Frustration grows with myCATS
Dear Editor,
“We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again later.”
“Error: Cannot find outgoing host to route mail to.”
“Please see your system administrator.”
“myCATS will be unavailable for the next few days for upgrades…”
Trivia question: What is more dependable – Rock climbing with nylon string, or the myCATS system? I’ll just say… they are pretty close.
I dread checking my mail because of the frustration I go through trying to use this new campus-wide system. I try to send e-mails, but when I click send, half the time it does not send it. “Cannot find outgoing host to route mail to.” What the hell? I just gave you the route – it is the e-mail address I typed! And half the time, I lose everything I just wrote! Do you know how frustrating that is? Typing an e-mail that took 10 minutes and then have it disappear because you clicked the send button! Who would have seen that coming? Not me… Surely not me.
At the beginning of the semester, many teachers told their students to use myCATS in order to get their homework, and stay in touch over e-mail. Little did they know that this is easier said than done. Many-a-time I have gone to receive my homework, or even turn in my homework that is due in twenty minutes, and not been able to log onto myCATS because it is down for “upgrades.” Let me ask you this: If they are always upgrading, why does it still suck?!
I think myCATS has potential – real potential. But it also has the possibility of causing frustration, annoyance, stress and temper tantrums because it is not up to par. Just the other day I was writing a response on a message board for class. After writing my large response that took me 20 minutes to rig up, I then clicked the post button. Guess what ol’ myCATS said: “We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please see your system administrator.” Who is my system administrator? I thought you were my system administrator! And then, ohh… and then, I clicked back to I could try to post again. Say ta-ta to my 20-minute response! The anger that flourished within me… All myCATS could do to calm me was say, “Please try again later.” Later… later!! My homework is due later! So now I should work my schedule around the Mycats so called “upgrading” schedule? I should think not.
myCATS is a thorn in my side – or shall I say, a rope that rubs my hand wrong. A nylon rope. myCATS, get your act together, and when you do, send me an e-mail… if you can.
Sincerely,
Ryan Greene
Marketing
Sophomore
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 3 2006. Filed under Opinion.
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