I used Visicalc on my Commodore 4032/8032 in 1982 to calculate amortised loans. Used to really impress the bank managers back then.
And I used the built in line graph routines to plot monthly business figures and extrapolate, analyse returns after advertising, etc.
A simple tool that gave simple analytic results that were invaluable to a small business.
>Wow, bitter mcuh?
Getting angry at your customer or co-worker further alienates you, and creates more of an us/them division that will ensure your increased agitation and anger in the future.
As a vet with 30 years experience in computing, with 2 sons in IT, I know the importance of communication at your customer's level, and the increased satisfaction that good communication brings to both parties.
The majority of my customers don't want to know how to perform surgery, but they do want to know what went wrong, and what will fix it. By communicating effectively, my customers are happy to let me do my job, and to call me again in the future.
Your customer doesn't want to know how to create a static route, but more to know why it is necessary, and what went wrong. Not in full technicolor description, but in brief but helpful explanation.
If I put up a wall of technical jargon (granulomatous meningoencephalitis anyone?), am terse or grumpy, then I get complaints. Explaining things at the client's level of understanding brings trust, cooperation, and job satisfaction (and a surprising amount of gifts over and above my fees). And I still get way from work at closing time.
Any job can become just a job if you take the wrong attitude. When your dissatisfaction levels increase that you take such a cynical attitude, it is time to look for something more satisfying (ie change job), or change your work habits so the job is rewarding for you.
My sons both love their IT jobs. Yes, they do occasionally get frustrated at some stupid responses, but they socialise with the non-IT people, they respect them for their own knowledge, and are respected for their own skills. And they get chocolates and wine too. And most of the time they do their fucking jobs and go home at 5 just like ordinary people.
I too remember being a single student with no possessions. But life changes when you grow up.
With children you learn that: you never truly lose possessions because they are IN the clutter, just invisible under the pile of dirty clothes and toys;
Homes are energy efficient when you learn that leaving the heat pumps/air conditioners on is a waste of energy when you can just leave the doors wide open, even in the middle of winter;
No matter what you buy, in the end YOU will only have a computer, a desk, a chair, books, guitar and bike. Everything else gets removed, and you don't even need a garage sale (that's true energy efficiency!)'
Redefine the kitchen as 'anywhere within a kilometre of the oven' and my utensils stay in the kitchen too;
You have your own toothbrush???
Slashdot Mirror
I used Visicalc on my Commodore 4032/8032 in 1982 to calculate amortised loans. Used to really impress the bank managers back then. And I used the built in line graph routines to plot monthly business figures and extrapolate, analyse returns after advertising, etc. A simple tool that gave simple analytic results that were invaluable to a small business.
>Wow, bitter mcuh? Getting angry at your customer or co-worker further alienates you, and creates more of an us/them division that will ensure your increased agitation and anger in the future. As a vet with 30 years experience in computing, with 2 sons in IT, I know the importance of communication at your customer's level, and the increased satisfaction that good communication brings to both parties. The majority of my customers don't want to know how to perform surgery, but they do want to know what went wrong, and what will fix it. By communicating effectively, my customers are happy to let me do my job, and to call me again in the future. Your customer doesn't want to know how to create a static route, but more to know why it is necessary, and what went wrong. Not in full technicolor description, but in brief but helpful explanation. If I put up a wall of technical jargon (granulomatous meningoencephalitis anyone?), am terse or grumpy, then I get complaints. Explaining things at the client's level of understanding brings trust, cooperation, and job satisfaction (and a surprising amount of gifts over and above my fees). And I still get way from work at closing time. Any job can become just a job if you take the wrong attitude. When your dissatisfaction levels increase that you take such a cynical attitude, it is time to look for something more satisfying (ie change job), or change your work habits so the job is rewarding for you. My sons both love their IT jobs. Yes, they do occasionally get frustrated at some stupid responses, but they socialise with the non-IT people, they respect them for their own knowledge, and are respected for their own skills. And they get chocolates and wine too. And most of the time they do their fucking jobs and go home at 5 just like ordinary people.
I too remember being a single student with no possessions. But life changes when you grow up. With children you learn that: you never truly lose possessions because they are IN the clutter, just invisible under the pile of dirty clothes and toys; Homes are energy efficient when you learn that leaving the heat pumps/air conditioners on is a waste of energy when you can just leave the doors wide open, even in the middle of winter; No matter what you buy, in the end YOU will only have a computer, a desk, a chair, books, guitar and bike. Everything else gets removed, and you don't even need a garage sale (that's true energy efficiency!)' Redefine the kitchen as 'anywhere within a kilometre of the oven' and my utensils stay in the kitchen too; You have your own toothbrush???