I keep being reminded how rare common sense is...
A site I look after, which I visit once per week, is laid out very badly: Very long desks with just a few floor ports underneath with not enough network or power points.

In spite of being told numerous times they can log in to any machine and get the same desktop etc, people still physically move their computers on their own and are surprised when they don't work. Cue lots of phonecalls interrupting me from any decent bit of coding (ie, my 'real' job) I'm trying to concentrate on.

But that's not today's problem.

Health and Safety inspection soon, and guess who's got to rewire the whole floor so the cables are out of reach of clumsy feet?

I order a job lot of small switches and new network leads from the usual supplier. I ask the HR/Reception girls here to get a load of 6 way power adapters and cable mats. (Misco or someone are usually cheaper for that kind of thing than my IT supplier.) Gonna do this properly.

So when I get here this morning, I'm told by the girls my order's arrived, and they casually mention it cost £700. Sorry? £700.

They'd got a quote of exactly what I'd asked for, not called me, not asked for competing quotes, not checked online. £700. For ten 6 way adapters and 10 metres of cable mat.

They've since had a go at their supplier and he's dropped the cost to 'cost' - £350.

How do these people get through the day? It's no wonder they always seem stressed and snappy...clearly watching their backs.

So what monumental pinnacles of stupidity/naivity have those around you attained today?
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:08, 16 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Stupidity?
I went for a coffee at lunchtime.
The person in front of me in the queue was arguing that they wanted "A cappuccino without milk... No, are you stupid? NOT AN ESPRESSO. A CAPP-UC-CINO WITHOUT THE FOAMED MILK".
( Cawl, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:26, Reply)

I hope you stabbed his kidneys



with your penis
(Bazongaloid, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:29, Reply)

Much easier to do to a girl
despite location of kidneys
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:30, Reply)

It was a "her".
I did not.
I got my coffee and went to sit down.
( Cawl, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:30, Reply)

Dude
you're slacking off in your old age. Whatever happened to StabbyKaol, going in knives blazing? I miss him :(
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:32, Reply)

He's been retired.
I can't get a police record, it'll mess up my plans.
( Cawl, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:33, Reply)

Do you plan to have sex with an Emperor Penguin?

(Bazongaloid, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:36, Reply)

I never plan to do these kinda things.
They just seem to happen.
( Cawl, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:38, Reply)

what a fucking dumbass
I don't, and will never, drink coffee and even I know how stupid that is.

also, it's not an "Americano" it's just a fucking coffee.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:31, Reply)

Try explaining
that to the gimp behind the counter.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:36, Reply)

I don't drink coffee either
But I'd love to go into one of those poncy coffee shops which sells all manner of Frappolattecinos or whatever, and ask for "a coffee please", then look blank when the serving wench/chap* reels off the list of preposterous variants, and shrug.

It wouldn't accomplish anything but I'd just like to do it.

*they have a silly title too - barista or something, I believe.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:53, Reply)

A rant
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRjebToJYGk
( djtrialprice, Tue 19 May 2009, 17:01, Reply)

Daft bitch I work with
trying to connect the two female ends of two leads together while the two male ends were on the the floor a few feet away.
(TheColonel, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:37, Reply)

You fucking disgust me
you cable homophobe.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 19 May 2009, 16:39, Reply)

You're just jealous you weren't there
you filthy lead pervert.
(TheColonel, Tue 19 May 2009, 17:13, Reply)

I feel your pain...
A finance guy landed at my desk this morning, complaining of problems rebooting his laptop. Having been in IT support for waay too long, experience has taught me to get the person to re-create the problem before going any further. So I suggested that he re-create the problem for me, so I can see where the issue is....

It turns out that his understanding of rebooting a computer was to close the screen down onto the base (putting the laptop into hibernate). He then proceeded to lift up the screen and the machine came out of hibernate.. and that was how he rebooted his machine. It also turns out, that for some time now, this is was the process he used every day shut-down and start-up (when going home/arriving into work)..

what makes it better, our recently appointed IT director told him to do it this way... as it's easier!
(sarcasmo needs more sleep, Tue 19 May 2009, 21:13, Reply)