How to stay productive during work system downtime? [duplicate]

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  • How can I “kill” time at work when there is no work for me to do?

    12 answers



When systems are down and I cannot do my work so I have a free hour or possibly more, what is an acceptable means of passing time in the office for an engineer?



In the present situation all my work is done from my office to a remote location that I cannot reach due to network issues. I have spoke with my boss and my feedback is to wait.



Things I have considered:



  • Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge

  • Read profession related books or for pleasure (news, fantasy etc.)

  • Take a coffee break and talk with other co workers in the same situation

  • Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters

My goal here is to stay productive and be a valued member of my company however I don't think I can gain too much from productive ideas waiting for a network to come back up. I hate the idea of 'looking busy' for personal image.



There are related questions but this one is specific to system downtime.







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marked as duplicate by Joe Strazzere, acolyte, Rhys, Jim G., jmac Jun 28 '13 at 5:19


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.














  • There is a difference between network downtime and system downtime. Which one are you talking about ? What is your line of work ?
    – happybuddha
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:13










  • I would like to make it as general as, "I cannot do my work due to technical problems" for the general audience. In this case the network is down so I can use my system but i cannot get to the systems I need to work on.
    – Quinma
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:20











  • @JoeStrazzere my boss recognizes that I have many projects and does not give me any work to add on top of them even if I cannot do my project work now. He was not specific about what I should do other than to wait.
    – Quinma
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:29










  • Coffee isn't teh answer. Coffee is the distraction ;P
    – Adel
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:44










  • There is always documentation that needs to be written.
    – Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
    Apr 12 at 8:00
















up vote
4
down vote

favorite













This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I “kill” time at work when there is no work for me to do?

    12 answers



When systems are down and I cannot do my work so I have a free hour or possibly more, what is an acceptable means of passing time in the office for an engineer?



In the present situation all my work is done from my office to a remote location that I cannot reach due to network issues. I have spoke with my boss and my feedback is to wait.



Things I have considered:



  • Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge

  • Read profession related books or for pleasure (news, fantasy etc.)

  • Take a coffee break and talk with other co workers in the same situation

  • Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters

My goal here is to stay productive and be a valued member of my company however I don't think I can gain too much from productive ideas waiting for a network to come back up. I hate the idea of 'looking busy' for personal image.



There are related questions but this one is specific to system downtime.







share|improve this question














marked as duplicate by Joe Strazzere, acolyte, Rhys, Jim G., jmac Jun 28 '13 at 5:19


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.














  • There is a difference between network downtime and system downtime. Which one are you talking about ? What is your line of work ?
    – happybuddha
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:13










  • I would like to make it as general as, "I cannot do my work due to technical problems" for the general audience. In this case the network is down so I can use my system but i cannot get to the systems I need to work on.
    – Quinma
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:20











  • @JoeStrazzere my boss recognizes that I have many projects and does not give me any work to add on top of them even if I cannot do my project work now. He was not specific about what I should do other than to wait.
    – Quinma
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:29










  • Coffee isn't teh answer. Coffee is the distraction ;P
    – Adel
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:44










  • There is always documentation that needs to be written.
    – Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
    Apr 12 at 8:00












up vote
4
down vote

favorite









up vote
4
down vote

favorite












This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I “kill” time at work when there is no work for me to do?

    12 answers



When systems are down and I cannot do my work so I have a free hour or possibly more, what is an acceptable means of passing time in the office for an engineer?



In the present situation all my work is done from my office to a remote location that I cannot reach due to network issues. I have spoke with my boss and my feedback is to wait.



Things I have considered:



  • Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge

  • Read profession related books or for pleasure (news, fantasy etc.)

  • Take a coffee break and talk with other co workers in the same situation

  • Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters

My goal here is to stay productive and be a valued member of my company however I don't think I can gain too much from productive ideas waiting for a network to come back up. I hate the idea of 'looking busy' for personal image.



There are related questions but this one is specific to system downtime.







share|improve this question















This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I “kill” time at work when there is no work for me to do?

    12 answers



When systems are down and I cannot do my work so I have a free hour or possibly more, what is an acceptable means of passing time in the office for an engineer?



In the present situation all my work is done from my office to a remote location that I cannot reach due to network issues. I have spoke with my boss and my feedback is to wait.



Things I have considered:



  • Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge

  • Read profession related books or for pleasure (news, fantasy etc.)

  • Take a coffee break and talk with other co workers in the same situation

  • Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters

My goal here is to stay productive and be a valued member of my company however I don't think I can gain too much from productive ideas waiting for a network to come back up. I hate the idea of 'looking busy' for personal image.



There are related questions but this one is specific to system downtime.





This question already has an answer here:



  • How can I “kill” time at work when there is no work for me to do?

    12 answers









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:48









Community♦

1




1










asked Jun 27 '13 at 18:25









Quinma

1,011926




1,011926




marked as duplicate by Joe Strazzere, acolyte, Rhys, Jim G., jmac Jun 28 '13 at 5:19


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.






marked as duplicate by Joe Strazzere, acolyte, Rhys, Jim G., jmac Jun 28 '13 at 5:19


This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.













  • There is a difference between network downtime and system downtime. Which one are you talking about ? What is your line of work ?
    – happybuddha
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:13










  • I would like to make it as general as, "I cannot do my work due to technical problems" for the general audience. In this case the network is down so I can use my system but i cannot get to the systems I need to work on.
    – Quinma
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:20











  • @JoeStrazzere my boss recognizes that I have many projects and does not give me any work to add on top of them even if I cannot do my project work now. He was not specific about what I should do other than to wait.
    – Quinma
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:29










  • Coffee isn't teh answer. Coffee is the distraction ;P
    – Adel
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:44










  • There is always documentation that needs to be written.
    – Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
    Apr 12 at 8:00
















  • There is a difference between network downtime and system downtime. Which one are you talking about ? What is your line of work ?
    – happybuddha
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:13










  • I would like to make it as general as, "I cannot do my work due to technical problems" for the general audience. In this case the network is down so I can use my system but i cannot get to the systems I need to work on.
    – Quinma
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:20











  • @JoeStrazzere my boss recognizes that I have many projects and does not give me any work to add on top of them even if I cannot do my project work now. He was not specific about what I should do other than to wait.
    – Quinma
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:29










  • Coffee isn't teh answer. Coffee is the distraction ;P
    – Adel
    Jun 27 '13 at 19:44










  • There is always documentation that needs to be written.
    – Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
    Apr 12 at 8:00















There is a difference between network downtime and system downtime. Which one are you talking about ? What is your line of work ?
– happybuddha
Jun 27 '13 at 19:13




There is a difference between network downtime and system downtime. Which one are you talking about ? What is your line of work ?
– happybuddha
Jun 27 '13 at 19:13












I would like to make it as general as, "I cannot do my work due to technical problems" for the general audience. In this case the network is down so I can use my system but i cannot get to the systems I need to work on.
– Quinma
Jun 27 '13 at 19:20





I would like to make it as general as, "I cannot do my work due to technical problems" for the general audience. In this case the network is down so I can use my system but i cannot get to the systems I need to work on.
– Quinma
Jun 27 '13 at 19:20













@JoeStrazzere my boss recognizes that I have many projects and does not give me any work to add on top of them even if I cannot do my project work now. He was not specific about what I should do other than to wait.
– Quinma
Jun 27 '13 at 19:29




@JoeStrazzere my boss recognizes that I have many projects and does not give me any work to add on top of them even if I cannot do my project work now. He was not specific about what I should do other than to wait.
– Quinma
Jun 27 '13 at 19:29












Coffee isn't teh answer. Coffee is the distraction ;P
– Adel
Jun 27 '13 at 19:44




Coffee isn't teh answer. Coffee is the distraction ;P
– Adel
Jun 27 '13 at 19:44












There is always documentation that needs to be written.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
Apr 12 at 8:00




There is always documentation that needs to be written.
– Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
Apr 12 at 8:00










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
0
down vote



accepted










Options #1 and #4 are the most reasonable. If you pull out textbooks, I mean.. it just seems too academic for an office environ(but maybe i'm wrong).



But yes to:



Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge


and



Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters


Although "surfing the web" evokes a passive form of engagement, so restrict it(keep it controlled also). Think from the boss' point of view. If you can hone, perfect, improve your current work - that'd be priority #1. Also, lookk into extra-training and etc.



Nice problem to have, i'd say!






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    never work on personal projects in the office, at least if you've signed a typical engineer's employment contract in the US. you'd be inviting an intellectual property nightmare.
    – Woodrow Barlow
    Apr 26 '17 at 20:40


















up vote
0
down vote













If the remote systems are for a client, and the client is, for example, a bank, then a good thing to do is learn more about banking. In short, it isn't necessarily your technology development that makes the most sense, but the business matters the project you're working on solves. You're 'surfing' might be in the direction of the regulatory framework your client works in, or issues with logistics if it's a company selling products, or cost issues with running an airline if it's an airline. In short, try to get more inside your customer's shoes.






share|improve this answer



























    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    0
    down vote



    accepted










    Options #1 and #4 are the most reasonable. If you pull out textbooks, I mean.. it just seems too academic for an office environ(but maybe i'm wrong).



    But yes to:



    Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge


    and



    Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters


    Although "surfing the web" evokes a passive form of engagement, so restrict it(keep it controlled also). Think from the boss' point of view. If you can hone, perfect, improve your current work - that'd be priority #1. Also, lookk into extra-training and etc.



    Nice problem to have, i'd say!






    share|improve this answer
















    • 1




      never work on personal projects in the office, at least if you've signed a typical engineer's employment contract in the US. you'd be inviting an intellectual property nightmare.
      – Woodrow Barlow
      Apr 26 '17 at 20:40















    up vote
    0
    down vote



    accepted










    Options #1 and #4 are the most reasonable. If you pull out textbooks, I mean.. it just seems too academic for an office environ(but maybe i'm wrong).



    But yes to:



    Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge


    and



    Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters


    Although "surfing the web" evokes a passive form of engagement, so restrict it(keep it controlled also). Think from the boss' point of view. If you can hone, perfect, improve your current work - that'd be priority #1. Also, lookk into extra-training and etc.



    Nice problem to have, i'd say!






    share|improve this answer
















    • 1




      never work on personal projects in the office, at least if you've signed a typical engineer's employment contract in the US. you'd be inviting an intellectual property nightmare.
      – Woodrow Barlow
      Apr 26 '17 at 20:40













    up vote
    0
    down vote



    accepted







    up vote
    0
    down vote



    accepted






    Options #1 and #4 are the most reasonable. If you pull out textbooks, I mean.. it just seems too academic for an office environ(but maybe i'm wrong).



    But yes to:



    Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge


    and



    Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters


    Although "surfing the web" evokes a passive form of engagement, so restrict it(keep it controlled also). Think from the boss' point of view. If you can hone, perfect, improve your current work - that'd be priority #1. Also, lookk into extra-training and etc.



    Nice problem to have, i'd say!






    share|improve this answer












    Options #1 and #4 are the most reasonable. If you pull out textbooks, I mean.. it just seems too academic for an office environ(but maybe i'm wrong).



    But yes to:



    Working on my own personal engineering projects that would increase my professional knowledge


    and



    Surf the web spending as much time as possible on professional matters


    Although "surfing the web" evokes a passive form of engagement, so restrict it(keep it controlled also). Think from the boss' point of view. If you can hone, perfect, improve your current work - that'd be priority #1. Also, lookk into extra-training and etc.



    Nice problem to have, i'd say!







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Jun 27 '13 at 19:46









    Adel

    3,571104180




    3,571104180







    • 1




      never work on personal projects in the office, at least if you've signed a typical engineer's employment contract in the US. you'd be inviting an intellectual property nightmare.
      – Woodrow Barlow
      Apr 26 '17 at 20:40













    • 1




      never work on personal projects in the office, at least if you've signed a typical engineer's employment contract in the US. you'd be inviting an intellectual property nightmare.
      – Woodrow Barlow
      Apr 26 '17 at 20:40








    1




    1




    never work on personal projects in the office, at least if you've signed a typical engineer's employment contract in the US. you'd be inviting an intellectual property nightmare.
    – Woodrow Barlow
    Apr 26 '17 at 20:40





    never work on personal projects in the office, at least if you've signed a typical engineer's employment contract in the US. you'd be inviting an intellectual property nightmare.
    – Woodrow Barlow
    Apr 26 '17 at 20:40













    up vote
    0
    down vote













    If the remote systems are for a client, and the client is, for example, a bank, then a good thing to do is learn more about banking. In short, it isn't necessarily your technology development that makes the most sense, but the business matters the project you're working on solves. You're 'surfing' might be in the direction of the regulatory framework your client works in, or issues with logistics if it's a company selling products, or cost issues with running an airline if it's an airline. In short, try to get more inside your customer's shoes.






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      If the remote systems are for a client, and the client is, for example, a bank, then a good thing to do is learn more about banking. In short, it isn't necessarily your technology development that makes the most sense, but the business matters the project you're working on solves. You're 'surfing' might be in the direction of the regulatory framework your client works in, or issues with logistics if it's a company selling products, or cost issues with running an airline if it's an airline. In short, try to get more inside your customer's shoes.






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        0
        down vote










        up vote
        0
        down vote









        If the remote systems are for a client, and the client is, for example, a bank, then a good thing to do is learn more about banking. In short, it isn't necessarily your technology development that makes the most sense, but the business matters the project you're working on solves. You're 'surfing' might be in the direction of the regulatory framework your client works in, or issues with logistics if it's a company selling products, or cost issues with running an airline if it's an airline. In short, try to get more inside your customer's shoes.






        share|improve this answer












        If the remote systems are for a client, and the client is, for example, a bank, then a good thing to do is learn more about banking. In short, it isn't necessarily your technology development that makes the most sense, but the business matters the project you're working on solves. You're 'surfing' might be in the direction of the regulatory framework your client works in, or issues with logistics if it's a company selling products, or cost issues with running an airline if it's an airline. In short, try to get more inside your customer's shoes.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Jun 28 '13 at 4:27









        Meredith Poor

        8,8661730




        8,8661730












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