IT deleted Firefox from my computer last night.

[ECN]

do you have in-house IT guys...or some from the city?

[michigancat]

Well, kind of in house, kind of contracted.

This was general maintenance they were doing on all computers.  I've never had a problem with my computer, besides finding sound card drivers.

[kougar24]

IT guys like to feel important and be "heard." Or so it seems to me.

[ECN]

Well, kind of in house, kind of contracted.

This was general maintenance they were doing on all computers.  I've never had a problem with my computer, besides finding sound card drivers.

same with us..contracted...they come 2 times a week. if they deleted anything from our machines without asking first..no matter what it was...beating.

[jeffy]

Rusty you should try to install the new IE, it's got tabs and stuff and I bet they wouldn't find it.

They actually put a shortcut on the desktop for me.  I need an undo close tab, dammit!

Forgot to say - make sure hidden files is turned off.  It's a hidden folder.  (application data)

IIRC that folder should stay there even if FF is uninstalled.

Do a search for "bookmark" after you turn off hidden files (my computer, tools, folder options, view, show hidden files and folders)

found them, hooray. 

WORK SITES. 

IE7 
UPPITY IT BITCHES 

The biggest problem is that Firefox isn't integrated into Windows (obviously).  With IE, I can look out tabs in the internet options section.  Thus allowing me to have the users history, if there is ever a problem. 

I have no problem with deleting Firefox off your machine, Rusty.  As an admin, I don't have time to mess with machines that aren't working as intended.  If something is wrong and I can't fix it in 30 minutes, it gets re-imaged and all your data goes with it.  This is why everyone is warned before hand to use their home drive (network share). 

I'm not in the position to say that sort of thing now (different job, different position, lot larger company too) -- so lucky you.

Obviously the rules can be bent with smaller networks, but anything with more than 30 users and I'd be locking everything down.  No IM, no streaming music or last.fm, no stupid social site access.  There are ways around this though, obviously I get around this everyday where I work now.

Bottom line--I'm a mean network admin, but I run a clean system and you can't complain about slowness regarding the network either. 

Good God!  Even Saul isn't that mean!   

[dr00d]

IT guys like to feel important and be "heard." Or so it seems to me.

I don't like to hear comments like 'god this computer is slow' or seeing people getting red in the face because it takes 3 minutes to pull up google.com.  The way to take care of this is by running clean computers and networks.

My job as a network admin is to keep the computers speedy and to have the least amount of frustration for users.  There is no way to do this without keeping an iron thumb on the network and installation of non-work-used software.

[michigancat]

I really don't have a problem with removing last.fm at all.

The other programs I use shouldn't affect network performance.

[kougar24]

I really don't have a problem with removing last.fm at all.

The other programs I use shouldn't affect network performance.

Agreed. Plus, Firefox is less of a security risk than IE.

[michigancat]

Does IE just make it easier to spy on me?

[jeffy]

Does IE just make it easier to spy on me?

I wouldn't think so, overall.  IT usually has all sorts of sniffer programs that scan data in and out of a computer, plus programs on a computer.

They know you are surfing porn whether you are using IE or FF.

In fact, if they wanted to, they could probably easily read your posts complaining about them.

[KSt8er]

IT Nazis are tough to get away from with all the problems the Internet brings to a network.  They tried that crap on me so I setup a remote desktop connectiong to one of their servers and do my browsing on their machine.      

[Saulbadguy]

I really don't have a problem with removing last.fm at all.

The other programs I use shouldn't affect network performance.

Agreed. Plus, Firefox is less of a security risk than IE.

Stupid post.

[Saulbadguy]

Rusty you should try to install the new IE, it's got tabs and stuff and I bet they wouldn't find it.

They actually put a shortcut on the desktop for me.  I need an undo close tab, dammit!

Forgot to say - make sure hidden files is turned off.  It's a hidden folder.  (application data)

IIRC that folder should stay there even if FF is uninstalled.

Do a search for "bookmark" after you turn off hidden files (my computer, tools, folder options, view, show hidden files and folders)

found them, hooray. 

WORK SITES. 

IE7 
UPPITY IT BITCHES 

The biggest problem is that Firefox isn't integrated into Windows (obviously).  With IE, I can look out tabs in the internet options section.  Thus allowing me to have the users history, if there is ever a problem. 

I have no problem with deleting Firefox off your machine, Rusty.  As an admin, I don't have time to mess with machines that aren't working as intended.  If something is wrong and I can't fix it in 30 minutes, it gets re-imaged and all your data goes with it.  This is why everyone is warned before hand to use their home drive (network share). 

I'm not in the position to say that sort of thing now (different job, different position, lot larger company too) -- so lucky you.

Obviously the rules can be bent with smaller networks, but anything with more than 30 users and I'd be locking everything down.  No IM, no streaming music or last.fm, no stupid social site access.  There are ways around this though, obviously I get around this everyday where I work now.

Bottom line--I'm a mean network admin, but I run a clean system and you can't complain about slowness regarding the network either. 

You need to remember that IT is a service industry.  We are here to service the users, they aren't here to live by stupid rules and policies. 

[ew2x4]

Rusty-

check out Google browser sync. It will sync up any browser with your settings. This way, if you reinstall FF on your machine, it will keep all of your bookmarks/extensions/themes, etc.

http://www.google.com/tools/firefox/browsersync/index.html

[dr00d]

Rusty you should try to install the new IE, it's got tabs and stuff and I bet they wouldn't find it.

They actually put a shortcut on the desktop for me.  I need an undo close tab, dammit!

Forgot to say - make sure hidden files is turned off.  It's a hidden folder.  (application data)

IIRC that folder should stay there even if FF is uninstalled.

Do a search for "bookmark" after you turn off hidden files (my computer, tools, folder options, view, show hidden files and folders)

found them, hooray. 

WORK SITES. 

IE7 
UPPITY IT BITCHES 

The biggest problem is that Firefox isn't integrated into Windows (obviously).  With IE, I can look out tabs in the internet options section.  Thus allowing me to have the users history, if there is ever a problem. 

I have no problem with deleting Firefox off your machine, Rusty.  As an admin, I don't have time to mess with machines that aren't working as intended.  If something is wrong and I can't fix it in 30 minutes, it gets re-imaged and all your data goes with it.  This is why everyone is warned before hand to use their home drive (network share). 

I'm not in the position to say that sort of thing now (different job, different position, lot larger company too) -- so lucky you.

Obviously the rules can be bent with smaller networks, but anything with more than 30 users and I'd be locking everything down.  No IM, no streaming music or last.fm, no stupid social site access.  There are ways around this though, obviously I get around this everyday where I work now.

Bottom line--I'm a mean network admin, but I run a clean system and you can't complain about slowness regarding the network either. 

You need to remember that IT is a service industry.  We are here to service the users, they aren't here to live by stupid rules and policies. 

I'm not sure you either understand what I'm saying or maybe I just don't understand what you are getting at.

Streaming video/music/whatever is not a stupid rule, it creates a huge bandwith restriction for the rest of the network trying to do actual work.

I see my job as a facilitator that gets the internet and whatever necessary tools to get the job done and finished.  I don't believe the rules I enforce prohibit this.  Obviously there are gray areas based on what industry you are working IT for, but for the most part, I'd say my rules are fair (and are not stupid).

[michigancat]

Does a user with firefox really make your job that much tougher or slow down the network?

[Saulbadguy]

Rusty you should try to install the new IE, it's got tabs and stuff and I bet they wouldn't find it.

They actually put a shortcut on the desktop for me.  I need an undo close tab, dammit!

Forgot to say - make sure hidden files is turned off.  It's a hidden folder.  (application data)

IIRC that folder should stay there even if FF is uninstalled.

Do a search for "bookmark" after you turn off hidden files (my computer, tools, folder options, view, show hidden files and folders)

found them, hooray. 

WORK SITES. 

IE7 
UPPITY IT BITCHES 

The biggest problem is that Firefox isn't integrated into Windows (obviously).  With IE, I can look out tabs in the internet options section.  Thus allowing me to have the users history, if there is ever a problem. 

I have no problem with deleting Firefox off your machine, Rusty.  As an admin, I don't have time to mess with machines that aren't working as intended.  If something is wrong and I can't fix it in 30 minutes, it gets re-imaged and all your data goes with it.  This is why everyone is warned before hand to use their home drive (network share). 

I'm not in the position to say that sort of thing now (different job, different position, lot larger company too) -- so lucky you.

Obviously the rules can be bent with smaller networks, but anything with more than 30 users and I'd be locking everything down.  No IM, no streaming music or last.fm, no stupid social site access.  There are ways around this though, obviously I get around this everyday where I work now.

Bottom line--I'm a mean network admin, but I run a clean system and you can't complain about slowness regarding the network either. 

You need to remember that IT is a service industry.  We are here to service the users, they aren't here to live by stupid rules and policies. 

I'm not sure you either understand what I'm saying or maybe I just don't understand what you are getting at.

Streaming video/music/whatever is not a stupid rule, it creates a huge bandwith restriction for the rest of the network trying to do actual work.

I see my job as a facilitator that gets the internet and whatever necessary tools to get the job done and finished.  I don't believe the rules I enforce prohibit this.  Obviously there are gray areas based on what industry you are working IT for, but for the most part, I'd say my rules are fair (and are not stupid).

They aren't your rules to make. 

[dmartin]

<-- laid back IT guy.

[Saulbadguy]

Does a user with firefox really make your job that much tougher or slow down the network?

We don't support firefox, but we don't uninstall it.  It's not supported with quite a few of our web applications. We have several hundred users (out of several thousand) w/ it installed, doesn't make a difference really.

[Saulbadguy]

<-- laid back IT guy.

Same here.  I'm not concerned, or supposed to be concerned about user productivity.  It's up to the management to decide that.  I'm just concerned w/ supporting the end user.

[pissclams]

This thread smells like a Radio Shack.   

[michigancat]

IE makes things take longer.

[jeffy]

IE makes things take longer.

Turn off the phishing filter for starters....

Unable to help you increase the pipelining.

[ECN]

damn. guess you know a lot more than vagina shapes.

[Saulbadguy]

Does IE just make it easier to spy on me?

I wouldn't think so, overall.  IT usually has all sorts of sniffer programs that scan data in and out of a computer, plus programs on a computer.

They know you are surfing porn whether you are using IE or FF.

In fact, if they wanted to, they could probably easily read your posts complaining about them.

Yep - we filter all traffic through a proxy server (ISA) which is set via global policy.  This can be done w/ firefox as well.  We've got logs of where everyone goes, regardless of whether or not they delete their history <--LOL

[dr00d]

Does IE just make it easier to spy on me?

I wouldn't think so, overall.  IT usually has all sorts of sniffer programs that scan data in and out of a computer, plus programs on a computer.

They know you are surfing porn whether you are using IE or FF.

In fact, if they wanted to, they could probably easily read your posts complaining about them.

Yep - we filter all traffic through a proxy server (ISA) which is set via global policy.  This can be done w/ firefox as well.  We've got logs of where everyone goes, regardless of whether or not they delete their history <--LOL

History is the quick and easy way to explain logging to anyone.  Everyone understands 'history'--if you use the word proxy, then you will find most persons, including administration brains just wonder off into darkness.  You should know as well as I do that the more generic term you use, the more receptive most non-nerds will understand or at least be interested in the conversation.

The reason I run a tight ship is to limit questions in the first place.  I common use the phrase 'give them an inch, they take a mile' and that is usually the case.  If you say-you can use web radio after hours-soon it turns into a couple hours during the day, a month later, they are running web radio all day.  I use the same theory with FF--If I let you install Firefox, you are going to think it's ok to install something else, which leads to something else, which leads to a lot of crap on your computer slowing it down, blaming me for a crappy computer or otherwise.  This usually ends up in the ear of the CEO or CFO, who in turn, gets in my ear.  This is a vicious cycle that can be stymied from the beginning, and that is what I am doing here.

[Saulbadguy]

Does IE just make it easier to spy on me?

I wouldn't think so, overall.  IT usually has all sorts of sniffer programs that scan data in and out of a computer, plus programs on a computer.

They know you are surfing porn whether you are using IE or FF.

In fact, if they wanted to, they could probably easily read your posts complaining about them.

Yep - we filter all traffic through a proxy server (ISA) which is set via global policy.  This can be done w/ firefox as well.  We've got logs of where everyone goes, regardless of whether or not they delete their history <--LOL

History is the quick and easy way to explain logging to anyone.  Everyone understands 'history'--if you use the word proxy, then you will find most persons, including administration brains just wonder off into darkness.  You should know as well as I do that the more generic term you use, the more receptive most non-nerds will understand or at least be interested in the conversation.

The reason I run a tight ship is to limit questions in the first place.  I common use the phrase 'give them an inch, they take a mile' and that is usually the case.  If you say-you can use web radio after hours-soon it turns into a couple hours during the day, a month later, they are running web radio all day.  I use the same theory with FF--If I let you install Firefox, you are going to think it's ok to install something else, which leads to something else, which leads to a lot of crap on your computer slowing it down, blaming me for a crappy computer or otherwise.  This usually ends up in the ear of the CEO or CFO, who in turn, gets in my ear.  This is a vicious cycle that can be stymied from the beginning, and that is what I am doing here.

Sounds like you have a crappy CEO then. 

[dr00d]

Does IE just make it easier to spy on me?

I wouldn't think so, overall.  IT usually has all sorts of sniffer programs that scan data in and out of a computer, plus programs on a computer.

They know you are surfing porn whether you are using IE or FF.

In fact, if they wanted to, they could probably easily read your posts complaining about them.

Yep - we filter all traffic through a proxy server (ISA) which is set via global policy.  This can be done w/ firefox as well.  We've got logs of where everyone goes, regardless of whether or not they delete their history <--LOL

History is the quick and easy way to explain logging to anyone.  Everyone understands 'history'--if you use the word proxy, then you will find most persons, including administration brains just wonder off into darkness.  You should know as well as I do that the more generic term you use, the more receptive most non-nerds will understand or at least be interested in the conversation.

The reason I run a tight ship is to limit questions in the first place.  I common use the phrase 'give them an inch, they take a mile' and that is usually the case.  If you say-you can use web radio after hours-soon it turns into a couple hours during the day, a month later, they are running web radio all day.  I use the same theory with FF--If I let you install Firefox, you are going to think it's ok to install something else, which leads to something else, which leads to a lot of crap on your computer slowing it down, blaming me for a crappy computer or otherwise.  This usually ends up in the ear of the CEO or CFO, who in turn, gets in my ear.  This is a vicious cycle that can be stymied from the beginning, and that is what I am doing here.

Sounds like you have a crappy CEO then. 

Former CEO-- and sounds like any number of CEO who have no idea what they are talking about with IT.  You know the type- 'oh I saw a great commercial for blades, let's replace everything with blades, can you have that done next week?'

It was a fairly small network with about 300 users-200 of which had no interest in ever using a computer but were forced to do so.  Don't ask why they are forced to use computers, because I'm not giving out that kind of information on here.

[jeffy]

Does IE just make it easier to spy on me?

I wouldn't think so, overall.  IT usually has all sorts of sniffer programs that scan data in and out of a computer, plus programs on a computer.

They know you are surfing porn whether you are using IE or FF.

In fact, if they wanted to, they could probably easily read your posts complaining about them.

Yep - we filter all traffic through a proxy server (ISA) which is set via global policy.  This can be done w/ firefox as well.  We've got logs of where everyone goes, regardless of whether or not they delete their history unless they take their computer off the network and surf porn on unsecured wireless networks in random motels across the state<--LOL

Fixed.   

[jeffy]

damn. guess you know a lot more than vagina shapes.

In college, I put textbooks over the faces of the ugly ones and used it as study time.