Joe’s Tech

In my job as a network administrator, I come upons situations that leave me surprised regarding the tools I need in order to do my job.  Everyone expects me to use some tools regularly, especially screwdrivers.

People don’t expect me to need wrenches, yet I find that I do.  That’s why we have a very nice kit of socket wrenches in our tool drawer.  Everyone expects me to use duct tape.  I don’t.  Duct tape is not appropriate for most computer use.  If I need to tie up cable, I use a cable tie.  If I need to wrap exposed wires, I use electrical tape.  If I need to tape something to the ground, or a desk, or a wall, I would much prefer to use gaffer’s tape.

My favorite unexpected tool is the one that sits on my workbench right behind me.  Nobody ever expects to see it in the hands of an IT guy except as an implement of destruction:

The Hammer

Yes, I said the hammer.  What?  Have you been watching too much Office Space?

IT guys (and girls) use hammers for more than just smashing up misbehaving printers.  That’s why we have two.  In fact, I used my hammer more recently than I used my screwdriver, just yesterday.  If it weren’t for the hammer, we would have had to throw away three battery backup units because their battieres were swollen and the battery tray couldn’t get out of the UPS.  The hammer also got the batteries out of the tray, saving us about $1,200 each.  Yep.  The hammer saved us three thousand dollars.  I’d call that worthwhile.

So, another salute for you, Mr. Hammer:

hammer victorious!