I know “Red Tape” is often required, and there are sometimes valid reasons for having it, but the people with the tape should have the sense to spot when they fall into a recursive loop and have the ability to produce “The Scissors of Doom” to sort things out. Let me give you an example, and its a real life example. I know because it happened to me, earlier this week.

Phone Conversation over BETA testing some new Busby servers/systems

Busby: “Can you confirm you can connect to the server fine?“

WO: “Yes, I confirm that, and i sent in signed form saying so.“

Busby: “Good. Can you confirm you downloaded our test file ok?“

WO: “What’s the file name, I’ll grab it now. I’ve been using your new systems for other departments, so the server area is full of files.“

Busby: “Our systems team say since you are already using the system there is no test file.“

WO: “ok“

Busby: “So can you confirm you downloaded our test file?“

WO: “But there is no test file?“

Busby: “You need to download our test file to show you can connect OK then we can move on.”

WO: “Talk to you main sys.admin. I tested connection to your server when you first set it up. I helped with the speed tests with the different secure connections, and port ranges. I was one of the first non Busby people using the system.“

Busby: “So can you confirm you downloaded our test file?“

WO: “ARGGHHHHHH!”