Dear Users... (A thread for Sysadmin, Technical Support, and Help Desk people)

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Somebody just got fired because they didn't listen to me when I pointed out that a particular piece of work should be handled as being of critical importance. They scoffed because what would I, a lowly data monkey, possibly know? I, the lowly data monkey, knew that an executive was planning to use those numbers from that piece of work to justify his bonus, that's what I knew.
 
Remember this?

I spoke to someone a couple of weeks ago, who was complaining that she could no longer use her personal USB drive on government systems...
I think I just spoke to her again. She has now successfully gained the access to write to a personal USB drive and I provided her with the instructions on how to encrypt her personal device so it is usable on departmental computers.

Of course, this will mean that she can't use it on non-departmental computers, but that'll be totally fine because she doesn't own one.
 
There will be plenty of new positions. Just that they will be all chiefs and no Indians.
I worked on an IT project years ago for <state agency>. We have three project managers, one with support drones, and me as SA to do the actual design.
 
I worked on an IT project years ago for <state agency>. We have three project managers, one with support drones, and me as SA to do the actual design.

A while ago I was asked to look at the structure and costs of a $multi-million IT project that wasn't advancing in spite of exploding costs. It turned out that every single member of the project committee and every sub-project manager had an external coach helping them with stuff.
 
If I was actually in charge of a large organization I would fire anyone that couldn't tell me in 10 words

- What they functionally do, as an actual measurable outcome that you personally accomplish.

Or

- What actual decisions you make.

Anyone who spends 4 paragraphs failing to explain how they "manage" or "organize" or "support" (that one's a grey area depending on context) things is probably going out the door.

Anyone who's familiar with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy novels, I'm talking the 3rd spaceship the civilization sent to populate the new star system.
 
If I was actually in charge of a large organization I would fire anyone that couldn't tell me in 10 words

- What they functionally do, as an actual measurable outcome that you personally accomplish.

Or

- What actual decisions you make.

Anyone who spends 4 paragraphs failing to explain how they "manage" or "organize" or "support" (that one's a grey area depending on context) things is probably going out the door.

Anyone who's familiar with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy novels, I'm talking the 3rd spaceship the civilization sent to populate the new star system.

I think you meant the "B" Ark.
 
If I was actually in charge of a large organization I would fire anyone that couldn't tell me in 10 words

- What they functionally do, as an actual measurable outcome that you personally accomplish.

Or

- What actual decisions you make.

Anyone who spends 4 paragraphs failing to explain how they "manage" or "organize" or "support" (that one's a grey area depending on context) things is probably going out the door.

But I proactively synergize the strategic growth initiatives! Without me, who will proact?! The company's syngergy will drain right away, and the strategy will recede and crust over and get mildew!! You can't fire me, I bring ephemeral value! Ephemeral!!! By making me explain this you've wasted precious time that I could have been ephemerating!!!!! YOU'RE DESTROYING THE BUSINESS!!!!! [burst into tears, storm out of room]
 
But I proactively synergize the strategic growth initiatives! Without me, who will proact?! The company's syngergy will drain right away, and the strategy will recede and crust over and get mildew!! You can't fire me, I bring ephemeral value! Ephemeral!!! By making me explain this you've wasted precious time that I could have been ephemerating!!!!! YOU'RE DESTROYING THE BUSINESS!!!!! [burst into tears, storm out of room]

You need to go see the Wellness Facilitator.


Oh wait, Joe fired her.
 
If I was actually in charge of a large organization I would fire anyone that couldn't tell me in 10 words

- What they functionally do, as an actual measurable outcome that you personally accomplish.

Or

- What actual decisions you make.

Anyone who spends 4 paragraphs failing to explain how they "manage" or "organize" or "support" (that one's a grey area depending on context) things is probably going out the door.

Anyone who's familiar with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy novels, I'm talking the 3rd spaceship the civilization sent to populate the new star system.
My boss conceptualises the actuals.

My job is to actualise the conceptuals.
 
But I proactively synergize the strategic growth initiatives! Without me, who will proact?! The company's syngergy will drain right away, and the strategy will recede and crust over and get mildew!! You can't fire me, I bring ephemeral value! Ephemeral!!! By making me explain this you've wasted precious time that I could have been ephemerating!!!!! YOU'RE DESTROYING THE BUSINESS!!!!! [burst into tears, storm out of room]
Back in the old days when I worked for <REDACTED> I kept a small box in my desk. In it were a number of sealed phials, each containing a different poison (arsenic, mercury, thallium, antimony, strychnine, potassium cyanide, botulinum toxin, colchicine, sodium monofluoroacetate et cetera.
I would occasionally expound on the toxicological properties of common poisons, their quirks and regale my colleagues with the ease with which such substances could be produced.
HR were terrified of me. But had no discernible grounds for anything.
 
If I was actually in charge of a large organization I would fire anyone that couldn't tell me in 10 words

- What they functionally do, as an actual measurable outcome that you personally accomplish.

Or

- What actual decisions you make.

Anyone who spends 4 paragraphs failing to explain how they "manage" or "organize" or "support" (that one's a grey area depending on context) things is probably going out the door.

Anyone who's familiar with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy novels, I'm talking the 3rd spaceship the civilization sent to populate the new star system.

How'd that work out for them? :D:thumbsup:

Wouldn't you worry that you'd lose vital people that actually are needed even if they have difficulty explaining it in short form?
 
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Working a public holiday again.

Holiday pay is great.

I got "demoted" from a programming position back to my old operating position in an effort for the company to eliminate people through attrition. It was a union job, so I couldn't just be laid off.

I went back to my old third shift position. But, per union rules, they couldn't reduce my pay -- in fact they had to add more to pay me the night differential. I stuck that out for oh, 18 months I think, costing them much more than they would have keeping me in my old position. I also had lots of time to look for a new job during the day, which I didn't do too hard.

But something came up which was even better, so I took it. I now get a pension from that old union job.
 
Working a public holiday again.

Holiday pay is great.

Basically double-time for 8hrs while fewer people are around to screw things up. Though, unfortunately, with the recent work from home initiatives people are becoming more skilled at screwing things up from home.
 
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