# Jerry is incompetent v.2 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 10, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522 "2008-12-10T05:24:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/21 "2008-12-10T16:55:40Z")
> [@alterego](#): > > I know I’m not the only one with this opinon and it’s time someone said it. > > Jerry, when are you going to finish the board upgrades? > > Can you finish the board upgrades? I don’t think you are capable of scaling a cluster, modernizing the SDMB or being the sysadmin during a transitional period. A potentially major transition period where we open up the board to search engines and let the unwashed ignorant masses in. I no longer trust you. This place is rotting because you don’t care about it. You let your todo lists sit for MONTHS. I don’t care if Ed is willing to make excuses for you (“he’s busy doing other things..”). Fact of the matter is that you have made some really bad decisions and shown very little technical know-how. It’s time you asked to be relieved of responsibility for the board software and server setup. Yeah, it’s absurd how the guy doesn’t do the work, since he has plenty of time for it. By the way, could you remind me of his complete task list? I just want to make sure he doesn’t have any sneaky way to weasel out of his obvious responsibility. You… you DO have his complete task list, right? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/22 "2008-12-10T17:23:02Z")
> [@alterego](#): > > I’m telling you, the way to do this is all at once, and any decent sysadmin would have done it that way. They would have done the research and then done the migration, and they wouldn’t have fucking slept until it was done. And it wouldn’t have taken that long. > > That’s why I’m pissed off. You’re joking, right? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/23 "2008-12-10T21:06:02Z")
> [@alterego](#): > > I agree with with you. > > However, even the most lenient project timescale, say 30 minutes a day, has been passed. > > Honestly there isn’t that much work to do. It’s like a 16 hour stretch or something like that for someone who knows LAMP and has access to Google. I’m not talking knows how to code in PHP, but someone with basic programming literacy that can scan-read code and fix problems. Jerry must be able to do that, but the amount of time he spends on accomplishing simple tasks is pathetic. > > I’m telling you, the way to do this is all at once, and any decent sysadmin would have done it that way. They would have done the research and then done the migration, and they wouldn’t have fucking slept until it was done. And it wouldn’t have taken that long. > > That’s why I’m pissed off. Can you post your own career history, current job title, current workload and the current status of the organisation that you work for? Just so that we know how much gravity to assign to your opinions, and how much we should be critical of whatever it is you do. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/24 "2008-12-10T21:20:27Z")
No joke: I had a resume come across my desk today for a Jerry Davis, an experienced IT systems administrator. Also no joke: I tossed it out without reading it. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/25 "2008-12-10T21:24:03Z")
> [@Struan](#): > > Can you post your own career history, current job title, current workload and the current status of the organisation that you work for? Just so that we know how much gravity to assign to your opinions, and how much we should be critical of whatever it is you do. Cheers! And work hours, too, if you would. 'cause, you know, it’s important to make sure people remain on tast during their work week and not screwing around on message boards. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/26 "2008-12-10T21:27:03Z")
> [@Jeff](#): > > LOL. > > You think there is some large pool of candidates waiting to take over the responsibility? According to the Chicago Reader Staff list, Jerry’s department meetings could probably be held in a broom closet. Actually, there probably is. I’m relatively certain that there are at least a handful of posters qualified and willing to put some time into making the board run better. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/27 "2008-12-10T21:28:01Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > No joke: I had a resume come across my desk today for a Jerry Davis, an experienced IT systems administrator. > > Also no joke: I tossed it out without reading it. Are you sure it was the same guy? Or did you have other, unrelated reasons for tossing it? Because otherwise I have to feel sorry for [these poor fuckers](http://www.whitepages.com/5116/search/FindPerson?firstname=Jerry&firstname_begins_with=1&name=Davis&city_zip=+&state_id=&x=38&y=7) who have no chance at a job with your organization because you’re pissed off at a message board admin. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/28 "2008-12-10T21:35:01Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > Are you sure it was the same guy? Or did you have other, unrelated reasons for tossing it? Because otherwise I have to feel sorry for one of [these poor fuckers](http://www.whitepages.com/5116/search/FindPerson?firstname=Jerry&firstname_begins_with=1&name=Davis&city_zip=+&state_id=&x=38&y=7) who have no chance at a job with your organization because you’re pissed off at a message board admin. I didn’t read it and didn’t know if it was the same guy. I tend to doubt it, though, because of the location. It was one of 18 resumes we received today for the job posting. I’m not mad at this Jerry Davis at all, I’m just not very impressed with how he’s dealt with paying customers and steps taken to improve the board’s poor performance (at times). It’s completely irrational, I’ll admit, but I just can’t have anyone under my employ named after this place’s sysadmin. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/29 "2008-12-10T21:39:08Z")
Case in point: > [@](#): > > Database Error Database error > The Straight Dope Message Board database has encountered a problem. > Please try the following: > > ``` > * Load the page again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser. > * Open the boards.straightdope.com home page, then try to open another page. > * Click the Back button to try another link. > > ``` > > The [boards.straightdope.com](http://boards.straightdope.com) forum technical staff have been notified of the error, though you may contact them if the problem persists. > > We apologise for any inconvenience. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/30 "2008-12-10T21:50:28Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > It’s completely irrational, I’ll admit, but I just can’t have anyone under my employ named after this place’s sysadmin. That’s toeing the line between completely irrational and completely stupid. > [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > Case in point: > > > [@](#): > > > > Database Error Database error > > The Straight Dope Message Board database has encountered a problem. > > Please try the following: > > > > - Load the page again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser. > > - Open the [boards.straightdope.com](http://boards.straightdope.com) home page, then try to open another page. > > - Click the Back button to try another link. > > > > The [boards.straightdope.com](http://boards.straightdope.com) forum technical staff have been notified of the error, though you may contact them if the problem persists. > > > > We apologise for any inconvenience. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/31 "2008-12-10T21:54:25Z")
> [@LilShieste](#): > > That’s toeing the line between completely irrational and completely stupid. Oh well. I guess it’s my choice who I hire, right? ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/32 "2008-12-10T22:01:02Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > Oh well. I guess it’s my choice who I hire, right? Sure (except when it’s your boss’s choice). And it’s Jerry’s choice how he handles things, as well (except when it’s his boss’s choice). ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/33 "2008-12-10T22:31:50Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > No joke: I had a resume come across my desk today for a Jerry Davis, an experienced IT systems administrator. > > Also no joke: I tossed it out without reading it. Sweet flying Jeebus, you are a fucknugget. An irrational, pitiful, whinging sorry little cum stain on the sheets of humanity who doesn’t have the sense Og gave a can of cling peaches. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/34 "2008-12-11T00:56:30Z")
> [@treis](#): > > Actually, there probably is. I’m relatively certain that there are at least a handful of posters qualified and willing to put some time into making the board run better. No corporation is going to give out system access or hand over board control to volunteers. Nor is the CR going to hire additional staff to do the job. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/35 "2008-12-11T01:26:09Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > I didn’t read it and didn’t know if it was the same guy. I tend to doubt it, though, because of the location. > > It’s completely irrational, I’ll admit, but I just can’t have anyone under my employ named after this place’s sysadmin. Or, perhaps you were just too fucking lazy to move your eyes a few inches lower to see if “Chicago Reader” or “Straight Dope Message Board” were listed. Sadly, the “other” Jerry Davis is completely oblivious of the fact that he’s just dodged a bullet. Had he not shared a name with the SDMB IT dude, he might have ended up working for you. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/36 "2008-12-11T02:45:25Z")
How do you even know what Jerry is spending his time on? If you don’t know, on what basis are you criticizing him for not getting done the things _you_ think are important? And geez, why do you even care? It’s an optional $15 a year fee – you seriously don’t think you’re getting your money’s worth? ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/37 "2008-12-11T05:17:12Z")
Is currently spending his time on? No idea. But his own posts serve as a record for periods in the past. ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/38 "2008-12-11T05:22:58Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Yeah, it’s absurd how the guy doesn’t do the work, since he has plenty of time for it. > > By the way, could you remind me of his complete task list? I just want to make sure he doesn’t have any sneaky way to weasel out of his obvious responsibility. > > You… you DO have his complete task list, right? Complete task list? Why do I need that? I’ve asked Jerry to rescind his agreement to be the sysadmin for the dope. If his task list is a mile long and he isn’t willing to do it in his free time, then it’s exactly as I said: He doesn’t care. There is ample evidence that this place is sorely lacking the basic medicine a sysadmin can provide in just a few minutes. This place is intermittently left to rot and hasn’t been stable in my five year memory. Honestly, what human being with root access could endure the endless fucking complaints in ATMB about search performance and not do anything about it? Someone who couldn’t be bothered. Fuck that, I’m asking for better. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/39 "2008-12-11T06:30:32Z")
Yeah, but you’re not the one paying his salary. I don’t know what Jerry spends his time on, but if it’s not things his employers _want_ him to be spending his time on, he’d probably be out of a job long ago. You seem to be saying “Even though the people paying his salary are apparently satisfied with the work he’s doing, I want him to put in more effort on fixing X, Y, and Z.” Why should he care what you want if his bosses are happy? Are you offering to pay him overtime to get those tasks done in addition to handling the priorities his bosses want handled? Actually, you seem to be saying Jerry ought to quit being sysadmin for the Dope altogether. Let’s say Jerry took that advice and dropped the Dope to focus on the rest of his job, whatever that is. But he’s still getting paid for whatever else it is he does. Where does the money come from to pay someone else to be sysadmin for the SDMB? Are you going to provide it? ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522/40 "2008-12-11T09:16:15Z")
So you have a person that is 300 lbs overweight, with untreated diabetes and high blood pressure, rotting teeth and uncontrollable flatulence, and you are complaining that he doesn’t cut his fingernails? If the fairy Godmother came and completed all in Jerry’s to-do list, the big problems in this board would still be unresolved. It won’t be for technical reasons that this place will rot away. And **DuddleyGarrett** , that was very funny. Maybe you missed out on hiring the most brilliant guy in your list of prospects. So what? make do with the second best. Those are the moments that make life worth living. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-is-incompetent-v-2/476522.md?page=3)