What is your favourite browser and why?

[Jules]

...such as putting orange text on a white background...

*looks at DPX's signature* You must not have got her memo!

[DeadPoolX]

...such as putting orange text on a white background...

*looks at DPX's signature* You must not have got her memo!

I use the Black Pearl skin, so it looks just fine to me.

[Jules]

I figured!

[DeadPoolX]

If you knew that (or at least had a good hunch), why did you bother with your previous statement?

[Jules]

Because I wanted a definite answer to my hunch.

[DeadPoolX]

+2 points for Detective Jules.

[Tawmis]

You're talking about the very games I think Laura Bow was based off of! Of course she gets plus points in detective work!

[Maiandra]

...sometimes I'm just so busy that I don't have the time for my own work. But I don't like saying no to work colleagues.

Yes, it's possible (even probable) that they want to make themselves look good by using my skills. But in an office this small - the boss is within shouting distance of everyone on my floor - I think my boss knows what's happening and probably won't let it continue.

Any advice?

Well, if you have a good working relationship with your boss, I'd definitely keep them in the loop about what's going on. I have kind of an interdepartmental position and even though my manager is in one department, I often help out people in other departments with computer-related projects (we have a small office too). I'm fortunate to have a good working relationship with my manager, so I always let her know what's going on. I keep her updated about what I have on my plate and it helps me stay on schedule and prioritize the work that others are giving me.

I like helping people too, so I understand your feeling of not wanting to turn your co-workers away, but I think Jules' approach sounds like a good idea. Or at least ask them some questions about the urgency of the task and let them know that you would be happy to help, but you do have other work that has to take priority. If they're reasonable people, they shouldn't expect you to help them that second at the expense of your own work. If they know you're doing them a favour, then they can't really expect you do drop your own responsibilties.

If there are some simple things that they could learn themselves, then maybe it would be worth it in the long run just to show them how to do it, so they don't always have to come to you. I've been trying to do that with some of my co-workers, since the amount issues they've been coming to me with are getting a bit ridiculous.

I'll stop now. As DPX can attest, I could go on at length about my work.

[Rath Darkblade]

*reads and reads* Heh. Thanks for the advice, Jules, DPX and Maia!

There are generally just two people who need my help:

1) the course manager (who manages which people go on which of our courses) - I just have to keep her in the loop about the people who pay for the course, as people generally must pay in advance to secure a place. I also need her help because sometimes people double-book themselves (silly sheeple!)
2) an exec assistant, who needs my help developing an Access database. I don't mind helping with this, as I have loads of database experience (mostly in Access and SAP). She normally waits until I finish all my accounts stuff first, but sometimes I'm just so busy with accounts that I have no time to teach her Access. (She hasn't touched databases in years, so progress is a bit slow).

My boss made it clear to me that she wants this exec assistant to do it herself, not for me to do it for her. I'm only to help if I'm done with the accounts first - and since none of us have a problem with this, that's cool.

Thanks again!