FW: Tech contact for Qwest?

Wed Aug 25 02:03:31 UTC 1999

College degree in what, Asian studies?
Even a CS degree won't help you with cables.
Every engineer should know when to rely on the technician.
I learned that a long time ago in the electronics business.
As for your situation, you stood there and just insisted instead of
going through the pinouts with those who disagree. Escalation of
the conflict is poor interpersonal relations. Patient explanation
to show them why you are right would hae taken less of your time
than all the pushing and left you with happier customers and colleagues.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dean Robb <pceasy at norfolk.infi.net>
To: Charles Sprickman <spork at inch.com>
Cc: <fulton at uit.org>; <nanog at merit.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 1999 8:01 PM
Subject: Re: FW: Tech contact for Qwest?

> 
> At 14:03 8/21/99 -0400, Charles Sprickman wrote:
> >
> >On Sat, 21 Aug 1999 fulton at uit.org wrote:
> >
> >> Perhaps if we can get the "higher-ups" to stop hiring noc newbies based on
> >> certs and begin hiring based on raw intelligence...then maybe we can get
> >> the overall clue factor back to a reasonable level.
> >
> >That's true I think.  Most of the people I ask questions of posess neither
> >a CCIE nor a comp-sci degree.  Some do, but not enough to convince me that
> >real-world experience and contact with knowledgeable people isn't a valid
> >"education".  How many folks here that consider themselves a "leader" in
> >net ops at their place of employ were formally educated?
> 
> Here's a perfect example of the "Piece of paper means nothing" scenario:
> 
> I was on a system deployment today for a national funeral home chain.
> After working with their tech support guy to get the router configured the
> way they wanted it, he told me I needed a crossover cable to connect it to
> the hub.  I disagreed and suggested we at least try to use the normal RJ-45
> I had in my hand.  That got me kicked up one level to another tech who told
> me that the previous tech "had a college degree and is our expert, so go
> get a crossover cable".  Again, I balked and wanted to at least try to
> connect using the cable in my hands.  That got me bumped up again several
> times, eventually coming to the Vice President in charge of the deployment
> who told me "we've got certified experts who say you need that cable so go
> get it!". 
> 
> (Anyone see this coming?).  I got the cable - and of course it didn't work.
>  The normal cable did (DUH!).
> 
> So I had 3 "certified" "experts" and a "college degree" who told me that I
> needed something that I didn't - and refused to even *try* it my way; and
> were wrong.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "NSI and ICANN - on the next Springer!"
> 
> Dean Robb
> Owner, PC-EASY 
> (757) 495-EASY [3279]
> On-site computer repairs, upgrades and consultations
> Senior Reviewer, WWW.TheGamers.Net - an IEN affiliate.
> 
> 