damnit, I can't go

That sucks. I made plans to go up to Lockhaven this weekend. I'll be there next month.

About the other stuff: There are some good users. Really. I've even talked to one or two of them in the two years I've done tech support. Most of them suck, though. These are the people who can't remember things like their username, password and simple concepts like, 'computers need to be plugged in' and 'computers do not like coke, I don't care if it's the new vanilla flavored stuff', or that their laptop needs a modem or that you shouldn't stick your arm in the big machine behind you that runs on huge vacumes or even how to unlock the computer after the screen saver goes away. I've even had users that call ME because they think that either aliens, the CIA, FBI and/or the local city hall is controlling their mind through their computer screen. I asked them why some rogue government agency or aliens would want them to call tech support about their problem. Didn't they want to keep control of him? Of course I could fix the problem, but would it be in the best interests of national security? What if the people controlling my brain found out? Then the user began getting weird. (believe it or not I've had all these calls except the ones in single quotes... yes, I worked 3rd shift)

They really can't be expected to remember things like their name, location and species, so understanding why they called you can be frusterating. The conversation generally consists of angry grunts and yelling while you hit the mute button and play minesweeper untill this idiot gets enough sense to leave you alone.

Sometimes you can solve their problem (if you really feel like it by the time they're done with their rant) by refering them to the box their computer came in. Tell them to pack it up, send it back to the company it came from with a note demanding their money back because there is a defective keyboard-user interface on it.

Wow, that felt good. I haven't ranted about users in a long time. I don't even have enough rant energy to write about how much California people suck, but I'll tell you this: if you don't have users in New York city you're extremely lucky.

See you next month!