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Clients moan

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    #1

    Clients moan

    One of my clients has asked me to configure a new server for them as the old one had a windows installation that’s no longer supported. Fine but get me a PO to cover a consultancy day because configuring new servers isn’t included in the maintenance contract. OK but where’s the PO? It’ll come but I’m still expected to get on with the job!

    Now the fun part.

    • My user can’t login to the new server instance.
    • My user has no admin rights on the new server.
    • There isn’t enough disk space on the new server by a factor of 10.
    • I can’t make network connection or share drives. This is meant to be an integration server for 3rd party services!
    • The new server is infested with AV, OK I’ve got to accept this but why do people infest locked down servers with the AV virus?
    • The I/O performance is still pants as it is with the current server.

    In short I’m doing the ping pong whilst we get stuff into shape for doing the job but why can’t people just see what we have and make it so in the new environment?

    Still it’s the festive season and I’m making some money so shouldn’t grumble, bah humbug
    Tags: None
    #2
    Ha, I've just had an urgent request for a special Linux build which is no problem. So I ask for some IP addresses so that they can be configured for the host Linux, the management console and the guest Linux. Got told that this is not important as they don't need that, just send them the SSH keys once the build is complete and I've sent the server to Texas. The developers who are going to use this are in the USA and India so I've politely pointed out that once it arrives in Texas, the only good thing it is going to be good for is as an anchor because no-one is going to be able to use it. gone quiet since...
    “Brexit is having a wee in the middle of the room at a house party because nobody is talking to you, and then complaining about the smell.”

    Comment

      #3
      If clients had a clue, we'd be out of a job

      Comment

        #4
        Sub to NLyUK she can really make them moan!

        Write everything down with recommendations and share with them, if its going to turn into a tulipstorm and they want a scapegoat you are first in line.

        AV isn't a bad thing, I took over 7 servers from one of the top 5 and every one of them had a virus, ok this was 2 decades ago so locked down windows wasn't a thing, but that meant every PC had a virus as well. Cleaning hundreds of workstations is a pain. Giving up <20% of your server oomph for AV isn't that expensive IMHO.


        Back off until they fix the rights, resources and your PO. You have done the freebie assessment.

        Comment

          #5
          This is a funny coincidence. I recently asked a contractor to set me up an integration platform and he gave me a right sob story and whinged at me no end.
          Ages ago I asked said contractor to put all of my junk servers he manages into the cloud but he insisted it would be cheaper to continue using the old tin from 2005 "cos you already own it".
          "Fine, whatever" I said. Anyway when I asked him to do this task, he starts getting shirty about the work being extra. Extra what?
          Well fine, he basically gets pocket money..and its Christmas I suppose. (He's cheap as chips, and whenever he asks for a rate rise I just threaten to get an Indian IT student to replace him and he soon shuts up - ha!).
          Well I found a slightly newer server for him which has the factory Dell build on it. He then spends a whole day prodding it before finally telling me he can't log in!!
          You just can't get the staff these days.

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by darmstadt View Post
            Ha, I've just had an urgent request for a special Linux build which is no problem. So I ask for some IP addresses so that they can be configured for the host Linux, the management console and the guest Linux. Got told that this is not important as they don't need that, just send them the SSH keys once the build is complete and I've sent the server to Texas. The developers who are going to use this are in the USA and India so I've politely pointed out that once it arrives in Texas, the only good thing it is going to be good for is as an anchor because no-one is going to be able to use it. gone quiet since...
            No PO, no work unless payment upfront. I did an urgent job once without a PO and I ended up taking out a small claim and won with costs.
            "A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims, but accomplices," George Orwell

            Comment

              #7
              Originally posted by Paddy View Post
              No PO, no work unless payment upfront. I did an urgent job once without a PO and I ended up taking out a small claim and won with costs.
              Nope, got a PO. This is for one of the biggest software companies in the world who are providing a system to one of the biggest outsourcers and IT firms in the world for an extremely large banking project in the EU.
              “Brexit is having a wee in the middle of the room at a house party because nobody is talking to you, and then complaining about the smell.”

              Comment

                #8
                I added on 1.5 days to my December timesheet to knock up some PowerPoint slides over the Christmas break.

                Comment

                  #9
                  How do you make a hormone?

                  Refuse to pay her.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Originally posted by BrilloPad View Post
                    How do you make a hormone?

                    Refuse to pay her.

                    Speaks someone with mucho experience...
                    “Brexit is having a wee in the middle of the room at a house party because nobody is talking to you, and then complaining about the smell.”

                    Comment

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