Well, for you and I that's not a bad rule. For folks just trying to make their machine stop crashing, trying to update everything is a pretty typical strategy, and the first thing customer support will ask you.
I could rant further, of course.
I am increasingly of the opinion that general purpose computers are unacceptably dangerous in the hands of people who don't know a very great deal about how to control them. People who just want to get email or browse the web should use a phone or a tablet that can't do anything else, or screw up anything else. Etc...
And while that's an insurmountable problem in people's homes, I would argue that it's not insurmountable in a place of business. If, as a business owner or administrator, you put a general purpose computer into the hands of an employee, then you have a basic responsibility to know how to protect it and maintain it, or to hire, or contract with, someone who does.
That includes knowing whether it's a good idea to take the advice of a first-level help desk person or not. Would they let the person who runs the machine-tool lathe try fix it when it breaks down, or would they bring in the in-house mechanic? For that matter, would they let a clerical person try to fix the copier when it jams? Or would they call in the copier repair person? But for some reason, when it comes to computers, all bets are off. Anybody can use one and anybody can "fix" one.
Ken
On Thu, Feb 4, 2016 at 12:11 PM, Ken Dibble krdibble@stny.rr.com wrote:
I could rant further, of course.
Gee, when I poked the bear, I never suspected that might happen ;)
I am increasingly of the opinion that general purpose computers are unacceptably dangerous in the hands of people who don't know a very great deal about how to control them. People who just want to get email or browse the web should use a phone or a tablet that can't do anything else, or screw up anything else. Etc...
The industry's solution to that is to create locked down devices where they control the firmware and you can't tamper with it (settop boxes, "intelligent" thermostats, cell phones). Of course, this assumes that *THOSE* people are any better at shipping and maintaining bug-free software than the rest of us.
And while that's an insurmountable problem in people's homes, I would argue that it's not insurmountable in a place of business. If, as a business owner or administrator, you put a general purpose computer into the hands of an employee, then you have a basic responsibility to know how to protect it and maintain it, or to hire, or contract with, someone who does.
I'd distinguish between small, medium and large-scale businesses. Smallest of businesses usually have "computer guy" on speed-dial and leave the machines to fend for themselves. Medium (where "computer guy" or "girl" is in-house) can think about role-based security and implementing login policies and locking down desktops and managing vendor updates. Large-scale businesses (with an IT department) ought to do the things you suggest. The problem I see is that the vast majority of computers are in the SMB world.
That includes knowing whether it's a good idea to take the advice of a first-level help desk person or not. Would they let the person who runs the machine-tool lathe try fix it when it breaks down, or would they bring in the in-house mechanic?
Again, size matters: small firms may depend on the operators first. Or, "my nephew knows computers."
For that matter, would they let a clerical person try to fix the copier when it jams? Or would they call in the copier repair person?
An awful lot of the dBASE programmers I knew back in the day, started out as the guy who was willing to try to change the printer ribbon, then it was a batch file, hex codes for the printer to print 132 column, spreadsheet macros and before you know it, client-server over the WAN in four languages :)
But for some reason, when it comes to computers, all bets are off. Anybody can use one and anybody can "fix" one.
"How hard could it be?"
At 09:11 2016-02-04, Ken Dibble krdibble@stny.rr.com wrote:
[snip]
I could rant further, of course.
Three paragraphs more say yes. <BEG>
I am increasingly of the opinion that general purpose computers are unacceptably dangerous in the hands of people who don't know a very great deal about how to control them. People who just want to get email or browse the web should use a phone or a tablet that can't do anything else, or screw up anything else. Etc...
I see your point here.
And while that's an insurmountable problem in people's homes, I would argue that it's not insurmountable in a place of business. If, as a business owner or administrator, you put a general purpose computer into the hands of an employee, then you have a basic responsibility to know how to protect it and maintain it, or to hire, or contract with, someone who does.
It is not insurmountable in a home. It is that home user's usually do not want to spend anything on maintenance, etc. Still, I think that they have the responsibility you detail just as people should keep their car roadworthy.
That includes knowing whether it's a good idea to take the advice of a first-level help desk person or not. Would they let the person who runs the machine-tool lathe try fix it when it breaks down, or would they bring in the in-house mechanic? For that matter, would they let a clerical person try to fix the copier when it jams? Or would they call in the copier repair person? But for some reason, when it comes to computers, all bets are off. Anybody can use one and anybody can "fix" one.
You are categorising people into users and repairers. The division is not that sharp. For example, I would expect a clerical person to able to deal with paper jams without damaging the equipment.
Sincerely,
Gene Wirchenko
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Gene Wirchenko -
Ken Dibble -
Ted Roche