Reply to: Hang on, this MY machine -contract dilemma

[Moscow Mule]

Why don't you create a VM for them to set it up on, that way if it gets burned, you only lose a VM.

[SimonMac]

If you are asking to use your system on his network, I do not see a problem with him needing access to your system, if you are not happy use a ClientCo computer

[VectraMan]

I agree with EO: I wouldn't want client's IT making any changes to my equipment. If they want full control like this, then they can supply a laptop.

[Old Hack]

As NATS, the moment I read 'turn off your firewall' I'd advise you stood your ground. As for making waves, I think mentioning the words I was asked to turn off network security, which I didn't consider good practise, would go down well.

As for the condescending bulltulip from Gentile, have a giggle at her different collars and cuffs; I have been in IT for close to 20 years now, and there are areas I have no idea of what to do, and also no interest either; we're not all nerds and need to know about everything, for it doesn't make anyone better or worse. Having 7 clients, well, that shouts out as much as you need to know.

[garethevans1986]

He could also be installing something like LogMeIn which will give him remote access to set the VPN up remotely rather than over the phone, which to be fair I wouldn't have a problem with. All he's trying to do is to save himself some time and it's easier to set these things up remotely rather than talking somebody through it on the phone.

Just ask him what he wants to install.

GE

[Ignis Fatuus]

As a contractor, if at all possible I try to bump along causing as little trouble as possible. I have picked a few fights when I can't help myself but it wouldnt be about something like this.
WGAS if the guy connects and sets stuff up, you can cancel the connection afterwards.
Quite often see contractors digging heels in over this and that, rarely gets them the respect they think it will, often catches up later when opinions of people are gathered....

Anyway, best to have a personal machine and a work machine. Let him connect to your work machine, it's not where you do any personal stuff.

[lukemg]

As a contractor, if at all possible I try to bump along causing as little trouble as possible. I have picked a few fights when I can't help myself but it wouldnt be about something like this.
WGAS if the guy connects and sets stuff up, you can cancel the connection afterwards.
Quite often see contractors digging heels in over this and that, rarely gets them the respect they think it will, often catches up later when opinions of people are gathered....

[Freamon]

Say you will allow him to remote into your machine. Switch off the network adapter so that he can't when he tries. When he asks questions like "can you still browse the internet", say that you can, and that the problem must be at his end. Then ask him if he can just talk you through what to do instead.

[NotAllThere]

...

the last time i was talking to the fellow, he told me to disable my pc tools firewall, to get something else to work
...

If it hadn't been for that last bit, I'd have said - let him do his job. As it stands - tell him to get stuffed as he's clearly incompetent.

[EternalOptimist]

well thanks vetran, and even gentile.
I AM ignorant of some things , who isnt ?

but the idea that some manu supporting, spindley, scrotum slurping turd can DEMAND to be let onto an Evertionians machine is just a sin in the eyes of Avalon


and if i had a case, id rest it

[vetran]

use your left hand to make me feel good, and your gob to give me an honest answer


no ..wait

You sexist, perverted pig

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to EternalOptimist again.

Doesn't matter how long it takes YOU to set it it up so long as you charge a reasonable fee - assuming they have decent documentation (they do right?). Does matter what information he sees from other customers when on your machine. would be the angle I take.

oi Mods how much do I need to spread before I give EO, BP and even MF good hard reputation again?

[Gentile]

use your left hand to make me feel good...

...and your gob to give me an honest answer

Right, leaving aside the fact that you can't set up a VPN on your own (really? - never mind...), this guy is spending his time helping you make up for a gap in your technical knowledge. Be grateful and just comply with his requests. Unless he's a complete twunt on a personal level, of course, in which case sod him. You decide.

There was another contractor on my last contract that didn't know how to use Git. Neither did I when the contract started (though I had used other source control systems, so it wasn't a completely unfamiliar concept for me to get my head around). The difference between us was that I made sure I made up for the gaps in my knowledge quickly. By contrast, he was still asking me and members of the client's staff to check stuff into source control for him three months into the contract. He was an OK guy, and I didn't mind helping him out (even though he did some things to make life difficult for himself, like having his own bespoke project structure on his machine that didn't match the Git Repository's structure for the same solution). But, if he'd made a song and dance about any reasonable request I'd made of him whilst I was trying to help him make up for the gaps in his knowledge, I'd have been less inclined to help him out, fellow contractor or not.

That's my honest opinion.

[Zippy]

You did the right thing. If he can't explain what to do then he's a tit and shouldn't be allowed near any system.

[EternalOptimist]

I cant believe that scrawny festering malodorous plane spotting gangly homo cock-sucking absolute stupid sh!te , would ever believe for one tenth of a millisecond that I would let the cnt onto MY machine

sorry gentile, what were you saying ?

[EternalOptimist]

Do you want an honest answer, or just one that makes you feel good?

use your left hand to make me feel good, and your gob to give me an honest answer


no ..wait