<<...This administrator is in big trouble for recommending NT over UNIX.>>
Yes, he may be in big trouble, but he's probably still making a pretty hefty paycheck for all those troubles. He's burned the bridges to Unix and there's no turning back.
One of the researchers here insisted on an NT machine for remote access from home (NT was made for networks, she wants it at home for dial-in - I would've recommended Win95). She got a new Compaq with extra peripherals that set her back about $4000. We encountered problems with the dial-in setup and after all the troubleshooting from several different hardware and software tech support groups, we finally got the sucker running smooth. My estimates for the hours billed on tech support? Over $9000.00.
Sure, I was getting a lot of flack over the months we were working on this thing, but I'm still working and no one has questioned me since. Why? My guess is no one questions the techs. We know more than the customer. Besides, it's hard to find a Windows tech who know what he's doing and to break him in.
To fill one position, I go through dozens of interviews and the applicants are usually a bunch of duds. They must be coached by their agencies or something. The one's we entually hire do well in the interviews, but when it comes to troubleshooting Windows, they are clueless.
The only saving grace is that I can teach them all they need for Mac Support in a matter of a day or so. Ninety percent of the problems are resolved by zapping the PRAM!
But if they want to make overtime, I tell them they have to work on NT problems.
-Bill_H |
