I’m curious about something. Maybe the very nature of my post will preclude some people from answering, but I’ll ask anyway:

Some people here at the Cove are often brutally honest in the criticism of their company and some of the people they work for/with. Yet they use the Cove on the job to help them with their work, which I would think, under some circumstances, would or potentially could lead to some of the people they work with – perhaps “higher-ups” – viewing their critical posts. I can see where this might cause some problems.

For example, “Joe Sixpack” posts on the Cove for a year or so, getting advice, giving advice, and, in the process, sometimes saying some critical words about something his company or boss does that Joe thinks is stupid, illegal, immoral, etc. Later, Joe’s company has a problem or question and Joe posts a question on the Cove seeking advice. As usual with the Cove, several people have some valuable input for Joe and he tells his boss about it. The Boss says “let me see that” and eventually sees what the Cove is and sees Joe’s name or “Cove name”. The Boss starts to visit the Cove himself and out of curiosity looks up some of Joe’s old posts and, to his shock, sees some unflattering things Joe has said about the company or the Boss himself.

Has anyone here had that happen to them? Do some Cove members have “dual identities” – one under which they post their true feelings and remain anonymous and one under which they post when the Boss is looking or might want to look?

I for one don't. I tried once, but kept the same avitar and the boss noticed the license plate. :eek WYSIWYG

Nobody here even frequents the site. Not their cup of tea. I would be more worried about a disgruntled member forwarding your critical post to the company website hoping that they could cost you your job, thereby potentionally eliminating you from participation. Especially if you handed them their ***in public with less than kind posts. Shattered egos are a tough thing to mend but for someone without a shred of decency, a great idea. But, they are traceable and it helps to be a good friend of the System Administrator. I would post the address in all the threads from home, if I had to. That is, in between trips to the unemployment office. :vfunny:
I would be very careful about what I say about the company in a public forum. You never know what evil lurks in the hearts of lesser men. Oh, and women, even though I reserve that type of low life behavior to educated men who may wear eye shadow and girl's underwear.:vfunny: :ko: :smokin:

Unlike my last two ex-girlfriends, I have no dual or tri or quad personalities-----(Hi Wendy and Megan---don't forget to take your pills!). It really makes no difference to me. No matter the vocabulary chosen, any posts that I've personally made about any company is based upon hard facts. If my boss were to read a post and take offense, I would simply provide the data to support it and a solution that will increase his profitability. If he still doesn’t like it, oh well. Fire me for speaking the truth. If he’d rather put his ego in front of a business improvement opportunity, then he’s in charge, so to speak. I can’t be a “yes” man or work for someone with Little Mans Disease, anyway. Just my elementary opinion. Miller Time in NY. Buh, bye now.

:smokin:

While attempting to apply some product realization and monitoring procedures to one of our divisions that has very little acceptance criteria to use in a check before shipping the product, I was told that "we aren't going to change anything". Quoting the often used ISO statement, "We say what we do and do what we say". This division leads all others in Customer Complaints. I'm told we will continue to measure the amount of complaints and submit the information to the Steering Committee for possible action. Case closed. In other words, we will use the Customer's Complaints as our Product Verification. Yahoo! Where's the danger? He's the CFO and the Department Head. Oops, now I've done it!:eek: :ko: :smokin:

I don't do the dual thing myself. I'm the boss around here (actually the wife is the boss, but it makes me feel good to think I'm in charge):)

Mike, you bring up a very good point. And one that I've thought about from time to time. My name is not so common that I can hide behind it and I publicly identified the company. My boss also knew that I visited here and wasn't so dense that he couldn't figure out the forum if he wanted to. Didn't worry me as I never said anything that wasn't true.

What might worry me more is for a new employer to come here and read my previous posts and take offense. As I'm still unemployed, I'll have to cross that bridge if/when I come to it.:biglaugh:

Wouldn't it be nice if Marc could throw up some sort of a "safety net" around us here so that others from our companies couldn't view the posts? :smokin:

Lucinda said:

Wouldn't it be nice if Marc could throw up some sort of a "safety net" around us here so that others from our companies couldn't view the posts? :smokin:

Lucinda,

You can change your user name. And, you don't have to put much in your profile. I'm assuming that if you elect to not receive e-mail from anybody in the Cove, your e-mail address isn't shown. When you look at some of the Profiles, there are some very secretive members out there. Like, where you from? The East Coast. I don't know about the e-mail address thing because I use my full name and Company name in my profile. If someone wants to look at my posts from my Company, which will never happen, thay can start reading. I'm pretty careful what I put down. I have about 4 or 5 posts that I think might be candidates for concern. But, they aren't lies! :vfunny: With the amount of posts in 2 years, it would take more than a quick search. Also, in my case, the Company paid for Premium Files access. Of course, I would take the interested party straight to the Files!;) :ko: :smokin:

Lucinda,

Does your resume mention you are a Cove member - and a major contributor? Just curious!
-Atul.

Atul Khandekar said:

Lucinda,

Does your resume mention you are a Cove member - and a major contributor? Just curious!
-Atul.

Atul, No I don't mention anything about it in the resume. But I have mentioned in a couple of cover letters that I'm a member of an international quality forum that provides unlimited support and benchmarking opportunities.;)

Hey, it sounds good doesn't it? And it is true! You all are the best support system there is. If I don't know anything about a topic, it is a sure bet that someone here will be knee deep in experience on the subject.

energy, old pal old friend, changing my name would seem to be an easy fix, but what of all the posts in response to my postings that use my name? Ah ha. Not so simple. Not like a Word document where you can use the "find and replace" option.:)

Truly I'm not worried about it right now. There is little that I've said that is volatile, and nothing I've said that is unique to my former company. We all have experienced the same lack of mgt. commitment, the same mouthbreathing cretins, the same denials that anything is wrong. My former boss actually took small comfort in the fact that the problems we experienced were commonplace.

If I did ever seek semi-anonymous shelter under a pseudonym, I'd send ya'll private messages so that you'd know it's still me. Or maybe all I'd have to do is revert to my old avitar, eh energy?:D

Good question Mike S, I've been thinking about that myself.

First of all: My boss knows I'm active here. I've told him how useful it is, and I promote the Cove here at work. So as for dual identitys: nope, not me.


I always try to write my posts in the Cove as well as other forums in a way that I would be able to stand up for if I met the people concerned face to face, because I have no wish or indeed any reason to offend anyone. At least not intentionally. As it happens I sometimes slip, but that is true in real life as well...:o .

/Claes

Claes Gefvenberg said:
I always try to write my posts in the Cove as well as other forums in a way that I would be able to stand up for if I met the people concerned face to face, because I have no wish or indeed any reason to offend anyone.
/Claes \

Claes,
I, indeed, have attempted to offend some members. Particularly when I have been offended. :vfunny: It would make no difference if I met any of them tomorrow. I meant it when I said it. I cannot think of one of them who hasn't subsequently buried the hatchet, along with mine. The only thing that meeting them would do for me, would be to allow me to finally put a face to that ogre I have conjured up in my mind. :vfunny: That's what we have Avitars function for. You have your photo and I have tried mine from time to time. But when it comes to a choice, my current Avitar is much more handsome than me.
No, I don't post with the intend to offend, but I also don't care if it's taken the wrong way. No special pains to avoid conflict. What you see is what you get. Or, is that "don't see"?:agree: :smokin:

energy said:

You have your photo and I have tried mine from time to time. But when it comes to a choice, my current Avitar is much more handsome than me.


Whut? That's not you in that picture??? :eek: Ooooops... Now look what you made me do: One of my slips... LMAO :ko: :agree:

/Claes

I don't hide me - but being a consultant - I try to make sure no one could correlate a statement to a specific company I work for. (Maybe occasionally the company I USED to work for) Most of my controversial stuff is my opinion - and the clients I have know I speak my opinion.

Cheer - good thread.

Don't tell anyone this but I'm actually Batman.

-Bruce Wayne.



(P.S.-Quality is important here, but learning about ISO is aparently just my job. I'd drop dead if any one of our 35 employees actually "found" the cove by mistake--Even if I left it "Up" on my Desktop all day.)

-Steve

(Close friend of Bruce Wayne.):cool:

Steve MacDonald said:

(P.S.-Quality is important here, but learning about ISO is aparently just my job. I'd drop dead if any one of our 35 employees actually "found" the cove by mistake--Even if I left it "Up" on my Desktop all day.)

-Steve

Steve,
I have been waiting for such a post. Really. Are we so rapt up in our own importance and the fact that this site exists that we imagine everybody is attending the party? Two reasons why this is an issue:
1. What I do and what I say is of the utmost importance to the web surfers. Not!!!
2. Repeat Number 1.

Get a grip on reality. This is a topic for those who feel the world may be watching to see their secret of success or that someone may be watching with the intention to unravel their nice ball of tinfoil. It reeks of "Meism". In actuality, nobody cares about you or your posts, except me! :bonk: :smokin:

No need to... They wouldn't be surprised!

:vfunny:

Gee, Energy, sorry that I ever brought it up. I didn't realize how sick I was. I'll go back and hide in my paranoid, delusional, imaginary world and talk to (and answer) myself for awhile. If you happen to be questioned about me by any guys in white coats, or guys in all black suits driving black cars or SUV's, tell 'em you never heard of me. :eek:

Dual/Secret Identities, I know I don't have one.

Well unless you count the fact that I talk to and respond to myself.

I really don't think anyone I work with would have the ambition to find a website such as this one. In fact I have given a couple people I work with the site and nothing!

Mike S. said:

Gee, Energy, sorry that I ever brought it up. I didn't realize how sick I was. I'll go back and hide in my paranoid, delusional, imaginary world and talk to (and answer) myself for awhile. If you happen to be questioned about me by any guys in white coats, or guys in all black suits driving black cars or SUV's, tell 'em you never heard of me. :eek:

Mike,

Now that you and Jim, I've also been there, have agreed to shake tails and come out biting, I must also apologize. I thought about the thread and some of the responses. I did not mean to attack the thread. I do think that many Q people have a vision of themselves and their importance that smacks of Ego. For example, Martin G.-our fellow member from across the Pond, made a point of using his given name when he registered and that "his reputation may suffer" because he and I were having a "roustabout". I respected that, but thought (even then) who cares? Who would spot this moment of contention and cause this young man problems? I don't believe it. I can't imagine it. Our fears are usually there because we have knowledge of, or experience with certain things. This fear of recognition, to me, is not worthy of occupying that valuable space in our heads.
But, I do apologize for making you feel insignificant! Even though you are a stubborn, thick headed intellectual, I enjoy your posts and the exchanges. Peace be with you, Bro! :p :ko: :smokin:

Energy said "Our fears are usually there because we have knowledge of, or experience with certain things."

True. This is why I started the thread -- a situation I was made aware of recently involving someone I know and some things I have subsequently read along the same vein. I'm not generally the paranoid type, at least I don't think I am. (Are you recording this? Is that a camera sticking out of that box of copier paper over there?) And I can assure you it was not my ego that made me think of this question! I readily admit I learn more here than I contribute, and there are many more experienced and learned posters than I.

Energy said "...you are a stubborn, thick headed intellectual..."

Am not, am not, am not, am not! (Well, at least I'm not an "intellectual".):bonk:

Peace indeed.

We have one of those really nosy IT guys here (yes Ron I'm talking about you). He does look around at who goes where on the web and he happened to look at this site. He did make some sort of statement about a few of my comments here but oh well. I have a good working relationship with upper management and for the most part they know what I say here before it's posted. We all need time to vent.

Randy Stewart said:

We have one of those really nosy IT guys here (yes Ron I'm talking about you). He does look around at who goes where on the web and he happened to look at this site. He did make some sort of statement about a few of my comments here but oh well. I have a good working relationship with upper management and for the most part they know what I say here before it's posted. We all need time to vent.

Wowee! At least your IT guy read your posts. Out IT guy is very aware of incoming/outcoming traffic and knows that I spend considerable time at the Cove. Sometimes, I minimize the screen without logging off to do something, so it appears I'm reading or posting. No comments at all from him. He has cut off people's access because they were visiting a porn site or spending too much time on sites that would take a good imagination to justify. Our IT guy is also an Internal Auditor and realizes, because I told him, the site is an invaluable aid for me in regards to interpretation issues.

So, Mike S., here's another example of why you posted the thread. But, even with a false identity, you can't fool an IT Person. That's why they are there.

Randy, buy Ron a beer. Then you can visit the other sites I mentioned! :vfunny: You know I'm kidding, of course?
:ko: :smokin:

energy said:


So, Mike S., here's another example of why you posted the thread. But, even with a false identity, you can't fool an IT Person. That's why they are there.


Stew brings up a very valid issue. It happens!

You're probably right, Energy, from some of the stuff I've read (like in PC World, etc.) there are many ways to "spy" on computer users, etc. for someone who wants to go to the trouble. Bigger companies do it pretty routinely, especially if there is fear of intellectual property or business secrets getting out, in addition to the fear that people are "playing" too much on company time.

I'm not sure about this, I'm no IT guru, but I think if you access your personal ISP (like AT&T, AOL or Compuserve, etc.) via the company internet connection, then access the Cove (or wherever) from your personal ISP account, the IT person may not be able to see where you've gone. But I wouldn't bet on it. And of course cookies can do more than make you fat if you don't watch out!

My IT folks went to the boss about my time spent at the Cove. His response was "Good, that means he (me) has less time to bug me." See, if you make yourself a nuisance and they will relish the time you spend here. :thedeal:

db said:

My IT folks went to the boss about my time spent at the Cove. His response was "Good, that means he (me) has less time to bug me." See, if you make yourself a nuisance and they will relish the time you spend here. :thedeal:

Now I'm really feeling foolish about Poo Pooing the possibility that people may be watching. db is another example of being "caught". Like me, he has implied approval. I guess it really can be a serious issue, for some. So much for not seeing the possibility. Live and learn. Mea Culpa, Mike! :bonk: :ko: :smokin:

"Well......" he said hanging his head, while looking at the floor, "My account of the events might not have been as I reported them. I'm afraid I made up the story of the IT and my boss. I thought it sounded like a good story to add some levity in the thread." :eek:

Now apparently, someone took the story as truth (hmmmm.... wasn't that covered in a different thread?), and perhaps I ruined that person for life. For this, I am in deed sorry.

db said:

"Well......" he said hanging his head, while looking at the floor, "My account of the events might not have been as I reported them. I'm afraid I made up the story of the IT and my boss. I thought it sounded like a good story to add some levity in the thread." :eek:

Now apparently, someone took the story as truth (hmmmm.... wasn't that covered in a different thread?), and perhaps I ruined that person for life. For this, I am in deed sorry.

db,

Liar, liar pants on fire.....We have a thread called "Honesty in the Cove". Do a search to see your picture. :vfunny: But, you got me thinking about deception. We have a thread regarding dual identities and one for who we really are(Honesty in the Cove). While you were just kidding, because I know you and have a pretty good idea of what you do, is it possible for someone to get into a topic and post what they dream about vs. what's real in their life. Ya think? I mean, could someone working at Frosty's car Wash hang in with the big hitters here with a little handbook or a Comic Classic book version of Deming's teachings by their night stand amidst the Bud cans and roach clips? :vfunny: Wouldn't that be something? You know, the more I think about it, there are a couple of candidates not above suspicion. Not me, of course!:vfunny: :ko: :smokin:

All this discussion about IT guys monitoring what you're doing brings up a question. Who monitors the IT guys????:confused:

:biglaugh: :vfunny:

Richard Olson said:

All this discussion about IT guys monitoring what you're doing brings up a question. Who monitors the IT guys????:confused:

:biglaugh: :vfunny:

Sooner or later you reach the pinnacle in all things. Gnash your teeth and howl at the moon. They are IT!! Get it? My Brother-in-Law is one of 10 IT persons monitoring some 400 computers in a local Hospital for infractions such as playing games during working periods and non work related Internet usage. He has the ability to take over your mouse and exit whatever program you are not supposed to be in. Cool, huh? Each IT Person has 40 computer users that have to know that he is there doing his job. If not, people being people will abuse their privileges, so he says. He also will not allow me to send him anything deemed questionable because he does feel they are also being watched. Kind of like "Who's makin love to your old lady while you are out makin love?" Before they result to that dastardly behavior, because they are human, they call you on the phone. Not receiving an answer when they know that you are at your desk, they will assume control of your computer and also send a message to you "Answer you G.D. phone". Some people just don't get it. :vfunny: :ko: :smokin:

Who monitors the IT guys????

You're right on the money there Richard and here's why. I recently requested a subscription to the BNA Library for our ISO 14000 initiative and because it is PC based it had to go through the IT guys first. When I hadn't received a reply I went to my boss and asked if he had seen my request, his reply was the IT said I had no need for it! When I went to the computer room (they are the only department with a combination lock on their door) I found one of them downloading games off an "unauthorized" web site and another checking his fantasy football status!!!! And I get questioned about a lousy subscription. :bonk: So I made the big mistake and questioned their authority on making decisions for my department - big mistake. When I got back from the audits at the other plants last week I found I now have Windows 2000 installed and I can't even run scan disk or defrag!!!!!

Stew,

Sounds like a personal problem.;) Now you've done it! Help me here. Was the subscription for a computer based system? Like some kind of database? As a matter of personal courtesy, I always let our IT Person know when I want to download anything that will take up space on an already crowded server. Like, recently, I downloaded (with permission) a free Corrective Action Program (small database) recommended here in the Cove, to study it.

Or, was it simply an application process that you do with e-mail? If it was the latter, some of these IT people can be prety anal, just like auditors.:vfunny: Or, Q people.:vfunny: :ko: :smokin:

Yes, BNA compiles safety, legal, etc. requirements on both state and federal level. It includes stuff like work place safety, Hazmat Transport, Environmental, CFR. They offer a trial subscription take a look www.bna.com.

Stew,

Is your IT guy's name "Mordac"? As in the Dilbert cartoons.:vfunny: Like in any biz, some of those guys are really nice and have their feet on the ground and some have a Napoleanic complex, are above any rules/laws, and think they are rapidly moving up to God status. Good luck.

For the most part I get along with these guys. The manager once was the FMEA team leader!!! This situation just gets me, the old saying about "people in glass houses". We both answer to the same VP but I don't have the same avenue with the Controller!!! Oh well, our computer lease is up in a few months and when the new ones come in I'll see if I can sneak out of this Windows 2K crap. It has now become a challenge!!!

Randy Stewart said:

Yes, BNA compiles safety, legal, etc. requirements on both state and federal level. It includes stuff like work place safety, Hazmat Transport, Environmental, CFR. They offer a trial subscription take a look www.bna.com.

Stew,

Great site. But, it's no different than accessing here, except the $$$ for information is going to cost more. This doesn't require objectional space in your company Intranet. So, the problem appears the cost. They are not objecting to you being here, are they? If I were an IT person who you fell on disfavor with, I would accent the "resources" issue. You would need authorization to use Company Resources for your own purposes and that would include coming to the Cove to complain about me. :vfunny:
If the thread was about the behavioral habits of IT Persons, it would be very appropriate to "grind em up". :vfunny: But, as far as having to have a dual identity to visit, you have demonstrated that you do not need it. Right? So Big Brother has cut you some slack! :p :agree: :smokin:

I found this old thread, which seemed to die in 2002 with no one really too concerned about their identity and content of their posts on the Cove.

Given the firings for blogging, are people being more stealthy nowadays?

A print out of all my postings definitely has "an attitude" to it. And it will live forever for all to see.

I am certainly looking more carefully at what I post nowadays to see if I would cc my boss with it. I don't post as much as I used to.

Hmmm, am I adding to the chilling effect on free and open debate due to self censorship?

Hang on.....I need to find the nearest phone booth to change into my super costume.....

Oops.....I show my age..... :biglaugh:

Hershal

Hang on.....I need to find the nearest phone booth to change into my super costume.....

Oops.....I show my age..... :biglaugh:

Hershal

Good luck finding a phone booth these days!!!

I found this old thread, which seemed to die in 2002 with no one really too concerned about their identity and content of their posts on the Cove.

Given the firings for blogging, are people being more stealthy nowadays?

I often ask myself how appropriate my postings are before I click on the submit button.

I know that our IT Group monitors all internet traffic. Even so, I am not anonymous here (my username gives me away).

Jaime

I've had an interesting experience with Fluor corporation. At first, our relationship was very acrimonious. Now, we have the story to tell in "Lead to Succeed' http://www.asq.org/pub/qualityprogress/past/0905/qp0905prevette.pdf

The interesting thing for this discussion is that I got a good note from my first Fluor manager Dave Jackson (currently at Fernald). I must give him a lot of credit for my success as the two of us were able to work through the initial troubles, and managed to hit upon something that has been marketable and useful for my employer.

Steve- Great Article! You've done well. I wish more people that start out their career labeled a "Unruly or Rabble Rousers" could take the 'self-journey' you have and mold their message into something management can understand and grow to value. Maybe one day you could write an article titled "From Whistleblower to Valued Corporate Consultant-and it didn't cost a dime". LOL Not that you were ever the former, but so many disillusioned technical become head in that direction; often because they don't take the self-discovery journey to understand the delivery of the their message

It is interesting - I think that Fluor has changed, and "they" think I changed. I suppose the truth is in the middle.

Now that the question has been raised about identities, I am not sure if anything here is real. How do I know that the Cove even exists? It could be that you are all my different identities and that I am a schizophrenic with mutliple personalities. What... Hey.. Shut up, Can't you see I'm busy! Fourthandfiverunner'ssafeatfirstLongshotleadsbyanoseinothernews
alocalmanissayinggoodbyetotermitesNoanimalswereharmedwhilemakingthis
productionnootherdetailsavailablepartlycloudyandcooleronThuradyyou'rehot
meI'munattachedmymedsaredueatfiveI'llhavetheproscciutoandswissonrye
1812mustbeintheformofaquestioncallbeforemidnightstoryatelevenandweall
singninetyninetymustmaintaincoolcannotlosecontrolcannotaffordnewwardrobe
:confused:

No offense intended to those of us with actual mental disorders.

I used to be a Paranoid Dyslexic. I always thought I was following somebody.

I used to be a Paranoid Dyslexic. I always thought I was following somebody.

Just because your paranoid, doesn't mean they really aren't out to get you!!! :bonk:

Of course we could all be enrolled in looking at "Cove-ness", for those of us who enjoy Plato.....

Hershal