Of men and computers
Hello there.I`m going to rant about computers here, and I`m going to write a lot. If that`s not your cup of tea, well, I guess I don`t really care. Sorry.
And, I`d like to open this rant with the question - WHY?
Why is that that for a whole lot of people, owning computer for a month or two instantly equals to unparallelled technical expertise on all the computer-related matters?
Additionally, provided that previous is literally true, what makes people think that techs, who were building and using computers for decades now, are "obviously incompetent and unexperienced" and their advice is never worth even minutae consideration?
People never question the rationale of doctor or plumber, when said people suggest measures to improve people`s life in their professional areas.
So why is that that computer specialists are exempt from that professional cred?
More directly on the topic.
NO, owning a computer does not mean that you automatically know everything about it.
NO, computer`s brand name is NOT everything tech needs to know to offer fix for its problems, and insisting it is so won`t accomplish much.
NO, networking is not easy, if you don`t know DNS from DHCP, so don`t insist that they are one and the same when tech tells you otherwise.
NO, insisting that "it never worked this way before" will never perform a miracle of launching switched-off computer or reading absent disk - you still have to follow tech`s advice to make computer work.
NO, it is not smart to call techsupport before you read damn manual - it was given to you for a reason.
NO, it`s not a good idea to do ANYTHING on a computer, if you can`t give concise and straight answer about why are you doing this and what it will accomplish.
NO, you are not computer guru, if you call techsupport and say that your problem is "It not worky." - real guru would pinpoint problem on his own and skip the call in favor of quick problem resolution nineteen out of twelve times.
There`s lots of more where it came from, but even I grow tired eventually typing all that. All of it sums up into single question.
Why a whole lot of people are unable to understand that computer techs are the same kind of specialists as any other maintenance person, and when they DO say something, it comes from years of experience and studies, opposed to amateur pokings of most users?
Rating:4.25
Comments
-
1
Dude, that is the best rant ever!!! I so totally agree with you and this is coming from a Network/Security Engineer!!!!
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
2
The thing that pisses me off is when the techs talk over our heads to show us how smart they are and then act like we're idiots for not understanding. I understand your point but most of us aren't computer experts, we simply use them as tools. I don't know how to build a car either but I know how to drive one. But when it breaks down I take it to a mechanic and get it fixed.
I never pretend to know more about computers than the techs I take them to to be repaired but I expect the techs to treat me with respect and not talk to me like I'm a retard because I don't know everything there is to know about computers.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
3
If said "techs" work at Best Buy on the other hand....
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
4
To #2 - OP here.
I don`t think you understand the point of rant.
I have nothing against people who genuinely don`t have need to set up computers. As long as they give me problem and trust me to make things work, it`s all kosher.
What I AM ranting about, are people, who think they DO know all that there is to know about computers, and while they still demand tech to solve their problem, they also actively sabotage and resist any attempt by tech to actually solve said problem.
To give an example - people who refuse to power-cycle modem (Pull plug out and then stick plug back in. Not too hard even for six year old, ne?) and keep on insisting that problem is on our end. Obviously, that when tech goes out and power-cycles modem himself, things go back to normal as predicted. But noo, people know better then trust what tech says.
So basically, the point of rant is directed against people who disrespect teches by assuming that teches are not capable of performing their work, and have nothing better to do then being run around by someone with below zero knowledge in computers. If said people would keep their inane ideas how to fic their computers to themselves and actually cooperated, things would be MUCH more time-efficient.
And no, I`m not talking about "I need Word to work." kind of ideas here. I`m talking about "I know without a doubt that 127.0.0.1 is my private IP address." kind of ideas.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
5
I understood what you were saying, I was simply adding my two cents abou techs that look down on people that don't know about computers. I'm glad you're not one of them and I realize there are people that think they know shit when they don't and it's not just computers. I run a graphic design firm and we always end up with a client once in a while that wants to tell us how to design something even though they don't have a clue what they're talking about.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
6
Oh, don`t remind me. That kind of customer eh?
"... Yea, I want it really spiffy, you know! With all HTML and PHP and Java! Don`t spare any expence, I want my site to glow! Glow, I tell you!"
"... Wel, alright, but can you give me some content for the site in first place?"
"Oh, I thought you guys are pros. Just put something in, it`s not too important. You`ll fix it later if I`ll need some change, won`t you?"
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
7
OP, just answer me one compound question:
Have you ever, or do you ever plan to own, run, work in, etc., a 7-Eleven store here in America?
If the answer is no, then you you can't be an actual telephone customer service computer tech. If the answer is yes, go hang out by the old Union Carbide plant and inhale deeply.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
8
Uh... OP to number 7.
Due to my nationality and political views, the only way I`d ever want to step on USA soil would be as a part of invasion force.
So, no, I don`t plan on ever being an employee or owner of american 7-11, whatever that may be.
Actually, I plan to eventually become rantier and live off interest on my banks deposits. And get more or less serious about restoration of turn of the century guns, once I`ll have the proper time to devote to it.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
9
Fuck now we have terrorists posting rants here ?
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
10
Ex-cuse me?
I wasn`t aware that being russian necessarily carried connotation of being a terrorist.
Putting it bluntly, I find current state of affairs in USA to be grossly inadequate to my needs, and I fail to see any reason why I would want to go to USA ever, unless it involved complete restructurization of what USA is now.
Given that this is a very distant possibility, I`m content with staying in Europe on understanding that I`d never have to go to USA and bother with inane terms and requirements it would pose.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
11
Let's put an end to this debate, shall we? I used to work for a little company called Bell Canada. We outsourced all of our tech jobs to people in India. Just like this fine chap who wrote the rant. What I noticed as soon as the jobs went to India, the quality of tech services plummeted. Here's why. As soon as your call goes to India, you get SOME people who know what the hell they are doing. The vast majority are just there to fill a seat and use scripted responses to any and all questions. That goes especially for supervisors.
All they have are scripts and hold buttons folks. If you want any kind of satisfaction go with a company that hires locally. Where you can actually talk to someone who speaks English. Fuck India. And fuck any company that takes jobs from here and sends them to India in order to pad their already prodigious bottom line.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
12
OP here. That would be nice, except for the fact that I work in local company. All of business goes strictly within the city. S`big city, granted, but there`s no pennypinching with outsourcing here.
This fine chap (if you can use chap to mean a girl), had been in IT for over fifteen years. I`ve done techsupport before Win95 was the hot new stuff, and by golly, do the users ever get worse with time.
I blame the ease of procuring the computer today, actually. Back in nineties, when people got computer, they usually had damn good idea what they need it for in first place.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
13
Well, guess what, genius? You're the modern day equivalent to a 1950's TV repairman. Get over yourself.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
14
Win95 was the hot new stuff? What backwater shit hole do you do tech support in?
Posted 2 months ago | Report
-
15
To 13 - that would be so, if in 1950, TV owners insisted on switching them on while tech was digging inside. ^_^ I believe my situation is a bit more grating.
To 14 - Obviously, that was back in 1995. ^_^ I`ve been in this buziness for almost twenty years, started back in 1993 when I was but a wee schoolgirl.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
1
Dude, that is the best rant ever!!! I so totally agree with you and this is coming from a Network/Security Engineer!!!!Posted 2 months ago | Report
2
The thing that pisses me off is when the techs talk over our heads to show us how smart they are and then act like we're idiots for not understanding. I understand your point but most of us aren't computer experts, we simply use them as tools. I don't know how to build a car either but I know how to drive one. But when it breaks down I take it to a mechanic and get it fixed. I never pretend to know more about computers than the techs I take them to to be repaired but I expect the techs to treat me with respect and not talk to me like I'm a retard because I don't know everything there is to know about computers.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
3
If said "techs" work at Best Buy on the other hand....Posted 2 months ago | Report
4
To #2 - OP here.I don`t think you understand the point of rant.
I have nothing against people who genuinely don`t have need to set up computers. As long as they give me problem and trust me to make things work, it`s all kosher.
What I AM ranting about, are people, who think they DO know all that there is to know about computers, and while they still demand tech to solve their problem, they also actively sabotage and resist any attempt by tech to actually solve said problem.
To give an example - people who refuse to power-cycle modem (Pull plug out and then stick plug back in. Not too hard even for six year old, ne?) and keep on insisting that problem is on our end. Obviously, that when tech goes out and power-cycles modem himself, things go back to normal as predicted. But noo, people know better then trust what tech says.
So basically, the point of rant is directed against people who disrespect teches by assuming that teches are not capable of performing their work, and have nothing better to do then being run around by someone with below zero knowledge in computers. If said people would keep their inane ideas how to fic their computers to themselves and actually cooperated, things would be MUCH more time-efficient.
And no, I`m not talking about "I need Word to work." kind of ideas here. I`m talking about "I know without a doubt that 127.0.0.1 is my private IP address." kind of ideas.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
5
I understood what you were saying, I was simply adding my two cents abou techs that look down on people that don't know about computers. I'm glad you're not one of them and I realize there are people that think they know shit when they don't and it's not just computers. I run a graphic design firm and we always end up with a client once in a while that wants to tell us how to design something even though they don't have a clue what they're talking about.Posted 2 months ago | Report
6
Oh, don`t remind me. That kind of customer eh?"... Yea, I want it really spiffy, you know! With all HTML and PHP and Java! Don`t spare any expence, I want my site to glow! Glow, I tell you!"
"... Wel, alright, but can you give me some content for the site in first place?"
"Oh, I thought you guys are pros. Just put something in, it`s not too important. You`ll fix it later if I`ll need some change, won`t you?"
Posted 2 months ago | Report
7
OP, just answer me one compound question:Have you ever, or do you ever plan to own, run, work in, etc., a 7-Eleven store here in America?
If the answer is no, then you you can't be an actual telephone customer service computer tech. If the answer is yes, go hang out by the old Union Carbide plant and inhale deeply.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
8
Uh... OP to number 7.Due to my nationality and political views, the only way I`d ever want to step on USA soil would be as a part of invasion force.
So, no, I don`t plan on ever being an employee or owner of american 7-11, whatever that may be.
Actually, I plan to eventually become rantier and live off interest on my banks deposits. And get more or less serious about restoration of turn of the century guns, once I`ll have the proper time to devote to it.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
9
Fuck now we have terrorists posting rants here ?Posted 2 months ago | Report
10
Ex-cuse me?I wasn`t aware that being russian necessarily carried connotation of being a terrorist.
Putting it bluntly, I find current state of affairs in USA to be grossly inadequate to my needs, and I fail to see any reason why I would want to go to USA ever, unless it involved complete restructurization of what USA is now.
Given that this is a very distant possibility, I`m content with staying in Europe on understanding that I`d never have to go to USA and bother with inane terms and requirements it would pose.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
11
Let's put an end to this debate, shall we? I used to work for a little company called Bell Canada. We outsourced all of our tech jobs to people in India. Just like this fine chap who wrote the rant. What I noticed as soon as the jobs went to India, the quality of tech services plummeted. Here's why. As soon as your call goes to India, you get SOME people who know what the hell they are doing. The vast majority are just there to fill a seat and use scripted responses to any and all questions. That goes especially for supervisors.All they have are scripts and hold buttons folks. If you want any kind of satisfaction go with a company that hires locally. Where you can actually talk to someone who speaks English. Fuck India. And fuck any company that takes jobs from here and sends them to India in order to pad their already prodigious bottom line.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
12
OP here. That would be nice, except for the fact that I work in local company. All of business goes strictly within the city. S`big city, granted, but there`s no pennypinching with outsourcing here.This fine chap (if you can use chap to mean a girl), had been in IT for over fifteen years. I`ve done techsupport before Win95 was the hot new stuff, and by golly, do the users ever get worse with time.
I blame the ease of procuring the computer today, actually. Back in nineties, when people got computer, they usually had damn good idea what they need it for in first place.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
13
Well, guess what, genius? You're the modern day equivalent to a 1950's TV repairman. Get over yourself.Posted 2 months ago | Report
14
Win95 was the hot new stuff? What backwater shit hole do you do tech support in?Posted 2 months ago | Report
15
To 13 - that would be so, if in 1950, TV owners insisted on switching them on while tech was digging inside. ^_^ I believe my situation is a bit more grating.To 14 - Obviously, that was back in 1995. ^_^ I`ve been in this buziness for almost twenty years, started back in 1993 when I was but a wee schoolgirl.
Posted 2 months ago | Report
