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What's your latest (or favorite) "Can you fix my computer?" story?

Lars Richter on July 12, 2019

I'm a developer. Even in my spare time I don't build computers myself. I have a simple laptop without any customizations (besides DEV.to stickers)....
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bradtaniguchi profile image
Brad • Edited

I used to work as IT on campus while going to school. My job was to go out and help with any IT issues related to classroom related technology. So the in-class computer, projector, USB, software stuff was all my job when I was on call.

I was flabbergasted by how smart some of the professors were, yet totally hopeless when it came to basic IT.

One of the best calls I had was with a professor with a huge ego.


(on the phone)
Prof: I have an issue with the in-class computer, it doesn't read the USB I put in.

Me: Ok, what room are you in.

Prof: Room 123 (yea like I remember that detail 😉)

Me: Ok, we'll be right over to check it out.

(I run/jog over to the classroom)

Prof: So I think the computer isn't working, my USB worked in my office before I came, so it must be the computer. I don't think you can fix it I tried everything already.

Me: It's possible its the computer, the computer is pretty old, let me see.


I then proceeded to check to see if the computer "sees" the USB, and sure enough it isn't there.
Obviously the #1 debugging technique is turning things off/on, but I wasn't at that point yet, so I did the next best thing.

I went to re-insert the USB only to find it basically falling out of the USB socket

ಠ_ಠ

I pushed the USB into the socket and sure enough it starts working.


Me: Ok professor, I fixed the issue

Prof: Oh ok, I can finally start lecturing, you may now leave. Class please clap for this man.


There are plenty of other instances of professors being just ignorant around technology, but this 1 professor was the only one who got the class to passive aggressively clap for anyone who helped him.

And no, I didn't tell him that was the issue. I actually had this professor for one of my classes so I couldn't afford it!

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n_develop profile image
Lars Richter • Edited

There are plenty of other instances of professors being just ignorant around technology, but this 1 professor was the only one who got the class to passive aggressively clap for anyone who helped him.

Oh boy... That's really bad. Is it really so difficult to say "Thank you"? Some people are just that ignorant. I sad similar experiences. It's no fun at all.

But there are other people as well, who are really thankful for our work. :-)