'Perhaps the reason some businesses "don't want the headache" is do to the attitude of some IT departments. In my dealings, some of them (READ SOME) have the attitude that they are doing you a favor, just talking to you.'
Hey, "Screw You!" is a valid response for any request.
However, as for the attitude, try this one; Some IT folks were to working 16 hour days and being told, "So sorry, no overtime for you. Don't like it, look else where for work then." Now do you think that fosters a 'good attitude?' The previous is not limited to the IT department though.
And I do get tired of telling users that they cannot have root access time and time again. Yet, I get accused of the one having an attitude. Remarkable. (I do it matter of factly, not with tone)
'One would think so, but it isn't the case. As one beancounter/manager said at a company meeting I attended a few weeks ago, "If we can't measure it, we can't manage it." It's really hard to get more money when your central metric as a department is "how much less we needed to spend this year."'
Isn't that why they came up with things like ITIL so they can measure IT?
'Meh. IT is still a "non-revenue generating department" for the vast majority of businesses. That means their budgets suck hind teat; but worse, the bulk of the budget goes to things like hardware and software, so you're left with the dregs to supply salary money for your workers.
If they don't take it seriously, they can't expect to attract top talent.'
I would think that a vast majority of businesses (large and small) depend so heavily on IT, that proper talented IT staffing would be paramount. IT affects all "revenue generating" departments of a company. But then again, it's the bottom line that counts, not quality and customer service. And I guess there is a difference between 'direct' and 'indirect' revenue.
"Even in the VERY BEST of circumstances, stuff gets stolen and/or damaged. That's life. Especially when stuff is getting SHIPPED somewhere."
In your world is business responsible for anything? Obviously passing the buck is. Congratulations. "It's not our fault. It's yours, Stupid." should replace "Thousands of Possibilities. Get Yours."
There should be a level of trust when it comes to business. But large businesses do not 'need' a single consumer, so as a single consumer, your screwed. Get some press and you get action out of the big business. See how it works. She's going to get some action now. I bet that Best Buy handled the customer with a little more empathy and respect.
If she can sue for 500 million, I say go for it. Perhaps this will be the only way for large corps to learn what consumer respect is. Probably not, but we as consumers deserve better.
Should she have left data on her laptop. To most here, no. But then again most here won't even mention geek squad as an option. What if that was her only laptop? Or she's unaware of backups? It does happen you know.
As a responsible business owner, I would have taken care of this consumer and learned from it. If Best Buy was smart, they would given her the option to burn all her data to dvds before leaving the laptop at the store. Then blanked the hard drive. All in front of her while she was with the laptop. That is what a responsible and respectable business would do.
"I agree, it seriously pisses me off to see the long term plans being sketched up for a return to Moon, and then out to Mars. The budget that will end up comparably quite small to other US gov't agencies, but huge for NASA. When what I think what would be far more exciting, and with much more of an impact potential, would be to send out a probe to Enceladus and Europa. Both quite potential candidates for having oceans of liquid water beneath due to tidal heating from the extreme gravitational pull of their respective giant planets."
Well, I too think NASA and the Govt is way off base. The ultimate goal would be to be able to sustain human life without Earth. Earth won't be around forever. And with the known past mass extinctions do folks think that we are somehow exempt from one of those? The target of Enceladus, Europa, and Titan would be a solid short term goal IMO for longer space travel for humans. Cost, oh yeah it'll cost, but the idea is to leave this current ball of dirt and go elsewhere. Otherwise we are just spinning our wheels waiting for the next extinction. But I suppose it's difficult for people to look beyond their own lifetime.
Unless of course you are a L. Ron follower, then you already know the ship is on it's way.
'All these pie in the sky projects are simple ways of creating high paying white collar jobs in the home districts of powerful senators. The real serious immediate threat facing America is the possibility of a terrorist group smuggling in a low grade weapon, nuclear, biological or chemical into the country and detonating it. These hypersonic toys do nothing to protect us against such threats. But border security customs security and port security creates lots and lots of blue collar jobs at the ports and borders. Not at the home district of "bridge to nowhere" pork barrel Senators.'
Yeah, but you have to admit that these 'toys' are really, really cool.
"FiOS is available in some areas now. It got put in my old neighborhood right before I moved, so sad. My friend has it though and he claims it's faster than cable. I don't have any numbers but, what the heck even if it's just a little slower, anything's better than comcast..."
Sorry, but after using both, and dealing with both support mechanisms, comcast business wins. You want to know where Verizon sucks when you need a SLA. Opps, I guess that doesn't matter to Verizon. Though I have to admit, I miss having access to Speakeasy.
From their site:
" 4. Will Verizon FiOS Internet Service for Business have service level agreements?
Service level agreements are not currently available for Verizon Internet Service for Business. As Verizon expands its Fiber-to-the-Premises network, Verizon Online plans to offer additional connection speeds, features and Service Level Agreements.
Let me know when they tax me by the volume of air I breath....
I though the roads were already paid for via gas tax and state/federal taxes? So we the people pay for the infrastructure (and throw stadiums in there as well), and then have to pay to use them. Genius! I gotta get me a business where the public pays for construction and maintenance, and then still has to pay me a fee for usage.
'"The schools do benefit some." How is that? It just means that they'll likely forego decent comparison of operating systems and their total cost of ownership. Remember, the Windows license is just the start, they'll also have to factor in the cost of managing the systems, troubleshooting, and eventually, the cost to upgrade all their Microsoft applications because of security issues and vulnerabilities. This stunt just delays the inevitable. "as a company we welcome choice" [Orlando Ayala]...and that's why we give them the choice to use any OS as long as it's Windows.'
So you are telling me that they do not benefit at all? I did say some. Yes, they are potentially losing a lab with multiple OS types that they can tinker with, but I'm not sure if the clauses that come from MS state that they cannot have any other OS in the school. And if a school deployed a linux desktop, there would be cost of systems management and troubleshooting (sic). Where are your savings again? As for 'upgrading' because of security reasons, are not patches included with the MS license?
And don't forget how many educational programs are only windows capable (99% perhaps). If a school was to switch to a linux desktop, they would still have to pay for those programs regardless of the desktop OS. I'm purposely leaving OSX out of this discussion since they would cost even more as a desktop implementation.
I don't like MS as much as anyone. However, their desktop does have it's place in many institutional environments. (please read desktop, not server) Can a linux desktop do the same thing without license fees. Sure it can. But how many of the norms are willing to switch.
What's going to really cook the noodle is how they came up with 'spending' 235Mil. Why not 250? How about 500? Did they calculate how many versions of Windows each potential customer will purchase in their life time and take inflation into account. Then figured that a 1 to 4 or 5 return value over 25 years isn't a bad investment after all.
I don't care for M$ either (while typing this on a M$ platform, necessary evil..blah,blah,blah), but you have to give them credit for trying to continue growing their customer base. They are in the business of making money (read not top quality software) and that is what they are doing. The schools do benefit some. And potentially the local tax payer since the bill is not flipped by them.
I don't know why they just don't come out and say what they really want. A pricing system that is identical to that of the Electric Company. You get charged a flat fee, plus a fee for the number of packets down loaded and a fee for packets up loaded. Obviously there are technical hurdles for this method of billing, but I'm sure they will try and get there. Lucky for most folks, and unlike that of electric (regardless of what they tell you), there is still some competition for your ISP dollar.
Come to think of, the 'war' really isn't about Blu vs HD, it's about Xbox vs PS or MS vs Sony. Should HD won out (well, they ain't fully dead yet), that could have killed the PS. Sony had no choice but to dump cash into the hands of the Studios.
I don't see the problem. Folks can get a very nice upconverter for a very nice price. They can then use all of their current DVDs and get a nice stack of HD-DVDs quite cheap right now (80+ of them at >$15.00 per on amazon). Add in the 7 Free HD-DVD's Toshiba is giving away.
So you may end up not getting 'newer' releases. It's still going to be a while before blu-ray gets their act together and provides a decent player for under $200.00, along with movies for under $20.00. I know folks like to play the "Get a Playstation" card, but there are still quite a few consumers who could give a crap about a video game console. Besides, that is still well north of $200.00.
This is a good deal for the consumers, well at least this consumer.
If you can afford the 'free time' see if you can apply for any internships at different large companies. Or see if a smaller one would take the chance with you interning with them. The price is right for them, and you get to tail someone who's more experienced in the field.
You can also look up some open source projects that need assistance (there are many of them that do) and see where you can help on them. Open source projects are a great way to get experience and critiquing your own skills.
Slashdot Mirror
'Perhaps the reason some businesses "don't want the headache" is do to the attitude of some IT departments. In my dealings, some of them (READ SOME) have the attitude that they are doing you a favor, just talking to you.' Hey, "Screw You!" is a valid response for any request. However, as for the attitude, try this one; Some IT folks were to working 16 hour days and being told, "So sorry, no overtime for you. Don't like it, look else where for work then." Now do you think that fosters a 'good attitude?' The previous is not limited to the IT department though. And I do get tired of telling users that they cannot have root access time and time again. Yet, I get accused of the one having an attitude. Remarkable. (I do it matter of factly, not with tone)
'One would think so, but it isn't the case. As one beancounter/manager said at a company meeting I attended a few weeks ago, "If we can't measure it, we can't manage it." It's really hard to get more money when your central metric as a department is "how much less we needed to spend this year."'
Isn't that why they came up with things like ITIL so they can measure IT?
LOL! I kill me.
'Meh. IT is still a "non-revenue generating department" for the vast majority of businesses. That means their budgets suck hind teat; but worse, the bulk of the budget goes to things like hardware and software, so you're left with the dregs to supply salary money for your workers.
If they don't take it seriously, they can't expect to attract top talent.'
I would think that a vast majority of businesses (large and small) depend so heavily on IT, that proper talented IT staffing would be paramount. IT affects all "revenue generating" departments of a company. But then again, it's the bottom line that counts, not quality and customer service. And I guess there is a difference between 'direct' and 'indirect' revenue.
Now I'm going to be up all night worrying about if I get enough sleep or not.
"The whole thing fits in a cryogenic cell the size of a medicine pill bottle."
I hear it's a suppository.
"Gaffes Keeping Geeks Out of the Board Room" "Gaffes Keeping Geeks Out of her Bed Room"
"Even in the VERY BEST of circumstances, stuff gets stolen and/or damaged. That's life. Especially when stuff is getting SHIPPED somewhere."
In your world is business responsible for anything? Obviously passing the buck is. Congratulations. "It's not our fault. It's yours, Stupid." should replace "Thousands of Possibilities. Get Yours."
There should be a level of trust when it comes to business. But large businesses do not 'need' a single consumer, so as a single consumer, your screwed. Get some press and you get action out of the big business. See how it works. She's going to get some action now. I bet that Best Buy handled the customer with a little more empathy and respect.
If she can sue for 500 million, I say go for it. Perhaps this will be the only way for large corps to learn what consumer respect is. Probably not, but we as consumers deserve better.
Should she have left data on her laptop. To most here, no. But then again most here won't even mention geek squad as an option. What if that was her only laptop? Or she's unaware of backups? It does happen you know.
As a responsible business owner, I would have taken care of this consumer and learned from it. If Best Buy was smart, they would given her the option to burn all her data to dvds before leaving the laptop at the store. Then blanked the hard drive. All in front of her while she was with the laptop. That is what a responsible and respectable business would do.
"I agree, it seriously pisses me off to see the long term plans being sketched up for a return to Moon, and then out to Mars. The budget that will end up comparably quite small to other US gov't agencies, but huge for NASA. When what I think what would be far more exciting, and with much more of an impact potential, would be to send out a probe to Enceladus and Europa. Both quite potential candidates for having oceans of liquid water beneath due to tidal heating from the extreme gravitational pull of their respective giant planets."
Well, I too think NASA and the Govt is way off base. The ultimate goal would be to be able to sustain human life without Earth. Earth won't be around forever. And with the known past mass extinctions do folks think that we are somehow exempt from one of those? The target of Enceladus, Europa, and Titan would be a solid short term goal IMO for longer space travel for humans. Cost, oh yeah it'll cost, but the idea is to leave this current ball of dirt and go elsewhere. Otherwise we are just spinning our wheels waiting for the next extinction. But I suppose it's difficult for people to look beyond their own lifetime.
Unless of course you are a L. Ron follower, then you already know the ship is on it's way.
I finally get to find out if that's real beef in those burritos!
'All these pie in the sky projects are simple ways of creating high paying white collar jobs in the home districts of powerful senators. The real serious immediate threat facing America is the possibility of a terrorist group smuggling in a low grade weapon, nuclear, biological or chemical into the country and detonating it. These hypersonic toys do nothing to protect us against such threats. But border security customs security and port security creates lots and lots of blue collar jobs at the ports and borders. Not at the home district of "bridge to nowhere" pork barrel Senators.'
Yeah, but you have to admit that these 'toys' are really, really cool.
"All these plans would not be that necessary if the USA kept out of other countries' business. But we will not leave them alone."
And you really believe this statement? Wow.
"Based on whose morals?"
What's a moral?
I just clicked it and I see what you mean.
/. get $ for referencing a site? I'm not hating, I'm just saying.
However, does
"FiOS is available in some areas now. It got put in my old neighborhood right before I moved, so sad. My friend has it though and he claims it's faster than cable. I don't have any numbers but, what the heck even if it's just a little slower, anything's better than comcast..."
Sorry, but after using both, and dealing with both support mechanisms, comcast business wins. You want to know where Verizon sucks when you need a SLA. Opps, I guess that doesn't matter to Verizon. Though I have to admit, I miss having access to Speakeasy.
From their site:
" 4. Will Verizon FiOS Internet Service for Business have service level agreements?
Service level agreements are not currently available for Verizon Internet Service for Business. As Verizon expands its Fiber-to-the-Premises network, Verizon Online plans to offer additional connection speeds, features and Service Level Agreements.
"
To middle-age, Earth. Wait until things begin to get saggy and noisy all over.
I've always told users, that email is not a storage medium. It's a volatile one.
Yes, they should have had backups now days, but none the less, if you want it saved, don't leave it in your inbox.
I've had folks complain that the trash automatically was cleaned out every three days. WTF?
Let me know when they tax me by the volume of air I breath....
I though the roads were already paid for via gas tax and state/federal taxes? So we the people pay for the infrastructure (and throw stadiums in there as well), and then have to pay to use them. Genius! I gotta get me a business where the public pays for construction and maintenance, and then still has to pay me a fee for usage.
'"The schools do benefit some." How is that? It just means that they'll likely forego decent comparison of operating systems and their total cost of ownership. Remember, the Windows license is just the start, they'll also have to factor in the cost of managing the systems, troubleshooting, and eventually, the cost to upgrade all their Microsoft applications because of security issues and vulnerabilities. This stunt just delays the inevitable. "as a company we welcome choice" [Orlando Ayala] ...and that's why we give them the choice to use any OS as long as it's Windows.'
So you are telling me that they do not benefit at all? I did say some. Yes, they are potentially losing a lab with multiple OS types that they can tinker with, but I'm not sure if the clauses that come from MS state that they cannot have any other OS in the school. And if a school deployed a linux desktop, there would be cost of systems management and troubleshooting (sic). Where are your savings again? As for 'upgrading' because of security reasons, are not patches included with the MS license?
And don't forget how many educational programs are only windows capable (99% perhaps). If a school was to switch to a linux desktop, they would still have to pay for those programs regardless of the desktop OS. I'm purposely leaving OSX out of this discussion since they would cost even more as a desktop implementation.
I don't like MS as much as anyone. However, their desktop does have it's place in many institutional environments. (please read desktop, not server) Can a linux desktop do the same thing without license fees. Sure it can. But how many of the norms are willing to switch.
What's going to really cook the noodle is how they came up with 'spending' 235Mil. Why not 250? How about 500? Did they calculate how many versions of Windows each potential customer will purchase in their life time and take inflation into account. Then figured that a 1 to 4 or 5 return value over 25 years isn't a bad investment after all.
I don't care for M$ either (while typing this on a M$ platform, necessary evil..blah,blah,blah), but you have to give them credit for trying to continue growing their customer base. They are in the business of making money (read not top quality software) and that is what they are doing. The schools do benefit some. And potentially the local tax payer since the bill is not flipped by them.
"GUIs are for two things and two things only:"
Actually, I think he wants to use the UNIX shell to make him GUI.
I don't know why they just don't come out and say what they really want. A pricing system that is identical to that of the Electric Company. You get charged a flat fee, plus a fee for the number of packets down loaded and a fee for packets up loaded. Obviously there are technical hurdles for this method of billing, but I'm sure they will try and get there. Lucky for most folks, and unlike that of electric (regardless of what they tell you), there is still some competition for your ISP dollar.
Come to think of, the 'war' really isn't about Blu vs HD, it's about Xbox vs PS or MS vs Sony. Should HD won out (well, they ain't fully dead yet), that could have killed the PS. Sony had no choice but to dump cash into the hands of the Studios.
I don't see the problem. Folks can get a very nice upconverter for a very nice price. They can then use all of their current DVDs and get a nice stack of HD-DVDs quite cheap right now (80+ of them at >$15.00 per on amazon). Add in the 7 Free HD-DVD's Toshiba is giving away.
So you may end up not getting 'newer' releases. It's still going to be a while before blu-ray gets their act together and provides a decent player for under $200.00, along with movies for under $20.00. I know folks like to play the "Get a Playstation" card, but there are still quite a few consumers who could give a crap about a video game console. Besides, that is still well north of $200.00.
This is a good deal for the consumers, well at least this consumer.
If you can afford the 'free time' see if you can apply for any internships at different large companies. Or see if a smaller one would take the chance with you interning with them. The price is right for them, and you get to tail someone who's more experienced in the field.
You can also look up some open source projects that need assistance (there are many of them that do) and see where you can help on them. Open source projects are a great way to get experience and critiquing your own skills.
You can also learn these three words:
"Hello. Geek Squad."
Everyone get on the baggage belt and run through a bunch of X-Rays, Dogs, and a charged particle space that should trigger any bombs on your person.
Or have everyone travel naked. Ramsey and Trojan would benefit the most with the dire need of seat condoms using this method.