Sometimes I have really loose the will to live and find myself face palming multiple times.

I added live chat software a web frontend for a client. Very easy job that consisted of pasting in some embed code. The actual software is very good and has native ios/andriod apps - something specifically requested.

I got a call from my client about an hour ago, saying there is a "serious issue with the live chat".

My client stated the live chat won't work when his staff go home. He asked me what my solution to this was.

Saying "wtf" many times to myself I directed him to a settings within the chat software i.e. an "away mode" where an email is sent when no chat agents are available.

This apparently wasn't good enough and said I hadn't followed his brief of "adding life chat software to the website", which I had.

After a lengthy discussion I found the root of his frustration. He'd signed a contract with a client of his own, stating there would be 24/7 support via live chat on the website.

Obviously there a huge difference between adding a chat widget to a website and committing to having it manned 24/7 :)

After a further 10 minutes of trying push the blame on myself, the client insisted of having the chat software "appear" as someone was always online, even when they are not (people need to sleep ya know!).

Bu design, the chat software requires at least one agent be logged in before the chat status changes to "online" - why wouldn't it.

After a little while I was seriously wondering why I'm involved in this conversation. I jokingly stated: "Well you could always install Andriod/iOS app on your phone, login and permanently leave it running in background. You'd get lots of notifications, but the site would say the live is always online".

The latter was something I said in jest. To my surprise the client said he'd do that on his own phone going forwards. He actually thanked me for my "resourcefulness", lol.

I'm looking at the same dashboard now and there are 407 pending chat requests - his phone must literally be blowing up notifications :)

Because I’m a fucking cowboy and a charlatan, and because I hate sleep and despise feeling refreshed and happy, I’m working pretty much full time as a contractor (I’m the full stack dev. I do everything) on a (well funded) startup alongside my day job.

Tonight I had to make some quick (lol “quick”) changes to a core piece of the platform.

Now before continuing please refer back to the first line of this rant.

So instead of writing new functionality, I copied and pasted another section.

I renamed all references of “new_order” to, cleverly “new_order2”.

I know.

I deploy to production...

My phone starts blowing up. In short, everything is fucked.

I’m going over the query, checking the production database. Why is this manifesting like this? It all looks correct.

2 HOURS of broken sales, pissed off customers, pissed off service agents and I see that there was still one reference of “new_order” that should have been “new_order2”.

I am a piece of shit.

If you're a reasonably established dev and looking for a new role, never.. EVER make your CV public on a job board! I put it up for one day, ONE DAY and yesterday I had 42 phone calls, 15 voice messages and about 25 emails. How is anyone supposed to choose a meaningful, suited opportunity in all that! Information overload! And then trying to sort out times for someone you are interested in to phone you and picking up the phone at that time to accidental answer the phone to someone else (a new agent who has some excellent job roles for you!). Fuck this. Immediately took it down and hoping to look and apply to some myself that I like the look of. Don't do it man, unless you're a junior and it can be quite humbling how agency led it is, look for the right job yourself and apply individually! I have been on edge the last few days, especially where I haven't told my current place I am looking yet!

!dev !rant

Personal life update:

Like I said a few rants ago, I got a job in a call center for a national Japanese food chain. I am getting a pretty good salary for a teenager, and I am being paid the same amount as the other call center agents.

What I didn’t tell you is that I am doing a pre-university SAT, and it’s pretty much destroying me. I regret choosing to do it.

About AltRant: currently on short hiatus, though I swear to god that I will DEFINITELY upload it to TestFlight so you can get a taste of the app. All I ask is patience. I think I will wait until iOS 15 is out because the latest betas created a massive issue in a few parts of the app. All of them are aesthetic but damn it, I want to fix them only when they are officially there to stay because right now iOS 15 is still in beta.

Had harsh words to a recruitment agency a few days ago who have been emailing me completely irrelevant job specs for weeks. (Side note, I don't know these people or how I ended up on the list in the first place, i'm not looking).

Got an apology this morning from one of the agents, their manager also just sent me a mail to apologise, as she can see from the records i've received a lot of crap ... but she also took a moment to let me know she does have a role that might actually suit my skill set.

Are you fucking kidding me?

"Why doesn't anyone reply to my emails" - because you are the devil and can't be trusted.

I took a job with a software company to manage their product, which was a SaaS property maintenance system for real estate, social housing, etc.

There was no charge to real estate agents to use it but maintenance contractors had to use credits to take a job, which they pre-purchased. They recharged their credit costs back to the real estate agent on their invoice).

Whether this pricing model is good or not, that's what it was. So, in I came, and one of the first things management wanted me to deal with was a long-standing problem where nobody in the company ever considered a contractor's credits could go into the negative. That is, they bought some credits once, then kept taking jobs (and getting the real estate agent to pay for the credits), and went into negative credits, never paying another cent to this software company.

So, I worked with product and sales and finance and the developers to create a series of stories to help get contractors' back into positive credits with some incentives, and most certainly preventing anyone getting negative again.

The code was all tested, all was good, and this was the whole sprint. We released it ...

... and then suddenly real estate agents were complaining reminders to inspect properties were being missed and all sorts of other date-related events were screwed up.

I couldn't understand how this happened. I spoke with the software manager and he said he added a couple of other pieces of code into the release.

In particular, the year prior someone complained a date on a report was too squished and suggested a two-digit year be used. Some atrocious software developer worked on it who, quite seriously, didn't simply change the formatting of that one report. No, he modified the code everywhere to literally store two-digit years in the database. This code sat unreleased for a year and then .... for no perceivable reason, the moron software manager decided he'd throw it into this sprint without telling me or anybody else, or without it being tested.

I told him to rollback but he said he'd already had developers fixing the problems as they came up. He seemed to be confident they'd sort it out soon.

Yet, as the day went on more and more issues arose. I spoke to him with the rest of the management team and said we need to revert the code but he said they couldn't because they hadn't been making pull requests that were exclusive to specific tickets but instead contained lots of work all in one. He didn't think they could detangle it and said the only way to fix was "play whack-a-mole" when issues came up.

I only stayed in that company for three months; there was simply way too much shit to fix and to this day I still have no idea the reasoning that went on in the head of anyone involved with that piece of code.

Manager X: (logs a support ticket) "Agent is unable to access system using the password provided."

Me: "You're going to have to narrow it down a little, we have over 1000 active agents."

I hate the support side of my job...

Why the fICKITY FUCK CANT UNITY DO WHAT ITS DING DANG JOB YO I'M JUST TRYING TO SIMULATE AUTONOMOUS AGENTS NOT AGENTS FROM HELL YOU FEEL ME

Agents who try to convince you taking a job that earns less is a good idea for any reason other than them getting a recruitment fee

Hey Devs, question.

When job hunting, what would be your preferred option(s).

1. Contacted directly by the hiring company's HR
2. Applying via recruiting agents
3. Applying directly on companies job site
4. Referrals

I absolutely despise state of org structures in mid-big companies due to mediocre devs and more than that mediocre middle managers that are responsible for putting out policies.

They are on doom spiral but somehow keep themselves afloat. Heard a policy for one of them is like you need to be using AI for 80% of your job? They are being run as if the person using it is unable to think for themselves. If you are micromanaging prompting why not fire the plebian, and use agents and 100% AI bitch.

But most companies are like this, why?

The following piece of advice will be for those aspiring for an IT service desk position:

When companies are looking to hire service desk agents, they're primarily looking for socially skilled people with strong communicative skills, rather than primarily technically skilled people. When I first joined the IT world, I went on different interviews for that position and across all of them there was one truth: all the interviewers were eyeballs-focused on my social and communication skills and a mere thin layer of technical skills was required (depending on how technical the service desk). In fact, I immediately got aggressively dismissed twice for two of those when I filled in a Myers-Briggs personality test according to my Sheldon-type personality (selfish, condescending etc). Conversely, when I applied for a new position and I faked that test into answering everything focused positively on the social aspect, I was an immediate top candidate.

Here's a definition from the ITIL Foundation course, chapter Service Management: Because of how lateral the function of the service desk has become today (not only used to solve technical issues, but also company-wide issues), the most important and valued skills when hiring a service desk agent are fully focused on empathy and soft skills and none of those are technical skills. This is because the service desk has people that are the front window of your company and thus you can't make social mistakes as to protect your company's reputation. That risk has to be minimized and you need the ideal people. The people who in fact solve the technical problems are behind a back-office and they are contacted by the service desk agents.

In the beginning, when I did my first service desk job, I also thought: "Oh, I'm going to have to convince them I'm this technical wizard". In the end I got hired for being able to explain technology in human language and because in the interview I successfully communicated and explained ideas to both the team manager and the CEO, not because I knew what goes on inside a computer. This is a very important distinction.
My friends have also been in service desk positions and ironically they were the most successful when they were empathetic slimeballs (saying: "of course, anything for you" while not meaning it, constantly making jokes), rather than people with integrity (those got fired for telling the customer they were wrong while being unfriendly).

I hope this helps.

My last post entails how my company moved me to a freelancing role upon completion of my task (VoIP micro service: incoming and outgoing calls, voice mail drop, voice mail greeting, call forwarding, sms, and a couple more features) — app is now live and used by company’s agents to contact leads on our other products (designing), so boss tells HR to tell me (I realized this from HR’s slack screen when on huddle with me) to add WhatsApp integration. I responded that since I’m a freelancer I would charge $30/hour for it. HR said he’d get back to me and it’s been 3 working days now.

They are also trying to have the app on Apps*mo so they cash out for other companies to use the app.

It’s been 2 weeks and a day since the end of my probation (I’ve been with them for 3 months) and no one has acknowledged this — I also wrote to my boss asking why management won’t acknowledge this but three days after probation they changed my role. Same company that held off my offer later to two months later in the job to offer a Senior Python Developer role as “HR has Covid and could not send it until now”.

He has not responded to my message. Pretty much no salary for me these past few days.

I’m now looking for other jobs. Meanwhile, I’m building from scratch AGAIN a VoIP micro service and I plan on making it public and free upon completion.

BUT I feel the company might take action against me. Do note that I did not sign the offer letter as the link had 3 days expiration and HR said he would send a new one but never did, even after I reminded him at least 2 days in a week.

____
While typing this, I got the urge to proceed regardless any circumstance.

Professional Commercial Building Pressure Washing in Port St. Lucie, FL – Know Pressure Washing

Your commercial building’s exterior is often the first thing clients, customers, and visitors notice when they approach your business. A clean, well-maintained building reflects the professionalism and care your business puts into every detail. At Know Pressure Washing, we specialize in commercial building pressure washing in Port St. Lucie, FL, providing high-quality exterior cleaning services to keep your property looking pristine and welcoming.

Why Commercial Building Pressure Washing is Essential
The exterior of your commercial building faces constant exposure to dirt, grime, pollution, weather conditions, and more. Over time, these elements can cause your building’s surfaces to look dull, dirty, and unappealing. Here’s why commercial building pressure washing is so important for the upkeep of your business property:

1. Enhance Curb Appeal
First impressions matter. Whether you're welcoming customers, clients, or guests, the cleanliness of your building's exterior plays a huge role in how your business is perceived. A clean, spotless building presents an image of professionalism, care, and attention to detail. Regular pressure washing will keep your commercial property looking its best, ensuring you make a lasting impression every time.

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A well-maintained exterior reflects positively on your business. Whether you run an office, retail store, or industrial facility, having a clean, professional-looking building is essential. A dirty, neglected exterior can give the wrong impression and turn potential clients or customers away. With regular commercial building pressure washing, you ensure that your building always looks clean, well-maintained, and inviting.

Why Choose Know Pressure Washing for Your Commercial Building Pressure Washing?
At Know Pressure Washing, we have the experience, equipment, and expertise to handle all of your commercial building pressure washing needs. Here’s why businesses in Port St. Lucie trust us with their exterior cleaning:

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Our team of professional pressure washing technicians is highly trained and experienced in cleaning a wide range of commercial building types. From office buildings and retail spaces to industrial facilities, we have the knowledge and equipment to tackle any job, big or small.

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At Know Pressure Washing, we use environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning solutions that are safe for your building, the surrounding environment, and your employees or customers. Our cleaning agents effectively break down dirt, grime, and stains without harming your property or the ecosystem.

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We understand that each commercial property is unique, which is why we offer customized commercial building pressure washing solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you need a one-time deep clean or ongoing maintenance, we will work with you to develop a plan that fits your schedule, budget, and requirements.

5. Affordable and Transparent Pricing
We believe in providing exceptional service at a fair price. Our transparent pricing ensures you know exactly what to expect before we begin any work. There are no hidden fees—just honest, upfront pricing that fits your budget.

FamLee Pressure Washing Services: Best Pressure Washing Services Near Fulton, MO & Affordable House Washing in Mexico, MO
At FamLee Pressure Washing Services, we take pride in providing the best pressure washing services near Fulton, MO and affordable house washing in Mexico, MO. Whether you need to clean your home’s exterior, remove grime from your driveway, or restore the look of your deck, we offer expert cleaning solutions that are designed to deliver outstanding results. Our team of professionals uses the latest pressure washing technology to ensure your property is spotless, protected, and well-maintained.

Why Choose FamLee Pressure Washing Services?
When it comes to pressure washing near Fulton, MO, and house washing in Mexico, MO, FamLee Pressure Washing Services is the trusted name for residents and business owners alike. Here’s why our customers choose us for their pressure washing needs:

Experienced and Professional Team Our skilled technicians are trained to handle a wide range of pressure washing tasks, ensuring that your home and property are treated with the utmost care. We understand the specifics of different surfaces, and we tailor our services to suit each project.

Affordable Pricing We believe that quality pressure washing services should be accessible to everyone. Whether you're looking for house washing in Mexico, MO, or pressure washing near Fulton, MO, we offer competitive pricing that doesn’t break the bank. We also provide free estimates, so you know exactly what to expect.

Comprehensive Services At FamLee Pressure Washing Services, we offer a variety of services to meet your specific needs, including:

House washing
Driveway cleaning
Deck and patio cleaning
Roof and gutter cleaning
Commercial and residential pressure washing
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions We use eco-friendly cleaning agents that are safe for your property and the environment. You can trust us to provide a thorough cleaning without causing harm to the surrounding landscape or ecosystem.

Top-Quality Equipment We use state-of-the-art pressure washing equipment to deliver superior results. Whether it’s a residential property or a larger commercial project, we have the right tools to get the job done efficiently.

Customer Satisfaction Guarantee We are committed to delivering exceptional results on every project. Our goal is to exceed your expectations, and we’ll work hard to ensure you're completely satisfied with our services.

Best Pressure Washing Services Near Fulton, MO
If you’re looking for the best pressure washing services near Fulton, MO, look no further than FamLee Pressure Washing Services. We specialize in providing top-notch pressure washing services to homeowners and businesses in Fulton and surrounding areas. Our services include:

Exterior House Cleaning: We offer comprehensive house washing services to remove dirt, mildew, mold, and other contaminants from your home’s exterior. This not only enhances curb appeal but also helps protect your property from potential damage caused by these elements.

Driveway and Walkway Cleaning: Over time, driveways and walkways can accumulate stains from oil, dirt, and other debris. Our pressure washing techniques restore these surfaces to their original condition, giving your home a fresh look.

Deck and Patio Washing: Your deck or patio is an outdoor space that deserves attention. Whether it’s covered with dirt, algae, or grime, we can clean and revitalize it, making it a great place to relax again.

Roof and Gutter Cleaning: Regular roof and gutter maintenance is essential to keeping your home protected. Our pressure washing service will safely remove debris, leaves, and moss, helping to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Affordable House Washing in Mexico, MO
Is your home in need of a thorough cleaning? At FamLee Pressure Washing Services, we provide affordable house washing in Mexico, MO, to help keep your home looking beautiful and well-maintained. Regular pressure washing is an important part of home upkeep, and our affordable services ensure that your home gets the attention it deserves.

Why is House Washing Important?
Improved Curb Appeal: The exterior of your home is the first thing people notice, and a clean home can significantly improve its overall appearance. Whether you're preparing to sell or just want to enjoy a fresh, clean look, house washing is a simple solution to boost curb appeal.

Prevent Damage: Dirt, mold, mildew, and algae can build up on the exterior of your home, which can lead to long-term damage. Regular house washing prevents these contaminants from eating away at your siding, walls, and foundation.

Boss Power Wash LLC: Professional Paver Cleaning and Drive-Thru Cleaning in Orlando
At Boss Power Wash LLC, we specialize in providing high-quality paver cleaning and drive-thru cleaning services to homeowners and businesses in Orlando, FL, and the surrounding areas. Our expert team is dedicated to restoring the appearance and functionality of your exterior surfaces, ensuring your property looks pristine and inviting. Whether you need to revitalize your driveway, patio, or commercial drive-thru lanes, we have the tools, expertise, and experience to get the job done right.

Located at 1619 Rivers Edge Dr, Orlando, FL 32825, we are proud to serve Orlando with top-tier pressure washing and cleaning solutions that meet the unique needs of our customers. From residential driveways to commercial properties, we offer customized services to make your surfaces shine.

The Importance of Paver Cleaning in Orlando
Pavers are a popular choice for driveways, patios, walkways, and other outdoor spaces due to their durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. However, over time, pavers can accumulate dirt, algae, moss, and stains that detract from their appearance. Regular paver cleaning is essential to maintain their beauty and longevity.

At Boss Power Wash LLC, we use specialized equipment and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to effectively clean and restore your pavers. Here’s why paver cleaning in Orlando is so important:

Restores Aesthetic Appeal: Pavers can become dull and discolored due to dirt and debris buildup. Our expert paver cleaning service removes grime and stains, restoring the vibrant colors and texture of your pavers and enhancing the overall look of your outdoor space.

Prevents Damage: Over time, dirt, moss, and algae can break down the surface of your pavers, leading to cracks and unevenness. Regular cleaning helps prevent this damage, ensuring your pavers remain in excellent condition for years to come.

Improves Safety: Algae and moss can make your pavers slippery, creating a safety hazard. By removing these slippery substances, our paver cleaning services improve traction, reducing the risk of slips and falls.

Increases Property Value: Clean, well-maintained pavers can significantly boost the curb appeal of your property. Whether you’re preparing to sell your home or just want to improve the look of your outdoor spaces, paver cleaning is a great investment.

Our Paver Cleaning Process at Boss Power Wash LLC
We use a combination of high-pressure washing and eco-friendly cleaning agents to remove dirt, stains, and contaminants from your pavers. Our process includes:

Inspection and Assessment: We begin by evaluating the condition of your pavers to determine the best cleaning method. We identify any stains or buildup that may require special attention.
Pre-Treatment: For stubborn stains or algae buildup, we apply a pre-treatment solution to loosen dirt and grime, making the cleaning process more effective.
High-Pressure Cleaning: Using powerful pressure washing equipment, we clean your pavers without damaging them. Our team adjusts the pressure to ensure a thorough cleaning while protecting the surface.
Sealing (Optional): After cleaning, we can apply a protective sealant to your pavers to help prevent future staining and keep them looking new longer.
Drive-Thru Cleaning in Orlando: Maintaining a Clean, Professional Look for Your Business
As a business owner, you understand the importance of maintaining a clean and inviting exterior. A clean drive-thru area not only improves the appearance of your establishment but also creates a safer and more pleasant experience for your customers.

Boss Power Wash LLC offers comprehensive drive-thru cleaning services for businesses in Orlando, including restaurants, banks, and other establishments with drive-thru lanes. We use specialized pressure washing techniques to remove grease, oil stains, dirt, and debris that can accumulate in high-traffic areas like drive-thru lanes. Here’s why drive-thru cleaning is essential for your business:

Enhances Curb Appeal: The exterior of your business, including your drive-thru, is the first impression customers have of your establishment. A clean, well-maintained drive-thru area signals to customers that you care about their experience, creating a welcoming environment.

Improves Safety: Drive-thru lanes can become slippery due to oil spills, grease buildup, and wet debris. Regular cleaning eliminates these hazards, improving safety for both your customers and employees.

Prevents Long-Term Damage: Without regular cleaning, oil and grease can damage the surface of your drive-thru lane, causing discoloration and deterioration. Pressure washing removes these substances before they cause lasting damage, helping to extend the lifespan of your pavement.