PHBs Getting "Secret" IT Training

An anonymous reader writes "As if all of us aren't already already aware of this, PHBs don't know jack squat about computer technology, and they won't seek any training from their own IT staff because that would be an admission of "weakness" so instead they are getting outsiders to train them in secret." Lucrative work for the secret tutors I s'pose. I guess getting tutored in secret is better than just floundering in ignorance.

Comments

That's nothing

[Anonymous Coward]

I know of a systems admin doing the same! - posted anonymously to protect the guilty.

As if

[Anonymous Coward]

Floundering in ignorance isn't something that happens at /. every day.

This is prime PHB material, but...

[stefanb]

"Really? I'm not the only one who doesn't know what the two mouse buttons are for?"

There is a reason Apple's sticking to mice with one button. And this is not ment in any condescending way.

Obligatory Dilbert quote..

[TheFairElf]

Dilbert: "You have to hold the notebook upside down and shake it to reboot, remember?"
PHB: "Oh right, thanks"

Re:Obligatory Dilbert quote..

[NanoGator]

"Dilbert: "You have to hold the notebook upside down and shake it to reboot, remember?"
PHB: "Oh right, thanks"

And the obligatory FedEx follup:

Woman: Hi, Tom, I know its your first day, but we could really use your help.

Tom: (with slightly smug smile, pulling on suit jacket) You got it.

Woman: (walking) We're just in a bit of a jam.

Tom: (squirts breath spray)

Woman: (continues, gesturing to roomful of FedEx boxes) All this has to get out today...

Tom: (look of astonishment, smug smile returning) Yeah...uh...I dont do shipping...

Woman: Oh, no no no, its very easy. We use FedEx.com (sitting him down at a computer open to the FedEx.com website). Anybody can do it.

Tom: (smug smile wider, he cant believe shes asking him to do this) Uh... no... you dont understand: I have an MBA.

Woman: Oh, you have an MBA...

Tom: Yeah.

Woman: In that case Ill have to show you how to do it.

I am SO pleased to know that ...

[burgburgburg]

the top executives who control the direction of our corporate overlords are acquiring the same level of knowledge of a high school dropout intern whose main responsibility is sorting the mail (but can't really be trusted to deliver it).

I feel safer now.

Re:I am SO pleased to know that ...

[IM6100]

Actually, what would be scary is if introverted computer nerds were handing the most important stuff in the corporate world.

Remember, we already tried the dot.bomb adventure.

Now, go change the toner cartridge on the laserjet on second floor like a good, geek, kay?

Trained PHB's != Good

[greygent]

I guess getting tutored in secret is better than just floundering in ignorance.

I take it you haven't had the "pleasure" of your PHB embarrassing you by yelling "I know it's your T1 because our network guy teleported into the Baywatch hub and checked it!" at a Qwest network admin during a heated conference call.

For the PHB's here: It's 'telnet' and 'Bay Networks'.

BOFH

[wowbagger]

Am I the only one who sees Simon's fine hand in this matter?

BOFH fodder, indeed....

Re:Apple mice

[ceejayoz]

Of course they could give two buttons and just default to having them do the same thing via software

<PHB> Which one do I press?
<SecretTutor> It doesn't matter.
<PHB> What do you mean it doesn't matter?! There are two buttons! Why are there two buttons if it doesn't matter?!
* PHB throws mouse out the window
*** SecretTutor was kicked by PHB (fired)