Yesterday was an odd, and somewhat disappointing day. Nothing quite fit for the day. My mood, the folks I interacted with, etc. Just off.
Mid-day a few folks popped into my part time job looking for help. The part time job is of course somewhat techie. Not techie enough of course.
The people in search of help popped in with a computer and a video recorder. The video recorder wasn’t working with their Macintosh. Ah, I knew exactly what was wrong. They had a Sony camcorder, a hard drive model. The same one I have.
I let them know the camera was fine, their computer was fine. They were missing one small piece of software. A converter so they could deal with the files on the Sony.
In total I only had about 5 minutes with them. A quick explanation, a quick demo, and the name of the software they needed. I hope they got it all (they did write it down).
After dealing with them I felt bad. The type of trouble they were having was easy to deal with, but I’d like to take 30 minutes to really teach them about it. I enjoy showing people how to leverage the technology they own, and their situation would have been a great opportunity to really show them how to get the most out of their system. But I didn’t have time given demands of others around me.
It’s disappointing when you can’t do your best due to the restrictions of where you work. Especially if you have the internal drive to be a teacher. So, that led to some disappointment with what I’ve been doing.
And on a tangent to this thought……
It’s also trying when you feel you don’t have the time to be patient. Yesterday I witnessed a total melt down. Not a minor one. A guy seeking out help with his system became completely and totally unhinged. A hard drive failure that needed to be fixed NOW!
You’d expected a wounded person or frightened person to start screaming and yelling. It’s expected. But how about if your hard drive fails? All your data is potentially lost. How do you deal with it? How about a 5 minute shrieking rant? Yup. Every curse imaginable, screaming, yelling about people around him needing therapy, and a bunch of other strange stuff.
Bottom line, he didn’t have time and needed it fixed now, and wanted everyone within shouting (really loud shouting) distance to know. Wow.
I must say to all readers the following……a tech note. You need to backup your systems on a regular basis. Systems may fail. And if they do, a backup will make you feel happier. Your data will be safe. And as I point out in my book, backup hard drives (portable USB drives) are pretty darned cheap now. See, tech folks can’t always restore or fix everything. And you need to do your part.
Simply put, if you never take your car in for oil changes and tune ups it will fail. Preventative maintenance. You need to do the same with your computer. Disk scans, defrags, and backups. If you don’t do it, don’t be angry when you hit a failure.
Entries (RSS)
Tech stuff is so intimidating to people (um…yeah, me too…) but, I’ve often found that freaking out about it will not help you or anyone around you…and my Mac hates it when I cry…
I’m sorry you didn’t have time enough with the video camera people…that’s the best part about connecting with people, is the ability to help them solve a problem…maybe next time you will get to slow down enough to help more…
Metal Boar,
Wishing you a belated Happy Natal Day my young friend. I turn 60 next Thurs.
Sorry to hear about the customer melt down. It happens in all fields. All you can do is stay calm, sincerely informing the customer of what you can and cannot do making the time for them.
While working as a pediatric occupational therapist, I had a parent of a severely involved patient throw a tirade for 30 min., forcing me to cancel another patient’s appointment to be a patient listener. Parents, who once had a normal child, who was later debilitated by a near drowning or from a minor voluntary medical procedure (immunization) can be like this.
As a professional, I accept these situations as part of my job. The impact professionals make by just listening and being helpful to customers even if the problem situation is hopeless does make a difference.
After the unexpected sad passing of one of these children, the often difficult mother visited me. She apologized for her years of angry behavior directed at me and others, gave me a hug, sincerely expressed her deepest thanks, and then said good-bye. I get choked up whenever I think about this.
Remember, you make a difference and will continue to meet these challenges.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Larry
i have never understood why people take out their anger at themselves on everyone else. the problem has usually been created by the person having the fit. ranting and raving tends to lessen the odds of anyone wanting to help.
as for making backups, i am thankful i was 99% backed up when my harddrive in my powerbook failed earlier this year. i make backups daily and rotate where i back up to.
peace of mind.
Hey Larry! Love the Metal Boar!!!! Thanks for sending that along. Gee whiz, why do I like you and Bill so much???? Pretty clear, you’re great people!
Believe me, I understand what it is to be patient with folks, understand their pain. I remember at my mom’s passing my personal frustration with a hospice nurse. She was trying to save my mom. Didn’t belong in hospice. I told her so directly, not picking. She was fighting each new problem. I reminded her, “You are in hospice”, my mother had fought so long. Once she knew the whole story she understood….25 years fighting…..so tired, so little left for the fight.
It just amazed me hearing the fellow lose it. When my ex said divorce my response was quieter than what I witnessed. Hmmmmmm…..a hard drive vs. a life I valued so much. Situations so far apart.
I get frustration. But really, attacking those really trying to help is a tad off base. I admire what you did Larry. Good one for you! Oh, I’m still trying to work out meeting you guys at Anza Borrego!!!!! That would be amazing! Still, you should come here to (tell Bill it’s time to go further).
By the way…fortunately, I didn’t deal with the “exploding man”. I’ve never seen such a thing…never done such a thing. There was nobody around who didn’t hear this guy. When I was in my worst pain in 05 I never yelled so loud, yet sometimes I wish I did (then I would have had a CT scan telling me all…..took 9 months…..too quiet and friendly I guess).
It’s all interesting. 3 chapters to a new book so far. Non-techie. More about people based on recent stuff and past stuff….and it is tying together nicely.
Oh, by the way…..the ranting guy….it was all him. He didn’t realize his new drive had a new drive letter (not the C: drive). Hence the meltdown. Nothing was wrong at all beyond a lack of personal understanding….which is what the guy dealing with him tried to explain before the explosion. Hmmmmmmm……take 5 minutes gang and find the answer. Just my 2 cents……
Oh, and on making backups…..keep it up Rowan!
And for everyone else…..what are you thinking? Back it up…pretty darned easy all! 
Happy Thanksgiving! I’m going off to shoot a 2 story cliff dwelling tomorrow!!!!!!!
Amen, backups are so important!
Hey, Hubby Hank and I are contemplating what to do for Christmas. Thinking of taking the trella out for a week. Any suggestions?