Små udvalgte historier fra storytelling processen hos CCI

Not everyone is a computer genus
Some time ago a CCI'er phoned the internal IT hotline concerned about a strange noise emanating from his computer. Initially, I asked him how fast his computer was, to which he replied; "Compared to what, Carl Lewis?", trying to rephrase the question I continued by asking how large his computer was, at which point he physically took out his ruler and measured his computer. After that answer I thought it prudent to head to his office to help him out in person!

How to tie a tie
Software engineers aren't renowned for their formal dress sense, especially when it comes to wearing ties. At our first DRUPA conference, many of the software engineers had to don a tie for the first time in their life. Fortunately, the train ride from the hotel in Köln to the exhibition provided just enough time for me to teach the tie-challenged individuals how to tie a tie, much to the amusement of our fellow commuters!

The intuitive mouse
In the days when the mouse was new, one CCI'er enjoyed entertaining the crowds at exhibitions. Using a catch file with a series of pre-recorded mouse movements that he had memorized, he would hold the mouse up to his mouth like a CB microphone and proceed to give the mouse instructions as the catch file ran its course. The mouse would appear to follow his instructions, much to the awe of those gathered around the booth.

Trouble in Vegas
During exhibition setups we are used to dealing with bureaucratic customs agents, strict unions, rooms without air conditioning, and even the occasional act of god. Combine all of these things together, add a bomb threat that quarantines the exhibition center until the opening day, and there you have one NEXPO in Las Vegas . For many this could signal the end of the exhibition, for us it became another example of all hands on deck to keep the show on the road.

Development in the Darkroom
Before the Internet, when software engineers still used tape for source code, programs could not be transmitted over a 1200 baud modem so error correction and development was done on-site, often in pretty Spartan conditions. One particular customer kept their server and paper console in a darkroom next to the typesetter, which meant I had to do error corrections and program compilation with a small red lamp as my only source of light.

What hurricane?
One time a CCI employee, known for his coolness in a crisis, was setting up a system in FT. Lauderdale in the shadows of an impending hurricane. As natives fled the building in a state of panic, this employee worked until the system was stable. Hearing of the hurricane in Denmark , concerned management called to check on his safety. His response, "I did notice that it was rather windy outside!"

Priorities
During a trip to a very large newspaper in India we prepared a demonstration using a 20-inch monitor. Upon arrival we found their monitor was only 14 inches. We mentioned this to the customer, and soon they were back with a 20-inch monitor. The demonstration was proceeding swimmingly until I noticed two concerned individuals constantly looking into the room. It turned out that the monitor belonged to the production department and they were eagerly awaiting its return so they could finish paginating the paper.