For quite a while I was feeling guilty about getting paid what I do while I spent most of the day fixing piddley little stuff (Answering Microsoft Office questions, filtering spam, Cell phone # swaps, and occasional server stuff, little tweaks here and there).
On my annual review I got the maximum step increase I can get and I felt guilty again, I actually told my boss, I'm fine with less of an increase, but he insisted. I mean, yeah I do a pretty good job I suppose, I finish whatever my boss tells me to, the systems have never run better, I don't rock the corporate boat too much with my "rebellious" ways (wearing jeans to work and growing my hair out...such a rebel, I know.), but most of this technical stuff comes naturally to me, so for me it's normal, not anything exceptional, while to others I'm doing a really good job.
But finally I have hit a point where I feel I am actually earning my paycheck. Working on the new Library systems 7+ servers, 1 SQL Cluster, 1 Virtual Server, a 1 Terabyte Storage Area Network and creating automated PC images that have to play nice with all of the software that will be loaded onto 100+ PCs that also need to be locked down to keep those punk kids from breaking them. The automation part is the most challenging, as I have to create a modular image that will either install or get pushed software based on the "zone" the PC will be located at in the library (i.e. Children's Zone, Public Zone, Homework Center, Genealogy). Any of the software that can be created into a package can be pushed, however some applications do not package well or use old installers so those must be automated.
Using an awesome program called AutoHotKey I have created scripts that go through the installation process of the applications, pressing Next and filling in fields all automagically, as if someone was sitting in front of the computer actually pressing those keys.
Everyday I come up against new challenges and have to figure out creative ways to overcome them, I've spent many-a-late-nights lately doing research and thinking about how to accomplish certain tasks in the best, most efficient ways possible. Needless to say, this is the stuff I live for, making computers do exactly what I want. It's not about the power, I already have access to the Mayor's email along with everyone else's data, so this stuff is small beans. It's all about the challenge.
I know that what I am setting up will be used by hundreds if not thousands of people so I need it as simple, dependable and secure as possible, not just for the future library patrons but for the computer support staff and library administrators in what we hope will be the premiere technological library in Southern California.
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