PC users prefer to throw out a spyware-ridden machine (and get a new one) than fix it

[aneeshm]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


Because of course this is the tactic used by MS with all of their earlier systems, right? That's why they don't support their OS's for years after obselescence... oh wait.
You know who that sounds like, actually? Apple.

Supporting something is not necessarily the same as releasing applications for it .

Another thing - this was not a troll .

No, it was an inane /. crosspost.

I refer to the whole post , not that specific part .

And about the blanket comment about Indian techies - it was unwarranted and baseless nation-bashing . AFAIK , that's against the forum rules . I'm giving you a chance to retract that statement , or I'll report you .

@ baseless nation-bashing being against the rules

It was , the last time I checked .

[Asher]

Originally posted by aneeshm
Saying that all people from nation X do not to job Y correctly , and lack Z character trait , and then saying that it was a joke does not cut . I'm not trying to get involved in a flamewar , so please keep your responses civil .

I don't see how it's any different than saying British people cannot cook and lack good hygeine, or Canadians are hockey-loving beer drinkers.

About the support thing - only the worst get helpdesk/support jobs . Even I get frustrated when I deal with support personnel here . Community college is an exaggeration , they wouldn't cut it in my highschool .

These aren't "help desk/support" jobs -- these are AIX kernel, linker, and loader L2/L3 support, which is a very technical position that requires a degree at the very least.

I'm not talking about the people who answer phones, I'm talking about the people who supposedly have computer science degrees and can troubleshoot and fix defects in an extremely complicated operating system. They're supposed to be software engineers.

Until last year, they were based in Austin, TX and were great...now they're useless. We have to do their job for them basically.

[Asher]

Originally posted by aneeshm
Supporting something is not necessarily the same as releasing applications for it .

It involves providing technical support, providing security updates, etc. MS does this for a long time, and has historically as well.

It was , the last time I checked .

Didn't see any mod objecting to the thread about how the British couldn't cook, in fact a few participated.

[Kuciwalker]

It was , the last time I checked.

Then you're messed up, since it's never been against the rules and is in fact an extremely common practice in the OTF.

[Last Conformist]

Originally posted by Asher
These aren't "help desk/support" jobs -- these are AIX kernel, linker, and loader L2/L3 support, which is a very technical position that requires a degree at the very least.

I'm not talking about the people who answer phones, I'm talking about the people who supposedly have computer science degrees and can troubleshoot and fix defects in an extremely complicated operating system. They're supposed to be software engineers.

Until last year, they were based in Austin, TX and were great...now they're useless. We have to do their job for them basically.

IOW, your employer has made you do more work, no doubt without increasing your pay.

Capitalism

[Ben Kenobi]

or Canadians are hockey-loving beer drinkers.

that's an insult?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Last Conformist
IOW, your employer has made you do more work, no doubt without increasing your pay.

Capitalism

Indeed, because I leave at the end of next month and move back West.

[Last Conformist]

Too bad.

[Gatekeeper]

Thanks for the article, aneeshm. Heh. I don't think I'd throw out an infected machine, though. That gets expensive, even with low-end PCs.

I didn't read any of the posts afterward, though, because I knew what would be coming from the usual suspects.

Gatekeeper

[Last Conformist]

I've joined the hallowed ranks of the usual suspects?

[Gatekeeper]

Do you want to be?

[Last Conformist]

I've got no particular wish to be associated with the likes of Asher, UR, or Aggie, no.

[Gatekeeper]

Oh, they're a blast to hang out with. Asher plays a mean game of bowling. UR knows how to mix up a good drink, and Aggie, well, Aggie is just unique. Yeah, let's leave it at that.

But when it comes to computers, they're all so predictable, thus "the usual suspects."

Gatekeeper

(Disclaimer: I've never met the usual suspects IRL.)

[LDiCesare]

I've always considered that hardware malfunction and inability to upgrade the machine to something better was the only real reason to get a new computer.
Asher, when you say

I deal with outsourced Indian workers on a daily basis (AIX support is in India these days), and my frustration level is quite high. These people wouldn't even cut it in community college.

How much of their lack of skill is due to lack of knowledge and loss of know how on that peculiar code? And to communication difficulties (different hours, sametime and phone aren't still worth a face-to-face meeting where you can draw a sketch on a sheet of paper)? We have some problems similar to yours, but I am not sure it's due to lack of ability from the Indians. I'd say turnover, lack of knowledge of the code they have to maintain (noone explained them the intricacies) and communication problems are more problematic than the skills of Indian engineers.

[Atahualpa]

With the $400 he spent, he doesn't even need spyware to get a crap computer...

Seriously, all he needed to do is burn the important stuff on DVD or CD (which he should do anyway), put in the XP rescue disk and wipe everything clean with a fresh installation.
Saves you $400 and gets you a backup. Someone should give me a Master in economics...