I call that the IT aura. I know it can't be proven but I swear it is a thing. You're called because some device is misbehaving and the moment you look at it, it starts behaving and the person who called you gets mad because "it wasn't working when I called you".
One of my tech jobs we'd use this aura strategically. Any time we couldn't get something to work for long enough it was becoming a problem, we'd go to someone higher rank than us. Didn't even have to tell each other what was wrong just "hey I need you to look at something", they'd walk in, usually it would start working, everyone nods, they go back to what they were doing. If people didn't nod then the higher up would actually sit down and we'd describe the problem
I’ve heard it called “Technician’s Curse” and it applies to other trades too: if the person who can fix the problem is readily available, the problem cannot be replicated.
I have noticed, people just leave their chair when I arrive. I sit down, do the thing they did themselves the whole time without getting it to work and it starts to work at first try. Sometimes, idk, what they were doing but they are happy to carry on.
This happens more often on Windows than on Linux. Linux users seem to have more real problems. ^^ On the other hand, at my place there is a lot more Windows than Linux on desktops.
Not me. I kick him out of their damn chair and sit down. I'm not hurting my back more than it already is just to figure out what bullshit my dad downloaded this time that I have to clean up.
Standing is a power move. It says "I'll fix your problem so quickly it doesn't justify sitting down". Unless you know it's gonna be a long one, then seize the throne.
Truth is I rarely go to a machine to fix it. I usually remote in and fix it. If I show up its gonna take more than 45 seconds. If I work on them locally I sit or look over their shoulder as I show them for the thousands times how to correct their own mistakes.
With motorized sit/stand desks, I always come over and put it to standing height. It's always entertaining when I'm helping the person who has shit spilling off the sides of their desk.
heavy sigh
Yup, but on those occasions when the computer decides to to suddenly start behaving when I appear in the room.
I call that the IT aura. I know it can't be proven but I swear it is a thing. You're called because some device is misbehaving and the moment you look at it, it starts behaving and the person who called you gets mad because "it wasn't working when I called you".
One of my tech jobs we'd use this aura strategically. Any time we couldn't get something to work for long enough it was becoming a problem, we'd go to someone higher rank than us. Didn't even have to tell each other what was wrong just "hey I need you to look at something", they'd walk in, usually it would start working, everyone nods, they go back to what they were doing. If people didn't nod then the higher up would actually sit down and we'd describe the problem
I’ve heard it called “Technician’s Curse” and it applies to other trades too: if the person who can fix the problem is readily available, the problem cannot be replicated.
The reason that happens is because people don't have patience.
So if they call IT, they are forced to wait 5 minutes until they come over. By which time the process was able to finish and the problem is gone.
I have seen it happen, from both sides, with various issues that are not "patience related".
That's 100% a thing, I walk in and things know to start working OR ELSE.
If I'm ever stumped, I know all I need to do to get something working is escalate the issue, it'll fix itself before the other guy gets there
One of my first jobs was office machine repair tech. About 10% of the calls I did were "could not replicate problem".
Machines have always just worked for me. I dunno.
If it takes longer than 5 minutes it's "get up, let me sit there"
I always say either "can I drive?" or "let me drive" depending on how polite I feel like being in the moment.
Five? Fuggedaboudit. More than two minutes and I'll sit. Not all here are youngsters.
I have noticed, people just leave their chair when I arrive. I sit down, do the thing they did themselves the whole time without getting it to work and it starts to work at first try. Sometimes, idk, what they were doing but they are happy to carry on.
This happens more often on Windows than on Linux. Linux users seem to have more real problems. ^^ On the other hand, at my place there is a lot more Windows than Linux on desktops.
Not me. I kick him out of their damn chair and sit down. I'm not hurting my back more than it already is just to figure out what bullshit my dad downloaded this time that I have to clean up.
And the person scooching back
Hurts the forearm so much
Nope they gonna get up and let me sit down.
Standing is a power move. It says "I'll fix your problem so quickly it doesn't justify sitting down". Unless you know it's gonna be a long one, then seize the throne.
taking their chair is the real power move. Its my computer now.
Yeah but not if it's only gonna take you 45 seconds. Then you just look silly sitting down and getting right back up again.
Truth is I rarely go to a machine to fix it. I usually remote in and fix it. If I show up its gonna take more than 45 seconds. If I work on them locally I sit or look over their shoulder as I show them for the thousands times how to correct their own mistakes.
Nar, I always take a knee and make them feel bad for not offering their seat.
With motorized sit/stand desks, I always come over and put it to standing height. It's always entertaining when I'm helping the person who has shit spilling off the sides of their desk.