Multitool.org Forum

Non Tool Forum => Gadget Freak and EDC Forum => Topic started by: Kev D on February 02, 2017, 04:22:45 PM

Title: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 02, 2017, 04:22:45 PM
I've just been told my new work laptop will be here next Friday.  :ahhh :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

My ancient steam driven HP is being replaced by a shiny new one. It'll be nice to not have to wait a minute of two for it to think about opening MS office files, or 10 minutes for the ATEX database management software like this one does.

Our IT department have finally done all the standard build installs for the mini desktops and laptops, only a little late *cough*a year*cough*  :whistle:, and are now rolling out the higher spec ones to those of us who have lot of non-standard software, and who also get the admin rights on their machines.

My boss isn't to happy that I am getting a higher spec than him and a laptop with admin access to boot, whereas he only got a standard build mini desktop that is locked down to user access only. I guess he didn't read the registration email properly where we chose what we needed, he's supposed to do the same as me so if he'd thought about it he should have copied the what I asked for.

I don't know why he's complaining, every build has solid state drives and his opens all the programs virtually instantly, that he used to have to wait an age for.  I think he's mostly upset because he can't install his kindle reader software on his pc so he can look busy while he's actually reading a book.

I guess I'd best start backing things up ready  :ahhh :ahhh

I think this definitely calls for a happy banana dance

:nanadance:
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Smashie on February 02, 2017, 05:45:12 PM
I've just been told my new work laptop will be here next Friday.  :ahhh :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

My ancient steam driven HP is being replaced by a shiny new one. It'll be nice to not have to wait a minute of two for it to think about opening MS office files, or 10 minutes for the ATEX database management software like this one does.

Our IT department have finally done all the standard build installs for the mini desktops and laptops, only a little late *cough*a year*cough*  :whistle: , and are now rolling out the higher spec ones to those of us who have lot of non-standard software, and who also get the admin rights on their machines.

My boss isn't to happy that I am getting a higher spec than him and a laptop with admin access to boot, whereas he only got a standard build mini desktop that is locked down to user access only. I guess he didn't read the registration email properly where we chose what we needed, he's supposed to do the same as me so if he'd thought about it he should have copied the what I asked for.

I don't know why he's complaining, every build has solid state drives and his opens all the programs virtually instantly, that he used to have to wait an age for.  I think he's mostly upset because he can't install his kindle reader software on his pc so he can look busy while he's actually reading a book.

I guess I'd best start backing things up ready  :ahhh :ahhh

I think this definitely calls for a happy banana dance

 :nanadance:

LOL he's jealous, the boss should have the best, even if they don't know how to use :rofl:
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 02, 2017, 07:47:28 PM
I've just been told my new work laptop will be here next Friday.  :ahhh :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

My ancient steam driven HP is being replaced by a shiny new one. It'll be nice to not have to wait a minute of two for it to think about opening MS office files, or 10 minutes for the ATEX database management software like this one does.

Our IT department have finally done all the standard build installs for the mini desktops and laptops, only a little late *cough*a year*cough*  :whistle: , and are now rolling out the higher spec ones to those of us who have lot of non-standard software, and who also get the admin rights on their machines.

My boss isn't to happy that I am getting a higher spec than him and a laptop with admin access to boot, whereas he only got a standard build mini desktop that is locked down to user access only. I guess he didn't read the registration email properly where we chose what we needed, he's supposed to do the same as me so if he'd thought about it he should have copied the what I asked for.

I don't know why he's complaining, every build has solid state drives and his opens all the programs virtually instantly, that he used to have to wait an age for.  I think he's mostly upset because he can't install his kindle reader software on his pc so he can look busy while he's actually reading a book.

I guess I'd best start backing things up ready  :ahhh :ahhh

I think this definitely calls for a happy banana dance

 :nanadance:

LOL he's jealous, the boss should have the best, even if they don't know how to use :rofl:

I think you're right.
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 03, 2017, 01:09:41 AM
Congratulations Kevin!

When I would get a new computer or phone my boss would go and get a new one too, just to keep one ahead of me!

Maybe that's what your boss is planning....

Def
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Poncho65 on February 03, 2017, 02:19:20 AM
That  is awesome :cheers: :cheers: It is always nice to get any kind of new electronic and/or gadget :dd: :like: :like:
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Whoey on February 03, 2017, 02:47:09 AM
as a tech guy there's nothing that irritated me more than a boss with high end gear that only used it to send emails and play ms solitaire while the ones who really need the horsepower to do actual work are stuck using an abacus, a chisel and a stone tablet.
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 03, 2017, 12:22:48 PM
as a tech guy there's nothing that irritated me more than a boss with high end gear that only used it to send emails and play ms solitaire while the ones who really need the horsepower to do actual work are stuck using an abacus, a chisel and a stone tablet.

Same here, but it's the other way around this time thankfully. My boss only needs standard MS office packages, email, and things like that. I need something a bit better to be able to do phast modelling and ventilation modelling for ATEX area classification/zoning and things like that. My current laptop can barely open the software and takes hours to do a full dispersion, dilution and ventilation model, and just craps out when I try to get it to do a 3D model.

I've been told this morning that my existing docking station isn't compatible with my new laptop, which is a good thing as I would like usb 3 ports, so I need a new one which they haven't ordered :facepalm:, and is it ok if I do that myself once I know which laptop I have. Which they also couldn't tell me exactly because it hasn't been delivered to them yet but is expected next week.  Surely one of them ordered it so they know  :think:

It seems so uncoordinated I've got to  :rofl:

I can only imagine the red tape and headaches they have had with doing everyone's across the full site.

Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 03, 2017, 04:05:33 PM
One question- do you work in Dilbert's office?

Because it sounds awfully familiar...

Def
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 03, 2017, 04:39:34 PM
One question- do you work in Dilbert's office?

Because it sounds awfully familiar...

Def

It sure feels like it at times.

A good example is when we had to register on the system for our new computers. We all got sent the link to click on which took us to a database to fill in the details. After 4 attempts I had to ring the IT guys to tell them it wouldn't accept my info and it just kept deleting it.  After many hours of them looking into it, and remote desktop into my pc as they were all sure it was me causing it, they finally found that the office block name they had set up in the drop down for me to select for my office building was 3 characters to long for the database (they had also set up) so it just deleted the info.

While they were finding the problem I had to email my info to one of the IT guys for him to fill in for me once it was sorted, and he managed to spell my name surname wrong, which is in my email address and in the registration text. He missed the E out and that bugs the crap outta me.

There are a few of really really good guys in our IT dept, but the rest seem to be numpties.

You could write a comedy script from it. It reminds me of the old uk tv series the IT crowd.
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Whoey on February 03, 2017, 05:00:32 PM
That sounds like one of my major peeves.

I live in apartment 106, this is an uncommon way to number apartments in Spain. Usually it's 1A-1F or 1(left/right) etc.

Almost every official database where we have to provide our address only allows for Apartments 00-99. Three digit does not fit. We usually find ways around it such as 1st floor, door 6. But I can't help wondering what doesn't make it to our mailbox due to them restricting a field to 2 characters. (and important things have not arrived in the past due to this).
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 04, 2017, 01:48:16 PM
Have you tried turning it off and on?

:moss:

Both of your stories sound like huge messes!

Def
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: campussecurity on February 09, 2017, 06:56:34 AM
IT usually does the best I can......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 10, 2017, 11:34:36 AM
IT usually does the best I can......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm sure they are doing the best they can with what the company gives them. At times it just seems like a comedy of errors.
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 10, 2017, 03:59:00 PM
My new laptop arrived mid morning and it consisted of them dropping it off, saying I've been nominated to set it up myself and then leaving. It's a good job I know enough to do that manually.  It's taken most of the day but I finally have everything up and running that I need now, and links to all my shared drives, etc.

I've got to wait till I get my admin credentials next week before I can install the rest of the software I need.

It's nice to have a fast(er) laptop. It's not as fast as I was expecting though, still nice though.
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: campussecurity on February 10, 2017, 05:08:07 PM
IT usually does the best I can......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm sure they are doing the best they can with what the company gives them. At times it just seems like a comedy of errors.
Haha I know. Some IT departments I've seen I cringe. My IT department gets all the rejects. We manage the entire network and remotely take care of everyone on the rejects we deemed not fit for deployment. I have a 9 year old desktop with only 4GB RAM for my work computer. Getting ready to just bring in my quad core laptop with 16GB RAM for work.
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 16, 2017, 02:32:17 PM
A new one from the IT department today.

I was told to order my own docking station for my new laptop, which I did, and also one for my bosses, bosses, boss (top boss we call him) as he needed one as well.  The same person in IT who told me to order my own, has today had my order cancelled as the IT department has decided to buy them for everyone after all. So instead of getting it on Monday or Tuesday next week, I will now be getting the exact same dock in around 3 or 4 weeks time.  To say my top boss wasn't happy was an understatement. Looking at the management structure it looks like the IT manager for the site reports to his works manager who reports to my top boss. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.  He's already grumpy today because someone scratched his shiny new company car that he only got on Friday. I wouldn't want to be the one receiving the phone call from him today  :D

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 16, 2017, 10:40:28 PM
A new one from the IT department today.

I was told to order my own docking station for my new laptop, which I did, and also one for my bosses, bosses, boss (top boss we call him) as he needed one as well.  The same person in IT who told me to order my own, has today had my order cancelled as the IT department has decided to buy them for everyone after all. So instead of getting it on Monday or Tuesday next week, I will now be getting the exact same dock in around 3 or 4 weeks time.  To say my top boss wasn't happy was an understatement. Looking at the management structure it looks like the IT manager for the site reports to his works manager who reports to my top boss. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.  He's already grumpy today because someone scratched his shiny new company car that he only got on Friday. I wouldn't want to be the one receiving the phone call from him today  :D

 :facepalm:

Are you sure you don't work for a government?  Because that seems to be the way they run things.

Def
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 17, 2017, 10:26:48 AM
I'm getting a dock on Tuesday next week now. I guess sending the email to an already pissed off boss had the effect I hoped it would.

I almost feel guilty for doing it.....almost  :D

I don't think they IT department will be of any help to me for the foreseeable future, I've a feeling I've pissed them off a tad  :whistle:
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 17, 2017, 07:02:40 PM
Smurf'em.

If they'd been doing their jobs in the first place this wouldn't have happened.

Besides, I'm quite certain you are more than capable of turning your machine off and on without having to be told....  :P

Def
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on February 19, 2017, 07:05:49 PM
Smurf'em.

If they'd been doing their jobs in the first place this wouldn't have happened.

Besides, I'm quite certain you are more than capable of turning your machine off and on without having to be told....  :P

Def

It's amazing how much that cures isn't it
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on February 19, 2017, 09:49:23 PM
I wish everything in life followed that principle!

Def
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on March 01, 2017, 04:17:46 PM
Docking station update - the order got placed today, for 715 reconditioned ones  :doh:

I checked the price on their order, they are paying £23 less per unit, for reconditioned pro docks, than I was going to pay for a brand new ultra dock which is better. I give up, I really do  :facepalm:

Anyway delivery on their order is 31st March, so I'll get one April maybe, who knows


Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on March 01, 2017, 05:15:21 PM
That's awfully convenient.

By the time the docking stations arrive, your PC's will be outdated and you will have to start the whole thing all over again.  :D

Def
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Whoey on March 01, 2017, 05:24:04 PM
the more convenient likely reality will be that once they get the cheaper less featured model in, there will be some option on the pro dock that everyone needs and they will need to buy them too, obviously this will happen right before they change to a different model laptop that is not compatible with that dock either.
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on March 02, 2017, 10:59:57 AM
I had a look at the company they are buying them from, the have a 93% success rate with reconditioned equipment, which means 7% failures. With 715 units being bought and a 7% failure rate, that's 50 docks. I hope their failure rate is much better than 7% then.   
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: campussecurity on April 16, 2017, 03:40:22 AM
IT usually does the best I can......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm sure they are doing the best they can with what the company gives them. At times it just seems like a comedy of errors.
Haha I know. Some IT departments I've seen I cringe. My IT department gets all the rejects. We manage the entire network and remotely take care of everyone on the rejects we deemed not fit for deployment. I have a 9 year old desktop with only 4GB RAM for my work computer. Getting ready to just bring in my quad core laptop with 16GB RAM for work.

Life is better now. I got a year old quad core i5 desktop with 16GB RAM and dual 24" monitors. I can actually multitask now! My boss has the cool tools. a Xeon powered desktop with 48GB RAM. He actual uses that power though and has VMs that run off his system for the whole company as a mini-server.
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Kev D on August 04, 2017, 03:27:31 PM
I've had my work laptop taken off me and replaced with a mini desktop machine. A senior managers need is apparently greater than mine.  Anyone who hasn't logged on from a remote location in the last 3 weeks has been slotted for losing them.

I will have to use another persons machine or conference room machine when out on site doing what I used my laptop for. Talk about making my job harder. My boss was none to impressed as he's lost his as well after only 2 weeks of having it.

Oh well, I can only do so much. At least it's an i5 machine and not a box standard one like everyone else gets. Small conciliation if nothing else 


 :facepalm:
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Grant Lamontagne on August 09, 2017, 03:43:30 PM
Take the whole thing with you to the break room , conference room etc.  Monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.  Plug it all in and set it up everywhere you go.  Have your boss do the same, along with everyone else who usually does these kinds of things.  Bring along extension cords and dangerous looking power bars with you, waste a lot of time in the setup and tear down, drape the cords across things like busy hallways, plants, other people's desks as necessary.

At least that is what I would do, except for two issues- one, I usually insist on my own equipment, and two, I am probably unemployed for a reason....

Def
Title: Re: New work laptop on the way
Post by: Vidar on August 09, 2017, 07:49:59 PM
Take the whole thing with you to the break room , conference room etc.  Monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.  Plug it all in and set it up everywhere you go.  Have your boss do the same, along with everyone else who usually does these kinds of things.  Bring along extension cords and dangerous looking power bars with you, waste a lot of time in the setup and tear down, drape the cords across things like busy hallways, plants, other people's desks as necessary.

At least that is what I would do, except for two issues- one, I usually insist on my own equipment, and two, I am probably unemployed for a reason....

Def

+1  :like:

Get a huge portable 220v battery and drag the entire mess, monitor included, along with you everywhere  :D Ask if you can have wheeled suitcase to make it easier? If you mod the suitcase you might have an early 80s portable system :)

Actually knew a guy once that refused to use computers at work. Thus didn't get any work plans, schedules or questions as they mostly used emails for that. For weird reasons they couldn't fire him (they tried!), so they tried to force a computer on him. He gave it away to the first passer by, and that was pretty much the last of it.