How can I convince "the powers that be?"

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New Guy

How can I convince "the powers that be?"



To be honest I knew that this GWA Validation will bite this company in the
"back side" sooner if not later. The following is a situation that I have.
I am looking for advice, as if I had the power to make things go they way I
want 100% they would be so.



Here it is: For some time now beginning with the first legitcheck.dll file I
have been circumventing around the WGA Validation. I am sure I can even get
around this new one but I would rather not have to take that route. I am
looking for a way to push my employer to purchase legit copies of XP for its
XP workstations.



Can someone help me out here with a good way of convincing them? I could
pull the "I refuse to break the "law" and support theft of software. Then
they could pull that you're out of the door and jobless.



I am at a loss and not sure what I should do at this point, and I also feel
as a network administrator I am breaking some moral code in my own mind by
allow the company I support to use illegal software.



Heck: I have so much to prevent downloading of Warez and Music / Videos and
content filtering, to protect the integrity of this company, yet I can't
seem to remove the "stolen" OS which is installed on all the systems I
protect.





HELP!
 
Depends upon how successful you think you might be at finding new
employment. For example, if you were to report details of the violation to
Microsoft, I don't think the Company would simply ignore the information.

Perhaps you should look into whether or not you are protected by
'whistleblower' laws in your state.
 
Explain to your employer that without buying legit software you are unable to
download updates and keep their machines protected from vulnerabilities,
would they rather spend a little money on legit software or risk losing alot
more money when their systems go wrong and they lose their data because you
could not do your job properly and keep them upto date.

Andy W
 
How can I convince "the powers that be?"



To be honest I knew that this GWA Validation will bite this company in the
"back side" sooner if not later. The following is a situation that I have.
I am looking for advice, as if I had the power to make things go they way I
want 100% they would be so.



Here it is: For some time now beginning with the first legitcheck.dll file I
have been circumventing around the WGA Validation. I am sure I can even get
around this new one but I would rather not have to take that route. I am
looking for a way to push my employer to purchase legit copies of XP for its
XP workstations.



Can someone help me out here with a good way of convincing them? I could
pull the "I refuse to break the "law" and support theft of software. Then
they could pull that you're out of the door and jobless.
Click to expand...

You've got three problems as I see it:

1) You personally have worked to circumvent the PA/WGA and knowingly
violated the licensing.

2) You have not submitted a formal notice to the company that they are
running improperly/unlicensed software that may be in violation of the
licensing agreement.

3) You are liable for both of the above situations and the company can
blame you for anything that comes of it.

I would suggest that you write (on paper) a formal notice that you can
not support the piracy of vendors products and will not be able to
perform functions that require such actions. That you formally want to
make them aware that if this is discovered it could me large fines.

Get them to sign it, and make sure you keep a physical copy of it off-
site, safe, in case you need it.
 
This is a tricky one. I was in a similar situation earlier this year, with a
client whose employees were bringing laptops back from Africa, the Middle
East and Russia with pirate software loaded onto them. In fact, many of these
pirate copies didn't work too well, and users were constantly complaining
about them. I stood my ground, and said that the only action I was prepared
to take was to remove the stuff.

Result was that the client went to another I.T. firm.

So, I lost several thousand in support-fees for my honesty in supporting
legal software. Oh, I feel such a righteous glow about it. Not.

I could get FAST onto them but what would be the point, it would only make
enemies, and ensure that I never get any more work from them, even if they
become disillusioned with their new support-people.

-Question, who wins in this game? Not me, that's for sure.

The employee is in an even worse situation, having only one source of income.

If one thing's certain though, you shouldn't be hacking the validation, as
that makes you an accessory to the crime. If the firm provide you with
serials and you use them in good faith, then I don't think anyone could blame
you if the firm are cheating behind your back - But if you take an active
part in the piracy, that's another matter. (American law may differ of
course, I'm in the UK)

As suggested, get something in writing - and signed - that proves you at
least confronted them over the piracy.
 
Hey there New Guy,

I agree with the others here. Get something in writing to your superiors to
at least cover your backside first.

I think that in todays environment, especially with the implementation of
laws such as Sarbanes-Oxley (SOx), and HIPAA, the average administrators are
faced with more questions of business ethics vs. job security. We need to
stand our ground and do what we can to get them to go do the right thing.

Put you concerns in writing. Make sure that it's worded in a way that you
are acting with concern for the good of the company and not just some rant.
But be prepared for the worst. Make sure you BCC your home address for
records keeping.

Best case scenario is that the company will see the error of their ways and
comply with purchasing legal licensing.

Moderate case scenario is that they either don't respond, or they respond by
telling you that they will not comply. Make sure you keep a copy of that
response and report them to Microsoft.

Worst case scenario is that they fire you. Still report them to Microsoft,
and find another job. There is no reason that you should risk your career,
and possibly time in prison, or burdened by hefty fines because your company
decided not to do the right thing.

Good luck to you in your endeavor. Please keep us posted as to what
happens. I'm sure that we are all supporting you one hundred percent.

Best Regards,

~Will
 
New said:
How can I convince "the powers that be?"



To be honest I knew that this GWA Validation will bite this company
in the "back side" sooner if not later. The following is a situation
that I have. I am looking for advice, as if I had the power to make
things go they way I want 100% they would be so.



Here it is: For some time now beginning with the first legitcheck.dll
file I have been circumventing around the WGA Validation. I am sure
I can even get around this new one but I would rather not have to
take that route. I am looking for a way to push my employer to
purchase legit copies of XP for its XP workstations.



Can someone help me out here with a good way of convincing them? I
could pull the "I refuse to break the "law" and support theft of
software. Then they could pull that you're out of the door and
jobless.



I am at a loss and not sure what I should do at this point, and I
also feel as a network administrator I am breaking some moral code in
my own mind by allow the company I support to use illegal software.

Heck: I have so much to prevent downloading of Warez and Music /
Videos and content filtering, to protect the integrity of this
company, yet I can't seem to remove the "stolen" OS which is
installed on all the systems I protect.
Click to expand...
HELP!
Click to expand...

Why are you trying to screw the person who provids you with a living?
 
Why are you trying to screw the person who provids you with a living?
Click to expand...

refusing to support known pirated software is not "Screwing" the
employer, it's being ethical, something many people don't remember
today.
 
Leythos said:
refusing to support known pirated software is not "Screwing" the
employer, it's being ethical, something many people don't remember
today.
Click to expand...

No doubt he'll feel all warm and fuzzy inside standing in the unemployment
line.
 
MAP said:
No doubt he'll feel all warm and fuzzy inside standing in
the unemployment line.
Click to expand...

Alongside the employer who insisted he break the law as part of his
employment..?

Ivor
 
MAP said:
Why are you trying to screw the person who provids you with a living?
Click to expand...

Why should he help his employer screw the Windows programmers out of making a living?

--
 
Murdoc said:
Why should he help his employer screw the Windows programmers out
of making a living?
Click to expand...

Profits at Microsoft are not even close to being in the same as
making a living.
 
Frank said:
Profits at Microsoft are not even close to being in the same as making a living.
Click to expand...

So does that still mean that's it's OK to steal from them? Would you steal a loaf of bread, can of
beans, or a packet of chips from a multi-national supermarket? Why?

--
 
McDonalds is ALWAYS hiring.

Murdoc said:
So does that still mean that's it's OK to steal from them? Would you steal a loaf of bread, can of
beans, or a packet of chips from a multi-national supermarket? Why?
Click to expand...
 
Murdoc said:
So does that still mean that's it's OK to steal from them? Would
you steal a loaf of bread, can of
beans, or a packet of chips from a multi-national supermarket?
Why?
Click to expand...

Yes if hungry and destitute. This goes back to fuedal serfs and
poaching for food.
 
Frank said:
Yes if hungry and destitute. This goes back to fuedal serfs and poaching for food.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Now answer the first question. Just because the profits at Microsoft are extremely
large, does that make it OK to steal and pirate Microsoft software?

--
 
Murdoc said:
Fair enough. Now answer the first question. Just because the
profits at Microsoft are extremely
large, does that make it OK to steal and pirate Microsoft
software?
Click to expand...

What that company is doing is the same thing that Microsoft did with
windows in the beginning.
I don't think that this is stealing. Microsoft is the only one that
has been hauled into court over
their illegal actions.
 
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