The curiosity in me
The curiosity I know is always helpful because it has never failed me. It has never landed me into trouble like many people would say, "curiosity kills the cat". My strong desire to know something or get to what I'm aiming at, has never eluded me... Although, there's still a very strong desire I'm still pushing at and no matter what I've heard, I'm very much still in doubt... that is, how the spirit world operates. Let me keep this for another day.
Some years ago, after graduating from school, a friend of mine whose father works at the Central Bank of Nigeria forwarded a job application to me. She said her father was offered some slots on the employment list, and she was told to bring in her friends.
Mehn!, I became so happy because CBN is a big name, and even if their pay is going to be poor, it's not going to be obviously bad. I logged into the site, checked all the required credentials, and they stated that all the files, after submitting them one after the other, must be compressed in a PDF and the size should not be more than 2 MB (or so, I've forgotten the exact quality).
I'm a very big fan of 'doing it myself' because I can't have all that knowledge and still spend money on computer work. I brought out my papers and snapped them with my phone in place of scanning (are they not the same?), I uploaded them individually, but I got hooked on the place that requires a compressed file.
I tried all possible means to compress the file into a sizable size of maximum 2 MB, but no way; all the trials exceeded 2 MB. I did all manners, but no way.
I didn't have a laptop then, so all my trials were on my low-budget phone (Infinix Smart 2), and nothing worked out.
I called Christiana, told her my issue, and was hoping she would come up with "bring it, let me do it for you," but she said I should try harder. Omo!
I took the papers and went to the best computer center in town, whose boss is my friend. I got there, told him my issue, and he laughed and said it was a small thing.
He jumped on it and arranged the files accordingly, but when he finished, the quality was more than 2 MB; in fact, it read 5 MB.
"Oga, this has been the issue; it's the size with which I'm most concerned," I said, pointing at the error.
He went back into the system again, did it, and it came out the same quality, 5 MB. He tried several times but couldn't get the exact quality. He got fed up and suggested I should try use it like that
"Don't you get it, it's a website, and it won't pass through with this quality because it's been programmed to function that way," I said.
"Hmmm, my brother, I don't know what to do again; as you can see, I've tried my best," he replied with a face and tone that show he's fed up and no longer interested in doing anything.
I picked up my paper and left. I got home so angry and tired because I paid the computer man, but he didn't do anything, and also, the next day was the submission deadline.
I became so curious about finding a way to compress the file to be able to submit the application. I thought of many things, but nothing reasonable came out. I've met the few computer centers in town, and none were able to do it.
"Why not search online?" My brainy instinct suggested and
I rushed to my phone, opened Chrome, and searched **"compress different files into one PDF online," and yay! I got directed to a site.
It was simple there; just upload the files, wait a few seconds, and see them compressed.
That was exactly what I did, and it worked.
About the job?
I submitted and was shortlisted but Covid19 came out with its big head and everything diffused into thin air.
Thanks for reading.
Curiosity is one of the attributes that makes people learn or discover things fast. Just imagine you didn't go for further research but relax and concluded that since the cafe man said it's not possible then that's it. Though you didn't get the job but you have an added knowledge and to me that is a good one too...
Don't worry, better opportunities will come around. Thanks for sharing this with us
It is important to mention that in addition to curiosity, you have great independence to solve things by yourself! good job =)
Pdf file can be compressed manually also. If I were in your place I searched for it at YouTube at the first time rather than asking help from others and it would be beneficial for you also and could save your time.