So at the request of Ben, here starts a thread about all things that happen in the most loathed department of all departments: your company's Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Support, "if it's got a screen it's your responsibility" department.
IT is that one department we all know we need, but we all hate to contact. We all know the place, the "File a ticket and we'll get back to you." black hole. The smug yet smelly nerds who come and make you feel stupid when you can't figure out why your computer won't turn on, only to see them push the power button on the UPS you kicked under the desk. So this thread will give you a glimpse from the other side, what goes on after they get back from helping angry Sally reformat her Word doc for the 7 millionth time.
I'll start. Names have been changed to protect the ... people.. Sally is in Accounting, Steve is the IT manager.
Sally: "We need printer maintenance in our department."
Steve: Which printer?
Sally: "The (Laser Printer) near my desk"
Steve: Ok, and what's the issue?
Sally: <carrying a stack of ~200 sheets of paper> <pointing to her forearm> "Any time I print a large report and pick it up off the printer, the paper is hot and it feels like it's burning!"
Steve: Laser printers use heat, lots of heat, to make the toner stick to the paper. If it wasn't hot, it wouldn't print. There's nothing to fix.
You'd think at this point the conversation would be done, but nope.
Sally: "Oh. But normally when I print it's only a little hot."
Steve: You like to bake, right?
Sally: "Oh yeah I love to bake!"
Steve: Ok, think of it this way. Don't turn your oven on, but instead put a candle in the bottom and close the door. Then bake your cake.
Sally: "A candle isn't enough heat, that wouldn't work"
Steve: Exactly. How about 200 candles?
Sally: "Ok. So can we get maintenance on our printer?"
Steve: ......
Sally: ......
Steve: No.
IT is that one department we all know we need, but we all hate to contact. We all know the place, the "File a ticket and we'll get back to you." black hole. The smug yet smelly nerds who come and make you feel stupid when you can't figure out why your computer won't turn on, only to see them push the power button on the UPS you kicked under the desk. So this thread will give you a glimpse from the other side, what goes on after they get back from helping angry Sally reformat her Word doc for the 7 millionth time.
I'll start. Names have been changed to protect the ... people.. Sally is in Accounting, Steve is the IT manager.
Sally: "We need printer maintenance in our department."
Steve: Which printer?
Sally: "The (Laser Printer) near my desk"
Steve: Ok, and what's the issue?
Sally: <carrying a stack of ~200 sheets of paper> <pointing to her forearm> "Any time I print a large report and pick it up off the printer, the paper is hot and it feels like it's burning!"
Steve: Laser printers use heat, lots of heat, to make the toner stick to the paper. If it wasn't hot, it wouldn't print. There's nothing to fix.
You'd think at this point the conversation would be done, but nope.
Sally: "Oh. But normally when I print it's only a little hot."
Steve: You like to bake, right?
Sally: "Oh yeah I love to bake!"
Steve: Ok, think of it this way. Don't turn your oven on, but instead put a candle in the bottom and close the door. Then bake your cake.
Sally: "A candle isn't enough heat, that wouldn't work"
Steve: Exactly. How about 200 candles?
Sally: "Ok. So can we get maintenance on our printer?"
Steve: ......
Sally: ......
Steve: No.