Funny stories from the field

[Entropy3XD]

OK.....I like to hear about the mistakes and goof-ups of my fellow techs, so in order to hear your stories I will make myself a target of ridicule first.

If any of you know about Smart Boards, you might be familiar with Smart Technologies 72” (182.9 cm) white board. Through dedicated research and development, I have discovered how much wind it takes to turn a 72” Smart Board into a kite.

When using a standard, regular cab, American style pickup with a 4’ X 6’ bed, you can drive upwards of 80 MPH with a 72” Smart Board in the back and not have it strapped down. I have tested this on several occasions. If you have a rear sliding window however, I have discovered that the limit is 72 MPH with that rear window open. Once the truck reaches 72 MPH, you have reached the critical launch stage of the Smart Board, and I have to admit, it has superb aerodynamics, even when still in the box.

Now you can expect about 18 - 22 vertical feet out the board, with an impressive landing flat on its back side. My board even had the ability to slide safely off the road (thankfully). I was also able to test the reflexes of my co-worker who was following me.

Well the Smart Board survived without a scratch, and it turns out that my co-worker has outstanding abilities in stressful situations. We are waiting for delivery of the 47” (119.4cm) and 60” (152.4cm) Smart Boards so we can continue testing. If anyone needs specs on the perfect white board to use on a helicopter pad, I am the guy to talk to.

[mazzarak]

I think the worst I ever managed was to just not run a call for of our customers (and, so I'm told, one of our major shareholders!). And it was only 3 hours later I remembered.

What was more bizarre is that no one rang to complain until the next day. That took some explaining I can tell ya. :unsure:

[tjulian]

Anyone ever notice how much an RS-366 and an RS-530 cable look alike? Try plugging them into an Adtran ISU 512 backwards....you'll pull your hair out trying to troubleshoot that problem. (It is now one of the first things I check...:))

[Entropy3XD]

Originally posted by tjulian@May 11 2004, 12:31 PM
Anyone ever notice how much an RS-366 and an RS-530 cable look alike? Try plugging them into an Adtran ISU 512 backwards....you'll pull your hair out trying to troubleshoot that problem. (It is now one of the first things I check...:))
Oh yea.....I've done that before.

I actually spent alot of time down there at Redstone. I must have gained about 10 pounds from the BBQ in that town.

[tjulian]

Yeah, we got a couple of good BBQ places (did you go to Greebriar?) :D

What were you doing down here? and when?

[Entropy3XD]

Originally posted by tjulian@May 12 2004, 02:54 PM
Yeah, we got a couple of good BBQ places (did you go to Greebriar?) :D

What were you doing down here? and when?
We were doing some subcontract work for CSC (I think SAIC now runs the show). I'm not really sure if I can say who we did the work for, but it was a couple of Radvision IP400's, Vcon MXM, some Tandbergs and some Vcon Vigos. The environement is half secure and half non-secure. The last time I was out there was right before Christmas. I wish I could remeber the name of the AV company that did the AV work. They were out of Hawaii. It had to be the most beautiful AV job I have ever seen. Unbelievable quality.

[Entropy3XD]

OK people......I need more stories. I don't like being the only person around here screwing things up. I know at least one of you out there has dropped a plasma, caught something on fire, or electrocuted a co-worker. Give up the goods!!!

[Gary Miyakawa]

(hey Paul, remember this one ?)

Years ago, Norman Gaut (CEO for PictureTel for those who are new to the industry) was quoted in the media on the "new" PictureTel 1000 (the first of the PC Based video systems).

"The Video looks great just as long as you don't move.".....

Gary Miyakawa

[Entropy3XD]

:lol: ROFL!!! :lol:

[MACC the AVCOtek]

Originally posted by Entropy3XD+May 12 2004, 07:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Entropy3XD @ May 12 2004, 07:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-tjulian@May 12 2004, 02:54 PM
Yeah, we got a couple of good BBQ places (did you go to Greebriar?) :D

What were you doing down here? and when?
I wish I could remeber the name of the AV company that did the AV work. They were out of Hawaii. It had to be the most beautiful AV job I have ever seen. Unbelievable quality. [/b][/quote]
That would be the Audio Visual Company, most likely. My current employer.

The boss is gonna flip when I show him this post! Thanks for the compliments! :D

[tjulian]

Originally posted by MACC the AVCOtek+May 13 2004, 02:46 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MACC the AVCOtek @ May 13 2004, 02:46 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by Entropy3XD@May 12 2004, 07:20 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-tjulian@May 12 2004, 02:54 PM
Yeah, we got a couple of good BBQ places (did you go to Greebriar?) :D

What were you doing down here? and when?
I wish I could remeber the name of the AV company that did the AV work. They were out of Hawaii. It had to be the most beautiful AV job I have ever seen. Unbelievable quality.
That would be the Audio Visual Company, most likely. My current employer.

The boss is gonna flip when I show him this post! Thanks for the compliments! :D [/b][/quote]
Hey, cool!

Next time any of you guys are around, look me up. We'll try to do lunch, or something!

[Entropy3XD]

Originally posted by tjulian+May 13 2004, 06:15 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (tjulian @ May 13 2004, 06:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by MACC the AVCOtek@May 13 2004, 02:46 PM
Originally posted by Entropy3XD@May 12 2004, 07:20 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-tjulian@May 12 2004, 02:54 PM
Yeah, we got a couple of good BBQ places (did you go to Greebriar?) :D

What were you doing down here? and when?
I wish I could remeber the name of the AV company that did the AV work. They were out of Hawaii. It had to be the most beautiful AV job I have ever seen. Unbelievable quality.
That would be the Audio Visual Company, most likely. My current employer.

The boss is gonna flip when I show him this post! Thanks for the compliments! :D
Hey, cool!

Next time any of you guys are around, look me up. We'll try to do lunch, or something! [/b][/quote]
That would be great. Again....beautiful AV work. I just wish I could have taken pictures, but due to the environment, I couldn't. :(