Battling Productivity II
The Quest for a Desktop
I need a desktop computer to efficiently do my work. Because of my poor eyesight, having two large monitors and the ability to increase the size of text helps me to continue doing my job maintaining the fire alarms and doors. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the university is required to meet these needs. Because of the nature of being safe and secure I would think that they would want to help me keep the residents safe and secure.
I not only need a desktop, I also need a laptop to program the fire alarms and door access software.
Problems started showing up when they put the IT department in charge of maintenance. Technically they aren't in charge. They just decisions on the technology that we are required to adapt to and follow. Many times their stupid rules makes my job much harder. I must improvise, adapt, and overcome to properly fix and improve the fire alarms. I have started referring to IT as "Ignorant Technologists" because they don't understand that technology is there to help me keep the residents safe and secure not hinder me from doing that!
The ignorant technologist came up with a way to save them money. They determined that I didn't need a desktop but could use my laptop by hooking it up to a docking station that had my large monitors attached to it. What a great idea.
Here is where the problem comes in. I must set my programs on my laptop to match my poor eyesight. When I change and add monitors, I must again adjust it to be able to see and use the programs. So, I am constantly wasting time restoring settings each time I come back to my desk from the field. It slows me down and makes me less productive.
I have asked for my desktop back for over a year and have not even gotten a response. Finally, I asked again. Apparently, the head of our IT department is on maternity leave. The guy that is in charge temporarily has agreed to temporarily set me up a desktop. This may change when the head guy gets back.
THEY WILL HAVE TO PRY THE DESKTOP OUT OF MY COLD, DEAD HANDS!!!!!!!
So, temporarily, efficiency has triumphed over technology run by Ignorant Technologists!!! Stay tuned!
