~paul hewitt (6/4/2008)
Interesting point comparing us with doctors. The article didn't mention 'Doctor at a party' syndrome though... In the same way that doctors who admit their profession at a social event can be badgered by other guests for free medical advice, we can be badgered about their home pc problems.Best example from personal experience is 11pm in a bar holding a tray full of drinks when some guy went back to his car, retrieved his broken portable printer with the expectation that I would fix it their and then (in the bar, with no software or equipment to hand whatsoever). When they guy asked me where he could put his printer for me to fix, I almost told him to turn around and.... you can guess the rest. But I didn't, I told him to wait till working hours and bring it to me then. He wasn't happy, I wasn't happy. And yes I get this a lot.
Other IT colleagues have told me that at a social event never to admit that I work in IT... Good advice I think!
Yes, yes, yes, I agree! That is what happen. Makes me think of the story I heard about the doctor that phoned the plumber at 03:00 in the morning telling him his toilet is blocked and he need to come fix it now!!! The plumber said the doctor must be crazy, he will come in working hours but the doctor insisted, reminding him of the times the plumber called him in the wee hours because his child is sick. Reluctantly the plumber agreed to come. When he got there he had a look at the toilet, threw 2 asprins in it and said: "Call me in the morning if it is not better"!!!! When a person goes to the doctor and the receptionist says he had a emergency at the hospital we simply just make another booking but when someone has an IT problem then we have to jump immediately!
:-PManie Verster
Developer
Johannesburg
South Africa
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Holy Bible
I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times. - Everett Mckinley Dirkson (Well, I am trying. - Manie Verster)