Stereotyping your job...
Jun 14th 2014 | 5:12 am
#76
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,040
From: Orton, Ontario
Re: Stereotyping your job...
Nothing wrong with not knowing something. It's when it's willful that I lose respect for people - you know the sort that says 'i'm no good at something' without even making an effort. Especially when they are asking for help at it.
I mean, I'm a long way from being an IT guy, but it seems to that 99% of the time you can fix computer stuff just by reading what's on the screen and using google.
I mean, I'm a long way from being an IT guy, but it seems to that 99% of the time you can fix computer stuff just by reading what's on the screen and using google.
Or by turning it off and on again
Jun 14th 2014 | 6:20 am
#77
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 55,309
From: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Jun 16th 2014 | 10:47 am
#78
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,928
From: Calgary, Alberta
Re: Stereotyping your job...
This is the whole con of putting things in the "cloud" which is sold to people who run companies as a way of either reducing IT overhead or IT staff or both.
Well, the other day I set up an Exchange server in the "cloud", and it required a site-to-site VPN, a virtual domain controller and a VM for the Exchange Server even before I got to the Exchange Server and then I had to connect the Outlook clients using Outlook Anywhere, which requires an SSL certificate on the server to encrypt the connection over the internet.
Whereas on a properly set up LAN it would just be a case of setting up the server and loading up Exchange, then pointing the Outlook clients to it, about ten times easier. Also much cheaper.
People who aren't familiar with IT see a pile of hardware and think if they get rid of that hardware they're better off. In reality looking after hardware is less than 1% of doing the job. It's the software and the administration of it that is where the work is.
Jun 16th 2014 | 1:34 pm
#79
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Stereotyping your job...
IT isn't purely fixing things though, this is another misconception I run into all the time. Most people in IT aren't fixing things and a lot of IT people have no clue really how to fix things.
This is the whole con of putting things in the "cloud" which is sold to people who run companies as a way of either reducing IT overhead or IT staff or both.
Well, the other day I set up an Exchange server in the "cloud", and it required a site-to-site VPN, a virtual domain controller and a VM for the Exchange Server even before I got to the Exchange Server and then I had to connect the Outlook clients using Outlook Anywhere, which requires an SSL certificate on the server to encrypt the connection over the internet.
Whereas on a properly set up LAN it would just be a case of setting up the server and loading up Exchange, then pointing the Outlook clients to it, about ten times easier. Also much cheaper.
People who aren't familiar with IT see a pile of hardware and think if they get rid of that hardware they're better off. In reality looking after hardware is less than 1% of doing the job. It's the software and the administration of it that is where the work is.
This is the whole con of putting things in the "cloud" which is sold to people who run companies as a way of either reducing IT overhead or IT staff or both.
Well, the other day I set up an Exchange server in the "cloud", and it required a site-to-site VPN, a virtual domain controller and a VM for the Exchange Server even before I got to the Exchange Server and then I had to connect the Outlook clients using Outlook Anywhere, which requires an SSL certificate on the server to encrypt the connection over the internet.
Whereas on a properly set up LAN it would just be a case of setting up the server and loading up Exchange, then pointing the Outlook clients to it, about ten times easier. Also much cheaper.
People who aren't familiar with IT see a pile of hardware and think if they get rid of that hardware they're better off. In reality looking after hardware is less than 1% of doing the job. It's the software and the administration of it that is where the work is.
Are you sure it's the hardware and not the uppity neckbeards they want rid of?
Jun 16th 2014 | 2:01 pm
#80
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 858
Re: Stereotyping your job...
Not at all. Having to read lawyer jokes or postings on the internet is about as bad as it gets.
The type of clients that I believe they need help so they save their vitriol until a Judge makes a decision that they are not happy with, then it is all my fault
Outside of my work environment, I make no reference to the fact that I am a lawyer, just as I didn't when I was a carpenter, prison officer, soldier. Lots of people react in a very strange way when they learn that I am a lawyer. Some people become immediately deferential, some become immediately hostile.
As you are likely aware, I became a lawyer completely by mistake. I left school at 16 with an armful of O levels and decided that I wanted to be a chippie. A few changes of occupation later, I was discharged from the Army upon becoming a diabetic and, when I looked for work in civvy street, I became sick of people assuming that I was thick as I didn't have any A levels or a degree.
I went to the nearest university and asked them what, in their opinion, the most difficult degree was and I was told law or medicine. I have no idea whether this is true, but that was the answer I was given. I needed to be able to work full time, which ruled out medicine. They offered the LL.B. as a part time course so I enrolled. I never intended to practice but, in my immature way, I reasoned that having a law degree would get rid of the "thick" tag.
I obtained a position working for a local law firm to gain an insight into the work of lawyers and, to my surprise, discovered that I enjoyed it.
Like most people, on a day to day basis I find my job OK. There are things I hate about it and things I enjoy about it. The older I get, the less I enjoy the constant pressure of people counting on me to "sort out" the situation in which they find themselves. I suspect that I would find myself in the same situation if I was a thoracic surgeon.
The type of clients that I believe they need help so they save their vitriol until a Judge makes a decision that they are not happy with, then it is all my fault
Outside of my work environment, I make no reference to the fact that I am a lawyer, just as I didn't when I was a carpenter, prison officer, soldier. Lots of people react in a very strange way when they learn that I am a lawyer. Some people become immediately deferential, some become immediately hostile.
As you are likely aware, I became a lawyer completely by mistake. I left school at 16 with an armful of O levels and decided that I wanted to be a chippie. A few changes of occupation later, I was discharged from the Army upon becoming a diabetic and, when I looked for work in civvy street, I became sick of people assuming that I was thick as I didn't have any A levels or a degree.
I went to the nearest university and asked them what, in their opinion, the most difficult degree was and I was told law or medicine. I have no idea whether this is true, but that was the answer I was given. I needed to be able to work full time, which ruled out medicine. They offered the LL.B. as a part time course so I enrolled. I never intended to practice but, in my immature way, I reasoned that having a law degree would get rid of the "thick" tag.
I obtained a position working for a local law firm to gain an insight into the work of lawyers and, to my surprise, discovered that I enjoyed it.
Like most people, on a day to day basis I find my job OK. There are things I hate about it and things I enjoy about it. The older I get, the less I enjoy the constant pressure of people counting on me to "sort out" the situation in which they find themselves. I suspect that I would find myself in the same situation if I was a thoracic surgeon.
I've been fixated on A Good Wife recently, but my friends who were lawyers got out because they thought it boring.
Anyway, great story, thanks for sharing.
Jun 16th 2014 | 2:01 pm
#81
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 858
Re: Stereotyping your job...
Great thread, ann, one of the most enjoyable I've come across 
Jun 16th 2014 | 2:05 pm
#82
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 858
Re: Stereotyping your job...
I did. And then, when one of my children became a lawyer and married a lawyer, himself the son of a lawyer, I came to see that dislike is not inappropriate. That wedding, with its guest list of lawyers, could not have involved more people holding themselves in high regard had it involved gay Hollywood stars.
Jun 16th 2014 | 2:35 pm
#83
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 30,259
From: Europe (to be specified).
Re: Stereotyping your job...
Let me spoil that for you. It's not a very good thread at all really. It's trivial bullshit for the most part. Not least your contributions, which are flatulent nonsense.
Jun 16th 2014 | 3:24 pm
#84
BE Enthusiast
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 858
Re: Stereotyping your job...
I thought it a fun thread, and I for one was very interested to hear different peoples' perspectives and experiences. For me, that's what BE is about for the most part.
And on what basis did you see fit to attack me and my contributions? You're a weird knobhead now aren't you?
And on what basis did you see fit to attack me and my contributions? You're a weird knobhead now aren't you?
Jun 17th 2014 | 1:43 am
#85
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,402
From: South of Calgary
Jun 17th 2014 | 2:10 am
#86
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,345
From: Ottineau
Re: Stereotyping your job...
You remind me somewhat of my law lecturer at college. A great bloke.
He left school early with no O-levels and worked as a docker in Liverpool. As an adult, he was admitted to Oxbridge to study law. I can't remember if it was Oxford or Cambridge.
It was pointed out to him that he lacked the essential entry requirements, so he did some A-levels during his first year at uni. Ten of them (all A grades).
Triffic guy. Completely scruffy scouser who pissed off the establishment (and yet had a bank account with Coutts). He taught me the most valuable thing I picked up in four years at college, and continue to rely on now, nearly 30 years later.
He left school early with no O-levels and worked as a docker in Liverpool. As an adult, he was admitted to Oxbridge to study law. I can't remember if it was Oxford or Cambridge.
It was pointed out to him that he lacked the essential entry requirements, so he did some A-levels during his first year at uni. Ten of them (all A grades).
Triffic guy. Completely scruffy scouser who pissed off the establishment (and yet had a bank account with Coutts). He taught me the most valuable thing I picked up in four years at college, and continue to rely on now, nearly 30 years later.
Jun 17th 2014 | 2:13 am
#87
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30,771
From: Upstate South Carolina
Re: Stereotyping your job...
He taught me the most valuable thing I picked up in four years at college, and continue to rely on now, nearly 30 years later.
Last edited by iaink; Jun 17th 2014 at 2:21 am. Reason: This was the stereotype thread wasnt it?
Jun 17th 2014 | 2:40 am
#89
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 30,771
From: Upstate South Carolina
Jun 17th 2014 | 6:55 am
#90
Thread Starter
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,866
From: Cochrane, Alberta
Re: Stereotyping your job...
Thank you.
Wrong side of bed, or one extra glass of vino Mr Grumpy?
Wrong side of bed, or one extra glass of vino Mr Grumpy?
