Allow me to put this in perspective for our good doctor. The following is a conversation I had with a client a few years ago. I am not making this up. And yes, this thread is giving me severe deja vue.
Me: Hey. Just thought I would let you know that support for Windows 2000 will be ending in about 180 days. I recommend you upgrade those machines while we can do so under our own control with proper planning and budgeting.
Client: Why? What does that mean?
Me: It means that Microsoft will no longer release updates for that operating system and they will not longer offer phone support. Also, many of the third party support entities will be ending support as well.
Client: OK, but doest that mean the machines will stop working on that day?
Me: Well, no.
Client: Fine. Thanks for the heads up.
218 days later
Client: James, my server quit working. Come fix it.
Me: I can extract your data from the server and here is a quote from Dell for a new server running the latest version of Windows.
Client: Wait, what?!? Why the hell can't you just fix the one I have?!?
Me. Your server is almost 8 years old. Windows 2000 is no longer supported.
Client: Well how long will it take to get a new one?
Me: About two weeks from Dell.
Client: I can't be down for two flippin' weeks!! Go to Best Buy and get something from there.
Me: OK.
I arrive back from Best Buy with a $600 desktop computer (a.k.a. cheap pos) and set it up.
Client: Now, see, this is how business is done! I kept that other computer for 8 years and got full use out of it before I had to buy a new one and the new one only cost me $600! Talk about saving money. I hope you learned something today, IT guy!
Me: Ok, if you say so.
114 days later, the new computer fails.
Client: James, this new computer you got me quit. Why did you get me such a worthless piece of crap? Come over here and fix it!
Me: It's going to cost about $400 to fix this machine. And Best Buy doesn't carry these parts in-store. We'll have to send the machine off via Fed-Ex to a place to get it fixed with a turn-around time of 1 - 2 weeks.
Client: $400?!?! Send it off for 1 - 2 weeks?!?!? Why can't you get it fixed under warranty?!?!
Me: The computer came with a 90 day limited warrany.
Client: What the hell does "limited" mean?
Me: I think we are seeing it.
Client: They need to get it fixed faster than 1 - 2 weeks!
Me: The warranty terms are quite clear. On the other hand, we could get that server I mentioned before. . .
Client: What kind of warranty does it have?
Me: Three year on-site parts and labor next day.
Client: Now that's a warranty! How long to get it?
Me: About 1 - 2 weeks.
Client: Fu#$%%^^go$$%%^^^da###$$%^^&& computers!!!
JamesNT
.png "ACUF Donor I")
