[dba-Tech] Words to live by

Jim Lawrence accessd at shaw.ca
Mon Aug 13 14:17:00 CDT 2012


Hi Gustav:

Took a while to find your comments so I have taken the liberty of posting
them here...

<comments>
In Europe at least, I can tell things are different.

1. Not true. Decent companies do exist.
...being one of those good companies, I see your point but much of my work
comes because a previous company have promised, good, quick and cheap...and
the client worked for has expected it.
 
2. Not true. Plain nonsense.
...Yes, he is using a generalization but I have ran across many home brewed
applications that a absolutely dangerous. Fortunately most a benign.
Virtualization is the solution to many of these issues.

3. Not true. We have been in business since 1993 and no machine has been
brought down because of malware.
...Yes, but again if I come into a company and am allowed complete control
then malware is a distant problem. It takes a combination of proper
equipment, proper software and staff training. Unfortunately, many small
companies (50 or less employees) have tried to do everything on the cheap,
on their own and have not monitored the excesses of some of their employees.
In many cases, I have been called in the middle of a disaster...if this has
been his experience hence his observation.

4. True. But what's the point? Most IT-people don't need to know about RAID.
Problem is that some of those that don't know feel tempted to install RAIDs
anyway. Call in experts.
... I must admit I do not know where the RAID point comes in on this list
but have found that clients in many cases have been conned into buying cheap
junk. Dell sells some of the finest RAID controllers but their entrance
level products and especially their sales staff have caused more grief than
help.

5. Not true. For private people perhaps, but not businesses.
... That comment should have been better researched or stated differently.
Most companies use regular backups but few small companies have ever tested
them and have only done so in a disaster... that's when they call me. 

6. Not true. Or rather: Who knows? 
... The cloud will never replace the desktop as long as there are areas
without easy and fast communication. Here, that describes most areas outside
the urban centers though it is improving.

7. Not true. The true problem of Linux is that it is a total mess for anyone
else than those who has been raised with Linux.
... I think you are wrong there. Linux/Unix is used as servers in virtually
all medium to large companies because it is rock solid reliable. Windows
servers are only (mostly) used in small to medium businesses. (All business
servers I have done have been Windows) Note: all apple and android products
have Unix/Linux cores. As for desktops, my last small company Linux (PC)
install was the easiest install I ever did and the client is now doing
almost a hundred percent of their own support.  

8. True. But that is by definition and not specific for IT. The trendsetters
are exactly that because the rest are not. If no one would take the lead,
nothing would move.
... That was also stated poorly. All new products by definition are a little
flaky and that is where IT should be bench-testing before rolling out and
not blaming the technology. All good products eventually stabilize.

9. Not true. If you and the management are able to plan and control, no more
mess or stress exist than in any other area.
... This depends on your clients. Some want instantaneous gratification at
no costs and IT should have been called in years ago and now the companies
systems are totally compromised. Stress I find is caused by being expected
to be online 24x7 and doing major installs at all hours of the day and
night. IT is not a nine to five venture. You are making this assumption
assuming you will gain control of a company which will never happen on
bigger company.

10. Not true. You can very well be a fine specialist in some stable area
without knowing about any new trend.
... If you are a hired gun that is not possible. This so much depends on job
description. Burn out in this business is massive. (I personally had three
co-workers died before 50...over stressed and over worked. Refer to item 9)
Now that I have semi-retired, my client's are all (most) over five years,
some over twenty, I run and control everything technical and much of the
tech is old school.    

Conclusion: No bumpy ride here, sorry, just some coloured chit-chat you can
forget.
... Your easy experience is not the experiences that most IT world faces.
Few work in closed shops, on steady wage to hours (most IT guys work for
companies on fixed salary but end up working 3K plus hours per annum),
without the ability to specialize; such is the contract world. Aside: In
conclusion, browser deployed applications have been a God-send; some
internet and most large apps intranet and so I have avoided much of the
local PC issues.

/gustav
</comments>

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Gustav Brock
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 9:27 AM
To: dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Words to live by

Hi Jim

Even though he didn't deserve it, I had the time to add my comment.

/gustav


>>> accessd at shaw.ca 13-08-12 17:52 >>>
Hi Gustav:

Explain please.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Gustav Brock
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 4:07 AM
To: dba-tech at databaseadvisors.com
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Words to live by

Hi Jim

Ouch! Where did you park your fine common sense and critical eyes this
morning?

I'm absolutely convinced you could have said it far better after no more
than a few minutes of reflection.

TechReplublic must have problems when they accept to publish such stuff.

/gustav


>>> accessd at shaw.ca 13-08-12 12:07 >>>
Here is great list from Techrepublic; 10 things I've learned from working in
IT

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-things-ive-learned-from-working
-in-it/3378

Couldn't have said it better.

Jim

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