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This is classic

Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 6:59 pm
by hawleyjr
My dentist in a trade of services asked me to set up a network in his office. I shot him an email asking him prelim questions so I would have an idea of what I was getting myself into. Here is his response:


Questions:

How many computers? ONE I THINK

What type of computer? (Ex: Dell) DELL

What operation systems does each computer have? (Ex: XP, 2000 Prof.)

XP

What type of internet? (Ex: Cable, DSL, T1, No Internet) Does he want each
computer to be on the internet?

DSL --YES --JUST ADD THE ONE

Do you have a router? (If yes, What type of router? How many access ports
does it have? Is it a wireless router?) WE DON'T THINK SO........

Do you have a firewall? (This isn't required but is good)
YES

Do you have ethernet cables that will reach all computers that need to be
networked? YES

Is there a printer that needs to be networked? (If yes, what type of
printer? How old is it?) NO, NOT SURE HOW OLD...NOT VERY OLD.

Does wire need to be pulled through walls? Through the ceiling?

NO

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 1:03 am
by m3mn0n
Did you forget to include some sort of question or anecdote at the end of that message?

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 8:21 am
by kettle_drum
And you let this guy loose in your mouth with a drill!?!?

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 8:25 am
by hawleyjr
I'm just not sure how I'm going to network one computer....I guess I'll put in two ethernet cards and run cat 5 cable from one card to the next?

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 9:00 am
by phpScott
either that or you could get more work done for your self by saying that you have put in a fancy wireless card. and spend five minutes stairing at the pretty assistant or something.

All though I would ask him what his idea of a network was, of course after you get some work done so he doesn't clue in to the idea that he doesn't need a network?

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 9:02 am
by kettle_drum
Or you could explain to him what a network is and then make him buy more computers - so he can really set up a network in his office, making it easy for him to comunicate with the receptionist/other dentists there. And then of course charge even more since your doing a bigger job.

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 9:44 am
by m3mn0n
Sami wrote:Did you forget to include some sort of question or anecdote at the end of that message?
Gee was I ever wide awake last night. :wink:

I'd say sell him a $600 PC for $1,200 and ask for an exclusive PC repair/network admin deal. :twisted:

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:20 am
by AngusL
Change his homepage to http://www.turnofftheinternet.com/# and tell him he needs to press the button to start. Charge him 50$ for 'homepage adjustment' and 100$ for 'essential internet maintenance'. :P

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:27 am
by Draco_03
This person might be less knowledgable then all of you guys in this domain, but that doesn't mean you shoulkd take advantage about it.

How would you like a dentist telling YOU that you need a 4000$ repair or you'll get "huge" problems later etc etc. when it's not true..
Or a mechanic charging you 2000$ for a 50$ repair.
The list go on, many people don't know much about informatique, but when we talk about anothe domain (like mechanics) you probably don't know a lot about it.

my 2 cents
:)

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:32 am
by evilmonkey
I think these guys are more joking than bieng serious. Also, could he have meant that he needs his one computer networked with the office?

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:35 am
by Draco_03
ya i know.
but just in case he think about screwing him up (i know this though would come up to me)..
well i just pin pointed that it was wrong :)

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:35 am
by AngusL
Difference being, we realise we have no idea what we're talking about in mechanics or whatever. I'm confused as to what he thinks a network is, or if he's just heard that they are good for sharing data between colleagues, and hasn't made the connection. Or then again, maybe he's taking ther mickey. :P

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:39 am
by kettle_drum
He is probably refering to the internet as the network. Or he could be in on one of those undercover TV shows where he is trying to see how many people would take advantage of something like this.

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2004 4:59 pm
by hawleyjr
man, this thread is great. I meet with him tomorrow pm I'll be sure to post what I find.