1

What do you do when you’re bored at work?

I realize most of you are always swamped with work, but I just started working here(just finished school) and I don’t have that much responsibility and I find myself bored a lot.

I spend a lot of time on Spiceworks, and studying random things(usually protocols). I try to study for certs but theres only so much I can take in in a day.

29 Spice ups
2

Try learning something new or figuring out a way to improve internal processes to make everyone’s life easier.

3 Spice ups
3

Don’t have time to be bored as the sole IT guy.

I would recommend using spare time to learn new stuff / technology etc.

2 Spice ups
4

Like Rockn and ivanidea said, use the time to learn new things…

5

I’m with ivan, never enough time for a lone ranger… Try codeacademy to pass some time.

1 Spice up
6

Non work related? I visit FARK.

Work related? Documentation, documentation, documentation. Visio diagrams, organization, etc.

2 Spice ups
7

Ask if you can help update the documentation. Do a physical inventory. While SW and most other systems do a good job. they are all only as good as the machines that report in. also with the serial number or required identifiers in hand. you can also build a warranty sheet of machines and when they will go out of warranty. then when all is said and done. you can always compare it against the tracked inventory.

8

do what your doing, use the time to learn, catch up on new tech, improve yourself. I have no problem with staff here using work time to research stuff and find new ways of doing jobs or new tech that might help both us and clients run their systems.

The other thing you can do is ask others there if they help in what they are doing, update documentation, renew procedures. Every little bit you help with wil save them time and build your knowledge of what you are doing.

9

Get ideas from SpiceHeads recommending tools and apps to make your helpdesk run easier. Then go and tinker with the apps.

10

Bored? What is this thing you speak of lol. Don’t worry Bruno, your time will come! :slight_smile:

11

When I do get the rare downtime I have textbooks to read. See the pic and also some for the Microsoft exams. If you want a copy of the any to read then send me a PM with an e-mail address and I’ll send them across. Reading up on some of this stuff could impress your boss and show your intent to learn and progress.

Capture.JPG

12

Ask your colleagues if you can help/tag along with what they are doing!

1 Spice up
13

^ ^ ^ ^ ^
THIS!

Also: documentation! …
Get a Brother P-Touch PT-1230 PC label maker (battery powered) in order to:
Tag computers and other assets, IP addresses of network printers, AP’s, chairs, tables, wine bottles, … OK, don’t get carried away …
And don’t forget documentation!

14

Always ask for things to do and come up with ideas to keep you busy! This will show your company that you want to stay busy and want to help and will look good in the long run.

15

Just in case you didn’t see it, don’t forget the documentation :wink:

2 Spice ups
16

I just mapped out all of the voice and data ports in the office in Visio as well as the ports in cubicle locations that are not on our floor plan. Made a nifty spreadsheet of all the ports as well and the corresponding patch panels they terminate at so if I ever need to know I can filter to a room or a port and I know where the other end terminates.

There is always something to do during slow periods.

17

IT and Non IT Documentation! Spend time brushing up in my lab environment by breaking things, studying for certifications, spiceworks, and reading e-books on what needs to be learned. Always stay busy or look like your staying busy.

18

This will give you something to work on http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com/

Or this might be of use http://community.spiceworks.com/university?source=navbar-subnav

Also, how about learning PowerShell? This is going to become really important in the future.

Not sure about how much access you have, but why not look around for things that aren’t documented. For example, switch configuration, asset registers, licence details etc.

Then, there is always the option to talk to users; find out what tasks they struggle with and see if there is a way to try and help them learn more about how to do things properly.

If all else fails, look at what proactive maintenance needs to be done; for example, set up a rolling programme of printer maintenance & cleaning. If you really have huge amounts of time, why not do some cleaning of unused PCs or work areas.

However, you should be able to speak to your manager and ask for more things to do.

1 Spice up
19

I tend to look at wikipedia when I’m bored.

20

I blog a lot when I get bored. I have a personal blog and have recently gotten into threeJS so I am working on building a bunch of training guides on how to do basic things, with downloadable templates. Having a side hobby that you write about is really fun and really teaches you how to communicate those ideas.