Shouldn't programmers know how to fix computers?
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S Houghtelin wrote:
I'd rather spend 20 hours on a fix than pay some kid to pull out all the cards and say "I dunno" and charge me $75 to reformat my drive.
I go by another philosophy, when my computer is sick, I may spend 1-2 hours looking into the problem. Research, re-install drivers and the what not... However, if after a short time, I will format and re-install. Spending 20 hours costs way more than the additional few hours to re-install. And throughout the years, I have gotten really skilled in organizing my important file by backing up to another drive or machine, burn a ROM in cases of important data like tax returns. Hey, the benefits would be maybe time to upgrade OS (although I still run XP and don't intend to switch), or just to have a super clean machine and just re-install the apps I need when I need them. And relocate the Desktop to another drive. Simple and easy peezy.
I was being just a bit facetious when I wrote that. I sure the fellows at the big box repair facilities do a fine job reformatting the drives and reinstalling the OS. As a life long do-it-yourselfer I’ve learned to repair just about anything. I’ve also learned to do all my own maintenance. However reformatting the drive every time something goes wrong teaches people how to reformat the drive. To me this is analogous to putting a new engine in a car every time something doesn’t work. For myself part of the adventure is learning how to fix the problem. When I learned to repair computers they used to cost several thousands of dollars and as a technician it was my job to troubleshoot the beasts to component level. This did not just involve swapping parts but actually finding which memory IC chip needed to be replaced. Back then (Mid 80’s early 90’s) it did warrant the cost. I don’t troubleshoot to that level any more that would be just ridiculous. As a programmer or developer I enjoy solving the issues without having to reformat. There are times that I do need to just that, but as a last resort. When I'm at work, I tell our tech what I think the problem is and he'll fix it. (Sometimes they've come to me for advice)
It was broke, so I fixed it.
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Does it drive anyone else bonkers when developers keep complaining about their windows PC blue screening? If you know how to program why can't you figure out how to fix your own computer, or at least start researching?
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
It pisses me off. Can you imagine a developer in a high position that does not know how to setup regiona settings and make his keyboard right? Can you imagine how annoying it is seeing him always looking for these characters when trying to show you something: ":", ".", "/"? It blows me away.
"To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems" - Homer Simpson "Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction." ― Francis Picabia
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Does it drive anyone else bonkers when developers keep complaining about their windows PC blue screening? If you know how to program why can't you figure out how to fix your own computer, or at least start researching?
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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sock puppet account?
"the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "It is the celestial scrotum of good luck!" - Nagy Vilmos (2011) -
Shouldn't computer technicians know how to program?...
No! Or else they will take our jobs away from us. If we give the illusion that we programmers can fix our own computers, then we (the programmers) are more valuable. (We can ask for help.)
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Fixed your title again. :)
I really can't understand why there's so many people that complaining from that blue screen... I get blue screens extremely rare: Maybe the 1st time i saw it it was back in 1998 when I was still very young PC user: I have installed the wrong driver for my sound card on my old Windows XP machine. The second time I've got blue screen was when my fan of the GeForce4 VGA have stopped working, the card was baked. I remember few other times getting a blue screen, but again the reason was either a defective hardware or wrong drivers installed. BTW I've never seen a blue screen on my win7 laptop, and I have it for 3 years.
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In small companies there are no unreasonable expectations. Developers who hide behind the contact are in most cases lazy, or don't think it is there job.
Most people who take on a contract as an employee expect to be told what to do. People who prefer doing what is needed tend to prefer free-lancing or being boss themselves. Obviously you are of the latter kind. Acknowledge that your team is of the former.
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Most people who take on a contract as an employee expect to be told what to do. People who prefer doing what is needed tend to prefer free-lancing or being boss themselves. Obviously you are of the latter kind. Acknowledge that your team is of the former.
I went a little too far generalizing like that. What I really meant is that sometimes you need to do things that were not part of your job description. I have been a manager and an employee, and I am aware that you have to know what kind of personalities the players of your team/teams have. That being said, and in answer to your initial question, they should fix their computer if I tell them to, or hopefully without me telling them. We can have a whole another thread about contracts. I think we started talking about something different than your original question. :) Also, I am not a free-lancer. My average stint with a company is about 2 years, so I have been working in teams for a long time :) Di
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I went a little too far generalizing like that. What I really meant is that sometimes you need to do things that were not part of your job description. I have been a manager and an employee, and I am aware that you have to know what kind of personalities the players of your team/teams have. That being said, and in answer to your initial question, they should fix their computer if I tell them to, or hopefully without me telling them. We can have a whole another thread about contracts. I think we started talking about something different than your original question. :) Also, I am not a free-lancer. My average stint with a company is about 2 years, so I have been working in teams for a long time :) Di
Apparently we've both mixed up our positions: neither of us is the original poster, so no point in addressing things from the OP between each other. ;) I think my previous response should have been addressed to the OP, not you.
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Possible Reasons 1. This is not my PC. I do not have administrative right :cool: 2. None of my business or duty :java: 3. I am a Mac user ;P
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It pisses me off. Can you imagine a developer in a high position that does not know how to setup regiona settings and make his keyboard right? Can you imagine how annoying it is seeing him always looking for these characters when trying to show you something: ":", ".", "/"? It blows me away.
"To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems" - Homer Simpson "Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction." ― Francis Picabia
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Ya, it is hard to have patience with slow typers from long-time users of computers. I just want to reach over their shoulder and type for them. :)
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
ryanb31 wrote:
I just want to reach over their shoulder and type for them.
I feel that more often than I wish.
"To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems" - Homer Simpson "Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction." ― Francis Picabia
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Does it drive anyone else bonkers when developers keep complaining about their windows PC blue screening? If you know how to program why can't you figure out how to fix your own computer, or at least start researching?
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
