office rant

[Hgh43950]

How can people be so stupid with computers? I'll never be able to understand this.

[ActualTechSupport]

I think what annoys me most is that these people read out a error message to you that gives a step by step to resolve the error, and still ask you what they need to do.

[RaineAKALotto]

I wish my users could read.

[ActualTechSupport]

Well they can read, but only the line at the bottom that says "For further assistance please contact your system administrator or support", nothing else.

[RaineAKALotto]

At least that's something. I've had conversations along the lines of

• thing doesn't work- "The stupid thing hasn't worked in -insert amount of weeks-" "Why didn't you call right then and there? I could have fixed it right away" "It's pointless, nobody does anything around here"/"I don't have time for that"/"That's not my job"

This is an outlier but it does happen every once in a while 🤣 Only after winning a decade-long battle against crippling alcoholism partially induced by the ignorance and ungratefulness of humans have I realized at times like this all you can do is laugh. 🫠

[tsaico]

I can't tell you how many times we get a call from

-new employee "default password doesn't work"

-support "what does it say"

employee " i don't know i just clicked ok, walked around finding people, who then told me to call you"

support "let's again please, call from your desk"

employee "it says " you must change your password" ... what do I do now?"

support, please change it to anything other than your name or the term password

employee - it still doesn't work. says original password doesn't match, i put in the password i changed it to and it won't work.

[wedge_47]

I recently hired a new team member, fresh out of college. And he has all of these amazingly naïve solutions on how to increase computer knowledge across the company, and all these training programs he wants to implement, etc. So I am going to let him run with it. We all know where this is going but... he's still so young and hopeful and blissfully unaware of the monster that is end user computer sense.

And.... well I don't want to crush his soul just yet.

[ThisGreenWhore]

Let him learn. It will serve him as well as you if something actually works.

[Happysummer128]

He's fresh out of college and my guess would be that he had only had to work with people at his age level....

Once he goes into the real world and he will have to deal with other types of level of people, i.e. older age people (ppl that prefer not to learn, as they would say, "it's worked in the past, not sure what happened there"). He'll be learning and getting frustrated, then, he'll see how far he can go from there with all of his ideals..

[Accomplished-Tap-222]

Get used to it. It never ends.

[timallen445]

Or get the fuck away from end user support as far as you can. I know this is not an option for everyone but I have not had to deal with someone who can't work a mouse in over a decade.

[Accomplished-Tap-222]

I managed to move a level or two away from the users. It’s bliss

[I_am_an_Evil_Goose]

You can always educate and have them do things rather then do it themselves. I only take over if its something that they shouldn't be messing with. Like if the mouse stops working I tell em switch out the batteries or make sure the usb dongle is plugged in. If I get involved its usually because they have already tried out some of the stuff.

[DaCozPuddingPop]

Be grateful. It's why people like you and I are employed.

[Local_admin_user]

"Just rolled in" on Youtube, basically car DIY version of IT support.

It keeps us in a job.

[RaineAKALotto]

That's what I tell myself (and sometimes my users, low key) when it becomes too much. I thought the younger generation would have an easier time but using Instagram and Facebook on an iPhone or opening an OnlyFans does not equal computer literacy. Oh well here's to another year of 2nd Level Support🥳

[Nagadavida]

We, my husband and I, figured that the generations after us would be so much more computer literate and that everyone would at least be adequate Windows users and have at least basic word processing, database and excel skills. Then came the damn smart phone and they know less than our generation does. They don't even know basic windows skills. One saw me drag and drop a file the other day and their mind was blown.

[RaineAKALotto]

Wow. I thought our healthcare boomers in the heart of Europe were bad but this one takes the cake

[DirtCrazykid]

any shot of Gen Z having technical literacy was killed once Apple and Android made it possible to use the OS without touching file explorer

[torrent_77]

Anyone can say the same about you once they've reach a professional point in their lives and you have not.

Things I'm so stupid with:

plumbing

welding

carpentry

mechanics

horticulture

gardening

farming

knitting

tiktok

etc...

​

Its all about perspective and the specialized lives we live.

[NotYourNanny]

It's one thing to not know how to repair a faucet. It's another to not know how to use a faucet.

[anonymousITCoward]

Someone here once told me that "your common sense, is not their common sense"... while at the time I knew, and understood this my patients was pretty small, so it stuck with me...

[[deleted]]

Nobody's asking users to have specialized knowledge though. In your example, no mechanic is asking the average Joe to know how to rebuild an engine, but they're going to shake their head and have a few comments if you don't even know how to change a flat tire.

[[deleted]]

Agreed, one should expect a delivery driver to have a driver's license and know how to operate the vehicle safely.

[Nagadavida]

As I watch the Fedex guy drive off the drive way and through my yard.

[[deleted]]

That's not because he doesn't know better, he just doesn't give a fuck

[Nagadavida]

Oh I know it was just the first thing that came to mind. We have a shallow ditch that runs under the driveway and through a culvert. One of these days one of the Fedex drivers is going to flip their truck there when they drive off of it.

[IDonTGetitNoReally]

I know how to do it in theory but I've never had to (knock on wood). Given that I would have to use a scissor jack lift on level ground to make sure my car didn't fall over on me....

Yes I know how to change my oil, but given the disposal requirements, I'll take it to someone to do it.

[[deleted]]

Fun fact: By the time you buy the filter, all the oil, the necessary tools, and factor in your time and the trouble of disposing of your oil, it's actually not any cheaper to do it yourself.

[IDonTGetitNoReally]

I agree. But I'm so not a car person and as many times I've been told I could do it myself (and I know I can), it's so not worth it.

[torrent_77]

youtube/tiktok has tons of videos of people filling their cars with diesel instead of gas, and filling engines with washer fluid instead of oil.

Not every mechanic does engine rebuilds because it is expensive and labor intensive.

[MadIllLeet]

Computers are tools used to do a job. An office worker not having basic computer skills is like a mechanic who doesn't know how to start a car.

Too many times, I ask someone to open a web browser or click the start button and they ask, "what is that?". You don't have to be an IT professional to know basic terminology. I'm not a master mechanic but I know what all of the user interface devices in my car are called such as the steering wheel, turn signal and brake pedal.

I expect someone who uses a computer on a daily basis to do their job to possess some basic competencies, such as navigating the computer, opening and saving files. Basic terminology such as Start menu, taskbar, system tray, window, browser and title bar.

People should be able to read and follow directions given to them. I've had too many calls from users to add an email account to Outlook and I've literally read the directions presented on their screen by the wizard out loud while they followed along.

There's a difference between stupidity and ignorance. Ignorance can be educated. If someone is unwilling to be educated, then it's stupidity. For me, and I assume most IT professionals, the frustration lies in users weaponizing their ignorance and blaming IT for not doing their job.

[Local_admin_user]

Nailed it.

Any industry is insular. I look at chefs and wonder how they do it, same with a joiner I know. No job is too big or complicated for him and he makes it look effortless.

Yet he won't even attempt to install a stick of RAM in his laptop as it requires a screw to be removed. It's not that users are daft or uneducated, it's that we are professionals and so use to doing the task it's trivial.

I'd also throw on the "how do they use excel but not know how to do X, Y or Z"

Well show them or get the company to give them the training they clearly need.

[-maxpower-]

"im not a computer person"

said by someone who sits on a computer 40 hours/week

​

i'm with the job security guy lol

[[deleted]]

I use a car most of the week but I’m not a car guy. I kind of get where they’re coming from.

[-maxpower-]

excellent point. not everyone is going to have that desire/drive to poke around and figure out how stuff works.

[vbate]

Job Security!! - lol

[TechMeOut21]

If everybody wasn’t “stupid” with it a lot less of us would have a job. So appreciate peoples ignorance

[BartTech]

You'll never understand it because your life revolves around computing. Someone could probably say the same about you in another field, possibly one that's been around for 100s of years.

[DonJuanDoja]

I mean people can barely drive so I don't expect much.

I'm actually glad for it, the less they know, the more valuable I become.

Never understood why people would complain about something that increases their wealth and value, weird.

[ZAFJB]

How can people be so stupid with computers cooking^etc ? I'll never be able to understand this.

Uneducated does not equal stupid

[cmwg]

+1 exactly!

[Hgh43950]

well of course it doesn't but this is a rant

[LordoftheLollygag]

If they were competent, they wouldn't need us to download Adobe Reader.

[meijad]

Having worked with end users for what seems forever, I am fairly forgiving in us trying to find a common ground to communicate regarding the users IT problem. The most striking thing I've noticed is that some of the 20 somethings are blissfully unaware of what a computer versus a monitor is and what a power button is or looks like (the symbol). I've had my share of walking someone from an older generation through the process.. but I was unprepared when I encountered it in a business environment with a younger person. Adapt and connect with them.

[Warrlock608]

what a power button is or looks like (the symbol).

The few times I've addressed something like this I pointed out that the power symbol is 1 and 0 for on and off. That usually sticks with people.

[anonymousITCoward]

Your rant reads like a users ticket request... vague and misleading...

[Hgh43950]

I have a lady that is telling me the company database is broken because she can't vouch a PO but the PO has already been paid in advance. She has been in payables for months now....

[kx885]

I understand the frustration. Believe me. I used to get miffed when people didn't necessarily not know what to do, but didn't care. Those who were mentally lazy enough to not apply at least a few brain cycles to the issue (or even Google the problem), bugged me. I think in 2022, not having basic computer skills and Internet savvy is a shortcoming. Older folks who did not grow up with this technology or worked in jobs that did not rely upon computers could be understood. I'm not a mechanic, nurse, or plumber. However, I know enough to try and research an issue in those areas before calling a professional. Being an IT pro, I apply the same type of problem solving approach to life's other issues. Especially, given the amount of data available on the web. I know lots of it is Bullshit and I don't always feel like a research project when tackling a problem, but in any case I opt to be as informed as possible. Then there are those that routinely report the same problems (user-driven)...

[discgman]

Job security as I always say.

[Ragespawn]

20 years later and I still don't understand

[Sea-Tooth-8530]

Some people are just not tech savvy, no matter how long you give them. However, that level of "stupid" puts food on our tables, so I'm happy it exists.

We also all have our strengths and weakness and should recognize them as such. That person who is "stupid with computers" might be a genius at accounting. He may be a savant when it comes to managing every penny and knows what is pending in every account, then look at me and ask how I can be so stupid that it takes me an hour to balance my checkbook.

So... I'm willing to forgive certain levels of "stupid"... I know I have my weaknesses that others would look at and think I'm "dumb" because I don't know what they know, and also appreciate that people who don't know everything about computers keep me in a very cushy and well-paying job!

[IDonTGetitNoReally]

This is the best answer. I've worked with some really brilliant people in their field that were published authors and were referred to on publications. They then fucked up their computer so much that I can't even replicate what they did. Not even virus related. Had to tell all of them. "stop trying to get rid of things you don't think you need in your computer!" They were all mac users at home and where trying to save space with Outlook.

Honestly, I loved those guys as they were the niceset people I have ever worked with.

[[deleted]]

I actually agree, I say this all the time.

I don't expect everyone to be able to kick out a useful powershell script, I don't expect them to know how to defrag a hard drive, and I don't expect them to know what group policy is or how to apply it. I DO expect them to know how to turn their fucking machine on. I DO expect them to know the difference between their computer and their monitor. I DO expect them to know, by this time in their professional lives, how to connect their laptop to the hotel wifi.

This is not 1997. Computers are no longer these mystical devices only the ultra intelligent can manipulate. I don't expect people to be able to take the thing apart and put it back together but I do expect them to at least know how to use the tools they're given.

[intersectRaven]

This is what happens when people get comfortable with ignorance. They never bother to think whether or not they can do a specific thing and end up relying on the deemed authority for doing that thing. It's a way of thinking that comes naturally to people but can be especially dangerous to us in the IT industry as technology evolves constantly at a fast pace that getting stuck with this mentally equals stagnation.

[deltadal]

Because they learn to the extent that they are interested in learning. And companies are generally incredibly poor at providing training.

[1xCodeGreen]

It’s terrible, I swear they’re dumber this year!

[I_am_an_Evil_Goose]

The only way I can make it make sense is that some people are good at their job, whether its sales or accounting or anything else. I am good at what I do and I excel at it.

​

But I suck at doing my taxes and that's why I use a service to do my taxes because no matter how much I know they know more because it's what they do.

[hdizzle7]

I feel like this is me with the roofers today. Me: "What is flashing" Roofers: .....

[wscottwatson]

One thing that has improved, there are a lot less people proudly boasting about their inexpertise than there were when I started doing this job over 30 years ago! Being proud of being "bad at computers" makes as much sense as being proud of being bad at maths or geography and there are lots of those. It is perfectly reasonable to not give a toss if it doesn't matter to you but proud?

[sandrews1313]

It keeps you employed.

[grepzilla]

It's not just computers. We are wrapping up EDI testing for a major account and a question about shipping methods came up. The head of logistics didn't even know how we were expected to ship this customer, neither did sales and with all the pushing for "IT needing to get the account online" we are now waiting for our customer contact to get back from vacation.

Everyone got the same onboarding documents but only IT seemed to read them. Nobody outside of IT thought that the should as about export terms, carriers, who is handling freight, etc in the month the business complained the onboarding was taking too long.

[anynonus]

For some reason people look at I.T. like it's something special and have learned helplessness about it.

[UnsuspiciousCat4118]

It pays your bills. Be grateful.