finally! the Word debacle is

January 31, 2002

finally! the Word debacle is over and nary a drop of blood was shed. it was all a relatively simple process, too, which still amazes me.

i called Gateway this morning and was armed with all of my software files, serial numbers, a big cup of tea and a bottle of Tylenol. i was expecting to be put on hold for at least a half hour, (which happened the 3 previous times i attempted to get help with this problem) but i got right through to a technogeek. and it was a female technogeek at that! two surprises within 60 seconds; be still my heart.

she was extremely knowledgeable and walked me through the entire process very efficiently. we reconfigured my comp’s start-up system then dug around for a file and deleted it.

she said, “Ok, go ahead and start up the Word program now.” i’m thinking, “yeah, riiiiight… this thing is gonna crash and burn like the friggen Hindenberg, lady… just watch…”

but i clicked the button and voila, it opened right up! all of my files were there. all of my data and lesson plans. all of my whining neatly categorized in various formats. i’m not kidding you, i squealed like i just got the other correct button clicked, if you know what i mean.
the lady geekstress laughed out loud and said, “Well, you sound delighted! You called for help and you got it.”

damn skippy, i am delighted! to be totally honest, i was basing the possible outcome of this phonecall on all of the crappy customer service i’ve received from male technicians in the past, and that was very unfair of me. i mean, there was no condescending attitude coming from this woman; she never left me hanging in the open air while she ran off to chuckle with a supervisor about my dorky problem; no “females should not be operating a computer” snottiness — nothing like that at all. it was great!

it was like the difference between going to a female gynecologist and a male one. hah.

i called Gateway back a few hours later and left a very happy, very glowing report with Valerie’s supervisor. (yes, her real name is Valerie, not Ms. Geekstress.) i am hoping it will benefit her in some way, or at least make her day to realize she is appreciated. she sure made mine!