no, honestly, try it

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

Last Thursday, we changed Prof. D's email password.
Today she calls up because her email password isn't working.
Coworker: [runs through making sure caps lock isn't on, etc etc]
Prof: I don't understand why this isn't working! It's never given me trouble before!
Coworker: ...Are you sure you're entering your new password? As I recall, we reset it for you last week.
Prof: Yes, you changed it, but this password has worked for months! Why doesn't it work now?
Coworker: What if you give the other password a try?
Prof: But this one has always worked!

My coworker is this sweet college sophomore who still is optimistic about people. This optimism is being quickly revised.

It's not the lack of computer skills that bother me. It's the lack of reading skills and common sense. Why do using your new password or clicking the "apply" button* seem like such ridiculous concepts to these profs? They have PhDs! They're teachers--and generally quite good ones! Is it unreasonable of me to expect that they know to read a screen and respond to simple prompts accordingly?

Apparently so.

*Another prof, another issue:
Prof: I can't get MS Word to save my bulleted list settings! Watch!
Me: Okay...what if you try clicking *that button*?
Prof: Oh, I already tried that. It won't make a difference. Watch! *does the same thing as the first time, without clicking Apply.*
Me: Yeah, but--Could you do it again?
Prof: It won't work!
Me: Just humor me, please? I have a crazy theory.
Prof: *Clicks Apply, and lo and behold it, works.* Oh, see, that time I did [this other thing.]
Me: Well, I'm glad it's working now!

Comments

[ephant.livejournal.com]

"it says 'type you username and password' what do I do?"

ARGH

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

I've always been able to use this keyboard, why doesn't it work now? What do you mean it's unplugged? It's always worked before!

[the-man-moth.livejournal.com]

why can't I get any numbers when I hit the number keys on the right? what have you done to the computer???

[bad-habit.livejournal.com]

HA! It's broken now. You need to get a new one missy. (:

[the-man-moth.livejournal.com]

a new keyboard or a new computer? (:

[ephant.livejournal.com]

But It's always worked before! This is a new computer! I've only had it for five years and it's never done this before!

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

why does my laptop battery last for so short a period? Whenever I watch a DVD it runs down so quickly!

[ace-brickman.livejournal.com]

ok, now it clicks "next"
do i click next?


-no.. How's the weather?

[kestrelct.livejournal.com]

Ohhh man. This makes me think of my work. All those profs, so very scared of their computers. Argh.

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

m'dear, it IS your work. ;)

[kestrelct.livejournal.com]

You changed your icon...it didn't look like you...*blush*

[kestrelct.livejournal.com]

And suddenly I know exactly who you're talking about. *headdesk*

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

don't worry, you're not the optimistic sophomore.

[katealaurel.livejournal.com]

*snerk* This is why now I run away whenever the phone shows calls from Prof D. (Or Prof I. S., for that matter.. or Prof. Mc.. Oh wait. That's a long list.)

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

And you've only been working here since May!

[katealaurel.livejournal.com]

Optimism fades so quickly, you know.

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

I know a rising senior who's still incredibly perky. She was even an HA last year. Though I don't know how much of that perk is just friendliness and how much is optimism and belief in the inherent good in people.

[katealaurel.livejournal.com]

"rising" senior- you know that Thesis will take it out of her.

Ahh, the knowledge that I still have a year before I have to tackle my Qual is sweet.

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

it comes all too quickly.

The other night Garth snarked that "even [I]" lost my perkiness during thesis. "She was all I hate people. Now pass me the beer."

...well...yes.

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

muhaha!

[harry-whodunnit.livejournal.com]

Our network has been updated with remote access tools, and they are truly a god among helpdesk applications. When someone calls me, I'm logging into their station just about before they finish introducing themselves.

Thing is... our PhDs will sit there and stare at the pop-up saying "Harry_Whodunnit is offering assistance" until I tell 'em to click OK. When they don't click "refuse" because someone "might be trying to get into their computer".

Our office ladies have mastered the tool, but only to ask me to connect and tidy up whatever document they can't be bothered formatting properly. They're persistent, too. I've had to learn entirely new ways of saying no.

[blossomingfire.livejournal.com]

I have a black screen with a blinking cursor! My hard drive has died!

[shirenomad]

That first one deserves a cross-posting to mock_the_stupid

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

oh god yes.