Should I get revenge?

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Okay, I'm quitting the company I work with, on VERY bad terms. To highlight... I came in as a systems administrator but was given tasks like 'oh help stuff envelopes', cleaning closets, and other mundane tasks. Okay, so that's not so bad.. But then the owner of the company yells at the vice president in front of everybody; then the VP comes and yells at me. The unprofessionalism that exudes from here is uncanny and besides, I'm not learning ANYTHING which is what my primary concern was anyway, just to get experience.

Their network runs at 10mbps on HUBS. We log into three Novell servers -- all varying versions and hardware. One of them is a 386 (yes, 3-8-6 we log into), another is a 486 and we have one really nice PowerEdge server from Dell, which is barely used at all, and we paid $20k for. Additionally, EVERYBODY logs in with ONE username. There is no security on the network for anything. There are no user groups on the NDS Tree, and since it's a singular user... really it's moot anyway. The conventional wisdom would be to make baby steps, perhaps upgrade our obscenely old hubs to switches so we run 100mbps on the network. It's a big step forward and doesn't cost a whole lot. My boss however (the VP) thinks we will get to that in about 4 or 5 years. Fine. When I got here there was no updates done for the Windows PCs (ie, Windows Update), most computers had NO antivirus software or obscenely outdated versions/definitions. The firewall here is (brilliantly) set up outside our network so it really doesn't manage any packets coming and going... it's just pretty looking in the rack. Our 'server room' consists of a regular room with an air conditioner.

Now revenge.. I've been pretty poorly treated here both in pay and in communication, and the level of rudeness in a professional environment is something I've never experienced before. Owners yell at VPs in front of employees. The owner has OCD (no joke, he seriously does) and stops all actual 'work' to tell us to 'line up these boxes they aren't straight'. Most of the management here has never had another job, which is to say that they took this job out of college and have never changed, and don't know the landscape of what a professional environment is.

That said... how can I get revenge, and should I do it? I admit there is a great feeling of satisfaction in 'sticking it to them'... and this is why I contemplate it. Anyways... the entire company runs on pirated software. And I don't mean a few copies.. I mean 50+ copies. We buy one license for Photoshop, Illustrator, etc... and install it on 50 PCs. The only thing we are legit with liscencing is Windows XP, since we buy computers pre-loaded with it. There is a 30 page document that details how to set up a PC which includes using a single key for every PC when we only have one license (or in many cases, NO licenses) for software.

So I was thinking that after I left, I'd file a report with the BSA.ORG (Business Software Alliance) and let them go thru an audit. My guess is that they'd owe over $200,000 in illegal software plus whatever else they may claim damages for. I mean figure with every PC running $10k in software with Quark, Photoshop, Illustrator, Office, Winzip, Acrobat, and more well.... it's pretty simple to see it would be a huge chunk of change.

So what do you think? Should I stick it to them, because of how I've been treated, or should I let it slide? I am a pretty quiet person and it takes a lot to make me mad, but trust me, by working here and getting yelled at and degraded for things you did not do well -- you'd feel just as pissed as me.

Let me know your opinions.
 

AnyMal

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
15,780
0
76
Report them, asshats like that are one of the main reasons we have to pay such high prices for software.
 

Koing

Elite Member <br> Super Moderator<br> Health and F
Oct 11, 2000
16,843
2
0
Screw them over.

Koing
 

Rufio

Banned
Mar 18, 2003
4,638
0
0
i used be in the EXACT same position as u, Scribe. Scary how similar it is , actually.

I reported them to every known anit-piracy group out there 2 weeks ago....

le'ts see what happens.
muAHHAAHAHHAAHAHAHA
 

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Question now... since I installed all the software (at the VP's behest and following instructions) can I take any blame for this?

Just want to have all my bases covered :)
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
i don't think reporting in this case is strictly revenge, they are a pathetic company with incredibly poor IT practices, so they will get what they deserve one way or another

by revenge, i thought you were going to backdoor them or something

they suck , screw'em
 

SoylentGreen

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 2002
4,698
1
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Originally posted by: Scribe
Question now... since I installed all the software (at the VP's behest and following instructions) can I take any blame for this?

Just want to have all my bases covered :)

Since everyone at your company logs in as the same person, and you're the sysadmin just fill out the form on the website.

Stop being such a chickenshit.
 

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Originally posted by: FoBoT
i don't think reporting in this case is strictly revenge, they are a pathetic company with incredibly poor IT practices, so they will get what they deserve one way or another

by revenge, i thought you were going to backdoor them or something

they suck , screw'em

I'm pissed off, but not to the point of making myself stupid :)
 

NuclearNed

Raconteur
May 18, 2001
7,863
356
126
Getting revenge on those you dislike is petty and lowbrow.
However, ensuring that justice is served when the law is broken is both noble and admirable.

I suggest you give justice as much assistance as possible.
 

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Getting revenge on those you dislike is petty and lowbrow.
However, ensuring that justice is served when the law is broken is both noble and admirable.

I suggest you give justice as much assistance as possible.

I don't know how to feel about that!! I'll take the latter explanation :)
 

Shyatic

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2004
2,164
34
91
Originally posted by: PCTweaker5
Take advantage of their unsecure network.

To do what, exactly? My network at home is more complex and faster to boot :(
 

Rapidskies

Golden Member
May 27, 2003
1,165
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I myself would say do NOT take out the company when you leave. If you are concerned about their licensing procedures I would put that in your exit interview and let them know that they are looking at heavy fines if they do not get the proper licenses if a disgruntled employee were to turn them in *wink *wink.


If you are that worried about their licensing practices, go a step further and tell them you will be turning them in in six months to verify they have purchased the needed licenses. If this company is as small as you make it sound, massive fines could likely shut their doors and leave alot of people who might like their jobs there unemployeed. I also think that seeking "revenge" is not a good reason to do anything, especially something as potentially damaging as what you are suggesting. Again if you are legitimatly worried about the licensing approach them about it, don't take out a company because your pissed.
 

PCTweaker5

Banned
Jun 5, 2003
2,810
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Originally posted by: Scribe
Originally posted by: PCTweaker5
Take advantage of their unsecure network.

To do what, exactly? My network at home is more complex and faster to boot :(

Lol not to use it to f*ck up their sh*t! Send out the IP to some hackers or something I dont know I dont work with that kind of crap so use your imagination.
 

ericb

Senior member
Nov 11, 1999
898
0
0
I'd say turn them in (to the BSA and to MS and Adobe) after you leave. If you are still working there and they get audited or sued then there have been cases where the system administrator has been held partially responsible. You should do it though because it's wrong not just to get back at a bad working experience (you still learning something...exactly what to spot and avoid in the next job :))
 

Mermaidman

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2003
7,987
93
91
Originally posted by: Whade
If you are that worried about their licensing practices, go a step further and tell them you will be turning them in in six months to verify they have purchased the needed licenses. If this company is as small as you make it sound, massive fines could likely shut their doors and leave alot of people who might like their jobs there unemployeed . . .
Hmm--Interesting dilemma, but I would fall on the side of whistleblower. This doesn't sound like a company that should be saved. In the long run, the current employees might be better off if the company folds.

To the OP--what about blackmail? :p Seriously though, if you want to be a whistleblower, can you provide documentation or other proof of the theft of software?

edit: NM--Sounds like auditors will be doing the dirty work in such a situation.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
If you were indeed the system admin and turn them in for pirated software, make sure your own tail is covered. It's very easy for the non-technical to say they had no idea what those that are did.

They can easily play it off that you used pirated software to produce lower costs of your department esp. if bonuses are ever paid on saving.

If you did in fact install software you knew was illegal you are in fact guilty of a crime. You can't use the 'my boss made me do it' excuse.

As far as professionals yelling at each other in many meetings where CEO's and millions mingled at the table I would same that's the way it always goes....in the hallways very rarely.
 

Hammer

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
13,217
1
81
Originally posted by: alkemyst
If you were indeed the system admin and turn them in for pirated software, make sure your own tail is covered. It's very easy for the non-technical to say they had no idea what those that are did.

They can easily play it off that you used pirated software to produce lower costs of your department esp. if bonuses are ever paid on saving.

If you did in fact install software you knew was illegal you are in fact guilty of a crime. You can't use the 'my boss made me do it' excuse.

As far as professionals yelling at each other in many meetings where CEO's and millions mingled at the table I would same that's the way it always goes....in the hallways very rarely.

the trick is to say that he quit for that reason in writing.

ass = covered.
 

Tbirdkid

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2002
3,758
4
81
I would leave the main server up and just throw in a worm in the others.... let them figure it out in a week.