Who Are We Going To Call?

So my computer once again had a meltdown and it’s all f%$#ed up. So I thought I would share my routine of what happens when I have problems. Many people never really know what happens when someone from the help desk has a computer problem. Who do we ask for help? Who do we send a support ticket to? I’ll break down the five steps we (or at least I) take to resolve computer issues:

photo credit: theyoungthousands

1. We Try Everything Google Tells Us To Do

I googled a bunch of different phrases and found a bunch of different solutions. Of course, none of them helped me in any way, shape, or form. Not even the Microsoft page helped me resolve this thing. Not that this is surprising…

So my last resort was to try a system restore, which is supposed to “restore” your machine to a different time. It works 60% of the time. Everything appeared to work, until the machine rebooted to the login page. The PC stopped recognizing my USB mouse or keyboard. Which makes it tough to sign in.

Time for the next step…

2. We Ask For Help

Now is the time when most employees would look to their technical support staff. They would tell them their computer is smoking and it needs to be resolved ASAP. This works, unless of course, you are the technical support staff.
Considering I am the go-to person within the company for fixing these types of issues, there really isn’t much I can do as far as asking for help.

I asked one person what they thought, and they responded with “did you reboot?” I am pretty sure that was some sarcasm in my face for telling the same person this multiple times.

So instead of asking technical support employees for help, we look to forums on the internet. We post our problems in tons of different threads and just wait for the first response. That is, if your lucky enough to get one. I was unable to get any replies on what to try. This is most likely do to the fact that it is Friday and the majority of IT staff around the country are staring at the clock waiting to go home.

Grr, now what?

3. We Enjoy A Fresh Cold Beer

That’s right, at this point we say screw it and take our 2 hour lunch break. So I walked down to the local pizzeria, grabbed a slice of pizza and a ice cold draft beer. Mmm

It’s a nice way to relax, ponder life a bit, and then decide what’s easier: Finding a new job? Or trying to fix this damn computer? I decided with trying to fix it, mostly because I don’t feel like dressing up for a new job interview. Yuck

4. We Reformat The Fricken’ Thing

At this point, we just give up and take the cowards way out. Throw the operating system disc in, boot it up, and wipe the damn thing. There is no easier solution to a computer problem than completly reinstalling everything. I am writing this from a loaner laptop while I stare at my Windows XP install screen, which has said 34 minutes remaining for the last 13 minutes.

And if that doesn’t work…

5. We Order A New Computer

And last but not least, we end up ordering a new computer. It’s nice when you work in IT, and have access to the Dell website to order equipment. It’s pretty easy to say, well this computer is broke we need a new one. No one questions you when your the “tech guy.”

So I am thinking about getting a new, faster machine for my desk. That way I can multitask more efficiently, and get more work done on my blog.

PS. Have A Great Weekend!

Every once in awhile, something happens at work that gives me a little joy.A little hope that maybe some better and more exciting days will come.  It does not happen very often, but it does happen on occasion. And today just happens to be one of those days.

What Happened You Say?

Well, I was given another monitor to use at my desk by my boss. I have been using one since I started this job, which can be a real pain when you have 100 different windows open all the time. So I am writing this post with two displays, woo hoo!

Apparently, having dual displays can gelp me get “more work done.” Or at least that is what I was told. Honestly, I would rather just hire another employee to help me instead of getting another monitor. But it isn’t my call so I will take what I can get. I have quickly adapted to this dual monitor thing and have already increased my productivity. Check out a screen shot of me working on two projects at the same time (click to enlarge):

Now That’s What I Call Multitasking

I can sit and pretent to be looking at my Outlook, and read the hilarious postings on the women seeking men section of Craigslist at the same time! I can’t wait to see what else I can use this for. I already have a few more ideas…

So I came in to work this morning only to realize that my profile reset on my computer. It’s a pain in the ass when this happens. So rather than wasting my time fixing it when I really could care less, I jumped over to the internet and away I went.

I ended up watching this video from The Onion:

Study Finds Youths Don’t Follow Office Politics

I Could Not Agree More

I think the whole idea of “office politics” is hilarious. Honestly, who gives a sh%t what happens at the office. If so and so used to date the guy in accounting, don’t tell me about it. Let me sit in my cubicle and surf the internet in privacy.

I don’t want to be invited to the company picnic because honestly, I have better things to do with a Saturday then spend it with the people I already see too much throughout the week.  What? There’s going to be games and prizes? Woo Hoo, I can’t wait to win a “VIP Parking” spot. Now I only have to walk 400 feet to the door instead of 600.

Those People That Talk

There is nothing more annoying than listening to people talk in the background. My home away from home (aka The Cubicle) happens to be right by a walkway where people like to linger all day long.

Did you hear Jim and his wife are having problems? Or how does so-so afford to go on all these vacations, I swear he’s gone every 3 weeks!

Please, for the rest of us, just keep these lame thoughts to yourself. We have work (or lack of) that we need to do.

How do you feel about office politics? Or what I like to call Office Shannanigans?

Five Things That Keep Me Going

People often send me E-mails or ask me in person why I blog? Is it for the money, the fame, the non-existent fortune? Well, I really wanted to sit down and think about it.

photo credit: Wyetha

The Freedom To Express Myself

By far the most important thing I get out of this blog, is the ability to express myself. I find myself to be an unsual, creative, and funny (once in a great while) type of person. I love to write about topics that people can relate to. More importantly, I really enjoy writing about things others want to say, but keep to themselves. Writing about my office job, believe it or not, has reminded me that a lot of people are in the same situation. Therefore, I love to write funny things I do to help cheer everyone else up that is stuck sitting in there small, scary, cubicle. Who hasn’t thought about drinking over a lunch break? I sure did. I just never thought the idea would lead me to posting this video and eventually ranking #1 in Google for drinking during lunch breaks (and every other combination of those words). But hey, I love it!

The Feedback from Readers

Not only is expressing myself a great positive to blogging, but the feedback I receive in the form of comments, e-mails, and Facebook friend requests, is awesome. There is no better feeling than putting together a post, publishing it on the web for everyone to see, and then seeing comments come in from all over the world. I really appreciate everyone that has ever left a comment on this blog. I really hope to see more of you around here in the feature. Keep the comments coming!

The Friendships It Creates

Jumping in to this whole thing, I never anticipated making friends from this blog. But believe it or not, I have met a lot of people through this thing. Now, I know some people wouldn’t consider people they have never met in person a friend, but I do. These friends have helped me with this blog in many ways. suggestions, feedback, comments, are only a few of them. I even managed to start my freelance career with the use of this blog. It really has made a HUGE difference.

The Joy of Feeling Success

When this blog started, I was ranked around 16,000,000 in Alexa and didn’t even have a PageRank of 0. Comments were something my friends left on a rare occasion. I didn’t even rank in the first 10 pages of Google for the term “Life of Justin”, with quotes. Not exactly something to brag about! Things took a turn however, as I continued to work on this thing day in and day out. I started learning more and more about blogging and eventually pushed this blog to being ranked around 92,000 in Alexa. That is an increase of 15,908,000! It has really given me the feeling of success and I hope to continue to move in a positive direction.

The Idea of One Day Making A Living From It

I have always wanted to work for myself. I have never been the type of person that can sit at a desk and pretend to be busy all day. I just can’t do it! This blog, has made a few dollars here and there. Not nearly enough to retire off of, but it is a start. Just seeing that a website could actually produce REAL money was enough motivation to keep me trying. I know that it will take more time, commitment, and patience to make a living from this. But I know one day it will come…

What Motivates You To Keep Blogging?

Why It’s so Hard to Get My Order Right

Living in Arizona means living with a large population of immigrants. Especially Mexican immigrants. Now I have no problems whatsoever with people coming over here to improve their quality of life and to send money home to their family every month. I think that is one of the noblest things a person can do, risk everything of themselves to provide for the ones they love. I don’t even have a problem with the ones who come over here illegally.

America doesn’t make it very easy to receive green cards, and some people cannot wait through the entire application process before coming over. To the people who can make it over here safely, good for you. Welcome to America!

The Problem

The one thing I do have a problem with is the fact that people who immigrate to the US and take jobs where their main duty is to talk to other people and they do not speak or comprehend much English. Maybe my bigger problem is with the people who hire them to work at the counter, or work the drive thru, answer the phones, or anything else that requires spoken English and comprehension. When I go to a fast food restaurant, I want to be able to tell the people on the receiving end what I want without having to repeat it multiple times just for them to get the order wrong anyway.

My Questions

Does it pay less to have a different position within that company where you do not have to have conversations with the customer? Why would the manager think that is good for business at all to let them be on the front line of it all? If they want to employ these people, then can’t they at least provide them with English classes? I happen to think that’s a great investment for an employer. Train them, help them out, and in return be rewarded with that employees loyalty.

Blame The Companies

Unfortunately, I don’t think any major companies really give a crap about their employees or level of customer service. They throw anyone they can into these positions hoping to save a buck or two, even if the person is far from qualified. If that person ends up being under qualified, they throw them out and bring in the next guy. No wonder why every time I go to the same restaurant, the faces are completely different.

It is true that a few companies do care about their customer service levels, but a lot more don’t. It makes me wonder what really happens to those “Give Us Your Feedback” cards they let you fill out…I have a feeling they get tossed with the leftover fries come closing time.

The Situation

It’s easy to point out these problems, but I imagine that it is a lot different when you view this from someone in this situation. Being new to the country, it is most likely very hard to find positions you are qualified for. I am planning on traveling a lot next year and hope to work to support myself during the trip. So I may just find myself in this same situation.

However, if I get a job in a country where English is not the national language, I will try not to get a job where I have to speak to people. The last thing I would ever want is to be in Italy, working in a Pub or Restaurant and not be able to understand what my customers want. I understand that my options are either:

a) learn the language beforehand

b) do not apply for that job.

But who knows, it may not be that easy. But I will find out, sooner or later.

Anyone else been in a similar situation? If so, feel free to leave a comment.