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Tabula Rasa or What would you do if you were starting over in a brand new environment?
Jamie Phelps | Oct 25 2007
Most people are rarely lucky enough to have the chance to ask for help like I am. I think our resident alliterative basket case would call this a first world problem. I just started a new job (an IT internship for a large corporation), and my cube is bare. I fetched a few supplies for the desk, but before I go further getting myself situated, I wanted to ping you guys. What would you do if you had essentially no constraints on a new setup? Here's some info about the parameters: 1) Windows XP with Outlook for email. This isn't negotiable. 2) Can't install apps on the computer. Mobile apps should be OK, so I can use Firefox, et al once I install it on my flash drive. 3) Cube with a locker, four drawers (one for files, doy.), two overhead shelves/cabinets, and an open shelf. For my personal system, I rock an iPhone and hPDA for actions. I don't want work to bleed over into my personal time so I think I'm open to a new setup for work. But I do love my index cards. So, what say you 43folders friends? 12 Comments
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 Slightly idealistic?Submitted by jen729w on November 4, 2007 - 6:11am.
Jesus wept man, that was a little harsh, no? I'm 31 - young and full of energy - and I work for a major Australian bank. I enjoy my job: I earn very good money working ~40 hours a week; don't have to take my work home with me (though often do); don't have to worry about customers and invoices and cashflow and the state of the economy; don't have to worry about going out at the weekend on a massive bender and being on tip-top form Monday morning; don't have to worry about staff retention, legal nonsense, accountant's bills. Generally, I get to go to work (usually quite late, but then see above re: taking work home), have a good time, and can do whatever the hell I want when I'm not at work without having the whole "oh I wonder how my start-up is doing" thing hanging over me all the time. Don't get me wrong, I work bloody hard; I earn my money, my conscience is clear. I also happen to manage the bank's 30,000-strong Windows desktop infrastructure. We don't allow any of our users to install their own software or use their own computers. Can you imagine what would happen if we did? It would be carnage. Our entire support model depends on the fact that each user's computer is identical, standard, and controlled. Doesn't work? Rebuild it. Still doesn't work? Replace it. As a result, we operate a very low cost model and have an average call-per-seat-per-month number which is about 25% of the industry average. I have a great flat in the middle of the city, a brand new MacBook Pro, a massive leather couch, an incredible separates hi-fi system, a fabulous social life (driven by my ludicrous disposable income and copious amounts of stress-free personal time) ... and you want me to give this up to form a start-up?! Why on earth would I do that?! » POSTED IN:
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