This pilot fish works for a Canadian company that operates a number of logging camps. A local payroll system runs there and receives data from the main office on a standard floppy disk, as there is no network link between the two entities.
Camp clerk keeps complaining to fish that his disks are often rendered unreadable by the sand dust that filters inside the camp office in the summer. Fish suggests that the window be closed and an air conditioner be installed to keep dust from seeping into the office – but his request is rejected due to budget cuts.
Then fish recommends that the disks be at least cleaned a little bit before being inserted in the drive, to prevent sand from damaging the drive’s mechanism.
He receives a call the following day from camp clerk – fish is promptly yelled at for providing an inefficient solution, as the problem still seems to be plaguing camp clerk.
Fish then asks clerk to tell him what was done after clerk received cleaning advice. Clerk explains that he has since implemented a strict procedure where the person who delivers the disk has to very thoroughly clean the disk with soap and hot water before handing it over to clerk.
But fish obviously doesn’t know what he’s talking about, clerk continues, since the disks are still unreadable.
Shark Tank’s stomach is rumbling again, which means it’s time to send in your true tales of IT life. We won’t publish your name or any other details that would reveal your identity – so direct your delectable story scraps to[email protected].
