Academic and Work Progress, Unitarian Updates, Socialising

[tcpip]

Just handed in my last item of assessment for a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment. Filled in an application for a Graduate Diploma in Education (Tertiary and Adult) at Murdoch University to follow on with some credit; the gradual steps for a VPAC University continue. In a non-progressive sense in a different envrionment, I would dearly like it if people who did not know what they were talking about did not respond to helpdesk tickets either to clients or to those actually doing the work. It's too much like The Chronicles of George.

The forum on public transport at the Unitarian church went well. Numbers could have been better, but the quality of the speakers was excellent and the material they covered complementary. Gave a presentation on positive economics on Sunday at the Philosophy Forum; some do not like the facts of the economic calculation problem. Next Sunday's address will be Simon Moyle, a former Baptist Minister who has become a social justice activist under the aegis of the Uniting Church; I'll be taking the service.

Had a great night with recumbenteer, Louise and caseopaya last night at the new home of the former two. Wide-ranging and animated conversation along with a few bottles of wine. Last Saturday dropped in to see imajica_lj who has allocated himself more free time and introduced me to the joy that is Left For Dead. Apropos reached a climatic point in Pathfinder Fantasy Australia on Thursday and a denouement for the RuneQuest "Cradle" scenario on Sunday with "Barran The Monster Killer" (from Strangers in Prax) and "Temple at Feroda" (from Big Rubble). Tomorrow night starting in a NWoD game.

Comments

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose I'll see you when I'm in Melbourne in July?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I suppose you will! How long are you here for?

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

I'd guesstimate twelve days. I could look at the itinerary again but basically one week in a Melbourne hotel and a few bonus days at the generous lodgings of reynardo. Starting July 24.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Good-o. Just in time before I jump on the big silver garuda and fly off to Indonesia..

[zey.livejournal.com]

In a non-progressive sense in a different envrionment, I would dearly like it if people who did not know what they were talking about did not respond to helpdesk tickets either to clients or to those actually doing the work.

Gotta hate that. Unfortunately, first and second level support are under the heavy hand of management to answer everything quickly. I've known some places to even discourage ticket escalation, but, often it's just staff members not knowing what their coworkers know.

Still, it doesn't stop it being frustrating when you're gazumped by someone with a wrong answer ;)

It's too much like The Chronicles of George.

I don't know the circumstances of George, but, his tickets on that site read mostly like he's just a bit new to English. His sentences are a bit mangled, but, I didn't get the sense that he's especially incompetent (well, no more than any first or second level tech support guy).

If I'm diligent in my studies, I hope to be able to write equally mangled tech explanations in Japanese one day... at some point along my path to language proficiency :).

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

According to the Chronicles of George FAQ the held-desk person in question knew English perfectly well... The only distinguishing feature was that they attended raves a lot :)

[zey.livejournal.com]

Wow. It must take a mighty truckload of raver drugs to send a someone's native language skills that far back.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Or just a sufficient amount not to care...

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, interesting - positive economy. So it just evaluates the facts without bothering to suggest solutions and analysis? Thats... an intriguing approach. Might serve me for explaining technocracy in a way, too.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

One of the things I have to emphasise was that "positive" in this context does not mean "good" :)

Might serve me for explaining technocracy in a way, too.

That is exactly right. Technocrats do not have a normative perspective in economics (or politics, or law etc etc). The problem being of course, that because humans are creatures of motivation, normative values have positive effects as well.

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

Yep i figured "positive" has been used in a different sense here :)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know you did! When I was discussing this with others it was automatically clear. "Positive" has a "positive" response! :D

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

Ha! They phail :)