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Ask Slashdot: No-Install Programming At Work?

Posted by timothy on from the you-were-never-here dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Hello! Every summer (and other holidays) the work load at my job becomes minimal. I like scripting (HTML, CSS etc.) and would like to get into programming just to tinker a bit due to curiosity. At work we are not allowed to install anything except company approved software. Is there something I can program in that has an IDE like PortableApps.com? I guess I am asking for a recommendation on both language and IDE at the same time. Again, I want to reiterate that this is to satisfy my tinkering curiosity and thus not need something great, just something more advanced than HTML/CSS."

14 of 386 comments (clear)

  1. Uhh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    How about you tinker on your own time before IT finds out and your ass gets fired?

    1. Re:Uhh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Shut up asshole. If the workload is light, and the boss finds you trying to expand your skills, you really think that's a hanging offense? If you don't have an impulse to do this sort of thing, you're in the wrong profession. Git'r'done sandbags like you should look up the term 'false economy'.

    2. Re:Uhh by jtownatpunk.net · · Score: 4, Insightful

      ^^^Ding ding ding!!!^^^

      The ownership of anything you do during your work hours would be in question (at best). Most likely, if you're in IT, you've signed something that says anything you create while on the clock belongs to your employer and there would be no question at all. They're paying you to do the work they provide. If they can't keep you busy and you don't want to be paid to sit on your ass, find an employer that can keep you engaged.

      If you insist on doing personal stuff during work hours, at least be smart enough to do it on your own equipment. You can get a brand new craptop for under $300. Frys has 7 15" laptops between $249.99 and $299.99.

    3. Re:Uhh by spazdor · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You're right, that will definitely convince them to reconsider their overly strict policy not to mention help to cement your job security.

      related: http://xkcd.com/651/

      --
      DRM: Terminator crops for your mind!
    4. Re:Uhh by viperidaenz · · Score: 1, Insightful

      If he starts the next facebook and it turns into a billion dollar company, say hello to millions upon millions of dollars worth of legal fees.

    5. Re:Uhh by fluffy99 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Or his employer might decide he's not being productive if he has time to "play" with non-work related stuff. Why not ask you boss for permission? Otherwise, generally if you're not allowed to install software there is also a policy that you will not run unauthorized software either.

    6. Re:Uhh by swillden · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The ownership of anything you do during your work hours would be in question (at best).

      Which is relevant how?

      His goals are to learn something and pass the time, not build the next killer app. How does it his employer potentially owning the code he writes interfere with those goals?

      --
      Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
    7. Re:Uhh by fluffy99 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      In your inexplicable urge to sound high and mighty, you totally missed the point. Yes, I read the question, and I totally recognize that some jobs have surges and slow times. Had a few like that myself and had bosses that praised my initiative in learning while idle, and one that told me to go home because he wasn't paying me to fart around.

      What I was pointing out was that if he's idle and wants to do something he thinks might be a useful, then he should let his boss know. Particularly if that action could be viewed as violating some IT policy and might be used as an excuse to shitcan him. Keep in mind that non-tech HR types will be happy to call it hacking software if they are trying to fire you.

      Bottom line is that being sneaky about this is not a good idea.

  2. Professional development by tepples · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Or you could learn to be more creative in justifying your learning to managers.

  3. Remote Desktop by CyberBill · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Use a web-based (GoToMyPc.com?) or pre-installed remote administration app (Windows Remote Desktop? maybe VNC?) - or install RealVNC and use it's web app. Then control your home PC and run whatever IDE and language you prefer. I'd recommend Visual Studio Express and C# or C/C++, but that's just personal preference.

    --
    -Bill
    1. Re:Remote Desktop by mwfischer · · Score: 1, Insightful

      and probably get fired

    2. Re:Remote Desktop by kiwimate · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If they are not allowed to install anything not on the list, remoting to a PC outside of the company firewall is probably a firing waiting to happen.

  4. Bring in your own laptop and get permission first by vux984 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If you are not allowed to install anything not on the list, working around the rule using "portable applications" is rarely acceptable either.

    What? Do you think the rule against "installing" things was because someone doesn't like the add/remove programs window getting cluttered up? Do you really think they'd be a-ok with you downloading a ton of crap and running it just because it doesn't require an "installation"?

    As far as most normal IT people are concerned the fact that you didn't use an "installer" to get your non-approved crap on the PC is generally completely irrelevant.

  5. PythonAnywhere by jashsu · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Because you explicitly asked for both a recommendation on an install-free solution as well as a language. https://www.pythonanywhere.com/