Harish Narayanan wrote:

> I understand where they're coming from. It's just, I am only a 
> part-time sysadmin, but a full time science geek. And priorities on 
> either side of the fence don't always match up perfectly.

That's a tough gig!

I've observed that since IT takes as much time as you give it, there's a 
deep conflict between doing anything IT-related and being a graduate 
student.  I've cleaned up after several people who chose to get their 
degree and neglected the machines to the point where they got p0wn3d...  
I don't fault them in the least -- even though cleaning up the mess and 
trying to regulate upon their adviser is no fun.

It sounds like you've got the balance right, though!

-Luke