So, there is an upside to being tech support. Not everyone is an idiot that should be beaten for being a retard :) Some people have serious issues that require someone specially trained to fix the issue. Additionally, some people just don't know what they need to do but realize they need help and are willing to meet you halfway.
The people who have serious issues can drive you insane because you need to leverage everything you know about the product. It's strange little tricks and backdoor ways of doing things results in you getting the problem fixed. Yes, it takes time and effort to deal with these people but ultimately it's satisfying when the problem is fixed. The customer doesn't always appreciate it but unless they are annoying it's satisfying to complete one of these calls.
The people who just aren't technology literate can be fun because you are opening their eyes to a wider world. You don't try to self diagnose when you have a medical problem, you pay for a specialist. Ditto for technology, I'm a specialist with technology and let me show you what I know and how to best use it in your situation. Often times, just asking what they want to do on the device results in an interesting conversation and they will thank you for taking time to help them do what they want to do. Some simple 'how to' from the user guide makes their interaction with Tech Support the highlight of their day (often time Tech Support has a bad reputation and I'm happy to break that cycle)!
5/20/11
5/17/11
Tight Play
I will always remember a friend that during Standard with Lorwyn Block legal he would leave a filter land untapped without anything to filter. I always laughed when he couldn't pump Figure because he only had colorless available due to a mistap.
I have another friend forgets on board tricks. It's doubly true when I used them a few turns ago, he just doesn't remember and runs into the same trap. There was one multiplayer game where someone literally talked about the on board trick if this friend attacked, I casually mentioned he was going to fall for it anyway, my friend got all huffy and said he wouldn't fall for it, and then walked right into it 30 seconds later!
When keeping your play tight, you have to remember that life is ultimately a resource. Can you trade blows and win a long game? Is it more advantageous if you just trade? Sometimes just trading your life for more resources to be used later is helpful. I've seen games where the opponent tries to save their life in unprofitable trades and later on down the road wishes they had those resources.
I have another friend forgets on board tricks. It's doubly true when I used them a few turns ago, he just doesn't remember and runs into the same trap. There was one multiplayer game where someone literally talked about the on board trick if this friend attacked, I casually mentioned he was going to fall for it anyway, my friend got all huffy and said he wouldn't fall for it, and then walked right into it 30 seconds later!
When keeping your play tight, you have to remember that life is ultimately a resource. Can you trade blows and win a long game? Is it more advantageous if you just trade? Sometimes just trading your life for more resources to be used later is helpful. I've seen games where the opponent tries to save their life in unprofitable trades and later on down the road wishes they had those resources.
5/13/11
Tech Support
Yes, because Blogger wants to fuck with you for your views and do it publicly... It's almost as bad as This guy and his Dell and how he goes accusing Dell of bad service.
Difficulties happen. It's especially true for a large company with tons of different things interconnected. Althouse happened to get flagged when blogger was going down the tubes and their tech support was very busy. It'll be a while before they start digging through their flagged folders to separate the pedophiles from inappropriately flagged blogs. Rob just happened to hit telecom difficulties and then threw a hissy fit when they didn't immediately respond to his requests for support.
I admit that both could have been handled but when you are dealing with overworked Tech Support and/or being a pain in the ass and demanding IMMEDIATE satisfaction, you are going to turn your best resources (the techs you are working with) into enemies (or at least they aren't going to go out of their way to above and beyond their normal duties).
Difficulties happen. It's especially true for a large company with tons of different things interconnected. Althouse happened to get flagged when blogger was going down the tubes and their tech support was very busy. It'll be a while before they start digging through their flagged folders to separate the pedophiles from inappropriately flagged blogs. Rob just happened to hit telecom difficulties and then threw a hissy fit when they didn't immediately respond to his requests for support.
I admit that both could have been handled but when you are dealing with overworked Tech Support and/or being a pain in the ass and demanding IMMEDIATE satisfaction, you are going to turn your best resources (the techs you are working with) into enemies (or at least they aren't going to go out of their way to above and beyond their normal duties).
8/3/10
Unemployed
So, as the aviation world turns, I have gotten put on the street and am no living ~1500 miles from 'home' and am stuck in a $600 per month lease until early next year. Obviously, not my year. First job put me on part time and the second job fired me.
Personally, I have little interest in continuing to fly. The pay is low, the hours are bad, there is little stability, and the responsibilities are enormous. Why bother when I can do tech support and have more upsides with none of the downsides. About the only thing I will miss is flying regularly, I will admit that flying is fun.
Personally, I have little interest in continuing to fly. The pay is low, the hours are bad, there is little stability, and the responsibilities are enormous. Why bother when I can do tech support and have more upsides with none of the downsides. About the only thing I will miss is flying regularly, I will admit that flying is fun.
2/18/10
Signoffs & Success
Today, I was looking through my files and realized that I have signed off 10 students in the last 2 years. Of which 9 passed on the first try! I feel pretty good :)
Plus I've signed off another 11 students for solo (some of which passed with other instructors).
Plus I've signed off another 11 students for solo (some of which passed with other instructors).
2/12/10
Goodbye LORAN
Seems that LORAN is no more. As someone who has used LORAN in the aviation world, I say it will be missed. Yes, it was inaccurate and outdated but it was the emergency backup system.
Let us hope that GPS never fails else we will be in deep shit.
Let us hope that GPS never fails else we will be in deep shit.
2/11/10
Interview
So today I found out that I got an interview! The first part is an online quiz, followed up by a demonstration of teaching, and finally followed up by a simulator flight. We'll see how it all goes (I need a new job)!
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