[ale] Getting around blocking software

[Greg]

Several folks have been fired by "just going to a blog community site" or
even just having a blog (I recall a site by a Ms. Hamilton or "Dooce" that
got her fired a while back and was a big cause celebre on the 'net).  I know
of others who have gotten fired by going to a blog site.  If the company
thinks that any site will offend anyone, then they will block it and
possibly fire anyone who would go there - else they can be accused of not
following the rules for everyone.  The law as it applies to sexual/etc. etc.
harassment is rather clear on this.  It only takes one instance to get the
pink slip.  I would ask yourselves if it is worth it.  Despite the fact that
many do it and it can be harmless, most companies frown on surfing and have
rules in place to fire someone who does it.  The choice is up to you, but I
wouldn't suggest it unless you can easily get another job.  If I was a
manager and it meant my job (for ignoring the rules by allowing someone to
break them) or firing someone who placed my job in jeopardy by disobeying
the rules, I don't think it takes a GED to figure out who sees the door
first.  If on the other hand your SO. works in a place that doesn't care,
then ask and you shall receive (and thus put the company in the position of
endorsing the activity).

Good luck,

Greg

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org]On Behalf Of Ryan
> Williams
> Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 8:18 PM
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
> Subject: Re: [ale] Getting around blocking software
>
>
> > If they'd freak if they found her using ssh, what do you think they
> > would do if she attempted to 'mask' the ip as you've suggested.  I
> > think you're walking a very thin line here.  Is it worth the risk?
> > Ask them to permit the access if it's harmless enough.  It is her
> > employer, so it's their final word.
>
> Honestly, they are not going to make a big deal out of her going to a
> particular IP address. If they do find it inappropriate, they would
> simply add that address to the block list as well. This was a case of a
> site being flagged by software because it assumed the content to be of
> an adult nature, when in actuality, it was just a bloging community.
> The problem with her using SSH is that they would indeed freak out if
> she were running unapproved software, especially something like SSH
> that most people in her office wouldn't even understand. That just
> looks shady, where viewing what a blog community site on down time
> isn't a big deal.
>
> Ryan
>
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