This pilot fish works as a systems integrator in his company's IT department, but he also lends a hand on occasions when hardware and network support techs aren't around.
"This morning I was diligently working on my normal duties and in marched one of our HR experts," says fish. "She had a problem and needed our help.
"In our computer-based training room, she couldn't get one of the PCs to boot, and she needed it ASAP as she had new employees who needed to complete computer training. She asked if I could help.
"Knowing our two hardware professionals were out on a call, I told her, you bet!
"On the way there, she was telling me how important it was for me to pay attention to the floor in the computer training room because it had just been mopped, adding, 'We don't need any accidents!'
"We rounded the corner to the room, and she pointed to the problematic computer, saying, 'Watch, it'll just be unplugged.'
"As soon as she said it, I looked down at the nearest receptacle. There was a plug hanging out halfway, rendering it powerless. I said, 'Like this?' as I plugged it in and the computer began to boot up.
"She said, 'What?!? I checked to see that the computer was plugged in!'
"In her defense, the computer was plugged in -- to the power strip, which is what had the plug hanging from the wall.
"Maybe worrying about the wet floor got the best of her."
Sharky's just impressed that she knew what the problem was. Send me your stories of users who were almost right -- or any other true tales of IT life -- at sharky@computerworld.com. You'll snag a snazzy Shark shirt every time I use one. Add your comments below, and read some great old tales in the Sharkives.
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