I don't like your assumption that car mechanics are all academic no-hopers.
You need brains to be a mechanic, otherwise people would just fix their cars themselves.
( Bob Todd whee, Sun 27 Sep 2009, 20:24, 2 replies)

sorry
I was trying to make the point that they have far more money than me, have a better standard of living than me, and I have ended up living my life in debt because I thought continuing education was a good idea. Oh and it's a question of aptitudes not inteligence, who said an accademic no hoper is thick?
(rockers74 killed a man in Reno just to watch him die., Sun 27 Sep 2009, 20:33, closed)

Well...
I would imagine most professions have a smattering of graduates in them, simply because there are a lot of graduates out there. However, I would bet you 11 english pence that the mechanic profession has fewer than average, if any at all.

Academic people tend to stay on, do A-levels, perhaps uni. In the time I spent doing these things, I never heard a single person suggest that they'd like to be a mechanic once their course ended.


EDIT: also, OP - provided you can 'drive' your computer, most IT Support people will be fine with you. We do not expect technical knowledge - but users who can, at least, check the plug sockets before calling us up are very much appreciated.

You would not, afterall, expect your mechanic to teach you how to drive your car.
( Happy Phantom has been to Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne too, Sun 27 Sep 2009, 20:40, closed)

the problem is the idiots,
it's like any other job really, you get to expect that the next call is from a numpty. I do have friends in IT, infact my ex was a techie (and no this isn't bitterness) there was a horrible us against them attitude from many of her friends, a sort of "our life would be so much better without users" kind of thing. It eventually leaked out into thier jobs. Don't get me wrong I have worked in call centres with the whole of the numpty world calling me. I've served in a cafe where people have asked for an espresso with hot milk, but at least I was polite helpful and gave them just what they wanted.

it's not Mr Happy Phantom a question of learning to drive, it's a question of being patient with the learner and not roaring past them waving a middle finger.

(are you enjoying this motoring analogy as much as me?)
(rockers74 killed a man in Reno just to watch him die., Sun 27 Sep 2009, 22:04, closed)

Fair enough...
and of course, there are people who take themselves *far* too seriously - I don't thikn this is restricted to IT.

I look after nine sites. On my own. They're fairly widely-distributed, and it takes me time to travel between them. I always try my best to help, as in general I get along very well with the other staff - but it is extremely annoying to arrive somewhere and find out that they've not followed the basic steps they'd attempt if it were their kettle, or TV that was not functioning. Namely, check the thing has power. It's a waste of time that could have been used helping someone else.

Now, back to the analogy, which I'm determined to stretch until it snaps: I don't imagine a mobile mechanic would be too happy if he turned up to fix a car that 'wouldn't start', only to find the caller waiting patiently outside the car, having not so much as opened the door.
( Happy Phantom has been to Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne too, Sun 27 Sep 2009, 22:25, closed)

nice use of the analogy
it's about to go ping... anyone fancy driving a car that all of a sudden has its steering wheel and pedals moved because that's what we're doing these days? Or that the mechanic has locked off your access to the wiper speed because too many people have been mucking about with it so you can't be trusted? And all without warning.

I knew it was a good analogy but I never thought it was this good.
(rockers74 killed a man in Reno just to watch him die., Sun 27 Sep 2009, 22:41, closed)

If Microsoft made cars...
www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2003/t_computer_v_car-p1.php
( flake has nothing against your right leg, Sun 27 Sep 2009, 23:23, closed)

not so much wiper speed...
But we might glue the water nozzles into a fixed position, to prevent certain ne'erdowells from twizzling them round so they spray water at the car the in the adjacent lane. We do not do this to annoy the people who genuinely want to improve the distribution of water upon the windscreen - that's merely an unfortunate side-effect. However, if you explain your predicament, we'll generally be happy to lend you a tube of solvent (ie, bump you up to local admin).

I drove an automatic the other day. It felt strange. But I persevered, accustomed myself to the new way of doing things, and didn't have to call the mechanic even once...

And more generally, very few of us start our cars with a windy handle these days. Our indicators are now flashy little lights, rather than mechanically-controlled flippers. Airbags have been added to provide a certain amount of cushioning for when the driver makes a mistake; they might deploy accidentally sometimes, but you'll be glad of their presence when you really need them.

In short - improvements have been made to the user interface. Your car is safer, faster, more comfortable, more efficient, and more versatile than those driven by previous generations. It's not a bad thing.



EDIT: also, looking at your signup date, I think we may have shared the same 'newby tuesday'.

Solidarity, bro'...
( Happy Phantom has been to Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne too, Mon 28 Sep 2009, 2:10, closed)

well...
I'm spent and so's that analogy.

high five for newbeees! Sorry I now feel I've become a 14 year old girl.
(rockers74 killed a man in Reno just to watch him die., Tue 29 Sep 2009, 19:15, closed)