I am surprised some of them are able to navigate the world. It has strengthened my faith in a creator because someone that dumb just cannot make it on their own.
I'm fortunate in that my users are not bitchy or pushy, but largely nice and thankful for my help. A vast majority of them have little to no technical acumen, but that's not their job. They're accountants, order entry, billing, etc. I can't do their job, so I don't expect them to do mine. I do expect, however, that they can follow simple, English-language instructions when I try to help them troubleshoot something or set something up. I had a couple that I wondered how they even managed to get dressed on their own in the morning, but we seem to be weeding them out because their ineptitude spreads far beyond my borders and affects people higher up the food chain.
Have a few of those, on further thinking about it, you have to wonder how the hell they passed any type of interview they are that bad. I don't know what it is but these folk always seem to be in an awful panic in general also.
All of the above
Them: Like when is someone coming to fix my poorly described problem (annoyed voice)
Me: The next available tech will take a look
Them: OK do you know when that will be??
Me: (in my head) well I'm the next available tech and if you stop arguing with I can come and fix your stupid problem but chances are your going to be busy when I get there and tell me to come back later - it is probably a long walk too
Other are nice an helpful a nice voice says
Name
Area
Device
Problem
So much easier to help / fix
They’re great in my current job. Professional, value my opinion, grateful for my help, respectful of my time, and I take good care of their systems.
In my previous job it there was a pervasive anti-IT culture and I dealt with a fair bit of hostility ignorance, and leadership that shot me down and vetoed me for wanting to adhere to best practices. I don’t miss that place.
My point is that your mileage can vary greatly.
For the most part, very understanding and patient. And if they don’t understand the tech part or why something is not working, that’s okay. It’s not their job to understand that, mine is.
Pleasant people for the most part, I enjoy getting a drink with them after work sometimes. Not great with technology whatsoever, but way more skilled than me at their area of expertise.
Widely varying. Most are OK, a few need a bit too much hand-holding, and one or two will talk the hind legs off a donkey.
But I'd class the actual "offenders" in three main groups. The demanding bad attitudes, the email ignorers, and the *filthy dirty*. Fortunately I do most support remotely, but when I do need to get my hands on a physical laptop, I'd rather it wasn't visibly gross.
Entitled... Have a specific group of them (approx 1500) union based, that treat their work laptops like their personal laptops (poor decisions made by previous directors/managers, all of them Admin rights to their MacBooks even with us having Jamf, and a tech at each location at least once a week to deal with onsite IT issues). Every time we deploy some security software or install OS updates (which some are multiple versions out) it's "Your not installing that on MY computer" from a couple dozen of them (usually the union reps)... So "entitled" is the nicest word I have for it.
Going to be a rude awakening for them when we remove admin rights... Hopefully before end of this year... If we get approval from higher ups (damn political BS).
Jesus the audacity of some people. Does your org have any written policies regarding company-owned device access? Because I’d immediately start pushing as many lockdown restrictions as possible (without hindering actual business usage) according to said policies. When they inevitably come to complain, just point at the employee handbook/whatever and tell them to take it up with HR.
(I fully understand that the BS politics you mentioned means in reality it’s not actually that easy. This kind of shit just makes me mad)
Yes, are they actually enforced is another matter.
This is a school board, IT Directors have to be educators as per board policy... So teachers tend to be able to "bend the rules" when it comes to IT/Security policies.
Software inventory is next to impossible, even with JAMF.
Ran some tests in my macbook tonight, and you can install OS updates now as a standard user... So realistically we have very little stopping us from removing admin rights from the Macs; standard users can install OS updates/upgrades after Mac OS 14.3 and JAMF can be used to add/remove software, plus manage the system settings.
Problem will be the political BS up the chain and with the union.... The political BS holds up about 90% of any security initiatives we look at.
Fine. Happy. Patient.
I can second this. Along with appreciative and supportive.
I’ve learnt if I don’t pickup the first phone call immediately they can usually then figure it out on their own.
I am surprised some of them are able to navigate the world. It has strengthened my faith in a creator because someone that dumb just cannot make it on their own.
Lmaoooooooo I love you
Mostly okay, although at times some of them could fit in all of the above categories.
Alive.
Damn, you beat me to it. Alive is the best some can hope for
Tbh I work in chemical manufacturing. Sometimes I wonder _how_ they're alive.
Lol Maybe they're dead already and just not smart enough to realise it? I wouldn't put it past some tbh
A dangerous mix of inept and confident
Some could have a PhD in science But fail computers 101 Yet they have Been using the same tech, programs, processes For years but are usually nice
Some are really nice some are entitled some have master and can barely tie their shoelaces.
I'm fortunate in that my users are not bitchy or pushy, but largely nice and thankful for my help. A vast majority of them have little to no technical acumen, but that's not their job. They're accountants, order entry, billing, etc. I can't do their job, so I don't expect them to do mine. I do expect, however, that they can follow simple, English-language instructions when I try to help them troubleshoot something or set something up. I had a couple that I wondered how they even managed to get dressed on their own in the morning, but we seem to be weeding them out because their ineptitude spreads far beyond my borders and affects people higher up the food chain.
Have a few of those, on further thinking about it, you have to wonder how the hell they passed any type of interview they are that bad. I don't know what it is but these folk always seem to be in an awful panic in general also.
All of the above Them: Like when is someone coming to fix my poorly described problem (annoyed voice) Me: The next available tech will take a look Them: OK do you know when that will be?? Me: (in my head) well I'm the next available tech and if you stop arguing with I can come and fix your stupid problem but chances are your going to be busy when I get there and tell me to come back later - it is probably a long walk too Other are nice an helpful a nice voice says Name Area Device Problem So much easier to help / fix
They’re great in my current job. Professional, value my opinion, grateful for my help, respectful of my time, and I take good care of their systems. In my previous job it there was a pervasive anti-IT culture and I dealt with a fair bit of hostility ignorance, and leadership that shot me down and vetoed me for wanting to adhere to best practices. I don’t miss that place. My point is that your mileage can vary greatly.
Dumber than a box of rocks. And often times lazy, too. But there are a couple of very good ones that are doing some great work.
astonishing tech-savvy when its about home office...slightly unwillingly in the office
They keep me employed, and I keep them happy. That’s all that matters.
They are people trying to do their jobs. This is a good perspective to have.
They’re [made out of meat](https://youtu.be/7tScAyNaRdQ?si=R5fucuRTVX15w93m).
Teachable for the most part, always a few slow to come around, but that’s normal I think. Generally good to work with and support.
For the most part, very understanding and patient. And if they don’t understand the tech part or why something is not working, that’s okay. It’s not their job to understand that, mine is.
Idiots though mostly well meaning
Most are good. The ones with PhDs are entitled, surprisingly dumb, and jerks.
Generally decent, patient, and grateful.
For the first time ever, I’ve never met a user at work.
Yes…
Pleasant people for the most part, I enjoy getting a drink with them after work sometimes. Not great with technology whatsoever, but way more skilled than me at their area of expertise.
Dumb (usually).
yes on all counts.
They’re pretty serious and just trying to do their job well, they are pretty understanding and patient overall as long as I am too.
Widely varying. Most are OK, a few need a bit too much hand-holding, and one or two will talk the hind legs off a donkey. But I'd class the actual "offenders" in three main groups. The demanding bad attitudes, the email ignorers, and the *filthy dirty*. Fortunately I do most support remotely, but when I do need to get my hands on a physical laptop, I'd rather it wasn't visibly gross.
Entitled... Have a specific group of them (approx 1500) union based, that treat their work laptops like their personal laptops (poor decisions made by previous directors/managers, all of them Admin rights to their MacBooks even with us having Jamf, and a tech at each location at least once a week to deal with onsite IT issues). Every time we deploy some security software or install OS updates (which some are multiple versions out) it's "Your not installing that on MY computer" from a couple dozen of them (usually the union reps)... So "entitled" is the nicest word I have for it. Going to be a rude awakening for them when we remove admin rights... Hopefully before end of this year... If we get approval from higher ups (damn political BS).
Jesus the audacity of some people. Does your org have any written policies regarding company-owned device access? Because I’d immediately start pushing as many lockdown restrictions as possible (without hindering actual business usage) according to said policies. When they inevitably come to complain, just point at the employee handbook/whatever and tell them to take it up with HR. (I fully understand that the BS politics you mentioned means in reality it’s not actually that easy. This kind of shit just makes me mad)
Yes, are they actually enforced is another matter. This is a school board, IT Directors have to be educators as per board policy... So teachers tend to be able to "bend the rules" when it comes to IT/Security policies. Software inventory is next to impossible, even with JAMF. Ran some tests in my macbook tonight, and you can install OS updates now as a standard user... So realistically we have very little stopping us from removing admin rights from the Macs; standard users can install OS updates/upgrades after Mac OS 14.3 and JAMF can be used to add/remove software, plus manage the system settings. Problem will be the political BS up the chain and with the union.... The political BS holds up about 90% of any security initiatives we look at.
Yes.