You probably feel like you entertain your fair share of inane questions in a given day in Finance. But your counterparts in IT just may have you beat.
They field a slew of inquiries on a daily basis from the silly to the just plain dumb.
We’ve scoured the Internet for some of the wildest ones out there. Each of these 12 exchanges actually took place between users and IT departments, help desks or technical support staff.
Sure to give you a chuckle to start your week:
IT: When would you like me to go to our northern region (of Thailand) office to install the antivirus software on the new system?
User: Oh, they don’t need it because they are not in a big city.
IT: Do they connect to the internet?
User: Yes, all day, but they are safe because it’s not a big city.
IT: How may I help you?
User: I’m writing my first e-mail.
IT: OK, and, what seems to be the problem?
User: Well, I have the letter ‘a’ in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?
User: There’s something wrong with her password. It’s not CAPS lock. The problem is that whenever I type the password, it just shows stars.
Helpdesk: Those asterisks are to protect you, so if someone were standing behind you, they wouldn’t be able to read your password.
User: Yeah, but they show up even when there is no one standing behind me.
User: Hi, this is Celine. I can’t get my diskette out.
IT: Have you tried pushing the button?
User: Yes, sure, it’s really stuck.
IT: That doesn’t sound good; I’ll make a note.
User: No, wait a minute… I hadn’t inserted it yet… it’s still on my desk… Sorry…
IT: If there is anything else we can help with, please give us a call.
User: Well…I was wondering if you could just tell me something people ask you that is really stupid, so I don’t feel like such a moron.
IT: Ma’am, you’re not stupid. People aren’t born with knowledge, it takes time. One of the silliest questions we get from new users is, ‘Where is the any key?’
User: Well, DUH! Even I know where that is!
User: My mouse pad is missing. Do you have another?
Helpdesk: No, but you can get an office supply catalog from Purchasing, pick out one you like and have them order it.
User: My boss says you have to order me a mouse pad. She says you’re the only one who knows what kind is compatible with our system.
Helpdesk: Here are your icons on your desktop.
User: Yes, but on my Mac they were all over here on the right.
IT: Well, by default, Windows arranges the columns on the left side.
User: But I’m right-handed!
IT: Well, did anyone put a disk in that might have had a virus on it?
User: No, all our disks are clean. But is it possible to get a virus because I plugged it into a different plug than at our house?
User: I have problems printing in red…
IT: Do you have a color printer?
User: Aaaah………………. Thank you.
IT: What anti-virus program do you use?
User: Netscape.
IT: That’s not an anti-virus program.
User: Oh, sorry… Internet Explorer.
IT: Click on the ‘My Computer’ icon on to the left of the screen.
User: Your left or my left?
