Why does everyone hate the IT department?
IT workers are treated with thinly veiled contempt in many organisations. But why? Tom Brewster tries to find out.
However, it's his conversation with the put-upon Tim that really exemplifies the caricature of the condescending geek. Simon turns up to install a new firewall on Tim's computer, leading to the following discourse:
Tim: What's that?
Simon: It protects your computer against script kiddies, data collectors, viruses, worms and trojan horses, and it limits your outbound internet communications. Any more questions?
Tim: Yes. How long will it take?
Simon: Why? Do you want to do it yourself?
Tim: No, I can't do it myself. How long will it take you, out of interest?
Simon: It'll take as long as it takes.
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Tim: Right, um How long did it take you the last time you did
Simon: (interrupting) It's done.
Tim: Right, thank you.
Simon: Now, I'm gonna switch it off. When it comes back on, it'll ask you to hit yes, no or cancel. Do not hit yes or no.
Tim: Right.
Simon: Did you hear what I said?
Tim: Yep.
Simon: What did I say?
Tim: Hit cancel.
Simon: Good.
Tim: Thanks.
Tom Brewster is currently an associate editor at Forbes and an award-winning journalist who covers cyber security, surveillance, and privacy. Starting his career at ITPro as a staff writer and working up to a senior staff writer role, Tom has been covering the tech industry for more than ten years and is considered one of the leading journalists in his specialism.
He is a proud alum of the University of Sheffield where he secured an undergraduate degree in English Literature before undertaking a certification from General Assembly in web development.