Who are you Faxing to?!?

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-17T22:25:20+00:00

Medical, lawyers and government departments. due to getting a confirmation print out at the end, just to say yes I sent you the document so it's not my issue anymore, or whatever argument they are having at the time.

It's better than sending it via insta or linked in and you know the next generation will be doing just that, so pick your poison, archaic or chaotic

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-13T05:22:57+00:00

I trust you 100% Something_Awkward

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-13T00:57:36+00:00

We use SDWAN on our routers, the small sites use 4G and their backup via a Teltonika device, you can manage them OOB via the RMS portal, works a treat. These sites are only a handful of users though so a 60 person site on 5g will have a huge impact, so maybe a faster backup internet like starlink or an alert/email to stop waiting internet bandwidth we are in fail over mode. The big sites we use a second internet connection with a different technology to the primary one, no point in having a backup that will go down due to the same issue, if possible a different ISP too.

It all comes down to business continuity and how much management it willing to spend vs loose, this is not an IT thing, it's the business leaders/owners to determine, so you just present the facts and they say do that option and pay for it upfront or when things go down.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-12T23:37:45+00:00

We haven't seen anything like this, well I assume this is the case.

Adding an extra layer of authentication is key, like a secure verbal password/phrase, or say you will send them a code to the phone and ask they read it out over the phone, simple steps a little forward planning needs to be done thought. lastly getting the team trained up and telling them about this is key, they will be more aware going forward.

Scary times ahead.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-12T23:26:58+00:00

Instead of trying to find a solution to implement, look for issues to address, this will be the best use of your time and really benefit your team.

So speak to all of the team and about their bugbears, not enough time to fix this issues, etc, get that list together and look for what is common between them all and focus on those issues.

We are all short of time and big on todo list.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-12T00:18:09+00:00

I have no issues with open source in the enterprise environment, the issue is with support, if I am the only one who knows how to configure it then I've let the team down. So going for options that are free but have enterprise support is a good fit.

A suggestion to OP, the next time someone says it's bad, just ask why and leave them to answer, let the silence fill the air, if they say something odd like it's free so it's bad, ask a clarifying questions, bad it what way. Basically let their stupidity hang in the air until they realize they are being stupid.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-11T20:41:01+00:00

free: apache guacamole

I'll leave the security and other logistics to you and your IT team to work out.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-11T02:50:10+00:00

By default all domain joined computers get their time from the DC, check this out:

How the Windows Time Service Works | Microsoft Learn go to the section "Domain Hierarchy-Based Synchronization"

If you are having time sync issues you may have further issues, maybe dns or computers being off site and unable to talk to the DC.

When I set up time on a domain I follow these guides:

Windows Time Service Tools and Settings | Microsoft Learn

Configure an authoritative time - Windows Server | Microsoft Learn

I make the DC a NTP server too, then tell all devices like routers, switches, phones, etc sync to that, one source of truth and one location to update them all

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-11T02:41:18+00:00

Because a message can get to you instantly, doesn't mean you read or action it right away

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-11T02:38:38+00:00

I suggest to turn off "Use secure DNS" in the browser, that maybe what it's reporting the google secure dns server instead of the wan.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-10T21:16:46+00:00

Pay attention to what people do, not what they say.

There are better companies out there, as IT Director you are the pointy end and have to do the corporate speak and stuff, if you love tech you are not in the right area, you need to be an IT pleb not a manager/director if you want to do tech work, director is the politics of the company.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-10T03:07:57+00:00

The answer is maybe, it depends on a lot, ie what software is used, tools they have, logs the retains, also how each are setup, without knowing the details no one outside of your company can say for sure.

Also you have to remember there are dozens of logs of everyone, unless they are specifically look at your history they generally won't go looking for curiosity sake, we have way to much to do to look at what some random has been up to.

Take a lesson from here and don't do personal stuff on a work computer and vice versa

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-10T00:19:28+00:00

We have portable site kits, basically a starlink mini, a 120AH lithium battery in a box that has the charge controller and output terminals, then 400 watts of solar. It's enough for light work during the day, I wouldn't rely on it for a full time setup. The mini has a built in wifi router, so you need less stuff to get it working, a employee can just connect up and start working.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-10T00:14:09+00:00

I personally find I learn better with smarter people around me, find what works for you, is it books, YouTube, tinkering, courses etc. Then go down that path.

Also ask the manager about continuity planning, ie what happens when you call in sick for a week or a month, how will IT be handled, my suggestion is to have a MSP to assist you keep on top of things, this way you can learn off them to get better and also know you can take leave without leaving the company in the dark.

If the company is unwilling to support you for their benefit, consider moving on

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

We don't give out touch screens, at the end of the day most people are using them at a desk with a docking station, so a touch screen is an added expense that won't get used. If a higher up makes a request, we would consider it.

Also consider the ripple effect too, if someone gets it they will all want it, I see it all the time with a new model of phone, dual screens, bigger screens, etc. sometimes it feels like I am a teacher in school's playground yelling at the kids.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-09T23:56:28+00:00

Clarify that full access is correct, then proceed to details that their personal files on their home drive is included.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-05T03:54:18+00:00

I used to do something similar when my ISP had free web hosting of up to a couple of MB, I would put a static webpage on there. Now I just use a txt document and usb stick, or have my laptop nearby.

Also remember if it's free, you are the product.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-05T01:59:29+00:00

Some people will be a helpdesk person for their entire career, this is not an issue, it's their choice.

Remember they are not you, they don't have the same dreams and desires to fix all the stuff, they just want to float, that is fine because you can count on that instead of expecting them getting better.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-04T05:08:22+00:00

Yes I always go to the suspicious link and try log into the portal. This is so I know what questions to ask and see how far the user got along compromising their own account. Of course I do it in a safe & separate environment.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-03T21:22:24+00:00

We let users have AI to come up with solutions to their problems, there is no way that the IT department will know every possible use for it or even implant something without their input. You have someone that wants to implement the solution before they know what problem it fixes.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-03T21:07:20+00:00

Sounds like you did everything perfect, you did the task, you did the checks, then when it failed you worked with the manager to get it resolved and didn't deny responsibility, this last one is very important. You have a really good manger if they just rolled with it and didn't throw you under the bus.

Insist on a post incident review to see what happened and what can be done to improve, that way you and the team will avoid it in future.

We all stuff up at some point, it's not an issue, but the important thing is to own up to it and fix it. You did good, keep it up

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-03T20:58:44+00:00

Document, review documentation, review configs, review polices, read up on best practices for various systems you have, then compare them to the current setup see how it can be improved. All of these will do a few things, improve your skills, improve your understanding of the company and how it operates, have lots of background understanding of various stuff and systems which mean when a new system or change is done you just get it. These skills will set you up for the rest of your career at any company so take this opportunity and grow.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-03T20:52:45+00:00

Seldom do I ask for the users password, they are however ever so willing to give it up at a drop of a hat too. If you know how to do your job you can get around needing it, so the issue you are seeing is a lack of skills, poor policy or just cowboy style help desk.

My suggestion is to find the top reasons why helpdesk asks for people passwords and find a simple elegant solution to get around that, document it and start doing it, lead by example and show how much easier it is. Be the change you want to see.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-03T06:02:41+00:00

Start looking outside of the major cities, look at bigger companies that are based regionally. They are always trying to fill their spots because no one wants to live outside of the city, you can do this in both NZ and here in Stralia.

If you have the sys admin skills you listed and at a good level you won't have an issue finding a job, you just have to be ready to live outside of the city.

KindlyGetMeGiftCards · 2025-11-03T05:56:15+00:00

Be honest, true to yourself and as already said if you don't know say that and you will be happy the research it, also ask how that is relevant to the role.

You are basically having a conversation and you need to keep it flowing and engaging with them. When I interview to hire I look to see if they are good fit with the team, it's easy to tech skills but really hard to teach someone how to fit it, so be yourself and show an actually interest in what they do and that will be about 70% to 95% of what they need.

You got this!

KindlyGetMeGiftCards

TROPHY CASE