Today, I was reading Judy's blog. Her post has a link to King Nate's blog. On there is a link to a news article. So, basically some people are getting fired over writings in their blogs. This particular article says, it seems, that someone got fired because they posted that they hate their job. Whoopee freakin' doo! Everyone says that from time to time. They just usually say it to people they know, in real life. I didn't find a reference to the blog itself. That would have been nice. You know, for us to judge for ourselves. It was a newspaper that did the firing. Free speech and all that, apparently not for newspapers, I guess. At least, that particular one. I really want to know what that blog said. Did it have the company name in blazing letters? Did it actually say bad things about them, or just the usual today I hate my job? How did the company find out about this person's blog? Why did they view it in any case? I don't think they'll get away with this one. If she was blogging on company time, I would think that would be the reason for firing. So I don't think that happened.
I don't think people should blog while they are getting paid to work. I guess I have a different work ethic, I don't know. Maybe, it's just that I've never had a job that had a computer, let alone access to the internet. For all I know, I might be tempted. If you've never been there, you really have no place judging. No one really knows what they'd do in x-situation unless they've been there and made that choice. This applies to everything. I don't see anything wrong with blogging/surfing while on lunch. However, I think it's appropriate to ask if it's ok with the company. I mean, they do pay for internet access. Maybe they have unlimited, I don't know. From reading a few places, an unfamiliar word comes up synonymous with internets sites: bandwidth usage. I think it means when you have a site with pics on it or other kinds of files, and too many people view or download it, it can shut down the server. The server isn't just one person's site, it's many people's sites. Maybe some companies have their own servers, if it's a big one, I'd assume it's necessary. I know there are fees for extra usage of bandwidth. I'm just one person, and I don't have my stuff stored on my own particular server. Some on geocities, msn, and some of the stuff you see on my site is in other places. I know you can upload files to your own server. FTP and all that, but I don't think I have that option. So, I guess I'm saying it's only polite to ask about accessing the 'net for personal use from company computers.
Apparently there have been a few cases of firing over blogging. As I have seen no other articles, this is hearsay. Interpret it how you want, but if you 'hear' something a lot, there usually is at least a grain of truth to it. I've atleast viewed quite a few blogs. I got bored one day, and wanted to see how random the 'next blog' button thing at the top of most blogger.com blogs have. So I went from my page and went until there was one without that button. Then from 2 other sites. Then from my own again. It really is random, I never viewed the same one twice. So, in all those that I viewed, I don't remember any that gave out their address, place of employment, and rarely their real name. Usually a nickname or one they chose for themselves, like mine is. It makes me wonder how many people put their real name, company name or address on their site. So how do their employers know? Did they give out their site to co-workers? Did they access it at work, therefore being in whatever memory thing and the tech guys saw it?
I haven't put my real name on here once. My kids, yes, but there are many names exactly like theirs. Even with Mikel's spelled differently. (I got curious one day and googled it. There were more than I expected with his first and last name.) My married name is not uncommon. Especially in Arkansas. My husband's family doesn't know for sure if their related to them or not. Somewhere back in the line there were slaves and what not, with kids resulting. Apparently on that side there is some shame and hiding of it. That's ridiculous. No one has control over who their parents are let alone their ancestors, nor what they did in life. There's no shame in being related to black people. Family's family, and let me tell you it's nice to have family that cares. Since I have cut my parents out of my life, to protect my kids, I know this. That's a whole new subject, I should get back on point. I have been nice enough not to put my husband's place of employment on here. They are treating him like crap, and I haven't actually named them. Maybe it's because it would somewhat pinpoint my location, I don't know. I like the idea of being anonymous. It's a bit easier to bare my soul that way. Of course I don't always do that. I do soapbox a bit. Some things just make me angry. I'll link and list them for you. Assholes, Outrage!, Same Sex Marriage, OMFG, Idiots, Why do I let them piss me off?, A few things have occured to me today, About me; what made me who I am today. They are listed last to first, so if you like start with the last one listed. Some are intensely personal, some I just feel passionate about. I do feel I've done a good job saying it's my opinion, if you don't like it then don't read it. I don't mean you shouldn't read period, I mean if it's going to offend you then maybe you shouldn't read it. They are, after all, my opinions and views on life as I know it to be. I know there are people who will disagree with me. I don't mind that. As long as you have an open mind, I respect your opinion. Everyone is shaped by their expiriences in life. Everyone's expiriences are different. Yes, most of my life was not good. Yes, I am resentful for it. No, I don't believe that mine was the worst it could have been, nor better/worse than yours. It was different, that's all I'm saying. So, before anyone judges me, I would prefer that they keep an open mind and remember that I'm not speaking to that one person in particular. I am writing because it's an outlet for me. It helps me to stop crying. Helps me to 'deal' with it. Yes, a few of my posts are written with tears. I was so pissed off and upset with the assholes post, I could barely see what was written. Yes, I feel guilty about it. No, I don't think it's my fault. No, I'm not going to change my mind.
So, this didn't turn out at all like I thought it would. I would appreciate that you read this in it's entirety. It may be necessary to read the posts I listed. It may not. Before you judge me, I suggest you do so. I will respect your opinion. I do expect you to respect mine. Thanks for listening. Breathe, you're ok. You've survived once again. |