I work on busy a servicedesk, we get all manner of calls in a day. They’re mostly password resets and slow PCs but every now and again you get one that can take pride of place in the amoeba log.
User: Hello. I hope you can help me.
Me: I’ll certainly give it a try. What’s the problem?
User: I’ve just overwritten a file with a blank template. My colleague says you’re able to restore it from an earlier version.
Me: Yes, that’s possible. When did you last update the original file, so I can restore the most up-to-date version?
User: I started it this morning, so that one will be OK.
Me: Sorry but our backups are made overnight; I can only restore files from yesterday or before.
User: (silent pause) So if I phone back tomorrow morning, you can restore it from today?
Me: (dull thud as palm meets forehead) Err, no. It doesn’t work like that. I’m sorry but your file’s lost.
Call ends.
By: David Asch