OK Computer

I hate dealing with computer problems. I'm happy when they work and quite unhappy when they don't. Simple enough.

Now, I'm not out to bash IT people or people who work in the computer industry. This isn't some broad bitch against the technology industry in the slightest. No, this will be directed to one certain computer salesperson. Although they will not read this, I will not mention any names. This is not to protect the innocent. No, I won't call anyone out, because although I may be bitter, I feel it's in my best interest to keep people nameless. And, I like keeping my interest best.

A few months ago our out-of-house computer salesperson/IT guy left the state. I understand his reasoning and hold no ill-will towards him. But, he left us in a bit of a lurch. He did let us know, however, that although he wouldn't be here for the hands-on stuff, he would recommend a company that he trusted. Fair enough. Not too long after that, a salesperson from the company came to visit our office, introduced himself, explained the company philosophy, blah, blah. Basically just came to grease the wheels. Put in a good word. He's here for us, call with any problems, etc. Whatever. You get the drift. He handed out his company card and was on his way. Now, I may not have the greatest judgement all the time, but I have a fairly decent bullshit monitor. Something about him irked me.

The first sign of trouble was when my DVD burner went to hell. I called our trusty salesperson about said problem. He said he would be right on it and would order me a new one stat. It arrived a couple of days later. I was impressed, until I tried to install it. Technologically, I'm an idiot, but I'm smart enough to know when a certain connection will not work. I get the whole male/female idea in connections, and these two were not compatible mates. Nope, no love connection here. After staring at this for awhile and deciding that it wasn't going to be a go, I called my trusty salesperson and explained my problem. He let me know that he would order a different burner with the correct connections (always a fine idea) and come to Elliott to install it himself. Super.

The next day he was out here to do the old switcheroo. After confirming that, indeed, the first burner he sent me wouldn't work and I wasn't just a moron putting him on, he proceeded with the work. He removed the old burner, then began installing the new one. Before he installed it though, he tried to change the faceplate from black to beige (the color of my computer). That was a no-go however, and I stopped him before he ended up breaking it, stating I didn't care about the color.

Next, installation. Along the way, he stripped and broke off one of the tiny screws that would hold the burner in place. A grimace must have flashed across my face because he told me it happens all the time, no big deal. O-kay. After he was done with that, he chit-chatted for awhile. It was mostly the usual business/superficial personal stuff. But, he did let us in on some really personal information about himself that I didn't really regard as appropriate business conversation. But, maybe he thought we really needed to know. Hard to say. Anyhow, installation complete, and he was out the door with wink and a smile. My dander was up.

After that incident, he was in from time to time, working on different problems. Then, last week arrived. I had received an email from him on Thursday saying he'd be in on Friday to install a patch on everyone's computers. And, he arrived exactly when he said he would. The time he spent on each computer was pretty minimal. Painless even. Before leaving, he mentioned to us that three of our computers would need updating sometime because our operating systems were out-of-date. Fine, that may be true. Then, he was off without truly explaining what this patch does and if we would encounter any problems with it. I've seen enough movies dealing with foreshadowing to know that this wasn't a good sign.

True to a Hitchcock movie, the foreshadowing came true. Saturday, I received a call at home from another employee from our Forman location. He could not log onto his computer, and he wasn't happy about it. After a brief conversation I decided that I was not able to help him, so he was willing to wait until Monday. He mentioned that he had left a choice voicemail with our trusty salesperson in the meantime. Good.

On Monday, I checked to see if above employee was able to get ahold of our trusty salesperson. He had, and his computer was now functioning. Actually, all the computers at that location needed a little tweaking to function. But, they were "fixed". Everyone else's computers seemed to be fine. That is until Tuesday, when an employee here in Elliott found out that he couldn't log onto his laptop. It had worked fine the day before, but when he took it offsite it wouldn't let him on. A call from him was put into our trusty salesperson, who promptly told him that since he was not in the office, he couldn't help him through it. He instructed our employee to call our Forman office and talk to the bookkeeper there who had the instructions to fix the problem. He did, they worked on it for a loooong time, and they eventually fixed it, although not exactly with the precise directions left by our trusty salesperson. Tweaking at its finest.

Now, this is where my already ruffled dander becomes a full-on irritation. EXCUSE ME, but you are the trusted professional who installed this so-called wonder patch. Shouldn't you have some idea of how to deal with it when it goes awry? I was told that he's just the salesperson, he shouldn't have to fix the technical problems. Oh, really? As a old boyfriend used to say, I call bullshit. If you have the supposed know-how to install the freaking thing, you should know how to deal with the problems that arise from the installation. And, then instead of offering to have one of the technicians at his company call our employee to help him out, he instead sloughs off the work to another of OUR employees. Are you kidding me?

He has, since, explained what the patch is for. I'm not comfortable with it, but whatever. It has been decided that we'll be getting new computers for us three, who are so woefully behind the times. Fine. I think my current PC is just fine, but you can't stop technology. I think transferring the info from my old computer to the new one is going to be an issue. To say that it will be a humongous pain in the keester is an understatement. But, I'll deal. What I keep having problems with is the feeling that we're getting treated like a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest. Where does it end? Everything seemed to be just fine one month ago, and now we're akin to cavemen in the technology age. It's more, more, more but with no explanation as to why. And, that's what bothers me.

Yup, that's what bothers me. I'm tired of the push to sell us more without telling us why. I'm done with the "don't worry we know what's best for your company" line that keeps being fed to us without an afterthought. I've always been a cynic and a skeptic, but they've got my radar raised permanently with the latest shenanigans. Well done. We'll see how it goes from here.

P.S. I thought this would be a short little post, but nothing I write ever turns out very succinct. Blame the game, not the player. :)

I Watch Too Much TV

(I originally wrote this January 9 on my Facebook page, but thought I would copy it to here also.)

Although this may turn into a Dennis Leary-type rant, I need to express my anger somewhere. Here goes...

Yesterday, while reading the Fargo Forum, I came across an article that said due to negotiations between Hoak Media and DirecTV falling through, KXJB Channel 4 would be removed from my channel lineup starting at 5 p.m. What in the hell?!? After further investigation, I found out that Hoak Media wants DirecTV to pay more to them for the right to broadcast CBS. Apparently they feel they should be receiving the same monetary compensation as affiliates in L.A. or Chicago, as explained by General Manager Charley Johnson.

Now, hold the phone. I am not going shun my proud North Dakota roots and crap on Fargo, but last time I checked our largest city was not exactly in the big-league size as Los Angeles. Not even close. So, I don't understand how they feel they should be getting the same as those affiliates. And, Hoak isn't even willing to let DirecTV broadcast KXJB while they continue to negotiate. So, fade to black.

But, I write this note, not as a bitch-slap towards Hoak Media or Charley Johnson (although I think they each may deserve one), but as a loyal television viewer. I love that electronic device that sits on its perch in my living room. And, I love CBS shows. CSI, Cold Case, Two and Half Men, so many more that beam into my living room every night. I am pissed off that they were taken away from me. I'm pissed that I cannot watch two NFL football games this weekend. And, if this little pissing match continues between Hoak and DirecTV, I might not get to watch the NCAA Final Four. Now I'm super-pissed.

I know this could be a good experience for me and my husband. Addiction in any form is never a good thing. We could use this as a learning and growing experience, free from the constraints of the monkey on our back that is television. But, come on. We are who we are. We don't like change.

I just want my channel back. Right now the craving isn't too bad, but in the near future I'll need to get my CBS fix. I hope they can figure it out, or maybe DirecTV can put a different affiliate in KXJB's slot. I don't care. Whatever gets CBS streaming into my living room again is good enough for me.

I know I went on longer than I needed to. And, nobody will probably read this anyhow. But, I feel better just letting my frustration out. And, as always, the first step is admitting you have a problem. Now what's step 2?

As a footnote, Charley Johnson suggested that while we customers wait this out, we can still receive KXJB over a rooftop antenna. No problem, except everyone has removed them. Aren't they supposed to be obsolete next month? That's what a little message I see every night on KX-4 has told me. Well, until 5 o'clock last night that is.