The totally off-topic thread

[MEL_Traveller]

Totally agree Pushka - I get quite irksome with people that demand to keep "their" chair or "their" stapler when it was funded by the company.

ummm... some people have gross habits... they spill food, don't wash hands after going to the bathroom, pass gas, sweat like a pig, stick their fingers all over the computer screen leaving paw prints, leave makeup on the earpiece of the phone (or even worse, crusty yellow bits).

I want MY chair, MY phone, MY stapler and MY everything else. Not ones that have been god knows where and subjected to who knows what. And some people break chairs. They do. I want MY chair. And people jam staplers or otherwise break them. I want my one, that works. And has staples in it.

In a good move everything gets labeled (or boxed and labeled) and arrives as it should to their rightful user..

 

[Pushka]

I guess there is a difference between a user and an owner. Many organisations these days desk share/hot desk. Actually, not so new. Mr Pushka did over 30 years ago when he first started as a consultant. If something gets labelled, it would be in the company's name, as the owner. It simply isn't "your chair" unless you bought it. If a chair gets broken, then, um, we buy a new one? And in the interim, another chair can be found.

 

[blackcat20]

But unless you buy your own stationery, doesn't it belong to everyone/ the company?

Umm, yes, but why would I want to share my pen with someone who likes to chew on theirs?!

My office is mine; only mine. It has my name on the door. So all the stationary in there I've gone and got for my use, no one elses. If they want pens, they can get their lazy butts up to the store room and get their own. And no, not all of it belongs to everybody, quite a bit of it I've supplied myself. So it it goes walking, I retrieve it. I also dont need to waste time every morning waiting for the storeroom to open (only two half-hours a day) so I can get a pen if I arrive and mine have all gone walkabouts.

And theres no excuse for leaving rubbish and cups of cold coffee on someone elses desk.

ummm... some people have gross habits... they spill food, don't wash hands after going to the bathroom, pass gas, sweat like a pig, stick their fingers all over the computer screen leaving paw prints, leave makeup on the earpiece of the phone (or even worse, crusty yellow bits).

I want MY chair, MY phone, MY stapler and MY everything else. Not ones that have been god knows where and subjected to who knows what. And some people break chairs. They do. I want MY chair. And people jam staplers or otherwise break them. I want my one, that works. And has staples in it.

In a good move everything gets labeled (or boxed and labeled) and arrives as it should to their rightful user..

Exactly! I've got my chair set how it works for me and my back/height. I don't want anyone screwing with it. I've got the worst chair in the group so there's no reason why it should keep wandering off into other offices.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I guess there is a difference between a user and an owner. Many organisations these days desk share/hot desk. Actually, not so new. Mr Pushka did over 30 years ago when he first started as a consultant. If something gets labelled, it would be in the company's name, as the owner. It simply isn't "your chair" unless you bought it. If a chair gets broken, then, um, we buy a new one? And in the interim, another chair can be found.

I forgot to add with 'my' phone... the cord is all nice and straight - not tangled and skewed like some of the others

On the chair situation, I have experienced what a person of size can do to a chair. Not enough to warrant the purchase of a new one, but enough that it doesn't work 'quite right'.

As for 'ownership' - people are given responsibility to look after the equipment they use. So it is 'their chair/phone/computer' in that sense. If they have looked after it better than their neighbour then they deserve to hang on to it.

I can't comprehend that if it's not acceptable for me to have someone else's stuff, why would I expect any staff to be happy with that?

 

[Pushka]

I did say if you supplied something then of course it's yours. I guess our office people simply don't worry too much about sharing.

 

[Julesmac]

But have you ever noticed when it's "share"time, nobody's interested in borrowing your coughpy stuff, they only want to share the good "stuff" that you have, and look after - like staples in the stapler for instance. They don't look after their "stuff"which is precisely why they home in on yours! And don't get me started on coffee cups - we had a guy in our office who was so lazy he'd never wash up a cup (God forbid) and even after we ganged up and got mugs with our names on, he'd blithely use anyone's as long as it was clean and in the cupboard. Sheesh. So annoying.
Um - is this a First World Problem?

 

[Pushka]

All our coffee cups are white. That seems to solve a multitude of issues methinks. . And hey, we all share the washing up. Even the boss sometimes pitches in.

 

[medhead]

You know, my employer did buy the chair on which I currently sit. However, they have given it to me to use while I work for them. As such it is my chair. It is not anyone else's chair because my employer has similiarly purchased a chair and given it them to use.

They have also purchased a computer for me to use. They have customized that computer by installing certain unique software. That makes it my computer.

This doesn't change while I remain in their employ. Certainly I have no choice, or problem, if my boss gives my desk over to someone else to use while I'm away. But when I return my things should still be there. If that other person needs a chair or a computer then my employer will provide them said items.

 

[QF WP]

And theres no excuse for leaving rubbish and cups of cold coffee on someone elses' desk.

Yes there is, it's called laziness. I imagine they are like that in their own house/unit. Not a place I would willingly like to visit.

 

[Pushka]

Ok. So you would have concerns if someone else used the computer when you weren't there?

It's interesting. One of our people didn't remove the cling style plastic on her mouse. When I asked her why not she said she didn't regard it as her mouse to remove it. I thought that was a bit extreme.

 

[medhead]

Ok. So you would have concerns if someone else used the computer when you weren't there?

I assume that's directed at me. The computer is in the desk, we all have corporate logins. So it falls under someone using my desk. As I mentioned, I don't have a problem or choice. I do have a problem if the computer walks and I'm sure my boss would agree.

 

[QF WP]

Woo hoo, our licencee is having a big Business Development Day soon and have announced:

Our speakers are refining their presentations to help you adapt your business for a changing market. And Captain Richard de Crespigny is ready to share the extraordinary story of how he landed a 650 tonne aircraft when it was down three engines.

To give you a feel for what that’s like, we’ve developed a game, just for financial planners like you. It’s called JetBlast.

$1,000 travel voucher for the top JetBlast performer in each state*.

In JetBlast, you’re mounted on a massive turbine jet. You’ll need to avoid being destroyed by legislation and regulators. And you have to do this whilst trying to get ahead capturing coins where you can – and picking up Adapt bonuses. All while you use just one control – the button on your mouse.

We’ll be rewarding the top performer in each state, with a $1000 travel voucher, so start practising now. We’ll also issue a mobile-based version of JetBlast to play on your iPhone or Android phone.

So two benefits - get to hear Richard talk AND try and win a travel voucher...am in heaven

Well I tried it on my laptop, a little quirky and soon understood that speed is NOT the best thing. Been playing over lunch and (early days) already in the lead in Qld as well as overall Australia (I'd say a low take up as the email only arrived this morning).

Might be on here a little less until the Conference. $1K in travel vouchers is VERY tempting .

 

[markis10]

Woo hoo, our licencee is having a big Business Development Day soon and have announced:



So two benefits - get to hear Richard talk AND try and win a travel voucher...am in heaven

Psst MTOW on an A380 is circa 570 tonne , if he was trying to land one weighing 650 tonne I dont think we need an investigation

Includes mandatory Qantas A380 maintream press picture:

 

[penegal]

Why doesn't the government just kick in the final $1million and make the opera totally free - we already, as tax payers, spend enough on what I'm almost inclined to consider a work-for-the-dole program. Being free might increase some of the audiences.

As a patron of the Victorian Opera this year, I would be happy if it was cheaper / free

FWIW, I think the government could do more for the arts in general, both the big groups and emmerging non-core arts groups.

Just think how much richer our society would be if the government took the money it spends on propaganda advertising, and redistributed it to the arts, tourism, etc.

 

[Pushka]

The perennial issue of governance as to who gets the money.

 

[simongr]

For the record I can't stand opera or ballet. In that light though the government loses out if it diverts money to Opera/Ballet as they are perceived as arts for the rich only and why should the government subsidise the privilleged? There is no real return on investment when they could spend the money on bigger bus stations in Western Sydney and gain six votes.

 

[docjames]

If anyone needs wiper blades, I have a 20% discount at wipertech.com.au Expires April 30. PM if you want the code.

Declaration: no personal interest. Just sharing the code with "family and friends".

 

[penegal]

You do see some strange things in the workplace. And some people are strangely territorial.


In my career, I have always moved around, rarely taking much with me. I have hot desked, shared offices, worked out of meeting rooms, worked on the road, and been subject to 'clean desk' policies. My current work setup is either 2 or 3 laptops, a notebook, and a couple of pens (for taking notes). My most important accessory is a powerboard. If I could change something I would only have 1 computer.

I rarely print things, and when I do, it is generally to review things. I use the stapler which is next to the printer, unless one of you clowns has stolen it

In principal I wouldn't have an issue with sharing my computers (nothing to hide). The main issue is that they are full of "confiential" work information.

 

[blackcat20]

Ok. So you would have concerns if someone else used the computer when you weren't there?

Yes. Someone did use my computer when I wasnt there, to access "questionable" material. That leads back to me and could have cost me my job. It wasn't fun meeting with the director less than a month into my new job to talk about that sort of thing.

 

[penegal]

The perennial issue of governance as to who gets the money.

Always

For the record I can't stand opera or ballet. In that light though the government loses out if it diverts money to Opera/Ballet as they are perceived as arts for the rich only and why should the government subsidise the privilleged? There is no real return on investment when they could spend the money on bigger bus stations in Western Sydney and gain six votes.

I would argue that opera/ballet/classical music tend to be enjoyed by older people, rather than just the wealthy. There are plenty of low income pensioners who sit in C reserve and make other sacrificesto buy their subscription each year.

Having said that, "The Arts" isn't a vote earner, and there isn't a clear ROI on culture.


Public transport in this country could definitely be improved, and should be a priority as our cities grow. Funding is important, but only part of the issue.