How many IT Admin "don't do Windows".....

[beanbag]

It's driving me insane!!! Our IT guy apparently "doesn't do" Windows.....and refuses point blank to even help with Windows issues....it's only about Linux and nothing else....

One of my colleagues caught a pretty nasty virus and it turns out her anti-virus was a trial McAfee package. He didn't even bother installing a proper AV product. I also found out there is no AV software installed on our stty Zimbra mail server. His reason. "Because Linux doesn't get viruses so what's the point."

Now it's up to me to fix my colleagues PC wasting my time, hers and then making sure all my other colleagues are protected and it's not my bloody job. I gave up being an IT guy years ago. Now I remember why.....

FFS!

[OnTheOverrun]

If you're his boss sack him. If you're not, tell his boss and refuse to fix anything yourself.

[tribbles]

His name's not Stephen, is it? I was in charge of an IT guy who was like that. He was asked to leave eventually.

[Munter]

Assuming it is actually his responsibility:

[matt173407]

So when a virus wipes out your network who is responisble for fixing it and explaining to your md the loss of time and money ???
If he is not there to support users and the business then you have no need for him!

[joewilliams]

Some IT bods are like that, unfortunately. If anything bad happens it's your fault for using Windows in the first place.

I'm happy with Windows, Linux, and OS X. Each has their place. Linux is great in the server room and for simple desktops, but in a typical business there will be applications which require Windows to run.

A large part of my job is making sure Windows desktops are updated and protected, and repairing them when they break. If I simply refused to do this, I'd be a lot poorer.

Running something like ClamAV on the Zimbra server to remove e-mail viruses at the server level is a no-brainer. Get somebody more pragmatic in.

[bonsai]

You can't be painting the full picture. If he is actually employed as the IT guy then that is unbelievable so.... what's the real story?

[Accelebrate]

If it's his job/responsibility then he's out of order, or if you're a small organisation where everyone is expected to muck in.

If it genuinely isn't his role and he's kept very busy keeping lots of other important things running then I can sort of empathise, tech support is mind numbing and time consuming at the best of times.

[beanbag]

bonsai said:

You can't be painting the full picture. If he is actually employed as the IT guy then that is unbelievable so.... what's the real story?

I'm completely serious. The guy is very good with Linux server management, but he refuses to use or even acknowledge anything else!!!

I'll keep my reservations to myself with regards to how the issue should be handled in case this thread is read by him. (He's more than capable of checking out my internet history).

IMHO, our IT infrastructure within the company is a mess. Totally chaotic and with very poor security. No matter how crap people say Windows is, it's possible to fortify the OS enough to completely protect against viruses.

[The_Jackal]

Yeah if your company supplies you with a windows machine it is his job to support it.
As above if this is a small company where you just do what you have to, to keep things running, its down to your boss to worry if his company goes bust because of crap IT.

[beanbag]

The_Jackal said:

Yeah if your company supplies you with a windows machine it is his job to support it.
As above if this is a small company where you just do what you have to, to keep things running, its down to your boss to worry if his company goes bust because of crap IT.

Well, this is it. It is a small company. We're officially still a start-up, but that's neither here or there. The guy is the IT admin person. Perhaps he doesn't know Windows but what gets me is his "I won't touch it", or "I hate Windows" attitude.

Fair enough he might not know, but he should at least try......

As mentioned, I was an IT Admin chap before and I didn't have a clue about OSX, but I still tried and managed to resolve most issues. The point is I tried and I didn't bh non-stop about all this geeky, penguin, caffeine bullst.

It's a fking business environment and not some geek playground...

[bonsai]

A Linux poindexter will most likely know his way around Windows, so his refusal to do so is even more disgusting, and if you're a small business he probably isn't run off his feet.

Who hired him? Friend/relative of the boss or something?

[cs02rm0]

Install Linux if support is required?

[eztiger]

beanbag said:

The guy is very good with Linux server management, but he refuses to use or even acknowledge anything else!!!

No he's not, if there's not a/v on your mail gateway because he doesn't think linux gets virii. He's missing the point somewhat.

And refusal to use or acknowledge anything else adds to the problem.

Sounds like you have a typical geek / nerd type working for you not someone with a support mentality. If it fits with what they like to be tinkering with that week then great, if not no interest.

Speaking as a fellow linux weenie I'd have no issues sorting out your windows box(es), in fact I've also been a windows admin in my time as well.

Sacking is harsh but a serious word in his ear would be warranted..

Edited by eztiger on Thursday 25th February 15:47

Edited by eztiger on Thursday 25th February 15:47

[DavidHM]

beanbag said:

The_Jackal said:

It's a fking business environment and not some geek playground...

Done right, it's both and that has mutual benefits but IT has to be driven by business needs. Sometimes those decisions are taken at a higher level than both the user and the tech so even good techs can seem obstructive - but this doesn't appear to be the case here.

Edited by DavidHM on Thursday 25th February 15:51

[royceybaby]

He should be shown the door if he is paid to administer the computers on your network and that is his attitude.

We are 99% a windows shop here, have a couple of Linux servers and I even run Linux as my desktop os. But there is no way we would not maintain any of the IT that our company runs due to prejudice to certain OS.

Royce

[Ikemi]

beanbag said:

bonsai said:

You can't be painting the full picture. If he is actually employed as the IT guy then that is unbelievable so.... what's the real story?

I'm completely serious. The guy is very good with Linux server management, but he refuses to use or even acknowledge anything else!!!

I'll keep my reservations to myself with regards to how the issue should be handled in case this thread is read by him. (He's more than capable of checking out my internet history).

IMHO, our IT infrastructure within the company is a mess. Totally chaotic and with very poor security. No matter how crap people say Windows is, it's possible to fortify the OS enough to completely protect against viruses.

That is awful! My role as Network Manager covers more than most ... I am responsible for taking the IT forward in terms of investigating and implementing new projects such as centralized wireless systems, desktop virtualization and IP CCTV systems. However I also provide support for servers, laptops, workstations, software, the network itself and users, as well as standard day-to-day tasks - I really don't have much time to sit and surf the web ... Although I realise the irony - I'm taking a break

I also have to (and don't mind, it comes easy to me!) be polite and be as helpful as possible to members of staff. I distribute questionnaires to staff to see what they think of the network, their computer and the quality of support they receive. There will always be negative points, but for the large majority, our staff are very happy

All in all, if I had his attitude, I would've been sacked long ago!

You need to arrange a meeting, sit him down and explain that IT is the backbone of your small business - It needs to be secure, up-to-date and he has to help staff to move the business forward. If not, I'm sure there are lots of others willing to jump in his boots!

[patmahe]

Wow, I can understand him not knowing something, but to refuse to try is incredible. If I don't know something I look it up (most of it is available online anyway). There are many aspects of IT I don't like but it would never lead to me refusing to do something I was asked to do.

[cs02rm0]

I wonder if people would have the same attitude if someone was looking for Linux support from a Windows admin...

[patmahe]

cs02rm0 said:

I wonder if people would have the same attitude if someone was looking for Linux support from a Windows admin...

I'd still try, if I found I couldn't do it then fine but I wouldn't refuse. Plus its a different situation, windows is far more common and popular than linux and any IT Admin worth his wages would at least give it a go.