In my day job - "What do you mean, Carmi, you don't blog full-time?" - I am often asked to comment in the media on tech-related issues. This morning's peek at the big bad world of media brings some cool news: The New York Daily News has quoted me in today's edition.The piece is called Rat on boss for cash, software groups urge. I was asked to talk about efforts by major software industry groups to turn in their leaders if they suspect them of engaging in software piracy. Byline is Daily News Staff Writer Jonathan Lemire.
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) and the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) are working with software vendors to cut down on the number of illegal packages out there, and they've struck on this rather innovative idea - namely offering hard cash to snitches - to catch some big fish. I know it's a bit geeky, but I am a geek. Right?
Here's what I said:
"Money talks. No one's going to say no to a dollar bill waving in front of their faces," said Carmi Levy, senior research analyst for Info-Tech Research Group, a computer consulting firm. "[Software companies] tried other strategies that have failed miserably. This is the last resort."Your turn 1: Would you turn in your boss? If so, tell us what makes you so disgruntled that you would consider it.
Your turn 2: If anyone lives in New York and has access to the printed copy of the paper, I'll be your friend forever if you scan and e-mail it to me at writteninc AT gmail DOT com. Thanks!
Update, 1:57 p.m. Infinite thanks to Amanda from The Amanda Files. She managed to snag a copy of the paper, then scanned and e-mailed me the article. I've posted it below. If you haven't yet visited her excellent site, please do so immediately. I promise you you'll enjoy the read. In the meantime, I am humbled by Amanda's kindness. Thank you!
Yet another update: TMCnet is running the piece here.
Click on the image to zoom in.
Hi Carmi, popped over from Michele's today!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you've had a good start to your Sunday! Hope you manage to get your hands on a copy of the paper!
I really don't know if I'd turn in my Manager, morally I'd like to say yes but these situations are often more grey than black or white and so many other factors come into play such as your relationship with said person and the extent to which they are providing these copies.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
I'm pretty sure I would turn my boss in. We have a pretty heavy duty code of ethics where I work, and to not report something unethical that's going on, is also against the code of ethics. In reality, I'd be pretty chicken, but I hope I'd do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteHi My Dear...I'm here from Michele this A.M.
ReplyDeleteWould I turn in my boss? Well, it would all depend on what the 'Boss' had done! And if it was illegal...
I honestly don't know. The circumstance has never come up so I really can't say, for sure.
Interesting question.
So is being a tech analysist separate from your work with The Free Press?
ReplyDeleteAs for the question...I have to think of bosses I've had in the past and try to damp down what was ingrained in my about being a tattletail when I grew up as one of 9 kids...I might approach my boss first (I've usually had approachable bosses). I'd probably report them if people were being hurt by what they were doing. (after I lined up something else...I mean I think if your a whistle blower you have to be prepared to be fired).
I work in a public school. I can't imagine what I'd have to turn in my principal for, because he's a good guy. I would though, since something he'd need to be "turned in" for would probably be endangering the safety and welfare of children.
ReplyDeleteBack again from Michele's...
ReplyDeleteHope someone sends you that paper! I would try to get it at our local "Out Of Town" paper stand, but I'm confined to home and unable to do that...maybe somrone in another city could do that at they're OOTPS....! Just a thought Carmi.
Thanks, everyone, for sharing your thoughts on this rather provocative issue. I think it's one that's going to stay on our radar for a while to come. Intellectual property (IP) issues show no signs of fading away. Which is good, because it means job security for me!
ReplyDeleteColleen: My full-time job is senior research analyst for a technology research firm. My work for the London Free Press is freelance. I love 'em both.
Carmi... I can get the Daily News, but which day's paper is it? Today's? I can try and get it for you.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise try Last Girl on Earth or When Tara Met Blog.
Too cool!
And no, I wouldn't turn in my boss because I love him.
I like to think I am a pretty black and white type of person. I work for the police department - which in itself presents all kinds of issues with regard to "turning in a boss" - the "thin blue line" and all that yanno. An interesting question - which at the moment I don't think I could honestly answer. I think it would depend on the circumstances...and the repercussions for myself.
ReplyDeleteHi Panthergirl. It is indeed today's (Sunday's) paper. For some reason, I find myself singing the old Joe Jackson classic tune.
ReplyDeleteI'll also ask the paper itself for a tearsheet. Just in case.
Sigh...this is fun!
wait you don't blog full time..
ReplyDeleteI do it seems.
I am so low on the union totem pole..
that is part-time right now at best.....
soon I will move up hopefully..
Over from Michele's
I see both sides to this (probably because in the organization I work for, I am the boss). I would hope an employee would challenge me first if he/she thought I was doing something that was wrong. I don't like the idea of bounties and bounty hunters and it seems that this is a way to create even more tension in the work force. Yet, I also don't agree with stealing intellectual property.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, if it was software piracy, I wouldn't have to worry about it. My principal is clueless when it comes to technology. And I say that with love knowing she would agree with me! As for other things, I suspect it would depend on what it is she did. Illegal, immoral, unethical...I probably would. We work with children and are role models.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Carmi. Hope you get an "original" paper. Everything is relative, it depends on the circumstances whether I would turn in my boss or not... I really do not know right now. Michele sent me this time, but it is always my pleasure to visit your site.
ReplyDeleteI've worked for a lot of a-hole in my day and to bust them up for a few bucks, why not?!
ReplyDeleteHi Carmi, here from Michele's :)
ReplyDeleteHmm... it would depend on the boss (his past record, his attitude, etc) and then it would depend on why. If cutting through some red tape to get a job done that benefited a lot of people, then no. But if to line his own pockets while taking something away from others, I'd give it some serious consideration.
I did rat on one mamager because he made me bring in my own software from home to do my job. Too cheap to buy software for the department, he saw nothing wrong with asking us if we had copies of certain graphic editing tools that are made by a company that sounds more like a Southwestern Building Material company than a software company, if you get my drift.
ReplyDeleteI was PISSED because my personal copy got stolen and I was out hundreds of dollars, so I did rat him out and he was reprimanded but not fired. And guess what kind of company I worked for? Why, a SOFTWARE development company.
Michele....
I AM my boss, Carmi, and believe me, there are days where I'd like to turn me in...... to someone!
ReplyDeleteThe guy I work for part-time is also his boss, so there's no one to tell about him either!
What to do? What to do!
See, I told you I was just here! Michele sent me back.
ReplyDeleteWow. This is a really intriguing concept. I can't blame the software companies. They have the right to protect their property. However, I would imagine that many people would be very reluctant to turn their boss in. I'm not sure what I would do. Kinda makes me glad I'm a homemaker.
ReplyDeleteCool that you're in the NY paper!
Glad you got hold of a copy of the paper. I would probably turn my boss in yes but right now I am a free agent anyway ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Carmi! via Michele's today.
ReplyDeleteI would never turn anyone in, especially a boss. As it was pointed out to me early on in life, I am no tthe police. If I want to be a crime stopper, I should join the force and try to catch the bad guys. I am not compelled at all to become a paid snitch for anyone.
Here I am again, Carmi. I'm the moth to your flame!
ReplyDeleteMichele did it this time.
neat-o. I did once report a boss who used to sell art and collect sales tax on the sale and then not report the tax to the state. I did it after I had procurred a new job of course.
ReplyDeleteMichele sent me, Carmi.
ReplyDeleteThe NY Daily News isn't the best rag around but it has one Hell of a lot of readers. Exposure like that is priceless. Congratulations on getting such juicy visibility, Carmi.
I doubt I'd turn in anyone where I work but there's been two jobs in the past where I might have been tempted! LOL It's all about vengence!
Doh, I was just here. But this time Michele sent me. You so famous!
ReplyDeleteMichele sent me back, yes we had fun yesterday at the festival but it was very crowded. Loved all the street theatre and the buskers.
ReplyDeleteI'm here from Michele's. Don't know if I can answer your question...would really depend on a lot of things.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the article sent to you!
Would I turn in my boss? What a loaded, yet interesting question.
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on what I'd be turning them in for. For software piracy? No. For something that would compromise my integrity or the integrity of the company or school, definitely.
Or I could go the route I did when I was in business. I couldn't prove anything, I just quit.
Quoted in the New York Daily News. Great going Carmi!!! I could never find myself working for a person that was doing something illegal or unethical. Since I am not much for quitting, I would have to turn them in. (I think...)
ReplyDeletebtw, Men are really catching the quilting craze. I have seen more men entering quilt shows than I ever have before. My father (an uphosterer) made quilts frequently with my mother. They have had some awesome creations!
cool, someone sent you the article since I was here earlier! Very nice! Here via Michele's of course! :-)
ReplyDelete