A Website Dedicated to Computer Professional...and some not so Professional

Douglas Chick's Network Administrator site is a mix of useful technical information as well as satire and shockingly funny end-user stories.  If you are the guy (or gal) who has to tell users to reboot, put paper in the printer or that, yes, the Internet is down, then you'll find this useful and quite funny.  In fact, Doug's satire is smooth, satisfying and never bitter. You can also get helpful books, deals on computers and the classic pocket protector.  

Tricks and Trinkets.com

The E-Zine for Oppressed Sysadmins

If you always pay extra for software to be delivered next-day air or start shopping online for a new hard drive when your current free space is edging near 200 megs, you've found a home at The Network Administrator.

Dedicated to computer professionals, the site plays it straight with articles on the coming clone wars, commentary on whether Linux will be "the bridge that unites us," and lots of discussions about certification. News Line offers current computer-related headlines, and users are invited to submit Bug Reports on software goofs. Sysadmins do have a sense of humor: Just for Laughs includes a Tech Support FAQ for Etch-a-Sketch (How to delete a document on my Etch-a-Sketch? Pick it up and shake it.)

http://www.tricksandtrinkets.com

Doug Chick
Director of Information Systems

Chick has single-handedly generated much of the buzz surrounding Microsoft's decision to retire its MCSE certification for NT 4.0 at the end of this year-a decision he calls "biting the hand that feeds you."

Based on articles he's written on the subject and a newsletter published by brainbuzz.com that reaches some 200,000 people, Chick has received thousands of letters from MCSE holders who feel that they, too, have been left in the lurch by Microsoft's decision. Maybe someone's listening. Last month, Lanop announced that it had assembled a consortium that would look into developing an independent certification for the NT 4.0 operating system.

A Bit of Praise
I just wanted to commend you on your brilliance!  The mad bee story...Amen!  Simply because of that article, I made your site my home page.  Just wanted to let you know someone appreciates what you do.  
~Jess

Dude...you guys are all on it
I came across your site while searching for something else (yes...that is
always the way it happens).  And yes...I responded to an article you wrote.
Since then...I have read a lot, laughed a lot...and felt an almost cult like
connection...scratch that...a support group connection to the writings and
missives on your site.  You guys are dead on when talking about the plight
of the lonely Net Admin.  Keep it up.

Chris L
Network Systems Administrator

Great Site!

I happened on your site about an hour ago, and I can't stop reading. This is funny, true-to-life stuff. You've really been there.  

 Keep up the good work!   

Roy T

Wow

My eyes have been opened. Landing on this page must have been the workings of divine intervention. Now I can better understand my husband, Star Trek, Linux, humor, frustration and all. Now I can laugh with him instead of wanting to choke him. 

Thanks, Mr. Chick. My husband thanks you too. Great site!

Sincerely

Chris and Ryan, coastal California.

Unreal...

Mr. Chick,
I have to say that this is the best website I've ever seen. I just got my
first job as a Systems Administrator and I've been running around like my
hair's on fire since day one. Your website has been a release when I get a
chance to hide in my office! Two thumbs up, man.


Christopher Crowell
Systems Administrator

Hey, Great Site!

Just writing to say that I love your site, and that you should go into I/T standup comedy.

Ian Malcolm
I/T Administrator

Thanks

Great website. I read it a lot .
Great combination of reality, comedy, and learning tools.
Thanks.

Steven G

Hi I'm a recent college grad with a degree in Computer Science and was considering network administrator as a career.. I came across your website and thought it was absolutely hilarious as well as very accurate!

Thanks for a good laugh.

Prachi R

You're the Geekiest!

(and that's a complement, really) 
Loved the stories - what else would a geekette do on a Friday at work? I particularly liked the Language of the End User (or end looser as the case may be) I administer SMS (big brother, or Slow mucked-up Server, whatever you want to call it) and Antivirus for our company. It's truly mind boggling how I'll get 50 calls/emails/pages of well-meaning losers about how I should deploy a package to delete everyone's jdbmgr.exe file (a polish virus where you forward the email to everyone in your address book and delete your own file) to be more efficient; but people who get a real virus and a message that says "clean failed, delete failed" don't call at all! Oh well, it's kind of fun to check the logs everyday and then call them to let them know that we ARE watching their computer! 

Again, thanks for the giggles, 
Heather L. Benda  Systems Analyst, Nebraska 

...macaroni and cheese out of  my nose

Mr. Chick,

I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your website. Reading all your articles had me laughing so hard that I was blowing macaroni and cheese out of  my nose. I was eating a bowel of it when I started reading your sight. I am a college student, working towards a Associates Degree in Networking Admin. I am going to share your sight with the some of my classmates. They will get a kick out of it and I bet the schools printers will be burning up too.

Anyhow Thanks for telling it like it is...................................LOL

Anthony Thrasher

Doug,
I'm a college kid, only 20, who is working to become a network admin. I just wanted to drop a note to say thanks for taking your time to build a place for current and soon-to-be admins. Its great to finally
find a resource that provides real, relevant and, most importantly, USEFUL information about the job past the government job descriptions and bold black or blue definitions mounted on tacky neon-green angelfire pages. I've been looking for quite some time for something like this, and I've finally found it.  

Thanks again,
Brennan

Doug,

I'm working in tech support and I'm an apprentice network admin. Your
website among others has helped me along the way, so I want to thank you.

Dave Wilson
Technical Support

ROFLMAO Five thumbs up

Doug,

    You made my evening...in fact, my whole day...my whole week...make that a month...two?   I just got your email lead-on.  And clicked.  You actually got an old net war-horse to not hit the X>block.   You got me curious.   And you got me laughing.   And how the hell do I join?   I'm adding your site to my net-links for sysops, network admins, and web wizards.   You can count me in.   Anyone who can make ME laugh after a day spent dealing with a really anal client is a magician.

Grateful and LMAO,  
DLKeur

wOOt

Dilbertian insights

Doug,

It certainly was nice to read your humorous articles and trenchant Dilbertian insights into the IT world.  

Cal M

...right on the money.

Doug,

Thanks for the good laughs.  This is the first issue that I have read, but everything you say is right on the money. I needed the humor.

Charles B. Faust III
Director of I.T.

What a Great Site!

Hey, Doug!
Some of the situations described were so familiar that it was either laugh or cry; I chose to laugh... I know that some of the users located nearby thought I was out of my mind when they heard me chuckling and chortling away this morning - so, what else > is new? :) I'll check back in the future in hopes of enjoying other such witty and insightful 'articles'. 

Thanks again! Andrea

...funny and informational
Doug, 

I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your website. Your articles were both funny and informational. I laughed quite a bit a your humor, what a breath of fresh air. 

Thanks Doreen Lan Admin

Thank God 

I do not know how I was fortunate to end up on your email distribution list....but THANK GOD!!! I laughed and laughed and then laughed some more. It is with great support and enthusiasm that I thank you for the tongue and cheek wisdom of the articles you include in your email and on your site. For years as a "computer geek" and "fixit fairy" (not a reflection of my  orientation, thank you...) then as a Network Engineer then as a Technical > Trainer and now as a Web Designer and Technical Consultant, I have supported the same philosophy that you do and it is a really great feeling to get this level of validation from a complete stranger (stranger than most?????). Keep it up and I'll forward your email to my many geeky associates who live it, breathe it and some who get paid for it. 

Thanks again!  Madonna Witte (no, not a joke. my real name)  MCSE, MCT etc etc etc
Pensacola, FL

Hey Doug,  

Ran across your site yesterday and started reading some of your articles, wow your an awesome writer.  You really touch on the truth of many issues; with wit and humor.   Good job, can't wait for an update....
Rodney -g

CashCowMag.com

Dear Doug,

Thank you so much for providing so much useful information on your
website! 
Wow, super impressive, fun to read and oh so true.

I am the victim of a website hack and was looking around on the net for
information about this so as to prevent it from happening again, and
found your website through Google, specifically the hack pages.  Also
impressive!

Thanks again for providing such an informational rich website.  I am
referring my hosting administrator to this for them to read.

Sincerely,

Chuck Brown
webmaster

I am one of those persons "that is computer obsessive, eager and dedicated
enough to eat, breath and sleep computers" and am currently attending a
"Junior" College of Technology.  However, I am only 19 years old, not
certified but studying all seven MCSE and CCNA and CCNP.  But that's not why
I am here.  I am here to tell you that you are an amazing theorist.  I loved
all of your pieces I have read so far (Certs, End-User Soup, No Hugs) and just
can't quit laughing.  I want to send them to all my "tech junkie" buddies so
they to can enjoy your humor.  I thank you for the insight and "tickling" of
my funny bone and look forward to reading more.  Thank You Doug Chick The
Network Admin!!!

Sincerely:
        Adam Roll

Hi!

I am currently a student at Northwest MS CC studying for my Associate
Degree in Network Admin. I found your site from a web search. Now I'm
addicted! I love your sense of humor and how you actually tell things the
way of your articles for my networking teacher, such as HoneyPots. That is
something she has never heard of, and she has been doing this for over 15
years.
>
> Keep up the good work!
>
> Mandi

Outstanding!!!

You have make me laugh to exhaustion with all your fine jokes on all of your
comments.. Keep up the good work... I couldn't resist to forward some of
them  to my son who is computer tech and close to be a LAN administrator for
the company he is working..

You have a great sense of humor and have what it takes to tick and convey
your messages in a fun way..! Congratulations!....
I found you searching the Web by doing my homework...is a lot of fun and LOL :):):):)

Would like to be on your mailing list to keep me posted on your articles...
Thanks.
Felix