Day: September 6, 2006

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My pain! Hardware/Software problems

So today I have a "bring me a rock" client that is going ape to see progress on an overrun project. I have another client that has emailed me something that could be a maintenance issue on old work or a request for new work. I have 2 recruiters wanting me to send a resume specific to the job description (one short term contract; one full time op) they’ve email me. I have a friend that has sent a fulltime opportunity requesting a resume. I have a scheduled 3 week contract that is supposed to launch today.

So what? My workstation decides to go to la la land and quit responding! Troubleshooting time.

Update: fixed.

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My Wishlist

I often feel prisoner to a lack of resources. When I consider rejoining the corporate world, my reasons center around a need to have the resources I lack. Ideally I really do well leading a team so the biggest resource I desire is people. Foregoing people and operating capital, here is my list of basic needs (new computers top the list):

  • a macbook pro – for presentations, sales, lectures/public speaking, and remote development
  • a new development server – linux
  • new development server – windows 2003, CF 7
  • new pc workstation with 3 monitor setup – I still rely heavily on pc based software
  • new phone – preferrably a treo
  • FranklinCovey planner refill

Now into the dream world:

  • a 2nd (preferrably 3rd) monitor to dock with the macbook pro
  • mid to high end digital video camera
  • workstation for photo/video/art processing/production
  • digital camera with exchangable lenses

And if I could have people:

  • Personal assistant
  • salesperson
  • attorney on retainer
  • accountant
  • bookkeeper
  • two developers
  • intern research assistant
  • lab assistant/technican – computer repairs, software licenses, maintenance, etc.
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Assume the negative; unless they call

Yesterday Sarah’s bus was 20 minutes late. I thought Sarah pushed her luck and missed it. Regardless, I drove her to school arriving 2 minutes late. When she came home and explained that "the bus was 20 minutes late and I arrived before the bus students so they counted me tardy" I was dumbfounded. I called the school and received no answer.

Today I called, was transferred to another office where another person tracked down the authority to whom I needed to speak. Before I could finish my explanation, she chimed "all fixed."

Some number of tardies equals an unexcused absence; 3 tardies I think. Some number of unexcused absenses lands a parent in court; 5 I think (but the school can suspend a student for no reason for 10 days I think). So, shouldn’t the school be proactive and not mark the students from this particular bus tardy? This mirrors the wicked insurance industry with the practice of automatically denying a claim and then laying the burden of proof on the exhausted patient. Sometimes it is easier just to say "I’ll take the screw." I wonder how many parents fail to even ask "were you counted tardy" much less follow-up with a phone call to the school.