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I keep quiet about what I do, even though I'm just an ordinary software developer. I feel like there are much more interested facets to me as a person. Also, I

I keep quiet about what I do, even though I'm just an ordinary software developer. I feel like there are much more interested facets to me as a person. Also, I get tired of all the dumb, ill informed comments people make about my field of work. Goes for any industry I guess. Also, people assume I can fix their computer.

bananabiscuit 9y ago
When people assume I fix computers, I explain to hem that I am actually the one who makes the software that breaks everything in the first place ;)
shoover 9y ago
Heh, more interesting facets as a person is a good way of looking at it. I once had a neighbor address me as, “You’re IT, right?” (She had WiFi questions.) Yes, that is my identity. Nurses and schedulers always apologize because their systems are slow. In that context I volunteer what I do and apologize back. They appreciate the understanding and it’s fine because they don’t have time or inclination to ask questions.
- Mz 9y ago
  “You’re IT, right?” (She had WiFi questions.) Yes, that is my identity. (In an alternate universe:) Rips shirt open, revealing the letters IT emblazoned across the t-shirt underneath. In deep voice, replies: "Why yes, yes I am. I attend parties for the sole purpose of rescuing hapless party goers from their IT woes. How may I be of service?!"
  - shoover 9y ago
    I want that t-shirt.
    - Mz 9y ago
      Here you go: https://www.zazzle.com/it_t_shirt-235771206132335085 https://www.zazzle.com/it_t_shirt-235771206132335085
      - shoover 9y ago
        Thank you :-)
      - shoover 9y ago
        I couldn't read your vignette without seeing a superman logo on the shirt. I'm kicking around ideas like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/OePJOQocUAnvzwbt1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/OePJOQocUAnvzwbt1 (click to zoom out, Google?)
        Mz 9y ago
        That's great. Much better than my concept. I will have to think on that, see if I can do something with it. If I happen take that and run with it, are you okay with me turning it into a t-shirt?
        shoover 9y ago
        Feel free.
- drfuchs 9y ago
  Whenever they apologize for the system being slow, or difficult for them to use, I say "Yeah, you know we program them that way on purpose, as retribution for how we were treated in high school."
- deleted 9y ago
  [deleted]
fhood 9y ago
Fix computer is fine. I frequently get trapped in long conversations with someone who is convinced that solve nearly impossible problem with machine learning is the idea of the century.
hacker_9 9y ago
Or you meet the odd developer who then wants to talk your ear off about what tech they use in their stack...
- macintux 9y ago
  Worse, you have a brother-in-law who has built a few computers and now thinks he knows everything there is to know about them.
  - khedoros1 9y ago
    Or the uncle that told me that he knew more about <technical subject> than I did (and got even basic details wrong), while I was showing him my (working) implementation of the concept.
j45 9y ago
Regarding assumptions of fixing people's computers - I worked in IT many lifetimes ago - I found if I asked people who wanted me to fix their computer to come sit with me for the entire time I would be fixing it to hang out, 95% of the requests disappeared. My standard advice now is I only support hardware I recommend, and generally, for newbies, the only thing I'll recommend is a Macbook or an iPad which eliminate any and all calls. You can return to being friends and sharing tips about apps and leaving the rest be.

bananabiscuit 9y ago

When people assume I fix computers, I explain to hem that I am actually the one who makes the software that breaks everything in the first place ;)

shoover 9y ago

Heh, more interesting facets as a person is a good way of looking at it. I once had a neighbor address me as, “You’re IT, right?” (She had WiFi questions.) Yes, that is my identity. Nurses and schedulers always apologize because their systems are slow. In that context I volunteer what I do and apologize back. They appreciate the understanding and it’s fine because they don’t have time or inclination to ask questions.

Mz 9y ago
“You’re IT, right?” (She had WiFi questions.) Yes, that is my identity. (In an alternate universe:) Rips shirt open, revealing the letters IT emblazoned across the t-shirt underneath. In deep voice, replies: "Why yes, yes I am. I attend parties for the sole purpose of rescuing hapless party goers from their IT woes. How may I be of service?!"
- shoover 9y ago
  I want that t-shirt.
  - Mz 9y ago
    Here you go: https://www.zazzle.com/it_t_shirt-235771206132335085 https://www.zazzle.com/it_t_shirt-235771206132335085
    - shoover 9y ago
      Thank you :-)
    - shoover 9y ago
      I couldn't read your vignette without seeing a superman logo on the shirt. I'm kicking around ideas like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/OePJOQocUAnvzwbt1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/OePJOQocUAnvzwbt1 (click to zoom out, Google?)
      - Mz 9y ago
        That's great. Much better than my concept. I will have to think on that, see if I can do something with it. If I happen take that and run with it, are you okay with me turning it into a t-shirt?
        shoover 9y ago
        Feel free.
drfuchs 9y ago
Whenever they apologize for the system being slow, or difficult for them to use, I say "Yeah, you know we program them that way on purpose, as retribution for how we were treated in high school."
deleted 9y ago
[deleted]

fhood 9y ago

Fix computer is fine. I frequently get trapped in long conversations with someone who is convinced that solve nearly impossible problem with machine learning is the idea of the century.

hacker_9 9y ago

Or you meet the odd developer who then wants to talk your ear off about what tech they use in their stack...

macintux 9y ago
Worse, you have a brother-in-law who has built a few computers and now thinks he knows everything there is to know about them.
- khedoros1 9y ago
  Or the uncle that told me that he knew more about <technical subject> than I did (and got even basic details wrong), while I was showing him my (working) implementation of the concept.

j45 9y ago

Regarding assumptions of fixing people's computers - I worked in IT many lifetimes ago - I found if I asked people who wanted me to fix their computer to come sit with me for the entire time I would be fixing it to hang out, 95% of the requests disappeared. My standard advice now is I only support hardware I recommend, and generally, for newbies, the only thing I'll recommend is a Macbook or an iPad which eliminate any and all calls. You can return to being friends and sharing tips about apps and leaving the rest be.