Firstly I need to point out my quite frankly stupidity/blondeness (is this a word)when it comes to most things, then the story will make sense.
I work in a photography department for a well known organisation, we have our own little network and we aren’t allowed to be connected to a the main one for security purposes, we aren’t allowed to be connected to the internet and we don’t have e-mail accounts because we aren’t on the main network and quite frankly we don’t need it either.
Today my PC (makes sick face) broke, worse than any other PC I have had the “pleasure” of working on.
I was working on a project using Photoshop and Bridge and it was slower than Keane, windows explorer wasn’t working and kept crashing. After twenty mins of this happening it was nearly time for the “I WIN” switch.
For those not familar with the “I WIN” switch, it’s more commonly known as a plug socket, it’s credited to my mother who after battling with the PC for more than thirty mins, pulled out the plug and shouted “I WIN” very loudly at the PC.
Anyway enough rambling. I was starting to loose my temper and the network drives kept being lost by the PC so I kept having to remap the network paths so I could save/access the phots and keep up with the amount of work being passed my way.
I made the stupid decision to call the helpdesk, the phone call went like so.
HD: Good afternoon Helpdesk.
K. I need some help, my PC keeps crashing, it’s telling me Windows Explorer has a bug and after this Photoshop and Bridge won’t work.
HD. OK, where are you?
K. Photography.
HD. We have a photography dept?
K. Yes, it’s part of Media Services, we have our own network.
HD. You do?
K. Yes, because they won’t let us on the main network.
HD. Are you sure?
K. Yes. Look please can someone please look at my PC, it’s whirring now.
HD. Can I have your username?
K. Yes. Gives username.
HD. We don’t have you as a user on the main network.
K. Yes because we have our own network.
HD. You do?
K. Yes, please can you send X over, he knows about us.
HD. He’s not on site today, I’ll log your call, it’ll be 1- 24 hours before we can sort this stuff out, we’ll have to call someone else as well. Your call has been logged under my username and I’ve put your problems on it along with where you are and we’ll try and call X before Friday. Your call referance number is xxxxxx.
K. Thanks, I think. Cheerio.
I found X’s mobile number in our book and called him. He came straight over and fixed all the problems. I BEAT A HELPDESK!!! 
February 7, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I can certainly vouch for the stupidity/blondeness bit
February 8, 2007 at 3:51 pm
No comment…
February 8, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Unlike you to hold back, buddy…
February 9, 2007 at 7:58 am
You can’t have a damn blonde moment, your hair is dark now!
February 10, 2007 at 6:45 pm
[...] Read it at http://katieemma.wordpress.com/2007/02/07/the-day-i-outsmarted-a-it-helpdesk/ [...]
February 11, 2007 at 2:50 am
Goat – I think Katie knows my opinion by now…
February 11, 2007 at 2:51 pm
You’re probably right buddy!!! Never can tell with these blondes though…
)
February 12, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Firstly. Please use english. “You’re” i think you will find the is correct english.
Secondly I thought that I would follow correct procedure rather than contact another person directly.
Thirdly; after finding that a group of people who are so certain of their own superabundant knowledge and dismiss people so quickly based upon their own idiosyncrasies and insecuries; why aren’t you brave enough to express how you feel through any medium bar text, when was the last time you held a paintbrush in your hands if it wasn’t to paint your downstairs toilet? I feel it is slightly better to be blonde/stupid/lacking in common sense, but if you want your (oh look see I can use grammatically correct English) girlfriend to wear nicely designed shoes or you to read a dramatic novel or listen to the music on your ipod, then you want to look at all the arty/creative people who appear so stupid yet create such fantastic things. These are the people who you so freely take the mickey out of.
I have a friend who works in London on a legal IT helpdesk who believes it takes far more intelligence and problem solving ability to create a piece of artwork or a fantastically composed photography or a tremedous tune which stirs emotions.
In this age of digital and photoshop, people think anyone can take a semi decent photograph and work it up to become a piece worthy of Tate Modern and do you know what, they are really, really wrong.
Fourfold, this blog is really intended for people who can admit to who they are, no-one hides behind false web addresses and I know who they are and know that most of the things I post are inteneded to be humorous and taken in the spirit of a joke.
And finally, I’m sorry if you are a Helpdesk professional but this was indeeded in the best of the spirit and I apologise if you take offense.
February 13, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Please accept that response from a drunk Kate to a tosser.
I don’t like people who hurl abuse from a “mystery” visitor, it’s a wee bit taking the easy way out….
Basically I deleted it because I don’t like people like that and I don’t really want to give him any credit for being the one who did that to my blog.
Toodles xxx
February 13, 2007 at 7:32 pm
That still sounds like a dig at me!!! For the record, can we please clarify that I’m a wicked cool sorta guy???
)
February 15, 2007 at 11:59 am
Rather than outsmart the IT/HD tech, what you actually did was prove that your workplace has poor communications skills…which is more than the norm in today’s business environment.
Bill
p.s. What would you say to an IT/HD tech with an art degree who puts paint to canvas?
February 19, 2007 at 7:49 pm
As I’ve never met one, I have no idea, if he talked to me like a normal person then it would fine.
August 11, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Approach and Meet any Girl any Woman !
Approach and Meet any Girl any Woman !
August 25, 2007 at 10:32 am
William
very sensible post