Posts by Duncan Cummings 11 publicly visible posts • joined 21 Nov 2008
We were warned that fully automatic version had a different barrel to handle heat and that using a standard SLR on automatic would destroy it. Didn't stop us when using blanks. Just had to remember to take the matchstick out when going from the training area to the live firing range. Ah - Seventeen year old reservists playing soldier.
As part of a maintenance process on a certain SAN, if you ran a command on the wrong controller, the system would explain why it was a bad idea and ask if you wanted to abort, defaulting to yes. If you type no, it would say that it was a bad idea and ask if you wanted to continue. It would then say it was a really bad idea and ask again if you wanted to continue.
Despite this, I know at least three people who have done the wrong thing causing a complete outage. People don't read messages or bother to understand them before responding. Doesn't matter what you do.
Sitting in the lunch room many years ago, when all of a sudden one of the techs head went back and he sniffed the air. Without a word being said suddenly all the techs stopped and sniffed the air, got up and ran for their benches.
Will never forget the smell of burning tantalum capacitors.
Back in the early 80's, the hours were technically 9-5 but it was common for my team to come in after 9:30 and work until the days work was finished, normally between 6 and 7 but often after 8.
New boss, flexing his muscles, insists on us turning up at 9:00 am.
Monday start at 9, leave at 5.
Tuesday start at 9, leave at 5
Wednesday, arrive at 9:30 leave at 7 and starting time was never brought up again.
Been there, done that. Carried 17" crt monitor up to the second floor with the aircon not working. Should of used a trolley but young and stupid. Take one look at the desk, and move the portable fan 20cm away from the side of the screen. Problem disappears! Carry monitor back to car mumbling about the intelligence of customers.
Looking back I realize that most people (including the new generation of hardware maintenance engineers) don't understand basic electro-magnetism or electronics so I was probably a bit harsh.
In the early 80's I worked for a company that made computers used by accountants in Australia and New Zealand. When we launched a new product (The Hartley 3923) I travelled around the country training the Field Engineers on it. 22 years later, I get a call from one of the guys I trained, asking if I know how to format a new hard drive. I wasn't able to help him and while talking to him asked how he found me. Turns out he had asked the engineer who designed it for help and he couldn't remember either.
*Beer icon because I like beer.
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