Garden Of Blog

I am in such a foul mood today, so take the following with a grain a rice. That’s right, rice. I heard someone on a podcast slip up and say “rice” in lieu of salt this morning, which cracked me up. They corrected themselves immediately, but it was still funny. Amen to Reality Radio.

So. A short rant here about being a “computer person.” If you’re reading this, and have asked me for help in the past, be assured that this is not about you. Because it probably isn’t. Or maybe it is about you and you deserve it. Just kidding. I am in a bad mood today, that’s all.

Often, when someone asks me for help with a computer problem or project, it is prefaced by something like, “I know this is really simple, but…” And sometimes that is the case. Sometimes people are a hair away from solving a problem or finishing a project and just need that one little nugget of information to get them to the promised land. And that nugget will take me approximately 30 seconds to reply to them with.

Not often though.

Let’s say it’s you.

Usually, reaching the goal requires software you don’t have, experience you don’t have, and time that neither of us have. But I like you, so it’s no problem. Let’s sit down and figure this out together.

Ten minutes pass. You say, “I had no idea it was this involved. Can’t we just [fill in your own half-assed idea here]“.

That’s when I get frustrated. We may be another 5 minutes, or 5 hours, away from getting you exactly what you wanted. But that’s not good enough anymore. Though you approached me looking for a solution, you were actually looking for a silver bullet… and as fast as one, too. Because of course, you “knew this was really simple.”

Well if it’s so damn simple, what are you asking me for?

I already told you I was having a bad day. Or did I? So don’t take the above personally. 95% of the time I am more than happy to lend a hand—hey, it’s good to be needed sometimes! Don’t ask me to fix your dishwasher though.

Also… and I know this is true… I have had a number of computer mentors in my life, who have patiently walked me through tasks I was sure would be simpler than they turned out to be. Such is computing. So to those people: “thank you.” And I’m glad I caught you on a good day.