One of the things that honestly worries me these days is the fact that IT in general, and sysops in particular, have a tendency to assume their users are total bottom-feeding dumbass idiot morons, and do not give the user any credit for a working brain.
I agree that the default, starting account on most systems should be pretty locked down --- however, once you've been around for a while and you've proved to the world that you're not a complete dipshit, you should be allowed certain freedoms.
Example: On my Windows PC at home, I use LiteStep. As a shell, it pwns Explorer by an incredible margin. It's been a great boost to my productivity, especially with applications like Rainlendar to help with scheduling and planning.
However, if I were to ask any sysop with this type of mindset toward users, I would be shot down almost immediately. I understand that ITs have to deal with tons of idiots every day, but it is important to make the distinction that IT is there to aid the users in getting the job done. That's the reason the computers are there, that's the reason the sysops are there, that's the reason everyone is there.
Another reason that this is a bad idea is because, in large part, the default install at most workplaces sucks. IE for browsing, Microsoft Office for everything else. Period. I understand the necessity of using Microsoft Office, but there is absolutely no reason to force me to use IE on the job (excepting, of course, IE-dependent applications on-job). There are also a myriad of helper and (somewhat) luxury applications, like WinAmp, which could easily be allowed without hurting anything.
Ultimately, I guess, the ITs need to get off their damn high horse. It's time to stop assuming that every worker is going to take every possible chance to slack off, or screw up the equipment, or whatever else you're afraid of. Seriously. ITs need to remember that, regardless of their personal opinion of the worker in question, they and the users are equals, and need to act accordingly. I have found that using a little respect and guidance works much better than trying to reduce the computer to a meaningless black box.
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One of the things that honestly worries me these days is the fact that IT in general, and sysops in particular, have a tendency to assume their users are total bottom-feeding dumbass idiot morons, and do not give the user any credit for a working brain.
I agree that the default, starting account on most systems should be pretty locked down --- however, once you've been around for a while and you've proved to the world that you're not a complete dipshit, you should be allowed certain freedoms.
Example: On my Windows PC at home, I use LiteStep. As a shell, it pwns Explorer by an incredible margin. It's been a great boost to my productivity, especially with applications like Rainlendar to help with scheduling and planning.
However, if I were to ask any sysop with this type of mindset toward users, I would be shot down almost immediately. I understand that ITs have to deal with tons of idiots every day, but it is important to make the distinction that IT is there to aid the users in getting the job done. That's the reason the computers are there, that's the reason the sysops are there, that's the reason everyone is there.
Another reason that this is a bad idea is because, in large part, the default install at most workplaces sucks. IE for browsing, Microsoft Office for everything else. Period. I understand the necessity of using Microsoft Office, but there is absolutely no reason to force me to use IE on the job (excepting, of course, IE-dependent applications on-job). There are also a myriad of helper and (somewhat) luxury applications, like WinAmp, which could easily be allowed without hurting anything.
Ultimately, I guess, the ITs need to get off their damn high horse. It's time to stop assuming that every worker is going to take every possible chance to slack off, or screw up the equipment, or whatever else you're afraid of. Seriously. ITs need to remember that, regardless of their personal opinion of the worker in question, they and the users are equals, and need to act accordingly. I have found that using a little respect and guidance works much better than trying to reduce the computer to a meaningless black box.
1. Increase overhead astronomically.
2. ???
3. Profit!