I once worked at an institution who had an asshole as a sysadmin, who was also incompetent - great combination. I was also very sure that he read my emails, which was illegal. So one day when I was really pissed off I send a mail to my friend in which I constantly insulted said admin, at the end I even mentioned that I thought he'd read this but that he couldn't do anything as he couldn't legally read the mail in the first place.
Sure enough, the next time I saw him he didn't greet, looked mad and flipped me the bird (while covering it with his other hand so no one else would see it). It was pathetic, but it made clear that he did read the mail, and that I was right, that he couldn't do anything. Every time I read about an asshole sysadmin I think back to this and feel good for coming up with a way to use their tools against them.
Btw., not recommend for someone who actually depends on that guy (I was only there for an internship).
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I once worked at an institution who had an asshole as a sysadmin, who was also incompetent - great combination. I was also very sure that he read my emails, which was illegal. So one day when I was really pissed off I send a mail to my friend in which I constantly insulted said admin, at the end I even mentioned that I thought he'd read this but that he couldn't do anything as he couldn't legally read the mail in the first place. Sure enough, the next time I saw him he didn't greet, looked mad and flipped me the bird (while covering it with his other hand so no one else would see it). It was pathetic, but it made clear that he did read the mail, and that I was right, that he couldn't do anything. Every time I read about an asshole sysadmin I think back to this and feel good for coming up with a way to use their tools against them. Btw., not recommend for someone who actually depends on that guy (I was only there for an internship).