IT Horror Stories with Jack Smith

Once upon a time, Change Management meant raising an RFC, preparing a rollback plan, and surviving the Change Advisory Board. Today, it also means stakeholder engagement, communication plans, adoption metrics, workshops, and apparently having the emotional intelligence of a licensed therapist Whether you're a project manager, systems engineer, change manager, or simply someone who's ever heard the phrase "we've always done it this way," this rant will probably feel uncomfortably familiar. Want even more info ? Read our show notes and related blog post related to this episode : https://blog.ithorrorstories.eu/jacks-rants-the-new-change-management/ 00:23 Introduction 01:23 Evolution of Change 02:39 Change Challenges 04:14 Human Factors 06:56 Practical Solutions 10:25 Conclusion

Printing is one of those technologies everyone assumes should have been solved years ago — until someone can't print invoices, shipping labels stop coming out, or 50,000 customer letters suddenly disappear into a print queue somewhere. In this episode, we take a tour through the strange and surprisingly complex world of printing: from small desktop printers and office multifunction devices to enterprise print servers and industrial mass-mailing environments that still move serious business. We explore why printing continues to survive every digital transformation, what actually happens behind the scenes when you click "Print," and why reliability suddenly becomes very important when paper turns into payroll, warehouse labels, customer communication, or operational downtime. Because nothing reminds people that IT exists faster than when the printer stops working. Want even more info ? Read our show notes and related blog post related to this episode : https://blog.ithorrorstories.eu/episode-15-spooling-out-of-control/ 00:00 IT Horror Stories 02:00 Industrial Printing 06:00 Printer Installation 11:00 Mission Critical Printing 15:00 High Volume Printing 17:30 DTP and Mac Systems 24:00 Printing Challenges

We explore a hypothetical ransomware scenario that mirrors what many organizations could face today. Imagine a normal day where systems suddenly become inaccessible, data is encrypted, and the scope of the attack starts to unfold in real time. What follows is a race against the clock, with teams trying to understand what's happening while keeping critical operations alive. More importantly, we focus on the response and recovery: the trade-offs, the communication challenges, and the lessons organizations can take away before something like this actually happens. Because ransomware isn't just a technical problem — it's an operational and human one, where preparation and clarity matter as much as the tools in place. Want even more info ? Read our show notes and related blog post related to this episode : https://blog.ithorrorstories.eu/episode-13-ransomware-lockdown/ 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Ransomware Explained 03:08 Attack Entry Points 06:16 Employee Training 13:00 AI Phishing Threats 20:18 Data Leaks Aftermath 25:26 Cybersecurity in Mergers 28:18 Recovery Steps 33:04 Conclusion

Installing a 5G antenna on a rooftop in downtown Paris sounds simple enough - until reality sets in. In this episode, we walk thru the saga of a project that required not one, not two, but multiple site visits before the antenna finally worked as expected. Permits, building access, scheduling delays, unexpected power requirements - each visit brought a new twist, each delay a new story. Was it bureaucracy? Weather? Or just the uniquely French way of doing things? Join us on the rooftops of Paris for a tale of project planning, technical hurdles, and cultural aspects that turns a routine install into a mini-series of its own. Want even more info ? Read our show notes and related blog post related to this episode : https://blog.ithorrorstories.eu/episode-5-paris-rooftops/ All other links and socials : https://links.ithorrorstories.eu/ 00:00 Welcome Back 01:04 Paris Client Challenge 04:40 Paris Commute Fail 08:07 Rooftop Install Mishaps 15:07 Bureaucracy Battles 20:31 Soundtrack Trauma 27:47 Christmas Song Rant 32:57 Lessons Learned 33:38 Disclaimer & Wrap-Up

We're unpacking the critical steps behind migrating a domain name — a process that can disrupt everything from search engine indexing and referral traffic to email deliverability and authentication. Join us together with an industry expert and let's explore the technical risks, from broken redirects to, yes — forgetting to update your SPF records and wondering why your emails end up in spam (don't worry, you're not the first). In the end it's all about executing that clean, strategic transition that protects your visibility, performance, communications and a good night sleep. Want even more info ? Read our show notes and related blog post related to this episode : https://blog.ithorrorstories.eu/episode-3-fun-with-domain-names/ All other links and socials : https://links.ithorrorstories.eu/ 00:00 Meet Jack & Chris 01:40 Domain Dilemmas 09:58 Transfer Challenges 15:32 Domain Values 24:52 Registrar Nightmares 28:19 Web Migration 35:32 Closing Thoughts

What happens when a data center goes up in smoke—literally? In this episode, we sift through the potential ashes of a not-so-great day. Join us as we chat about servers, batteries, paperwork and holidays, and the surprisingly flammable side of computing. It's a smoky mess, and we're here for it. Want even more info ? Read our show notes and related blog post related to this episode : https://blog.ithorrorstories.eu/our-first-datacentre-fire/ All other links and socials : https://links.ithorrorstories.eu/ 00:00 Welcome Back 02:14 The Setting 04:17 Disaster Strikes 07:58 Tech Failsafe 16:45 Recovery Mode 24:15 Company Culture 30:09 Conclusion