I always thought this was fiction... but it just happened this morning!

[beshman2]

We have a client who personifies everything bad about users. Fortunately, she is hours away and all support is done by phone. She has an ancient Unix system and refuses to upgrade. She does not know how to shut down or restart the system without calling and being walked through every key stroke. She called Friday afternoon and was walked through a system shutdown including powering off the UPS. I did not know this until a few minutes ago, but the reason for the shutdown was the local power company turning off her buildings power for repairs over the weekend.


She called this morning in a complete panic claiming her UPS unit would not come back on. I told her she would need to get a power strip and plug the power cords from the system into the strip bypassing the UPS for testing. Her exact quote "I have no idea what you are talking about." I was pre coffee and she called before normal opening hours (on an internal extension) so I replied "Come on, everyone since the 20th century knows what a power cord is". She still claimed not to understand, so I transfered her to another tech who normally deals with her. He was attempting to get her to understand the concept of wall outlet -> power strip -> power cords when she said "Wait, something just happened! The emergency lights just went out!"


I guess I will have to reevaluate my belief in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy now...

[Tecumseh]

She should probably buy her next system from Fisher-Price!

[Ferrit]

That statement
"Do you have all the original boxes the computer came in mam"
comes to mind

[gtiseb]

Not bad.

Pretty Good story.

Now try working with 15 people who are EXACTLY like her.

Afterwards you'll know why I left my job and started working for my current company.

[10of40]

I'd mail her a list of step-by-step instructions for powering down her systems (to tape next to the monitor).

[JPnyc]

Next time, try to encourage her to sell the computer and buy a fish tank.

[ßracius]

I am so glad I don't do this sheyt anymore

[JPnyc]

Me too. Did it for a yr, business software. You'd think people working in IT depts would be easier to support. Nuh uh.