My experiments at work

“Man is born free, but he is in chains everywhere”

Yeah, yeah, yeah!.. I know that it is a bit heavy for what I’m gonna blog about.
But, couldn’t help heighten the sense of drama when talking about my 'poor plight' :)

I work for a multinational IT company. Like any other IT company we have policies on Intellectual Property and handling sensitive client information.

But, I can bet my next month’s salary (oh!.. I’m expecting a hike!) that my company takes the prize for obsessive, compulsive, restrictive policies which push the employees to their nerves ends.

I totally understand the restriction on camera mobiles, PMUs, pass-keys for mails, and three levels of login authentication when I handle the client data (Oh!.. I do all these everyday and they have become a part of my life)

But, what ticks me off is, I can't access my company mail and use the printer when I need to. I always have to use the kiosk to access my company mail. These machines run at a snail pace and the worst part - I can't connect to printers or scanners remotely from the kiosk!..

Last week I had 25 pages to print and my kiosk machine wouldn't recognize any of the Printers in the entire development centre. (oh!.. it's not 'my kiosk machine'. I have to share it with the rest of the employees in the secure area. We have around 20 machines for 50 employees...always a rush)

After trying a while, I gave up trying to print using the kiosk machine. I walk up to the common printing area. We have a common machine connected to a printer and scanner on the fourth floor. It has a common login. The password and username are provided - stuck to the table- there. Now, some really nice support and maintenance guy changed the password and conveniently forgot to change it on the 'stick-it'.

So, I decide to find an abandoned machine in the common area and remotely access a printer. After searching a while, I made the mistake of asking a nice guy to point me towards a common machine on the floor. He was nice enough to ask me the problem and said that I should call up the support guys and ask for the password. Though I was apprehensive about this idea, he insisted that he knew one of the support guys in the building who would 'respond' promptly. He gave me the support guy's number. By now I figured this nice gentleman was a Manager.

Now, let me not start off on the pros and cons of taking the help of a manager.

Cut back - I'm calling this 'nice support guy'. But he doesn't take my call. So I decided to call the support network and get some official help. I call up the reception and ask them to connect to CCD (that's support)

Reception : Sorry, I can't connect you to CCD on extension

I : What??

Reception: Please find a VOIP phone and dial in directly

I: But I don't have a VOIP around.

Reception: Find one on the floor and dial in. I can't help!!

That was rude. By the way, who the heck asked me to get support guys to help me!.. Do they ever help? you dumbo!!.. Just use your brains!

Find a machine first..

I finally find a machine.

(oh!... now let me continue .. It took me two days to complete this story)

I finally find a machine.

Step1: Connect to the Printer on the floor remotely.

Step 2: Change Settings - 2 copies of each doc.

Step 3: Set the Print layout.

Step 4: Click on Print.

the pop-up reads. 'Please enter the 4-digit pin'..

Pin? What Pin? I never set a printer pin to my account? Should I set one? I dunno..

Let's try!

Settings--> Set pin --> I set a 4 digit pin --> Save

Now.. Print --> 'Please enter the 4-digit pin' --> I enter the pin --> 'Incorrect pin' !!!!

Huh!.. That can't be!.. Try again --> Same message

Reset the pin and try again --> Same bloody message!!

Ok.. Bloody hell!.. Let's find a VOIP.. Go two floors down!...

Found a VOIP!.. Call the Support guys

Support: Hi.. CCD!

I: Hi.. I'm trying to print some docs.. umm!.. It keeps asking for the pin. I tried giving the pin and it says incorrect pin!

Support: What is the pin you are giving?

I: umm? You want me to tell you my pin?

Support: Oh!.. Dont try setting the pin!... The default pin set is 1111. Use that. I guess that solves the problem. Can you try checking?

I: I'm not at the system right now!.. Are you saying all the accounts are set to the default pin 1111? It can't be changed?

Support: Yup.. you got it right

I: uhh.. what's the point of having a pin???

Support: umm...It is set to 1111. Try with it. It will work.. I'm sure

I: Ok!..(still confused why there is a mandatory, default, common pin for everybody) ..Thanks!

Support: Np! Have a nice day.

I: I'll try.

So.. use the default pin. Lo!.. I get my print job done.

All this takes 1.5 hours

The print job takes exactly 3.5 minutes

I love my life!.. I love my life!... I need some chocolate!!