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Support **ARGH**

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:28 pm
by Crashin
Does anyone else have to do support at their job, in addition to programming? I work for a really small software company, so I have to "wear many hats," as they say. So, I'll code all morning long and get really into it and then have to shift gears and do support all afternoon. Ahhhhhhh...I'm doing support right now. It's such a mindless thing that I can actually go through the forums and answer questions here (helping in the forums is a totally different animal than my phone support) at the same time.

If I have to help someone restore a .zip file one more time I'm going to scream... :?

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:42 pm
by twigletmac
Our web dev team sits near to the help desk and it can be really funny (although I feel sorry for the operators) when you hear them saying things like 'Go to your desktop. Your Desktop, you know the blue screen with all your icons. Now single left click on x icon. No that means you double clicked on it - single left click. No you've doubled clicked it again...' and so on.

Mac

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:47 pm
by Crashin
Exactly...
Me: Okay, go to your "Start" button and right-click on it. Choose "Explore."
Luser: There's no "Explore" in my programs list.
Me: Did you right click?
Luser: I just did and it says "Help and Support."
Me: No, on the "Start" button. Did you right-click on the "Start" button?
Luser: What do you want me to start?
Ah, yes...my potential goes wastefully down the drain.

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 2:50 pm
by hedge
yep, we're pretty small too. my duties:

1. Oracle DBA
2. webmaster (PHP)
3. Client Server App Support and enhancements (VB/Oracle)
4. Desktop Support
5. Everything else...

It makes it hard to plan one's day.

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 3:00 pm
by Crashin
The thing is I want to work on my development projects, however most of the time I have to do the support thing. But, I am happy to have a job, support or no support...more than a lot of people can say right now.

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 3:01 pm
by Crashin
hedge wrote:It makes it hard to plan one's day.
Yeah, to say the least. And then they wonder why your development projects aren't further along. 8O

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 3:29 pm
by daven
The eternal problem of working at a small company: the multi-hat conundrum.

In response to the original post, my tasks are:
PHP programmer
Unix SysAdmin
Windows SysAdmin
Network Admin
Database Guru
Computer Tech
Tech Support
Furniture Mover (please don't ask)

I am not saying how many of them I am good at *wink*. Just that they are the things I am responsible for.

Aside from not getting any single project done, don't you love it when you get yelled at for "goofing off on the web" when you are trying to look up solutions to various problems?

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 3:35 pm
by Crashin
daven wrote:Aside from not getting any single project done, don't you love it when you get yelled at for "goofing off on the web" when you are trying to look up solutions to various problems?
Yeah, totally!
Supervisor: Tim walked by and said that all he sees you doing is surfing the web.
Me: Oh, yeah. He's right...that's all I do all day long is play, play, play! Whoopie! Did Tim mention I was on the phone, too? Presumably talking to my friend about getting wasted over the weekend. Woo hoo!!!

I can feel the pain

Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2003 3:48 pm
by phpScott
To many duties not enough time.
I can share the pain.

Hats include:
php programmer
db developer
webmaster
support
part time network guy
troublshooter
teacher
mentor: we have interns around the office who need babysitting.

and constantly interupted by web designers trying to do things for the 5th time and still can't get it write or trying to modify php code when they don't have a clue.


But I still find time to come and surf the forums trying to be helpful.

phpScott

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2003 11:40 am
by Sinnix
Hats Include:
Web Dev.

Code: Select all

if ($luser == "My computer is broken!") echo ("Call IT.");
if ($luser == "My email isn't working!") echo ("Call IT.");
if ($luser == "Can you setup my media player?") echo ("No, call IT.");
I was sure that everyone know that just because I sit in front of a computer all day and do 'computer type stuff', doesn't mean I'm there to help your change your desktop picture. :twisted: :wink: 8) 8) :roll: