How much time do you spend waiting on a computer or network that's "not responding" while on duty?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 20:46:01 -0500

I find that most of my duty day consists of waiting for a computer program or networked site (Like Outlook, DTS, DTMS, ATRRS, etc.) to load, catch up, or just waiting for the "not responding" to go away and for the computer to work. I kept track and noticed that I spend roughly 2/3 of my duty day just waiting for something to load. This is the norm for my 12 years of service, anybody else see it?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2016 9:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 21:01:25 -0500

Best course of action:
Back up important data
Wipe computer and re-baseline
And / Or
Upgrade RAM

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2016 9:45 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 21:45:22 -0500

Man fuck C.Q.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 24 at 2016 12:14 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 00:14:30 -0500

Hurry up and wait - the age-old Army saying - is taking on an updated meaning.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Nov 24 at 2016 12:31 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 00:31:16 -0500

I Found that on using computer systems in the USAF the technology was current and even advanced. The time spent was primarily doing the work needed, not waiting. The systems seemed to be easy to use and for access not difficult and they also connected quickly most the time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 1:33 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 01:33:04 -0500

I probably spend about an hour a day waiting on my computer to load, most of the time I just initiate a reboot and go do something else for a while. I've trained myself to backup about every 5 minutes, so I don't usually lose a lot when I force a reboot.

I also tend to save most of more important work for after three in the afternoon, once people start going home I have about a two and a half hour window to get stuff done without the computer acting stupid. .

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made Nov 24 at 2016 1:46 AM

Capt Chris McVeigh — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 01:46:38 -0500

Systems fail to work with disturbing regularity. I usually just try to take care of something else and come back to it later.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Nov 24 at 2016 2:50 AM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 02:50:43 -0500

Can't say I identify with this. I build all my own computers and networks. Much better bang-for-the-buck ratio. You are dealing with hardware that was provided by the lowest bidder, soo....yeah. I feel for you. Let me know if you ever want advice concerning building a machine. I've built hundreds.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 6:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 06:03:43 -0500

Whether virtual or in real life, hurry up and wait never changes...

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Nov 24 at 2016 12:00 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 12:00:40 -0500

Can't measure the time loss. We converted to Big Blue network this year from our normal ANG network- they steal our bandwith and slow us to a crawl if we can move that fast....

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 24 at 2016 5:59 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 17:59:15 -0500

I think a lot of that is due to the anti-virus and anti-intrusion software the DoD uses. You can boost the performance with a more powerful laptop probably. What are you using now as far as brand, amount of RAM, processors, etc? Also solid state drives run faster than the old hard disk drives for accessing and opening files. Lots of what the Army does in IT is like 10 years or more out of date.

Another thing you might try is to flip to a MACBOOK by Apple and just use their Windows emulation software. If the DoD allows you to do that.

Response by SGT David T. made Nov 28 at 2016 11:46 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 11:46:46 -0500

My computer is very slow. As I write this I have been waiting for 20 minutes for this PDF load lol

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Nov 28 at 2016 12:30 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 12:30:57 -0500

Welcome to the world of technology! Not much different in the civilian world either. We have all become slaves to the one eyed monster on our desk. Programs great when they work, but much productivity is lost to waiting on those "technical difficulties" no matter where you work.