Entry tags:
Work-related disasters
We're installing a new telephony and unified comms solution at work. I am even being given responsibility for managing a tiny (yet hugely important) piece of the project. *bounces excitedly* Of course, I don't believe there's much chance of it actually going wrong. It's something self-contained and manageable that I can cut my PM'ing teeth on. But I will still be heading it up. This is both exhilarating and terrifying.
Anyway, the solution includes an option to use your mobile instead of your desk phone, but for calls to use your work number. So, everyone has a number but not everyone needs a physical handset. I'm more than happy to get rid of my handset; I rarely make or receive calls and it's really only taking up space and collecting dust. Plus, I find the number of buttons on it intimidating. I'm no technophobe but I can't make head nor tail of the thing. So, I got an email saying 'download the app for the new solution'. I thought of ignoring it because I actually want to use my PC as a 'soft phone' but I thought, 'no, let's get into the spirit of the thing'. First, I thought it would be a good idea to clear some space on my mobile because it's cheap and doesn't have much memory - even with the extra SD card I bought for it.
I managed to get rid of a couple of apps - because I really hardly use my mobile as anything more than a clock and a note pad. Again, I really can't get my head around it. Clearly, I have a problem with telephones... Anyway, I clicked on something that didn't look very important and got a warning message - 'if you disable this, other things might not work'. This did not indicate that disabling this thing would be catastrophic - I just thought maybe Google maps wouldn't work or something. How wrong I was. I have, apparently, disabled the system UI.
Now, my first question is - why the fuck would you make it possible for a user to disable the UI?! And even if there was a good reason, why not put big flashing red lights all over this thing and tell the user exactly what disabling this thing would mean? ie, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO USE YOUR PHONE AT ALL, STUPID!!!
Thankfully, the internet has the answer to all questions and I have found a step by step guide for solving this problem. I will try it out in a bit.
In the meantime, I am placing the blame squarely on my line manager because he is in charge of the telephony project. I have also downloaded the software onto my PC that allows me to IM colleagues and manage my presence - and will, eventually, enable me to use it as a soft phone, when we've organised headsets. I got the software installed and was about to email my line manager - then I thought, 'but I can IM him!' and did and that was great. I will use IM a LOT. The 'phone, not so much :D
Anyway, the solution includes an option to use your mobile instead of your desk phone, but for calls to use your work number. So, everyone has a number but not everyone needs a physical handset. I'm more than happy to get rid of my handset; I rarely make or receive calls and it's really only taking up space and collecting dust. Plus, I find the number of buttons on it intimidating. I'm no technophobe but I can't make head nor tail of the thing. So, I got an email saying 'download the app for the new solution'. I thought of ignoring it because I actually want to use my PC as a 'soft phone' but I thought, 'no, let's get into the spirit of the thing'. First, I thought it would be a good idea to clear some space on my mobile because it's cheap and doesn't have much memory - even with the extra SD card I bought for it.
I managed to get rid of a couple of apps - because I really hardly use my mobile as anything more than a clock and a note pad. Again, I really can't get my head around it. Clearly, I have a problem with telephones... Anyway, I clicked on something that didn't look very important and got a warning message - 'if you disable this, other things might not work'. This did not indicate that disabling this thing would be catastrophic - I just thought maybe Google maps wouldn't work or something. How wrong I was. I have, apparently, disabled the system UI.
Now, my first question is - why the fuck would you make it possible for a user to disable the UI?! And even if there was a good reason, why not put big flashing red lights all over this thing and tell the user exactly what disabling this thing would mean? ie, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO USE YOUR PHONE AT ALL, STUPID!!!
Thankfully, the internet has the answer to all questions and I have found a step by step guide for solving this problem. I will try it out in a bit.
In the meantime, I am placing the blame squarely on my line manager because he is in charge of the telephony project. I have also downloaded the software onto my PC that allows me to IM colleagues and manage my presence - and will, eventually, enable me to use it as a soft phone, when we've organised headsets. I got the software installed and was about to email my line manager - then I thought, 'but I can IM him!' and did and that was great. I will use IM a LOT. The 'phone, not so much :D