The Daily WTF: Curious Perversions in Information Technology

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

usitas:
Frankie:
Right, the fountain from Tyco, but Kozlowski is not "Four".
The key detail is the dynasty of bosses (2+ generations), the last of whom used the company as a feeding trough. Kozlowski worked his way up Tyco, and Adelphia was embezzled by its founder. Neither one fits.

Looking more like TRWTF is that there is no "real" WTF here; it's a fake story.
Whoosh!

What's that? That's the sound your palm makes right before it hits your face!

Did you ever consider the fact, that...

...maybe the fake detail was...

... the fountain?

SMACK!!!

Or maybe Mr Four got the idea of the vodka fountain from Tyco. Or maybe ... gasp ... there have been TWO people in the history of the world who independently thought of the idea of a vodka fountain.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Frankie:
usitas:
Whoosh! Did you ever consider the fact, that... ...maybe the fake detail was... ... the fountain?
WHOOSH! Comprehension fail on your part.
A more intelligent reading of my post would show that I consider the fountain an extraneous flourish. The crucial detail is the family empire with a corrupt scion. If that can't be found, then the whole story is a fictional mashup.

Now your just covering up for yourself. A better way not to look like an idiot would be just to not post at all.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

trwtf:
unregistered person:
Nagesh:
TRUE WTF is "unregistered person" calling me a Troll.
TRWTF is you thinking anyone believes "Nagesh" to be any more credible than "unregistered person".
We've seen trolling from Nagesh plenty of times in his short time here so I have far more faith in "unregistered person" than Nagesh. I'm pretty sure he only registered the name "Nagesh" to troll some poor Indian guy who showed up here once.

I would thank you to know that I am not poor, that is Indian stereotype, but it is true that "Nagesh" registered his name to impersonate me. I am glad to be popular but I don't understand the point of this.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Frankie:
Right, the fountain from Tyco, but Kozlowski is not "Four".
The key detail is the dynasty of bosses (2+ generations), the last of whom used the company as a feeding trough. Kozlowski worked his way up Tyco, and Adelphia was embezzled by its founder. Neither one fits.

Looking more like TRWTF is that there is no "real" WTF here; it's a fake story.

I'm not saying the story is true. I have no independent confirmation. But as a rebuttal, this is weak.

Who says the company must be either Tyco or Adelphia? RE the "key detail": Are you honestly telling me that you don't believe there has ever been a company in the history of the world where an honest, hard-working person built a company, and then his children or grandchildren squandered it? I don't have any statistics, but I'd guess that that happens a lot.

Kensey · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Frankie:
The crucial detail is the family empire with a corrupt scion. If that can't be found, then the whole story is a fictional mashup.

Not the whole story, necessarily. It is well-known that the stories here are fictionalized for the submitter's protection. Now, corrupt, converting CEOs are a dime a dozen (thus relatively boring), but are easily embellished to corrupt scions of a manufacturing empire who are so far gone that they take the whole huge successful enterprise down with them.

The true details are probably also the most mundane (the $20, the remodeling project, the TV setup, etc.) and all the rest is the entertaining fiction. The object of the original might not even be a CEO, just an overbearing middle-manager.

Kensey · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Frankie:
The crucial detail is the family empire with a corrupt scion. If that can't be found, then the whole story is a fictional mashup.

Not the whole story, necessarily. It is well-known that the stories here are fictionalized for the submitter's protection. Now, corrupt, converting CEOs are a dime a dozen (thus relatively boring), but are easily embellished to corrupt scions of a manufacturing empire who are so far gone that they take the whole huge successful enterprise down with them.

The true details are probably also the most mundane (the $20, the remodeling project, the TV setup, etc.) and all the rest is the entertaining fiction. The object of the original might not even be a CEO, just an overbearing middle-manager.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Jay:
Frankie:
Right, the fountain from Tyco, but Kozlowski is not "Four".
The key detail is the dynasty of bosses (2+ generations), the last of whom used the company as a feeding trough. Kozlowski worked his way up Tyco, and Adelphia was embezzled by its founder. Neither one fits.

Looking more like TRWTF is that there is no "real" WTF here; it's a fake story.

I'm not saying the story is true. I have no independent confirmation. But as a rebuttal, this is weak.

Who says the company must be either Tyco or Adelphia? RE the "key detail": Are you honestly telling me that you don't believe there has ever been a company in the history of the world where an honest, hard-working person built a company, and then his children or grandchildren squandered it? I don't have any statistics, but I'd guess that that happens a lot.

Didn't anybody tell you guys the stories are anonymised? They don't just change the names, they change a whole slew of details with the specific aim of making it impossible to figure out who the original story was about. If you think you know who it is you're almost certainly wrong, either that or the editor totally failed in his job of anonymising the story.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

I hate when my company is unable to business.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Salami:
Ben:
Salami:
This story is why there should be an estate tax. People build great companies only to leave them to their spoilt, half-retarded children to squander.

So your solution to the problem that half-retarded children might squander the money is to send it all to the government to guarantee it gets squandered by fully-retarded bureaucrats.

Progress!

Why is it progress when there already is an estate tax? People want to get rid of it, but I think it serves a purpose.

So you are saying that there should be a special tax on people who try to leave money to their children, but not on people who spend their money on gambling, drugs, and prostitutes? To prevent the second generation from squandering money, you would force the first generation to squander it.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Do Americans have the same rich set of slang for cash that we British have?

Do any of you know what a score or a pony is?

frits · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

trwtf:
unregistered person:
Nagesh:
TRUE WTF is "unregistered person" calling me a Troll.
TRWTF is you thinking anyone believes "Nagesh" to be any more credible than "unregistered person".
We've seen trolling from Nagesh plenty of times in his short time here so I have far more faith in "unregistered person" than Nagesh. I'm pretty sure he only registered the name "Nagesh" to troll some poor Indian guy who showed up here once.

Do you mean Nagesh Kukunoor, the famous Bollywood director? For shame...

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Jaco:
Do Americans have the same rich set of slang for cash that we British have?

We have a pretty rich set, but probably not as rich.

General: moolah, bread, green, "folding" money,

From the faces (as in "gimme a ___"): Washington, Lincoln, Jackson

Specific amounts: buck, sawbuck, "a grand", hunsky, century, dime (for $10 as opposed to the coin, as in "a dime bag"), big ones, fiver

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh:
What's this quid business? Why don't you call it a buck like rest of the world?

That would be the U.S. and... err... who else?

frits · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Not an american:
Nagesh:
What's this quid business? Why don't you call it a buck like rest of the world?

That would be the U.S. and... err... who else?

That's irrelevant, isn't it?

Nagesh · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

trwtf:
unregistered person:
Nagesh:
TRUE WTF is "unregistered person" calling me a Troll.
TRWTF is you thinking anyone believes "Nagesh" to be any more credible than "unregistered person".
We've seen trolling from Nagesh plenty of times in his short time here so I have far more faith in "unregistered person" than Nagesh. I'm pretty sure he only registered the name "Nagesh" to troll some poor Indian guy who showed up here once.

Hey, I am Indian only.

Nagesh · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Not an american:
Nagesh:
What's this quid business? Why don't you call it a buck like rest of the world?

That would be the U.S. and... err... who else?

CLEARLY, YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO HYDERABAD.

PS: SORRY FOR THE CAPS LOCK. I LEFT IT ON BY ACCIDENT.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh Kukunoor:
trwtf:
unregistered person:
Nagesh:
TRUE WTF is "unregistered person" calling me a Troll.
TRWTF is you thinking anyone believes "Nagesh" to be any more credible than "unregistered person".
We've seen trolling from Nagesh plenty of times in his short time here so I have far more faith in "unregistered person" than Nagesh. I'm pretty sure he only registered the name "Nagesh" to troll some poor Indian guy who showed up here once.
I would thank you to know that I am not poor, that is Indian stereotype, but it is true that "Nagesh" registered his name to impersonate me. I am glad to be popular but I don't understand the point of this.

The usage of the word "poor" in the phrase "some poor Indian guy" wasn't referring to financial status, but is an idiom referring to the fact that you were taken advantage of in some way (by his registering your name). On another note, as I have observed, the stereotype that Indians are poor is dying out. If anything the stereotype most commonly associated with Indians is that they are highly technically-minded (which generally makes for good engineers and scientists).

Nagesh · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

frits:
trwtf:
unregistered person:
Nagesh:
TRUE WTF is "unregistered person" calling me a Troll.
TRWTF is you thinking anyone believes "Nagesh" to be any more credible than "unregistered person".
We've seen trolling from Nagesh plenty of times in his short time here so I have far more faith in "unregistered person" than Nagesh. I'm pretty sure he only registered the name "Nagesh" to troll some poor Indian guy who showed up here once.

Do you mean Nagesh Kukunoor, the famous Bollywood director? For shame...

He's my namesake.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh:
CLEARLY, YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO HYDERABAD.
PS: SORRY FOR THE CAPS LOCK. I LEFT IT ON BY ACCIDENT.

This is like receiving a birthday card from your grandmother that says (inside the card): "P.S. I would have included a check, but I had already sealed the envelope"...

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

airdrik:
Nagesh Kukunoor:
trwtf:
unregistered person:
Nagesh:
TRUE WTF is "unregistered person" calling me a Troll.
TRWTF is you thinking anyone believes "Nagesh" to be any more credible than "unregistered person".
We've seen trolling from Nagesh plenty of times in his short time here so I have far more faith in "unregistered person" than Nagesh. I'm pretty sure he only registered the name "Nagesh" to troll some poor Indian guy who showed up here once.
I would thank you to know that I am not poor, that is Indian stereotype, but it is true that "Nagesh" registered his name to impersonate me. I am glad to be popular but I don't understand the point of this.
The usage of the word "poor" in the phrase "some poor Indian guy" wasn't referring to financial status, but is an idiom referring to the fact that you were taken advantage of in some way (by his registering your name). On another note, as I have observed, the stereotype that Indians are poor is dying out. If anything the stereotype most commonly associated with Indians is that they are highly technically-minded (which generally makes for good engineers and scientists).

Thank you, I understand now. I practice my English often but context can be confusing when I read it from text. I meant no offense to anyone.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh:
Not an american:
Nagesh:
What's this quid business? Why don't you call it a buck like rest of the world?

That would be the U.S. and... err... who else?

CLEARLY, YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO HYDERABAD.

PS: SORRY FOR THE CAPS LOCK. I LEFT IT ON BY ACCIDENT.

I think the common way of explaining this is "obvious troll is obvious". I am not a troll but "Nagesh" is determined to make it look like that.

Nagesh · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh Kukunoor:
airdrik:
Nagesh Kukunoor:
trwtf:
unregistered person:
Nagesh:
TRUE WTF is "unregistered person" calling me a Troll.
TRWTF is you thinking anyone believes "Nagesh" to be any more credible than "unregistered person".
We've seen trolling from Nagesh plenty of times in his short time here so I have far more faith in "unregistered person" than Nagesh. I'm pretty sure he only registered the name "Nagesh" to troll some poor Indian guy who showed up here once.
I would thank you to know that I am not poor, that is Indian stereotype, but it is true that "Nagesh" registered his name to impersonate me. I am glad to be popular but I don't understand the point of this.
The usage of the word "poor" in the phrase "some poor Indian guy" wasn't referring to financial status, but is an idiom referring to the fact that you were taken advantage of in some way (by his registering your name). On another note, as I have observed, the stereotype that Indians are poor is dying out. If anything the stereotype most commonly associated with Indians is that they are highly technically-minded (which generally makes for good engineers and scientists).
Thank you, I understand now. I practice my English often but context can be confusing when I read it from text. I meant no offense to anyone.

You're not REAL INDIAN. GROW UP.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Is this a bad time for me to remember that I haven't done my taxes for the past 3 years???

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Jaco:
Do Americans have the same rich set of slang for cash that we British have?

No, as a matter of fact, the world's most notoriously capitalist nation has never had a need for more than one word to describe "money."

What's the appropriate British slang for someone who asks a really stupid question? My first thought was "wanker," but the Aussie "drongo" would be a better fit.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Salami:
This story is why there should be an estate tax. People build great companies only to leave them to their spoilt, half-retarded children to squander.

This story is why there shouldn't be an estate tax. People build great wealth only to leave it to their spoilt, half-retarded government to squander.

Broad brushes paint both ways.

Nagesh · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

As a matter of fact, all forms of taxation should be minimized to the lowest level. When I become the Prime Minister, I will make sure that is the first law I pass.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh:
Sidenote: I thought currency of UK is pound. What's this quid business? Why don't you call it a buck like rest of the world?

what is the pan-denominational slang? smackers? clams?

(is anyone else disappointed that the data stored in Eric's "Electronic Expense System" created the paper-trail for Four's undoing ?)

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

In the big books of "ways to keep your subordinates under your thumb," borrowing money and then never returning it is a classic move. Others:

Purposely mispronouncing a subordinate's name, even after they have corrected you multiple times. Bonus if you say it correctly when referring to someone else with the same name, only to mispronounce it again the next time you speak to them.
Letting your subordinate state their point, only to ignore that point as you continue speaking. Also responding only in questions and never giving any middle ground in cases where you might be at fault for something.
Pretending not to hear or notice when your subordinate is trying to get your attention or interject.
Responding to your subordinate's urgent emails just a little too late to help them, or always showing up to their meetings late, or rescheduling any meeting requests multiple times, even though you are perfectly available, only to settle on a time that is inconvenient for them.

You can tell all these methods work because everyone at this company just went on accepting that the CEO was the man in charge and if he took your money, there was nothing you could do about it. Smart guy... even if he did end up in jail.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Dear Alex,

I would like to submit the following WTF:

When I started my job, a bloke borrowed 20 quid from me and never paid it back. He was fired 4 months later and I never got back my money.

All the Best,

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

ideo:
Jon:
If the CEO said he could do your job as a database programmer, tell him to code review the simplest SQL statement.
SELECT TWENTY_DOLLARS FROM DEADBEAT_CEO;
I can't decide whether you're a troll or an idiot. Most of the simplest examples in DBLand is the "employee" table example. It makes no sense to create a new table for every individual in the company. And if you're going to make $20 a stored amount, store a value in that field so that amount can be variable.

I think you need to look through your portfolio and submit a confession to Alex.

17 DOLLARS wait, what?

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Ben:
Jaco:
Do Americans have the same rich set of slang for cash that we British have?

No, as a matter of fact, the world's most notoriously capitalist nation has never had a need for more than one word to describe "money."

Jaco, yes

Ben, I've yet to determine how I can turn a profit from your comment.

youtube link to a commercial that runs-down a good list of yankee-dollar slang.

http://www.esurance.com/welcome/landing/commercials/money.aspx

(I'm not affiliated with the company; I just don't want to rip-off their ad)

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Original Submitter:
Dear Alex,
I would like to submit the following WTF:

When I started my job, a bloke borrowed 10.50 quid from me and never paid it back. He was fired 4 months later and I never got back my money.

All the Best,

FTFY

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

THG:
(is anyone else disappointed that the data stored in Eric's "Electronic Expense System" created the paper-trail for Four's undoing ?)

sorry... disappointed that it didn't ...

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

GM is Right:
GM:
Its spelt "Ford".
Did anyone else picture Calvin urinating on the Ford symbol?

I shot cherios out my nose when I read this.

cdosrun · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Montoya:
Salami:
This story is why there should be an estate tax. People build great companies only to leave them to their spoilt, half-retarded children to squander.

This story is why there shouldn't be an estate tax. People build great wealth only to leave it to their spoilt, half-retarded government to squander.

Broad brushes paint both ways.

This story is why there should be an income tax. People build great companies only to squander them on drugs and hookers.

Matt Westwood · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

flyboyfred:
GM is Right:
GM:
Its spelt "Ford".
Did anyone else picture Calvin urinating on the Ford symbol?

I think he was actually peeing vodka.

O dear, now I have an image of Charlie Sheen.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh:
frits:
Do you mean Nagesh Kukunoor, the famous Bollywood director? For shame...
He's my namesake.

You mean, he is named after you? How old are you? Your posts make you seem so young!

boog · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

boog (pretender):
I'm pretty sure I would have strangled him after the incident with the $20.

I'm pretty sure you'd have disappeared into his double chin.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

You guys are so dim. Can you not tell that this is obviously about Chrysler? The clue is in the "Four'd" (Ford) reference. Obviously, he's not talking about Ford, since that didn't happen (although he IS referencing the Ford dynasty: Henry I-IV). I got it immediately. I check back here for the angry anonymization comments, and no one has figured it out yet.

Nagesh · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

FuBar:
Nagesh:
frits:
Do you mean Nagesh Kukunoor, the famous Bollywood director? For shame...
He's my namesake.
You mean, he is named after you? How old are you? Your posts make you seem so young!

I am 23 complete, 24 running. Why do you ask?

Nagesh · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Geezer from Gezer:
You guys are so dim. Can you not tell that this is obviously about Chrysler? The clue is in the "Four'd" (Ford) reference. Obviously, he's not talking about Ford, since that didn't happen (although he IS referencing the Ford dynasty: Henry I-IV). I got it immediately. I check back here for the angry anonymization comments, and no one has figured it out yet.

I read about Henry Ford in Lee Iococka's book.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

It's so sad that a company that a man, his son, and his grandson built over a hundred years, could be completely and utterly destroyed by a brat great-grandson.

boog · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh:
FuBar:
How old are you? Your posts make you seem so young!
I am 23 complete, 24 running. Why do you ask?

What, in troll years? That should make you about 12 in people years.

These kids grow up so fast.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Gasp, you're not implying that we don't live in a meritocracy are you?!

Nagesh · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

boog:
Nagesh:
FuBar:
How old are you? Your posts make you seem so young!
I am 23 complete, 24 running. Why do you ask?
What, in troll years? That should make you about 12 in people years.
These kids grow up so fast.

In troll years, I would be a 1/1,00,000 years old.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Jaco:
Do Americans have the same rich set of slang for cash that we British have?
Do any of you know what a score or a pony is?

Here in Canada we call a buck a loonie, I wonder if anyone can guess why?

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

This story is why there should be an estate tax. People build great companies only to leave them to their spoilt, half-retarded children to squander.

Yah, we should tax at 100%! That way, spoilt, half-retarded bureaucrats get to squander the money.

Speaking of retards...

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

Nagesh:
boog:
Nagesh:
FuBar:
How old are you? Your posts make you seem so young!
I am 23 complete, 24 running. Why do you ask?
What, in troll years? That should make you about 12 in people years.
These kids grow up so fast.

In troll years, I would be a 1/1,00,000 years old.

You're such an idiot

chron3 · 2011-02-08 Reply Admin

THG:
what is the pan-denominational slang?

Quatloos, obviously.

2011-02-08 Reply Admin

I work for a 130ppl company. I have to write a five page document in order for management to approve for a purchase of $4000 for disks to extend the storage of our backup solution. TYesterday a manager asked "would you like a new laptop and a smartphone?" I said no, because my current eq worked perfectly fine, but today I discovered that he'd ordered it anyway. IMO it's about $2000 thrown out of the window; even if it's not my own money, I hate such expenditure....

Fallen Dynasty

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