I wouldn't insult tomatoes like that I were you.
Posted on 10/09/2004 8:00:12 AM PDT by Slings and Arrows
Man Fired For Using Computer To Search For Aliens Man Said He Used Computer During Off Hours
POSTED: 10:33 am EDT October 8, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The search for extraterrestrial life has ended at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
The department on Thursday fired a computer programmer who admitted to using a state-owned computer server to process data for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence project, run by the University of California at Berkeley.
Charles E. Smith, 63, told administrators he didn't think loading the SETI software on the server was much of a problem because he ran the program only on weekends and on weekdays between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., when the server wasn't being used, according to a disciplinary report.
Department director Tom Hayes disagreed.
"I understand his desire to search for intelligent life in outer space, because obviously he doesn't find it in the mirror in the morning," Hayes said. "I think that people can be comfortable that security has beamed this man out of our building."
Smith, who earned $60,000 a year, didn't return a phone call seeking comment from The Plain Dealer.
There was no immediate response to messages left Friday by The Associated Press at the two phone listings in Columbus under the name Charles E. Smith.
Why should he use good manners? He's better than all the peasants out there, a higher being, one of the elite. Heck, I'm sure his whiny employeers bow down before him everyday and thank him for letting them serve him.
Well, thank you very much. I'll certainly remember that as I wend my way through life. I think I'm going to like the whip part. Tell me, when do I get to use the whip?
I wouldn't insult tomatoes like that I were you.
Wow, he is probably better of with a different job.
LOL! Smith used to earn $60,000 a year. It's time for him to start limbering up the ol' hamburger flippin' arm. He'll get his five minutes of fame, though, by being mentioned on Art Bell's Crazy People Coast-to-Coast radio show
Oh now I understand. You've never actually been in a management role. If you do get the opportunity, good luck keeping quality employees with your attitude.
What age is retirement? Perhaps the supervisor was looking for an excuse. I don't think we have the whole story.
Alien anal probe...big time.
I almost wonder if that comment opens up the supervisor to litigation. Regardless, pretty silly comment. When you have to fire an employee, it's always best to keep your comments to an absolute minimum. It wasn't professional at all.
Heh...what I contrast...I have a SETI certificate from a couple years ago proudly displayed in my office........I don't run the software anymore...not because I was asked NOT to, just because I changed computers...now I JUST MIGHT start up again just because of this bozo....
The DUmbass boss and half the folks on this thread have no idea what the software does. Otherwise they may feel pretty foolish about what this guy got fired for.
A lot of people at my company run it. It doesn't take away from work and uses very little bandwidth. And requires NO intervention from the person that loaded it.
If they want to fire the guy for loading unauthorized software, fine. But don't make the guy out to be a kook in the rags. And I've seen gov't employees get away with much more and keep their jobs.
That being said I don't run it because I turn my machines off at night.
yep...poor dumb ba**ard...8)
No, it was not; and I would argue it reflects poorly on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services – probably grounds for termination.
That was my thought too. It's bad to be an intellectual idiot OR a moral idiot, but when the boss is both Bad Things Happen (TM).
OK, now I HAVE to reinstall the software!
Stupid comment to make. I suspect that this man was fired for other than his running SETI on his computer, that this was just an excuse. Companies do have the right to set policy on what software they want on their computers, but they could have handled this with a warning and removing the software. I know people who have had "unauthorized" software on their computers at their jobs, and they didn't even get letters of warning or reprimand. They just got told to remove it.
Wow, I didn't know we had a SETI team. Shoot, I've got a few blocks I can kick in ;)
OK I've been thinking about doing this SETI thing...Off to download the software and join the other FReepers. Bump so I can find this thread again.
My company has extremely strict rules about what you can and can not down load and install on your computer. All downloads must be cleared by IT even updates on existing programs.
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