Synchronicity

Sometimes a series of unfortunate events happen that must be the result of some kind of evil synchronicity. For example, the hard disk on a web server crashes, and the next day its motherboard suddenly dies, followed by a network problem, and as soon as that's been fixed a tiny bug in one of your programs is noticed by a user. Well it seems to the user that your program is to blame for all of those annoying events. The user is enraged, especially if his company paid a lot for your programs, and there probably isn't any use trying to explain anything to him.
I think that computers are inherently annoying and when you combine that with the complete ignorance of most users, the result can sometimes be unpleasant.
I sort of like bugs because they give me something interesting to do, and remind me of how well the program normally works, except when it doesn't. Users, on the other hand, hate bugs especially when they notice several on one day, and it can make them pretty mean.

The Real PC
Thursday, January 29, 2004

I've seen this sentiment expressed a couple of different ways.

Mine is that computers have a user desperation sensor; the higher the reading, the more likely the computer is to fail.

Another one from a friend of mine:

"Computers can smell fear."

Chris Tavares
Thursday, January 29, 2004

Computers also fear Tech Support.


How many times does a problem evaporate when Tech Support finally answers?
(I've had this happen from both ends: supplying and receiving tech support).

VB 3 programmer
Thursday, January 29, 2004

Me too.

The real Entrepreneur
Thursday, January 29, 2004

Real PC,

First, synchronicity is not the right word for this. You mean coincidence.

Secondly, although the finding of your bug is a coincidence, the rest of the story is not. Tell your client to immediately throw away their $6 surge supressor and buy an industrial quality power CONDITIONER from a reputable company.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard this story, I could buy lunch at an inexpensive fast food joint.

Dennis Atkins
Thursday, January 29, 2004

"First, synchronicity is not the right word for this. You mean coincidence."

Actually it is, although it is not the most common definition.  See http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=synchronicity

sgf
Friday, January 30, 2004

One man's coincidence is another's synchronicity.

The Real PC
Friday, January 30, 2004

"Synchronicity" is "coincidence" with a really good wax job.

njkayaker
Friday, January 30, 2004

  Recent Topics

  Fog Creek Home