Yet another reason to hate Linux

[auntiemeesh]

Well, I figured out the FTP problem. I talked to the Prof today and after looking puzzled for a bit, she recommended that I call the help desk. Now, considering how much quality time I've spent with tech support over the past few years, dealing with various computer/internet problems, you'd think that would have been my first thought. *color me red* It hadn't even occurred to me that Pitt had tech support.

So I called and it turns out I had no room in my account. "How could this be," I asked, "since I've never used the thing before and didn't even know I had a Unix account."

"Ah, but," the wise tech support lady said, "have you used the Linux machines in the computer lab?"

"Yeah?" I ask, wondering where on earth this is going.

"Well, apparently you didn't log out and you've exceeded your bandwidth." or some such nonsense. The nice lady upgraded my account or bandwidth or whatever it was and I was good to go.

I had no idea that the Linux machine would suck all the life out of an account I didn't even know existed. You won't catch me using it again. The reason I did the first time was because I didn't know it was Linux until it was too late - and I could have sworn I'd logged off, but oh well. Yet another instance of technology + me = OMGWTF!?

Comments

[griffins-mom.livejournal.com]

I'm glad this nice tech support lady was actually able to help. What a pleasant change. At least you have Comics to look forward to next semester! *hugs*

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I've gotten so used to problems that don't ever go away that I had forgotten that sometimes they really can be fixed that easily. It was a good reminder.

[arthurfrdent.livejournal.com]

hmmm, it is possible that computer is set up to open a network channel to a server that is exclusive so instead of sharing assets, you are demanding them all, at which point they prolly keep track of how many assets you have demanded, and limit it. It doesn't matter that you are actually USING the asset, it's that you have requested a connection exclusively. Kinda like opening the wormhole and blocking it open... eventually Einstein shows up and says "bandwidth exceeded" and scrambles your brain...

yes, I did just watch Peace Keeper Wars, why do you ask? :bigevilgrin:

Don't feel bad, could be worse... I tied up a mainframe with a program running an infinite loop once, till the sysadmin spotted it and killed it... next class, my prof called me to the front of the auditorium and said: "Mr. Hagberry will be assisting me today in explaining the correct use of the period, and why you always put error correction in a program..." In COBOL, the period is the end of a statement. Fail to use it and you can drop into the next statement incorrectly and tie up $15million in computer assets. Ferever. Until a sysadmin notices, and makes you feel like an idiot... ;)

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

okay this is weird. I dont think the note exceeded your bandwith makes any sense if you have a pc connected online. I can have my pc online all day, connected to the net and still not using bandwith. Unless I have a programme running that dowloads or uploads things to the net: then I am using my bandwith. Linux is an operating system for the pc, so yeah, weirdness. So being logged in shouldn't harm your bandwith, whether you use Unix or Linux. Unless they tried to explain something to you, like minutes you can use the network or something (which is completely different from bandwith usage in technology terms).

Linux is pretty harmless compared to other operating systems, but maybe the next time, logging off and rebooting the system will reassure you that no programmes remain pending. But that goes for every login session no matter which operating system :)

{{{hugs}}}

[whtmtnwmn.livejournal.com]

Nice of them to inform the students that this could happen!

Glad things worked out in the end...sorry it was a frustrating lesson tho.
=D

Off Topic

[aidinslevel.livejournal.com]

I was told to come ask you by the fellow FCG'rs:

Question, do you know of a good, reputable but yet, reasonable baby sitting/nanny service in the Pittsburgh area?

I am looking for a sitter in my home for this Saturday night between 9pm and 1-2am. My daughter is 17 months old and will be sleeping the whole time. The only thing that will need to be done will to be to hand her a pre made bottle once or twice if she wakes.

I have checked a couple of services out of the yellow pages {I think they were nanny services} and they were asking for $15-$20 an hour which is a tad bit high in my opinion.

Re: Off Topic

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Unfortunately I don't know of any services, per se. I would volunteer to babysit for you myself but I have three papers due next week, so you can guess what I'll be doing all night. :)

As far as price goes, it varies a lot. Most of the people that I know charge between ten and twelve dollars an hour, but there are one or two people who pay me more than that.

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

Sounds mega-frustrating! Glad the actual lab wasn't too difficult once you could access your account!