As a recovering tech support person of human persuasion, I could not in right mind pass this up.
The first thing I'd like to point out is that tech support is NOT a learning line. Yes, when you call up the "Ass" on the other end of reality, you are expected to have a basic grasp of mecanical operations. This includes but is not limited to;
Being able to differentiate between the mouse, the keyboard, the case, and the monitor.
Being able to assemble the necessary parts of the computer into a working form.
Being able to use the input devices. (Mouse and Keyboard)
Knowing how to turn the computer on.
Having a general knowlege as to the nature of electrical appliances and the dos and donts that apply.
Now, is this really too much to ask for? No. I think not. If I were to invoke the tired but often accurate Cars to Computers analogy, does one buy a Pickup Truck, or even a Tractor Trailer, and IMMEDIATELY take it out on the highway? Once again, no of course not. As a matter of fact, such a suggestion would be considered extremely dangerous. So dangerous in fact, that our own government has enacted laws requiring testing and licensing before you can even pull out of your driveway.
"Yes, but a computer can't kill you the way a ten ton mass of metal can!" Oh really? Reminds me of the time a client of the Company I teched for told me of the disquieting messages he had been recieving. These messages were aparently generated by the US Secret Service in response to a series of death threats they had been recieving from his account. What he failed to mention was that he had been writing a script based on the assasination of JFK, and then Saving the files into his AOL mailbox under the address of president@whitehouse.gov!! (Yes, this did really happen)
"But that was just a fluke! You can't judge an entire group based on one experience!"
And yer absolutely right. I never judge anyone based on ANY one experience. Not even two or three experiences. Yet when story after horrible story begins to pile up, (As any tech will tell you they do.) it becomes increasingly hard to assume treat those people and one's job with respect. This is why things like UserFriendly and alt.tech-support.recovery exist. They are the pressure valves of a very stressful enviroment. And if you don't find them funny, then perhaps it's because you don't NEED that kind of humor in your life. Gosh, had I known that a strip such as UF existed I probably would still be working tech support to this day.
Now I don't speak for every tech out there. Naturally there are some who find UF and AS the most asinine comics on the planet, and they are more than welcome to their opinion. Furthermore, there are points where I'm none too pleased with these comics myself. (Did sluggy seem to be choking on the Cannibals Anonymous story, or was that just me?) But anything that involves customer support on a technical level always seems to get a chuckle or at least a good-natured groan out of me. Perhaps I am just enjoying the sensation of a pain shared by others.For those of you who don't appreciate the humor,
At first glance, this does seem like a Good Thing... but consider:
Yet another way for marketoids to abuse Internet-Advertising besides the obvious vectors such as TV and radio. Can you imagine your toaster recommending you try a delishious Eggo(tm) waffle every morning?
IPv6 outdated before implementation. Okey, maybe not. Still, do we need yet more systems sucking bandwidth right now?
Product Support Hell. For all you Bobs and X-Bobs, I'm sure you know what I mean. "Help, I can't seem to get rid of all this spam from my microwave!"
Interesting that Matt Mitche choose to forego installation of XWin - not that I blame him. Based on my own experience as a wee U*IX groupie (several years ago; hasn't improved), configuring should only be attempted in the company of the extraordinarily patient, or the incredibly wise. Preferably both.
Obligatory Link: Neal Stephenson has made some insightful comments on the subject of GUI's in one of his latest Essay.
Unconfirmed Memory: There is some project in the works to solve a lot of the problems involved with XWin. If anyone has more info, pls post!
Slashdot Mirror
The first thing I'd like to point out is that tech support is NOT a learning line. Yes, when you call up the "Ass" on the other end of reality, you are expected to have a basic grasp of mecanical operations. This includes but is not limited to;
Now, is this really too much to ask for? No. I think not. If I were to invoke the tired but often accurate Cars to Computers analogy, does one buy a Pickup Truck, or even a Tractor Trailer, and IMMEDIATELY take it out on the highway? Once again, no of course not. As a matter of fact, such a suggestion would be considered extremely dangerous. So dangerous in fact, that our own government has enacted laws requiring testing and licensing before you can even pull out of your driveway.
"Yes, but a computer can't kill you the way a ten ton mass of metal can!" Oh really? Reminds me of the time a client of the Company I teched for told me of the disquieting messages he had been recieving. These messages were aparently generated by the US Secret Service in response to a series of death threats they had been recieving from his account. What he failed to mention was that he had been writing a script based on the assasination of JFK, and then Saving the files into his AOL mailbox under the address of president@whitehouse.gov!! (Yes, this did really happen)
"But that was just a fluke! You can't judge an entire group based on one experience!"
And yer absolutely right. I never judge anyone based on ANY one experience. Not even two or three experiences. Yet when story after horrible story begins to pile up, (As any tech will tell you they do.) it becomes increasingly hard to assume treat those people and one's job with respect. This is why things like UserFriendly and alt.tech-support.recovery exist. They are the pressure valves of a very stressful enviroment. And if you don't find them funny, then perhaps it's because you don't NEED that kind of humor in your life. Gosh, had I known that a strip such as UF existed I probably would still be working tech support to this day.
Now I don't speak for every tech out there. Naturally there are some who find UF and AS the most asinine comics on the planet, and they are more than welcome to their opinion. Furthermore, there are points where I'm none too pleased with these comics myself. (Did sluggy seem to be choking on the Cannibals Anonymous story, or was that just me?) But anything that involves customer support on a technical level always seems to get a chuckle or at least a good-natured groan out of me. Perhaps I am just enjoying the sensation of a pain shared by others.For those of you who don't appreciate the humor,
Don't read the comic.
===
- Yet another way for marketoids to abuse Internet-Advertising besides the obvious vectors such as TV and radio. Can you imagine your toaster recommending you try a delishious Eggo(tm) waffle every morning?
- IPv6 outdated before implementation. Okey, maybe not. Still, do we need yet more systems sucking bandwidth right now?
- Product Support Hell. For all you Bobs and X-Bobs, I'm sure you know what I mean. "Help, I can't seem to get rid of all this spam from my microwave!"
Okey, I'm just being silly. Gimmie a break.Interesting that Matt Mitche choose to forego installation of XWin - not that I blame him. Based on my own experience as a wee U*IX groupie (several years ago; hasn't improved), configuring should only be attempted in the company of the extraordinarily patient, or the incredibly wise. Preferably both.
Obligatory Link: Neal Stephenson has made some insightful comments on the subject of GUI's in one of his latest Essay.
Unconfirmed Memory: There is some project in the works to solve a lot of the problems involved with XWin. If anyone has more info, pls post!