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My Days are numbered...

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/23/2009 : 06:31:00

My workplace has been bought out, and new policies are being institued. Among the first are a "pay rate adjustment in keeping with the current economy" and a new IT policy.

The IT policy will lockdown our computers to limit frivolous use of corporate resources.

At home the only available connection is dial-up, and we have decided its just not worth the cost of a second phone line for us.

When you stop hearing from me you'll know the policy has taken effect.

Its been great guys, and I've really gotten a lot of good out of this group!

"Iris"
1984 FK/SR #4040
http://frosthaus.blogspot.com/

Take a minute to register your boat with the association!!
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/owner_questionnaire.htm

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 06:44:35

Sucks! So, you're giving up the internet, email, everything... or just us?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 06:58:05

Well, If we rename this site "Traffic engineering portal" or something similar, and make sure to throw words like flow rate, congestion, AADT, and DOT into each post, it may get past the filters, but I just don't see it happening.

I wanted to let folks know rather than just disappearing. I've seen that happen with folks and it leaves everyone hanging.

I will check in on my email from time to time, but it will be inconsistent.

Edited by - Prospector on 09/23/2009 06:58:49

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 07:50:08

DSL should be able to run higher speed on the current phone line - no need for second phone, drop the dial up provider.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 07:54:49

And since we live in th esticks, DSL is not available. We have 3 choices - dial-up, (Slow, pricey, unreliable with old & dirty phone lines), Satellite (expensive with $200 hookup fee $200 equipment fee and basic service for $50/mo on a 3 year contract), or 2 tin cans and a string.

We opted for 2 tin cans and a string. In a week our first email should get through. Unless I got the 1's and 0's reversed again.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 07:58:56

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed your posts. It would be a shame to have you drop below radar. I've always expected free wifi would show up one day. Hang in there, seek and you shall find.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 08:04:45

Prospector is going to be slinking around the office one night with a hub and some 10-100 line. Your mission Jim, should you decide to accept it.. Good Luck Jim...

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 08:34:27

Too bad...at least you still have a gig!!
Is mobile broadband an option in your area?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 08:38:20

We live in a hollow, so cell reception is one bar - pretty much rules out "internet sticks."

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 09:03:53

Chris,
We'll be sorry to see you go.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">We live in a hollow<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sounds like an opportunity, maybe you can bring WIFI to your community. Better than "pay rate adjustments" (almost certainly down) at someone else's discretion.

I don't know about up in CA, but down here you can get satellite with free/greatly reduced installation/equipment fees simply by shopping for coupons for them on the 'net. We've got a friend out in the sticks like you who's just had his installed although I think his monthly rate is about $70.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 12:54:28

Just got an update from the guys who took the early training. The comments made me spurt coffee out my nose.

Among the more memorable: "You don't need the training, just read 1984 by Orson Wells." and "They may not believe in corporate mind control, but now I do."

Uh boy. Need to dust off the 'ol typewriter and get the resumee polished up.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 13:21:50

Remember the first rule of the job search. Don't burn thy bridges. Be careful what you say (or post).

Also, change always sounds worse than it is. If your office was profitable before the acquisition, why would the acquirer want to make major changes? If it wasn't, then, you probably shouldn't be surprised. It can be assumed that it was acquired to make money. After all, that's what we all work for. Businesses aren't into mind control but, it makes sense to have everybody in the choir sing from the same score. This is just a new sheet of music. Take your place with the other tenors and sing the song the new choirmaster is directing. Remember, sometimes the new guy does have a good idea. Assuming your ethics (morality) isn't compromised, of course, grin and bear it.

Finally, I give my right backstay to have my last job even at a reduced rate. In this economy, something is a lot better than nothing.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 13:58:36

Prospector thanks for everything, I've really enjoyed your posts and am really sorry to hear about your job situation. You can't do netzero for $10 a month? It's slow but will give you your fix. It's to bad you guys don't have "Clearwire" around there. It's a wireless internet using cell phone style technology. I've got it here at work for $45 a month.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 16:24:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 ...Don't burn thy bridges....Be careful what you say (or post)....In this economy, something is a lot better than nothing.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The last two of these, after the first one, gives me pause. I'm so sorry for everyone who has worked so hard to be taken advantage of, and ssing the last item as an excuse to go back to being Mr. Scrooge. What does it hurt to let folks have a few minutes of fun during a day at work? Do you have someone peeking over your shoulder every minute seeing what it is you do? This is the horrible state of affairs: that we begin to even think "they" can get away with it. Oh boy, biggest mistake I made in 2000 was reading 1984!

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 09/23/2009 16:25:09

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5416 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 16:40:30

Chris
this stinks! Your voice, knowledge, experience and great sense of humor is irreplaceable. But having a job is good.

Does your public library provide PCs with internet connectivity? The day they let me go, I had a very important email to write, so on my way home I stopped into the local library, and LO, all you needed to do was make sure you didn't go over an hour if others were waiting.

Seems like a nice place to stop on your way in, on your way home or during your lunch hour. You could even read a BOOK.

Hang in there, its always darkest before the dawn

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5416 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 16:44:41

Oh yeah, how about an internet cafe? Like a Starbucks, Barnes&Noble or Borders bookstore. If you have a wireless laptop, you can tap right in.

If you're close enough and one of your neighbors has broadband, you could chip in and share. A Cat 5 cable will reach 100m, so you could install a wireline between your homes and split the cost.

Does Rogers cable provide broadband? Again, who's to know?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 16:54:58

Folks on TSBB have similar ideas Bruce. Without going into details, we live out in the sticks, and neither is very viable. I will have to check if there is wireless in the food court at the mall across the way.

Also, if you guys are going to miss me so much, maybe you could all petition Bell to run a line to my house so I can surf at high speed.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 19:15:06

Hang in there, Prospector. Chime in whenever you can. Maybe you could start up an internet cafe, possibly as a part-time gig.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5416 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 19:51:08

Chris
what's their number? tell me who to call

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2009 : 04:57:47

Those satellite companies are usually waiving equipment and installation. Might be worth the call to see if they negotiate. You can drop phone and long distance, plus the dial up plan (adding in VOIP) and you might break even or do even better. Could be worth the phone call? Plus we still get to keep you around.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2009 : 06:50:53

The process is in gear... Came in this morning to an empty 'C' Drive. Lost all my GPS tracks from the season's races, lost all my music, personal contacts, photos, etc.

Only message remaining in my inbox was a note to go to a new email addy on a new server to retrieve mail. All archived folders are gone.

First email in the box was a note to backup any personal info on the 'C' drive since they would be wiping them this morning...

Not sure if internet is on the new server or not.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2009 : 07:01:23

"How to Motivate Your Employees"

Step 1: Shove a sharp stick up their asses...

When I was with IBM many years ago, they had an underlying principle for their personnel policies--something like: "Treat employees like grownups and they will respond in kind." It seemed to work!

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/24/2009 07:07:16

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5416 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2009 : 07:05:22

Or "the beatings will continue until morale improves!"

But seriously folks, Chris needs a laptop to store all his stuff and to remain 'mobile' and nimble.

Any good deals out there?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2009 : 07:14:12

When I bought mine early this year, Lenovo (used to be IBM's PC division) was hard to beat. Then there are all the little "netbooks" out there for a few hundred...

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1797 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2009 : 07:35:50

A couple of communications options -- MSN, etc, is only @$22/month for dial-up. Unless you are streaming movies, etc, it works fine for e-mail, posts, etc. If you go the netbook route and have a Verizon card, etc, you can at least go out at lunch and stay connected. Finally, we will miss you -- but I know you are creative and will find a way to stay involved -- and look forward to future postings.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2009 : 12:43:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 The process is in gear... Came in this morning to an empty 'C' Drive. Lost all my GPS tracks from the season's races, lost all my music, personal contacts, photos, etc.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Wow. What a poor way to treat their people. I feel for you.

Edited by - on

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