dumming it down

[wyhteagle]

ok, I"ve been messing with the internet and computers for about 10 years ( I"m only 18) when someone spouts things like url/ip/tcp/domain/dns/ among LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of others, I completely understand them, but.....

how do you explain it to someone who doesn't.

I guess my point is, is there a book, or webpage out there, that dumbes things down even futher then dummbies and idoits guides? when I try to explain something to my boss, I just end up saying nevermind just give me the ok to do it, ( granted she usally does , but still)

can anyone help here?

[FastGame]

I guess my point is, is there a book, or webpage out there, that dumbes things down even futher then dummbies and idoits guides? when I try to explain something to my boss, I just end up saying nevermind just give me the ok to do it, ( granted she usally does , but still)
Hi wyhteagle, welcome to TZ

Ok since your only 18 I'll help you out..

Never educate your boss ! once they become educated they're smart enough to figure out they don't need you !

Always perform you job with vigor and when the boss ask you what was/is wrong give all the techno BS you can think of. You'll know when your doing a good job when you say something like "The wing nuts in Device Manager were loose" and your boss replies with "Good job wyhteagle". If she catches on then say "hey I was just kidding"

As for as the "idiots guides" ? I don't have a clue, thats counter productive to my philosophy. I've found the most success when I worked at a place that had the most idiots :)

BTW TZ has members that are bosses, but they're the smart educated kind :D

[tarun]

Hi wyhteagle, welcome to TZ
Never educate your boss ! once they become educated they're smart enough to figure out they don't need you !


:D FG, I like ur philosophy.... :D
Hey, do u like dilbert?? The dilbert omnibus is Pretty hilarious stuff ! scott adams is gr8.


I guess my point is, is there a book, or webpage out there, that dumbes things down even futher then dummbies and idoits guides? when I try to explain something to my boss, I just end up saying nevermind just give me the ok to do it, ( granted she usally does , but still)


Oh when u find out, and ur looking for some1 to teach........ I know some1... ME... ME... ME... ME....ooh....pick me, pick me..... :p

[wyhteagle]

ok, thanks FG great philsophy, I love, It and I"ll stay with it. I usally use techno BS when I need her out of my hair, but sometimes I really do need to explain something so I can get the money backup to do it. I guess I"ll figure it out <laughs>

p.s.

so IT in the real world is kind of like the cathloic church in the 1500-1700 gotcha lol

[carloc]

Welcome to TZ wyhteagle :D


As for as the "idiots guides" ? I don't have a clue, thats counter productive to my philosophy. I've found the most success when I worked at a place that had the most idiots :)
This is wonderful!

[wyhteagle]

ok, well I have a job offer from another company that pays 2x what this one does doing the EXACT SAME JOB but the problem is they know what there talking about, and this place really are old idiots, ( BTW I work for an antiques gallery)

[efc]

Careful, the person that signs your paycheck should never be called an idiot. :D

[cash_site]

ok, well I have a job offer from another company that pays 2x what this one does doing the EXACT SAME JOB but the problem is they know what there talking about, and this place really are old idiots, ( BTW I work for an antiques gallery)
Ahh... the real story comes out... dont be afraid of putting your skills to the test with people who know... just DONT be arrogant about it... give your honest opinions and they should respect that ;)

Also, no one is an idiot, I believe people have different levels of training ;) Eg, since you work at an art gallery a Microsoft engineer would call you an idiot! However, they've prolly have Many more years of Commercial experience compared to studying and modding at home.

Now, it sounds like you do know your stuff and seem quite frustrated at your current job which only gets you upset and the boss will start sensing that - happened to me... however, this new job offer you have sounds quite interesting and more rewarding which would motivate you! Check it out, no harm in it... just dont go burning your bridges, just in case it falls through ;)

Good Luck dude.

[rik]

Good advice cash_site

[Dehcbad25]

FG, I have a question, could you put a word in for those TZ member that are bosses in my behalf?? Maybe they are hiring :D
Cash advise was very good. And I can say most of the advise in this thread is valid, thought I have a problem with the current boss. Mainly that I never get the approval. :p And my boss thinks he knows about IT, but I found out the hard way he didn't know what was a PCI modem (He thought it was a connection speed like V90), but we are not antique gallery :p
I give you a word of personal advise. Keep on the good side of the boss, even if they are mortally wrong. Just make sure, you have written procedure instructions when the boss ideas if against yours, so you don't get blame if 100 users loose completely their email, because the crappy server, didn't have backup because the boss said it took too long the backup. I haven't been there, but lost email for a whole day thanks to wrong purchasing decisions, and lost a user files, because there was no backup. Now, I get most of the important decisions on writing (thought, he doesn't realize) because I always ask for an email (So I don't forget is the excuse). Because of arguments with my boss, he makes my life a living hell. Today I got rejected the purchase of Visio 2003. Reason I want it, just so I can use LANMapShot from Fluke, and get a drawing with every computer and the port that is connected to the main switch. Imagine how much time it saves every time I want to fin out user in computer xx, is connected to which switch and which port. Instead I have to follow the cable. In a 200 port switch, it can take up to an hour counting the time it takes to follow the cable, and re-put the cable in its place. Visio is just 200 for Standard version. Reason for denial. He just denies almost everything that is for me :p My boss hates to be wrong, but I can say he is right when he recommends and install gator in the company director's PC :o And then gives admin rights to the same person so it is easier for him to install stuff, like screensavers from Screensavers.com, weatherbug and SmileyCentral :eek:

[wyhteagle]

good advice chash, I'll keep it in mind.

dehc I've been in that postion several times, and I just let them mess it up and coming running for help, that called job security give the computer illiterate person the most rights let them **** up prove me right then fix it, proving I know what I"m doing :) that's always fun. lol

[efc]

Dehcbad25, All good advice. I am going to take this opportunity to talk to IT's that are just starting their career from the bosses standpoint. The boss is usually the individual that has responsibility for budgeting and purchase approval. There is never enough money to purchase everything that is requested. That copy of Visio added to a new tool for maintenance, a new volt meter for the electricians, new computers, fax, desks, office furniture, etc. can produce budget shortfalls.

It is not the managers job to know how to do everyone elses job. In fact a good manager doesn't have to know anyone else's job. His/her job is to accomplish the organizational mission. That is usually done through developing goals, staffing, budgeting, developing procedures, constant review, and making changes when needed.

It was normal for me to be working on a budget eighteen months before it was in use. Budget growth was always strictly controlled by upper management. That often puts the subordinant manager in the position of having to deny a purchase, even though it might be badly needed.

There are ways to make these systems work for you. The IT should get in a habit of always thinking ahead. Know the budget cycle and develop your requirements for that time period. Justify your requirements in writing, making clear why it is needed (justifications should be based on savings or efficiencies, or security). Always have a reasonable amount included for contingencies. That would cover the copy of Visio. By doing this up-front planning you are less likely to need an emergency purchase.

When the emergency does occur, make the request in writing. Once again it should contain a thorough explanation as to why it is needed and what could happen if it is not purchased. In the case cited by Dechbad25, I would proceed by preparing the written request, then requesting a meeting with the boss to discuss a problem. When he asks what it is about, I would reply that I would rather discuss it face to face. In that meeting, I would tell him that during a review of the IT operation, we realized that we have a disturbing problem that needs to be fixed quickly. There is no diagram of our network. Should key people quit, become ill, or even die, a new employee would have a steep learning curve to learn the network. Should a failure occur during the learning period, significant costs would result. He will then have to decide if the risk of waiting is worth it.

Following this justification process accomplishes several things:

1. The think-ahead process may identify requirements before they are critical.

2. The written justification communicates the requirement and how it will help the mission.

3. The written justification puts pressure on the manager. Should a major failure occur after being notified, he could find himself in serious trouble.

4. Remember, always develop justifications based on savings, efficiencies or security.

5. Always keep copies.

[wyhteagle]

that good to know but I"m deffiently not new to the tech corp world and I am the head of the 3 divions I speak to the CEO of the company as my boos ( she's a cool person we go out and shot pool accionally) anyways so I deffentitly have a foot hold in the company.

oh I manage about 4 teams of 5 ppl. :) I'm just one lucky ass bastard

p.s.

for those who think I'm related or have familly conections I don't I just found this job like any other person would and was lucky enogh to get it

[wyhteagle]

if anything I should take some spelling courses ( friend of spellcheck)

[cash_site]

Thats quite an interesting view point Efc, actually gives good insight in Management, especially since it is a horizontal plan ie not just for IT, but any company that has a budget ;)

I'm working as a contractor Software Developer, and your views will come in very handy... as when my team leader asks 'how are things?' he wants technical data for software, while when my Contractor Boss asks, he is more interested in my efficiencies or problems that might be faced which would limit my work output and either cost or save the company money - or even new ideas for Product development...

I think the main point is, not everyone is the same, and definitely different positions within the company require! different communication methods.

Hi CEO, my computer does 100 FPS in Visio
instead, Hi CEO, with the excellent computer hardware supplied for us to use, I am able to increase productivity for the company by 5% :D

[Dehcbad25]

TKS Efc. I liked the part of the learning curve, and reminded me of my first 6 months. That is how long it took me to get a strong idea of the network, and there is still parts that I don't know.
The Visio request was actually done in June 2004. Written request was done with it.
I think you would be a great boss efc. I know how a manager should think since I actually have no studied computers, computer science, or anything computers but a mere A+ course (I hate studying :p) I actually have a degree in business management, which I got before coming to the states :p
The problem at my department is that the director cannot determine needs, nor does he plan for the future. The company also is a state company, and he has an old view of state budget (the more you spend, the more you get)
2 weeks ago, we "wasted" a Office 2003 retail license which was given because someone asked for it. Did he need it? No. Will this person even give something back politically? No? My boss has a problem with replying no to people. He is a big spender (and waster) as he see fits, and thinks he is better than us.
We spent easily 40K on a migration project, and drain the budget because he wanted the project done NOW. The project was design while I was on vacation getting married because I am the one usually correcting the projects and determining the real needs and lacks. In order to avoid to look bad in upper management, that was the time it was chosen to get ahead in the project.
EFC, as a manager, would you request a proposal, and approve it to migrate from Nt4 to 2K3, and Exchange 5.5 to 2003 while your network administrator is away? Add it, that he is the only one that has the license information, and network architecture, or that even knows what happens around. I would take that as suicide. My boss has never even asked for paperwork, which I write off working hours to aid me. I think the only reason he hasn't fire me, is that the network would fall apart (we get a virus, server dies, or have downtime when I am away for more than a week)
I have stayed there because there is one good thing, I work independently, and I got more or less my boss actualized of what network administration means. But I long to work in a real IT department, where needs can be plan ahead, and a network is more than PCs hooked up thru a switch and an Internet connection.
Correct me if I am wrong, but a manager job is also to respond to upper management, and be able to communicate with them effectively, working as a conjunction point between administration and technical people, and at the same time the IT department itself. The more IT people you manage, the more IT skills you need. According to a research of Information week, and IT manager/director should know more about IT than about administration, which seems to be different that what it is in real life.
Worse case scenario if a problem is presented with upper management and you don't know an answer, you said we will research about it, and get you the best answer. I don't think someone will think you are dumb, if you don't know exactly how much will cost you to upgrade 2 servers. As I found out later, he answered in the moment it wouldn't cost more than 10K (for the PDC and Exchange)
The company that did the migration was surprised I wasn't the one actually doing the migration, but instead I had to take care of "toner replacement" or other activities. That doesn't seems like budgeting to me. This company actually has a migration scheme where a plan of action is presented for the net admin, and if problems arise, they can be on site in the hour (they are just 15 minutes away from out location, so it is less) with someone already assigned to follow up on our migration.
I am telling you, his decisions have a lot of personal weight, which shouldn't have space in a corporate environment. That is why we lost half of the personal in 2 weeks. And now that you will offer me a job with you, there will be one less. I will present my resignation on Friday, so I will be at your location in 2 weeks (maybe a bit more while I find where "lost in time" is) :D
Ahh, quick question. Can you reject a 200 Visio license in favor of a bluethooth printer, keyboard and mouse set, and phone headphone, so you have a PAN and look cool?
There are bosses and then there "bosses"

[efc]

Guys those were some kind words. The problem is that I could probably find fifty people that thought I was the devil. My wife and son sometimes agree with their assessment.

I was attempting to pass on some techniques that took me years to learn. I was always a hard worker and did top notch work. My shortcoming was that I didn't always work smart. It took a while to learn that analyzing a process and correcting source problems can often save vast time and resources later.

In later years I was routinely thrown into jobs where I knew virtually nothing about the technical requirements of the operation. These were operations that were considered to be broken.

My mode of operation was to have numerous meetings with the people involved. These are the people that will have to turn things around. In these meetings we would:

1. Identify every process problem known. Nothing was off the table.

2. Prioritize criticality and determine if pay-back is worth the effort and expense.

3. Determine whether we could accomplish it with in-house resources.

4. Take the top five (in_house) projects and break them into individual tasks.

5. Sequence tasks to avoid delays.

6. Identify and order equipment.

7. Develop schedule with expected completion dates.

8. Do the work, test and document.

9. Communicate to upper management what had been accomplished. I would also try to reward team members. Pizza at lunch, evening at the bowling alley, cash or small gifts.

10. Go to step 4 and select the next project.

When these people succeeded, I succeeded and so did everyone above me.

Just for the record, on occasion an individual wouldn't participate or would try to sabotage the effort. I could be as ruthless as necessary.

[Dehcbad25]

Humm, our last department meeting with the director was....about a year an half :p
We have pretty much take over the department because the place was falling apart. We have meeting ourselves as much as necesary, sometimes twice a day, and we are 7 people, wich different specialty, thought we all have the jobs wrongfully assigned, so in the background we switch tasks. Isn't it scary??
We used to be very motivated, because there was so much that we could do with our skills, so we put our own effort. I have gone in the weekends so I could work freely and advance on task needed. We were really a great team and could have make of our company one of the top on technology.
EFC, would you like to come and work as a project manager in a consultant basis?
Belive me, you don't want to be a full time employee because the pay is worse than worse. Consultant get pay ridiculously a lot of money. You complete a couple of projects, get the director's position, and then give me a well deserve raise. Or at least a competitive salary :p
Deal??? ;)

[efc]

Sounds like a plan, maybe we could take over the world. :D

I retired over eight years ago. I no longer miss the bloodletting in the trenches even for my good friends here at TZ.

Hang in there. Maybe sanity will prevail.

[Dehcbad25]

I played Eternal Deskness and finished about 7 times. I think I like the game because it makes me insane (in case you haven't play the game, it has the same frase, Sanity will prevail :P)
I like the idea of taking over the world, but probably too much to manage. Lets start by taking over TZ, then a small city, and up ;) I wish my boss was my friend, so we could scream at each other and get it over with a better plan :p
I have worked for my ex GF, and then she worked for me, and we were pretty practical. Where we were working they told us that we were extremely efficient and that made the rest of the employees look like lazy :p
Of course, there are family companies that are like hell too. Everything has a middle point.
So, what about if we start by opening a TZ consulting company???

[cash_site]

So, what about if we start by opening a TZ consulting company??? That is actually not too bad an idea ;) We have representatives all over the world, a wealth of knowledge/experience/technology... we already have daily or even hourly meetings... it would be an almost non-stop company due to time differences... we could get big projects!! Hmmm... a TZ corporation... do we have anyone who can fly a plane - since we'll need a corp. Jet :D

[Dehcbad25]

well, someone should have enought flying hours (from MS flight simulator) to be able to figure out how to handle those little vehicles. After practicing with boengs it should be easy :p
I am very good at taking off, but I was never able to land, or I burn all my fuel in the air :p