In this computer age one often faces situations like “network error” or “system failure” while working on a computer. Slow network or computers hanging may frustrate the users but one seldoms knows about the many hours spent on troubleshooting by the system administrators so that the end users can work smoothly. In recognition of the dedication of system administrators and IT workers every year on the last Friday of July, the System Administrator Appreciation Day is observed. The first such day was marked on July 28, 2000. Many working professionals consider the work of system administrators a thankless job. Sonal Jha, a chartered accountant in a company said, “We have to file income tax returns in July and this month is the most hectic for us as all clients come late.
Due to heavy rush, the Government websites take longer to open which delays our working but clients do not wish to listen about the technical hitches. They blame us if the deadline is not met. But certain things we cannot change.”
Voluminous data and repeated queries make the database administrators work day and night for the smooth handling of data without crashing the system. They help prevent disasters, keep information technology secure and save the data on the disks free from attack of viruses.
Vashishtha Kumar, a project leader in pharmaceutical company said, “We are back end people, so often used and then discarded until the next emergency arises. Our work is hardly recognised but we certainly are the backbone of any system. Better and error free work means less chance of clients and users needing to call us.
We are taken for granted but it is good that a day has been dedicated to us, the silent workers as well.” Justifying the emergency situations when IT workers fail to go proactive and tell beforehand of the failure of certain software, Jai Prakash, a system administrator in a pharmaceutical company said, “Many a time, exigencies do occur but it is good to see a smile on the client’s face when troubleshooting has been done.
Generally we announce beforehand through email that for certain period the software or network would not be available for use but at times, things go wrong which one must bear patiently.
Out of 365 days, one odd day when things are not working does not nullify the hard work done for smooth running of systems for 364 days.”