Trying To Not Take Ourselves too Seriously

IBM Cartoons of the Century

Published August 10, 2021

IBM Cartoons of the Century

 How many IBMers does it take to fix a mainframe?

I found this cartoon in an old IBM book that I ordered from Alibris. There was no name inside the book but this cartoon was an obvious bookmark in a well worn book. I am sure that many an IBMer has personalized a cartoon such as this.

​Maybe someone remembers the players in this comedy of errors. IBMers contrary to what people may think were always willing to poke fun at themselves, but let that poking be from the outside and you were in for a fight!

Enjoy

Pete

 AS/400 customers knew that Systems Engineers practiced magic

​In the late 80s I was a AS/400 Systems Engineer. I wanted to be a Customer Engineer but was rejected because I was color blind. But I would always get in trouble with the C.E.'s because I would do the hardware upgrades myself anyway. (Thanks Willie!) So, when I went to customer sites I usually carried a tool box with me.

Most of these accounts had never seen a computer before and with the AS/400 you would end up spending a few weeks at the account helping the Systems Administrator get their processes in place. As I was about to leave one account I had been at for a few weeks, I found this cartoon taped underneath the lid, where it has been for the last 20+ years.

Not only did IBMers have a sense of humor but our customers did too.

 The IBM Family sometimes had to be told what's what

Then there was the best team I ever belonged to: Team OS/2.

​One of our guys took this cartoon and modified it to show our team under the leadership of one of our favorite IBM executives of all time (TMF you know who you are, you U.S. Marine you!).

Of course, we respected him but had fun beating each other over the head, and yes we had some personality conflicts too!

Kevin is up to bat!

 Be careful replacing (PC) mouse balls

There was a time when IBM was the market leader in personal computers (PC). It even performed house calls to fix broken PCs and make sick PCs well again! Once upon a time, there was a Customer Engineer (CE) that made a house call to repair a broken mouse, and since it was a slow day, he (she) wrote this little letter of instruction to inform other CEs on the importance of the proper care of mouse balls.

I know that I couldn't stop laughing when it landed in my mail box (on PROFS). This is from an "anonymous IBM Customer Engineer" who obviously had a wicked sense of humor.

Subject: Replacement of Mouse Balls

If a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Mouse balls are now available as FRU (Field Replacement Units). Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel.

Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ depending upon the manufacturer of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the pop off method. Domestic balls are replaced by using the twist off method. Mouse balls are not usually static sensitive. However, excessive handling can result in a sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately.

It is recommended that each person have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum customer satisfaction. Any customer missing his balls should contact the local personnel in charge of removing and replacing these necessary items.

Please keep in mind that a customer without properly working balls is an unhappy customer.