Get out the Popcorn!

[DelawareDave]

Since the popcorn bowl is out, I have another good story. I am the “IT” guy at my place of employment, among other duties. Part of my job, is to check the company prez’s email everyday, and print any documents relevant to my other duties, or jobs in progress. There was a little “disagreement” yesterday, between one of the owners, Hamsterboy, and myself. I told him to go F himself, and that didn’t make him real happy. :jawdrop: Oh well. Words were exchanged, etc. Today, when I checked the email, there was one from Hamsterboy, to the prez. My name was in the “subject” line. Of course, I read it! :D In this email, he described to the prez, how he was tired of me telling him to go F himself, etc, and that he was going to hijack my CAD program, then he was going to install it in another computer, and made a new install disk. He offered in the past, to buy my CAD program, in the event that I suddenly passed away, or left the company for whatever reason, etc, so that they wouldn’t be up the proverbial creek. I turned him down, as I use my software to earn my living. They are in the process of purchasing CNC equipment, and my software is compatible with it.
He then told the prez, after he stole my software, then he could fire me, and they could hire someone else, who wouldnÂ’t piss Hamsterboy off, and that new person could use the hijacked software.
Now- he is under the assumption that I would not know that he hijacked my software. #2. He doesn’t know Jack Schit about computers. #3. My computer is not shared on the network, so he couldn’t access it across the network anyway. I lock my machine down every nite when I go home, to prevent “unauthorized” use when I’m not there. #4. He isn’t aware that there is a hardware lock that I take home. #5. I know about his plan now, and will take further steps to prevent him screwing around with my computer.
Now- they donÂ’t want to go out and buy my software. It is very expensive. Then they would have to find someone to operate it. They, my employer, and a number of other companies in my area have tried to hire people to operate this system. They are unable to. I know all the companies around me, and know all the hiring managers. They have all told me they get absolutely no phone calls or resumes for the position. The few people around here who know the software, have jobs, and wonÂ’t switch to another company. And we get paid reasonable wages and benefits, as well as other perks.
I have decided, in view of these events, to either put a copy of the incriminating email on HamsterboyÂ’s desk, with a note from me, or put a picture of a rattlesnake with itÂ’s head cut off on his desktop, then hide the control panel icons so he canÂ’t change it. :idea:

[yopengo]

Do both and send us the pics. :D

[In2Deep]

Your employer (the Prez and Hamsterboy) are morons to begin with.
Anyone who hinges a critical aspect of their entire business on a proprietary software program, that only one person knows how to run and who also holds the company hostage on a daily basis (locks the sofware down for purely selfish personal reasons) -- deserves to fail.
How's that for popcorn.

[JB in so cal]

must be something in the ***boat water:)

[mickeyfinn]

I always liked making a bitmap of someones desktop with the tasbar visible. Then get rid of all his icons and move the taskbar to the top and turn on autohide. His desk top will look normal, all his icons will seem to be there, along with the taskbar and start button yet nothing will work. Harmless, easy and most idiots figure it out eventually but is fun to watch or listen to them describing the problem to it.

[DelawareDave]

Your employer (the Prez and Hamsterboy) are morons to begin with.
Anyone who hinges a critical aspect of their entire business on a proprietary software program, that only one person knows how to run and who also holds the company hostage on a daily basis (locks the sofware down for purely selfish personal reasons) -- deserves to fail.
How's that for popcorn.
The CNC machine can be programmed from a console. But someone has to program it. My CAD program does it automatically. The company had one person using a company provided software program, similar to AutoCad, when they hired me. I brought my own program, as I was familiar with it, and that is just like bringing your tools to the job, whether you are a carpenter, auto tech, carpet or tile installer, etc. If you were a tech, with 35K worth of tools, would you leave your box open for anyone to use? I don't think so. I don't lock the computer down for selfish reasons. All the job blueprints are on that computer, and shared on the network for anyone to open. My company can't afford to lose the files on my machine. There are 4 other machines on the network that are available to anyone to use.

[thumbs]

There was a little “disagreement” yesterday, between one of the owners, Hamsterboy, and myself. I told him to go F himself
You sound like a wounderful employee. I would have fired you on the spot and delt with using the old software.

[Focker]

Your employer (the Prez and Hamsterboy) are morons to begin with.
Anyone who hinges a critical aspect of their entire business on a proprietary software program, that only one person knows how to run and who also holds the company hostage on a daily basis (locks the sofware down for purely selfish personal reasons) -- deserves to fail.
How's that for popcorn.
DITTO

[Bow Tie Omega]

Dude, download/back up your software and files onto CD's. Then replace your software on your work computer with incompatible software, if he is as dumb as you say he is, he will not know the difference and a couple of dumby designs in your Cad that would look familiar. Make sure you find another job first....... Let them think they pulled a fast one on you, fire your ass, and go work for someone else taking all of your designs with you. Call your customers and bring your new company the business. Let them think they got one over on you and bite your lip. And in a few weeks when they figure out what you did, and they realize that they are losing all of their business, send a copy of the email to the both of them with a big fat F/U to the both of them. Problem solved and you get the last laugh.:devil: I hate company politics

[GHT]

Your employer (the Prez and Hamsterboy) are morons to begin with.
Anyone who hinges a critical aspect of their entire business on a proprietary software program, that only one person knows how to run and who also holds the company hostage on a daily basis (locks the sofware down for purely selfish personal reasons) -- deserves to fail.
How's that for popcorn.
I would have to agree with In2Deep.... NO prospering or successful company will have a single employee that can hold them hostage. Not saying you are a POS or anything. On the contrary, you are probably worth everything they pay you. BUT, IF you were my employee and you told me to F off I would take the hit and let you go then pay someone else to finish the work you have.
You see.... Even though it is YOUR software, ALL the work material / matter on the computer is THEIRS. Therefore you only own your software and nothing else..
Everyone is expendable... I think you sould appologize to the Hamster and move on in a mature manner. Just my .02.
:idea:
Also your analogy bout the "tool box" is right.. But then again you can leave and take you tools but please leave behind everything "your tools" worked on.... Which would be EVERYTHING else...
For the record It does sound like HamsterBoy is a peice of SH!T..:D

[GHT]

Dude, download/back up your software and files onto CD's. Then replace your software on your work computer with incompatible software, if he is as dumb as you say he is, he will not know the difference and a couple of dumby designs in your Cad that would look familiar. Make sure you find another job first....... Let them think they pulled a fast one on you, fire your ass, and go work for someone else taking all of your designs with you. Call your customers and bring your new company the business. Let them think they got one over on you and bite your lip. And in a few weeks when they figure out what you did, and they realize that they are losing all of their business, send a copy of the email to the both of them with a big fat F/U to the both of them. Problem solved and you get the last laugh.:devil: I hate company politics
Problem is..... They AREN'T "His designs". They are the companies because he was paid to design for THEM..
Popcorn anyone?

[Racey]

The boss might not always be right, but he's always the boss. Remember that
if you arent happy with the conditions at your work then leave

[wsuwrhr]

The boss might not always be right, but he's always the boss. Remember that if you arent happy with the conditions at your work then leave
Times 2
I have commented on this in the past.
If you are that unhappy, just get another job. Life is too short to be all digruntled and shit. I used to be just like that, pissed off and watching the department crumble around me. I finally had enough and moved on to greener pastures.
As far as your software, I am sure it is good, but I still don't see the relevance of it. There are a 100 different types of CAM systems out there, some now for a couple THOUSAND dollars. Practically free compared to today's CNC machinery in the 30,000-150,000-1,000,000 dollar(and more) range.
Cracked copies of CAM software are like sharing porn with your buddies, you can get them for nothing.
Brian

[Bow Tie Omega]

Problem is..... They AREN'T "His designs". They are the companies because he was paid to design for THEM..
Popcorn anyone?
Yeah, but the tools he used are his, meaning he can take the software and without the software, the files are useless to them unless they fork out the $35k to obtain the software to read the files. They essentially rented the software from him while he was employed. The software however retains the files and he can use those files if the company does not hold a patent on the designs. That is called industrial espionage and it goes on every day. He has no obligation to make sure his company can use those files. The obligation is on the company to provide the employees with the necessary tools to complete their job in the first place unless stated otherwise in their contracts. Shame on the owners for being so cheap and allowing this situation to be created in the first place. You should bail though, that is a poisoned well you are drinking from so to speak.

[GHT]

Yeah, but the tools he used are his, meaning he can take the software and without the software, the files are useless to them unless they fork out the $35k to obtain the software to read the files. They essentially rented the software from him while he was employed. The software however retains the files and he can use those files if the company does not hold a patent on the designs. That is called industrial espionage and it goes on every day. He has no obligation to make sure his company can use those files. The obligation is on the company to provide the employees with the necessary tools to complete their job in the first place unless stated otherwise in their contracts. Shame on the owners for being so cheap and allowing this situation to be created in the first place. You should bail though, that is a poisoned well you are drinking from so to speak.
Agreed, but. If all the designs are left behind (and I'm sure there are hard copies too) and they can use a compatible software to read files they will have to copy what they can, essentially starting over on all files currently being used. They can get through it and recover I would bet.
The company is stupid, but smarting back to one of the owners isn't too smart either. I'll bet the only reason he smarted back is because he is close with the other owner..:idea: . Kind of makes you wonder if HE creates friction between them and IF it would disappear if he left...:idea:
But then again I'm only giving an opinion from a thread posted on ***boat... Not all the facts are here..

[DelawareDave]

To make this a little clearer to some- The disagreement began when Hamsterboy decided to show up at the office. He is very disruptive to the company. He walked in, saw that the small printer in the office had 11x17 paper in it. The paper was in the printer and being used for specific documents at that time. I had just sent a batch to the printer. I walked thru the door into that room, and he was pulling the paper out of the printer, because he didn't like how it looked, and it took up space on the table! I said "Aww F*ck" when I saw what he did. He heard me and went off and started screaming and cursing at me. He went on and on with his tirade. I walked over to my desk, turned off what I was doing, and went upstairs and told the Prez I was going home and would finish his project in the morning. Hamsterboy ran up the stairs, still screaming and yelling like a 5 year old, having a tantrum. He got right in my face, still screaming and cursing, and the prez told him to shut the F up, and to knock it off. I went home. The next morning is when I found the email.
Hamsterboy has a history of screaming and cursing at employees. He called our truck driver a stupid mother F-er, and was screaming and yelling at him, because Hamsterboy didn't like how he was moving the truck.
Hamsterboy only shows up when it suits his needs. He is only still there because his father included him in the will. His own father actually kicked him off the company property for stealing, way back when. He is still stealing from the company, and it is very obvious. He had a desk at our other company, but they kicked him out of there, because he was constantly disrupting that business.

[DelawareDave]

As far as any files on the company computer- I convert all drawings to PDF format so they are available to all. I am not, or would I, cause the company to lose their files if I was to leave, for any reason. I do like my job, I do get along well with all the owners, except for Hamsterboy. I have stopped helping him with other "personal" projects, after he didn't pay me, as agreed to, for a side job.

[Jetaholic]

:D
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=29024&stc=1&d=1177063088

[uselessgrant]

go to the prez and say hey..hamster boy stays out of my hair or I'm gone and you won't like what i take with me.:devil:

[DelawareDave]

:D
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=29024&stc=1&d=1177063088
I need a bigger bowl than that! :D

[77Woodbridge]

Problem is..... They AREN'T "His designs". They are the companies because he was paid to design for THEM..
Popcorn anyone?
This is true. It wouldn't matter whether he was using his own laptop and working from home. The employers environment is what provided the intellectual stimulation to create all of the files and are the employer's property PERIOD. Even in the event of a patent being obtained the employer still would be named on it. A lot of guys have tried pulling this same crap and found themselves blackballed after the case went to court. Call a lawyer and ask if you have a leg to stand on.
If you are not happy, simply leave. Unless you guys are the only 3 working there you are also making it unpleasant for others there to. Sounds pretty disruptive.
Just my .02

[DelawareDave]

go to the prez and say hey..hamster boy stays out of my hair or I'm gone and you won't like what i take with me.:devil:
Well, I wouldn't threaten the Prez like that. We get along well. He knows how his brother (Hamsterboy) is. The 2 older brothers, Prez, and CFO, read him the riot act yesterday. I also had a little chat with Prez, and told him I felt that I didn't need to, or would not, put up with that type of treatment, from anyone, anytime, anywhere. I said I really wanted to punch his lights out, but I preferred to conduct myself in a more mature manner.

[GHT]

DD,
I have encountered many like Hamsterboy. Now that the pic is, somewhat clearer I do see your point. Sounds like you like your place of employment except for this one individual. AND that he is a disturbance to many others in the company. I would speak to the other owner and see what he thinks about all this. At that point you should have, somewhat, of a road map on what you and all the others can to with or to Hamsterboy.
Now I'm off to my office to see if I can fix one HUGE F!CKING BUST in some numbers I budgeted for a job....... This isn't going to be a good day..:(
But I hope your day gets better.
Don

[DelawareDave]

DD,
I have encountered many like Hamsterboy. Now that the pic is, somewhat clearer I do see your point. Sounds like you like your place of employment except for this one individual. AND that he is a disturbance to many others in the company. I would speak to the other owner and see what he thinks about all this. At that point you should have, somewhat, of a road map on what you and all the others can to with or to Hamsterboy.
Now I'm off to my office to see if I can fix one HUGE F!CKING BUST in some numbers I budgeted for a job....... This isn't going to be a good day..:(
But I hope your day gets better.
Don
Any day that Hamsterboy doesn't show up, is a good day. BTW- The name Hamsterboy was chosen by him, to use as a user name on "his" computer here at work. "His" computer is off limits to EVERYONE in this place, as far as he is concerned. It must be sitting there, unused, and available to him, and him only, the minute he walks thru the door. Doesn't matter if he only shows up for 5 minutes, one day a week, it better be ready for him to check his email, whenever he walks in. After all, he is the most important person in this company. Whatever he demands, whenever, is more important, than any endeavors you may be involved in, whether it is a rush job, a 5 million dollar job, or you have 20 people, at $75 per hour, waiting for something from you. Drawing a picture of his proposed Tiki Bar, in his back yard, or telling how to fix something, for the 27th time, is top priority.

[707dog]

i say take hamster boy out for drinks drinks stick him with the bill, go out and kick each others azz'z in the parking lot and let him know...(as i seen quoted some where on HB)....the beatings will continue until the moral is up...lmao...

[Kiddunot]

Dont you love the GP Edit Feature!Since the popcorn bowl is out, I have another good story. I am the “IT” guy at my place of employment, among other duties. Part of my job, is to check the company prez’s email everyday, and print any documents relevant to my other duties, or jobs in progress. There was a little “disagreement” yesterday, between one of the owners, Hamsterboy, and myself. I told him to go F himself, and that didn’t make him real happy. :jawdrop: Oh well. Words were exchanged, etc. Today, when I checked the email, there was one from Hamsterboy, to the prez. My name was in the “subject” line. Of course, I read it! :D In this email, he described to the prez, how he was tired of me telling him to go F himself, etc, and that he was going to hijack my CAD program, then he was going to install it in another computer, and made a new install disk. He offered in the past, to buy my CAD program, in the event that I suddenly passed away, or left the company for whatever reason, etc, so that they wouldn’t be up the proverbial creek. I turned him down, as I use my software to earn my living. They are in the process of purchasing CNC equipment, and my software is compatible with it.
He then told the prez, after he stole my software, then he could fire me, and they could hire someone else, who wouldnÂ’t piss Hamsterboy off, and that new person could use the hijacked software.
Now- he is under the assumption that I would not know that he hijacked my software. #2. He doesn’t know Jack Schit about computers. #3. My computer is not shared on the network, so he couldn’t access it across the network anyway. I lock my machine down every nite when I go home, to prevent “unauthorized” use when I’m not there. #4. He isn’t aware that there is a hardware lock that I take home. #5. I know about his plan now, and will take further steps to prevent him screwing around with my computer.
Now- they donÂ’t want to go out and buy my software. It is very expensive. Then they would have to find someone to operate it. They, my employer, and a number of other companies in my area have tried to hire people to operate this system. They are unable to. I know all the companies around me, and know all the hiring managers. They have all told me they get absolutely no phone calls or resumes for the position. The few people around here who know the software, have jobs, and wonÂ’t switch to another company. And we get paid reasonable wages and benefits, as well as other perks.
I have decided, in view of these events, to either put a copy of the incriminating email on HamsterboyÂ’s desk, with a note from me, or put a picture of a rattlesnake with itÂ’s head cut off on his desktop, then hide the control panel icons so he canÂ’t change it. :idea:

[Mrs. 20]

Hamsterboy reminds me of Andy on "The Office"