Because users know what they need, right?

The phones at this company have a key sequence that enables auto-answer, so the phone doesn't ring -- the caller is immediately connected in speakerphone mode, reports a net admin pilot fish who's responsible for the phone system there.

"There's a small satellite facility with loud production machinery, and when the phone there was accidentally placed in auto-answer mode, I was quick to offer to help," fish says.

"But I was stopped in my tracks by the supervisor, who works at the main plant. He said, 'I love this. I can always tell if the machinery is running by placing a call. Leave it the way it is.'

"I pointed out that it will be difficult for the machine operators to hear an incoming phone call. 'That's not a problem,' he said. 'I can get their attention.'

"I gave up, and the phone is still on auto-answer a year later.

"Of course, I still snicker when I walk by the supervisor's office and hear 'SAM! I'M ON THE PHONE! SAAAAAAM!'"

Sharky's on the lookout for incoming stories. So send my your true tale of IT life at sharky@computerworld.com. You'll score a sharp Shark shirt if I use it. Add your comments below, and read some great old tales in the Sharkives.

The Best of Shark Tank includes more than 70 tales of IT woe submitted by you, our readers, since 1999. Which all goes to prove, conclusively, that hapless users and idiotic bosses are indeed worldwide phenomena. Free registration is all that's needed to download The Best of Shark Tank (PDF).