The totally off-topic thread

[penegal]

Yes. Someone did use my computer when I wasnt there, to access "questionable" material. That leads back to me and could have cost me my job. It wasn't fun meeting with the director less than a month into my new job to talk about that sort of thing.

Did they also use your user account? or just the PC?

 

[Pushka]

I understand the issue of people using the laptop for questionable activities. On the other hand if people do have generic access then you can't be held responsible for that unless it can be proven somehow that you were using it when the items were downloaded.

Ok. How about emails then. Company provided email addresses. Is it acceptable for these to be monitored and how about use of Facebook etc (and this forum ) on your work computers and in work time?

 

[simongr]

I think it is perfectly acceptable for work to monitor your emails and internet usage on a work provided machine. If someone screws around all day on the internet but gets the job done then I have no issue - if I find out I will find more work for them...

 

[SeatBackForward]

I think it is perfectly acceptable for work to monitor your emails and internet usage on a work provided machine. If someone screws around all day on the internet but gets the job done then I have no issue - if I find out I will find more work for them...

I tend to use the internet a fair bit while I'm at work - does it affect my performance? I wouldn't say, have never had any complaints what so ever, in fact often the opposite. But llike Simon has put it in the quote, i will tend to use it more when the work slackens off a bit. I'm not sure if that should mean I do more work however!.

To me having interent access is a bit like having a radio on in the background, I choose when to focus my attention on it.

 

[blackcat20]

Did they also use your user account? or just the PC?

It was left logged on as I hadn't been given my own user account (why it takes three weeks to set one up I have no idea). So two of us got a grilling, but fortunately the director knew it wasn't either of us. But we had to get in quick before the uni picked it up.

Ok. How about emails then. Company provided email addresses. Is it acceptable for these to be monitored and how about use of Facebook etc (and this forum ) on your work computers and in work time?

I use Facebook at work; its actually encouraged (in writing). I have two screens so I have personal email, facebook and AFF running on one, and work stuff on the other. I still get my work done, but its nice to take a break every now and then (and some days I barely have time to look anyway).

 

[Hvr]

<snip>

To me having interent access is a bit like having a radio on in the background, I choose when to focus my attention on it.

I hate radios playing in the background. If you want to listen to music etc then use headphones rather than forcing other people to listen to your noise. It is in my view selfish.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I hate radios playing in the background. If you want to listen to music etc then use headphones rather than forcing other people to listen to your noise. It is in my view selfish.

I'm not saying I have a radio at work..it was an analogy. But yes I do have headphones.

 

[JessicaTam]

I hot-swap my desk with the oncoming OIC. If there is anything left on the desk (notes, etc) they go into the bin. And the same happens if I leave anything behind. I spend 30 seconds logging in, adjusting the chair and monitor, and tuning the radio and I am comfortable. The next shift does the same. A system that works well.

 

[blackcat20]

I hot-swap my desk with the oncoming OIC. If there is anything left on the desk (notes, etc) they go into the bin. And the same happens if I leave anything behind. I spend 30 seconds logging in, adjusting the chair and monitor, and tuning the radio and I am comfortable. The next shift does the same. A system that works well.

I guess it depends on your profession. I'm in research so I have my own office desk, and my own lab desk. It would be too chaotic to be swapping around on a daily basis. Plus I've seen the amount of paperwork stacked in floors in other offices at work, I'll stick to mine!

 

[Pushka]

I'm in research too. Always have been. Never had my own office. I do have my own laptop. I hot desk with someone else. We cope.

 

[blackcat20]

I'm in research too. Always have been. Never had my own office. I do have my own laptop. I hot desk with someone else. We cope.

Fair enough. I couldn't work like that. I've always had my own space wherever I've been. We have desktops where I am now so it's a bit hard to be shuffling around.

 

[medhead]

Lovely.

Me: I got a op-up tonight.
SWMBO: Yeah you said you wanted one, and you got it. So you can shut up about it now.

 

[Flashback]

I hate people using my desk when I'm not at work! The mess that gets left behind (including cups of cold coffee) is just revolting. Apparently I also supply stationary to the rest of the group (ie. too lazy to go upstairs to get their own).

Agree.

Totally agree Pushka - I get quite irksome with people that demand to keep "their" chair or "their" stapler when it was funded by the company.

Depends. Sometimes a chair is bought for someone for a specific medical reason; it is a chair bought specifically for them for a specific purpose and with OH&S you'd be surprised at how much poop they could get in if someone else decides to use it and said person it was intended for has to use another 'generic' chair and has an issue.....

 

[Flashback]

What a difference it makes when you call a provider getting a competent agent on the phone. Just had to call British Gas again regarding some incorrect meter readings and this chap knew exactly what was going on (unlike my last call) and had everything as sorted (as it can be, anyway) in no time.

 

[drron]

OK to follow Flashware I will be a fool for 5 minutes.We have been given 2 bottles of South African Sparkling wine which I am told is pretty good.So has anyone taken a bottle of bubbly on a ~ 15 hour flight in checked baggage.Will the shake,rattle and roll pop it's cork so all our clothes smell of wine or can it make it?

 

[cove]

Had David Jones Amex do a credit limit sweep and they wrote to Mrscove reducing her credit limit from $20,000 to $5,000. Then I call and get told it is not something that is negotiable so I hang up. Mrscove is amazed that this company which is clearly struggling would do this when our last purchases were late getting supplied for Christmas.
Other than the food hall in Sydney I think we can shop elsewhere and because we travel to London and Los Angeles we can buy better quality typically at half their prices.

Well drron I have not carried alcohol in my suitcase as the smell and stickiness would be a bummer. What about having another bag and put the bottles in a foam carrier inside that additional bag?

 

[Flashback]

I've taken bottles of wine and vodka before, but not bubbles.

 

[Katie]

OK to follow Flashware I will be a fool for 5 minutes.We have been given 2 bottles of South African Sparkling wine which I am told is pretty good.So has anyone taken a bottle of bubbly on a ~ 15 hour flight in checked baggage.Will the shake,rattle and roll pop it's cork so all our clothes smell of wine or can it make it?

Two years ago, my FIL brought back a bottle of Taittinger from Reims to Aus - 2 trains, and 3 flights (LHR-SIN-SYD-BNE). It was fine.

 

[Major]

Back from the Dawn Service and gunfire breakfast with several tots of Bundy. Then off to the March and start over again....it's going to be a long day

 

[medhead]

Just one strong tot for me. But had to bring my daughter home. Great that they're willing to get up early.