procrastination diagram

Extremer System Administration

And another thing: Record; take notes.

I've often thought that the biologist's lab notebook is something that computer types should pick up. When you're trying to fix something, writing down what you tried, what hypotheses you've eliminated, can be invaluable later when you run into the same (or similar) simple problem again, and can be absolutely indispensable for avoiding tail-chasing when you're dealing with a complex problem. If you've ever tried to fix something under pressure and find yourself wondering "Have I tried this already?", you need to be taking more notes.

Want me to get you a lab notebook so your notes feel all science-y?

No... well, hmm. "Maybe we should talk."

Good idea. I've been doing precisely that for a number of years now, though I only "administer" my home PC. Having a notebook and pencil on top of my monitor all the time looks a bit silly, but it has proven invaluable on a few occasions.

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This work by Karl Ramm is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.