremely gratifying to hear him say, "Boy you have a lot of work to do. I can't believe this company gets by with only one IT person."

congressional hearing ftw!

[ebtb.livejournal.com]

Here's my favorite email of the day, verbatim of course!

There is no way to uninstall this pieces of software. No uninstall option when I mouse over it in the Programs list at the Start icon; no listing in add/remove software.  I need this off my computer, and I need it off NOW.  I am not the quiet type, and I have the email addresses of all my local, state, and national representatives.

(no subject)

[lihan161051.livejournal.com]

Is it bad of me to cringe when I hear certain regional accents because they are a warning of what is to come?

(No, not the ones you'd think.)

They just don't get it...

[attackgypsy.livejournal.com]

When we have new techs come out of triaing, they do two weeks of what we call "transition". They are taking calls, but nothing is ever held against them, unless its something huge like tell a customer where to go... and they are HEAVILY supervised. By heavily, that means two senior techs and their trainer for 8 trainees.

Last night was the last night of transition for this class. And, one of them has an outage call. Had been down for 22 hours, but was back up now. Ok, no problem. Wanted a credit. also no problem. Got a whole 1.47 in credit. Then he started screaming at my trainee (ok, I was the senior with them. I enjoy doing it) about why weren't they called about this outage being so long, etc... That's when I got the phone.

He started up with me, and I told him exactly why he was down so long. Something nobody in our department knew, because I happen to be friends with somebody in dispatch, I found out.

"Sir, there was a major automobile accident in your area last night that destroyed several telephone poles. That is what caused your outage. The reasons WHY your aoutage lasted so long were...

1. Someone died in the accident. The police sealed off the entire area for a number of hours.
2. Then the electric company had to replace the poles.
3. The electric company repaired their lines.
4. The phone company repaired their lines.
5. And finally, our techs were allowed up the poles to run new lines.

Cust: Well, why did it take so long?
Me: Because we're the last ones allowed to go up those poles.
Cust: Well, change that. This is intollerable.
Me: Certainly sir. Just as soon as you tell your legislator to change the laws, we'll be happy to go up the poles first.

*CLICK*

*tap tap tap tap* Whoops, must have entered the credit in wrong. Its not showing up.

*BEEP* Thank you for calling ***** my name is....