So there I was the other day

[bjaming]

Re: So there I was the other day

But you're still a douche-bag for having the idea in the first place.

<shrug> If you get software from dubious sources, you pretty much deserve all the bad stuff that happens to you.

^what he said

[valkyrie]

Re: So there I was the other day

If you don't have a "gold" disk for re-installation, keep your stuff off-site with your critical systems backup media.

Regards,

valkyrie
___________________________________________
sapere aude

Sorry, I meant if you DO have a "gold disk."

Regards,

valkyrie

[valkyrie]

Re: So there I was the other day

I have a similar system setup here for keeping track of the PC's original software, and use OpenAudit to keep track of the general inventory of everything.

I went out and got a whole bunch Rubbermaid 3 Gallon containers. I then put each PC's original software in a labeled 1 Gallon ziplock bag. I also print labels of each PC name and stick it to each piece of original software just in case a piece gets separated at 3AM, I can find where it goes to later.

A webcam tied into my NMS keeps track if someone goes digging through my supply cabinets or the software bins.

If you don't have a "gold" disk for re-installation, keep your stuff off-site with your critical systems backup media.

Regards,

valkyrie
___________________________________________
sapere aude

[streaker69]

Re: So there I was the other day

Containers.

Make one container per PC. Throw every CD with auth code in there, label it with the PC's name/model/serial number/express service code/etc. One-gallon zip-lock baggies work well for basic workstations only running Office-type suites. For power users, you'll need to have multiple bags, which I then put inside 15-qt. or 30-qt. hard plastic storage containers. Said containers also get labeled. Think Jamie's wall-o-storage on MythBusters, and you get the idea.

Stuff will still get lost, but it tends to work fairly well.

One client has three-ring binders labeled with the workstation's name. That works OK, but the 3-ring CD storage pages are a lot more expensive than baggies, and don't hold nearly as much. It's OK for basic workstations, but gets unwieldy for power users and servers.

I have a similar system setup here for keeping track of the PC's original software, and use OpenAudit to keep track of the general inventory of everything.

I went out and got a whole bunch Rubbermaid 3 Gallon containers. I then put each PC's original software in a labeled 1 Gallon ziplock bag. I also print labels of each PC name and stick it to each piece of original software just in case a piece gets separated at 3AM, I can find where it goes to later.

A webcam tied into my NMS keeps track if someone goes digging through my supply cabinets or the software bins.

[bascule]

Re: So there I was the other day

I wonder what would happen if someone packaged a bot or root kit infested version of windows 7 or the big windows server builds (2003,2008 etc) and placed them on the real popular torrent sites?

This already happens rather frequently.

[b0n3z]

Re: So there I was the other day

When I saw Windows 7 released I took a quick glance at my favorite torrent site and sure enough, in less than 12 hours, hundreds of available copies for torrent.

I knew it was a matter of time before it was released with a virus of some kind.

[shrdlu]

Re: So there I was the other day

Containers.

Like the man said; Containers. Let me add; Documentation.

I still use a system at home similar to what I organized at work, which was:

One file folder (accordion type) per system, with the system name on the file. All similar machines were grouped together (by purpose, and and then by operating system). Where there were group licenses, each system that used that license got a sheet of paper identifying it as part of the group, and that particular software got its own folder.

I had (and have) a spreadsheet with the system, identifying when it was purchased, what operating system it was running, what software it was running, and a second spreadsheet with software licenses, tracked by purchase date, by renewal information (software vendors are EVIL), by license type (software vendors are VERY EVIL), and usage. The work system was actually far more complicated than this, but you get the idea.

People were already afraid of me when I took this over, and reorganized it (it was a nightmare before), so it was easier to do than it might sound.

The only difference between the system at home, and the one at work, is that I have no high cost vendors to work with. Much simpler, much less aggravation.

[xor]

Re: So there I was the other day

Sweet. I'm gonna rat out everyone on my enemies list..

I mean..stop snitchin' yo.

When there is a reward involved dat's gettin paid yo.

xor

[streaker69]

Re: So there I was the other day

Makes me think of circumstances we've all seen.

I've often inherited sites where the previous shmuck didn't keep his keys together (site was too small for volume licensing). It becomes a huge pain and expense to sort out the mess. All too often, it's a case of "I'll just take the CD to do an install" and it never comes back. After a while, yeah you technically paid for every copy running, but have no media/auth codes.

Anyone come up with a sane method for managing such small shop situations without leading to user blood on the wall?

This is exactly what I ran into when I started here. It was a mess, nothing was tracked, people took stuff home for installs, which I immediately put a stop to.

I'm using OpenAudit to currently manage the inventory here. It's good for a small shop. Has some issues that it cannot pick up license keys for some software but they're adding new stuff at times.

A little bit of user blood on the walls can be a good thing though, as it seems to keep the others in line.

[Thorn]

Re: So there I was the other day

Anyone come up with a sane method for managing such small shop situations without leading to user blood on the wall?

Containers.

Make one container per PC. Throw every CD with auth code in there, label it with the PC's name/model/serial number/express service code/etc. One-gallon zip-lock baggies work well for basic workstations only running Office-type suites. For power users, you'll need to have multiple bags, which I then put inside 15-qt. or 30-qt. hard plastic storage containers. Said containers also get labeled. Think Jamie's wall-o-storage on MythBusters, and you get the idea.

Stuff will still get lost, but it tends to work fairly well.

One client has three-ring binders labeled with the workstation's name. That works OK, but the 3-ring CD storage pages are a lot more expensive than baggies, and don't hold nearly as much. It's OK for basic workstations, but gets unwieldy for power users and servers.

[renderman]

Re: So there I was the other day

Not only that, but how many pencil pushing accounting personnel for said companies know that the copy of Office they bring home for their wife's friend isn't valid under the company's VLK? How many of them install company licensed software on their personal machines?

Makes me think of circumstances we've all seen.

I've often inherited sites where the previous shmuck didn't keep his keys together (site was too small for volume licensing). It becomes a huge pain and expense to sort out the mess. All too often, it's a case of "I'll just take the CD to do an install" and it never comes back. After a while, yeah you technically paid for every copy running, but have no media/auth codes.

Anyone come up with a sane method for managing such small shop situations without leading to user blood on the wall?

[sintax_error]

Re: So there I was the other day

My first question has to be "why in the holy name of fuck would anyone download Windows 7 RC from any torrent site?" First of all, it costs nothing... Secondly, even with mass seeding, you're likely to get it faster from Microsoft directly. That being said, did no one on this planet learn the age old lesson of software shares in the days circa gnutella and the like? I mean really?

The actual question there is how many business know they're actually using pirated software, and are using it intentionally?

Not only that, but how many pencil pushing accounting personnel for said companies know that the copy of Office they bring home for their wife's friend isn't valid under the company's VLK? How many of them install company licensed software on their personal machines?

[noid]

Re: So there I was the other day

Sweet. I'm gonna rat out everyone on my enemies list..

I mean..stop snitchin' yo.

[xor]

Re: So there I was the other day

Actually BSA will pay for tips if they lead to $$$. Sort of like those drop a dime boxes in Fahrenheit 451. Only sadly enough they don't come out with flame throwers and burn the pirated software/computer.

xor

[TheCotMan]

Re: So there I was the other day

Raise the prices, and a justification becomes:
"I'm going to stick it to them the way they are trying to stick it to me, and deny them their exploitation of the people!"
Lower the price, and a justification becomes:
"Ahh, but the price is so low, it is not like my paying for it will help them much, if at all."

Conclusion: People will continue to find ways to justify their actions, at least in their own mind.