Live data from Hacker News

Unemployed Programmer Kept Sneaking Into Apple to Finish the Job

mentalfloss.com

11–20 of 38 posts

Re: Unemployed Programmer Kept Sneaking Into Apple to Finish the Job

#11
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Remove step three and you've described a good third of the bloggosphere (why did I just use that word? Somebody get me a gin and tonic, ack)

Remove step one and replace with "Lookup folklore.org stories"

Hey this is a fun site to read, did not know of this. Thanks!

Re: Unemployed Programmer Kept Sneaking Into Apple to Finish the Job

#12
post #5

You know you have a good company when people sneak in to do more work after they're not being paid anymore

You know you have a bad company when you fire people who would sneak in to do more work after they're not being paid anymore

But he wasn't fired. His project was cancelled so Apple offered him to work on something else and he declined.

I don't get why the manager would want to throw him out though. A capable employee working for free sounds like every managers dream.

Re: Unemployed Programmer Kept Sneaking Into Apple to Finish the Job

#14
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You know you have a bad company when you fire people who would sneak in to do more work after they're not being paid anymore

But he wasn't fired. His project was cancelled so Apple offered him to work on something else and he declined. I don't get why the manager would want to throw him out though. A capable employee working for free sounds like every managers dream.

A facilities manager was the one who wanted to throw him out. They've got a very different mindset. Software & hardware managers actively aided his cause.

Re: Unemployed Programmer Kept Sneaking Into Apple to Finish the Job

#16
post #9

Would this even be possible nowadays? As soon as your badge gets disabled typically any access you have to systems gets disabled as well.

From a few weeks ago.

Eric Simons spent two cash-strapped months living inside AOL's headquarters while trying to build his start-up. He explains how he played outside of the rules.

http://www.inc.com/john-mcdermott/eric-simons-interview-youn...

Re: Unemployed Programmer Kept Sneaking Into Apple to Finish the Job

#17
post #9

Would this even be possible nowadays? As soon as your badge gets disabled typically any access you have to systems gets disabled as well.

From a few weeks ago. Eric Simons spent two cash-strapped months living inside AOL's headquarters while trying to build his start-up. He explains how he played outside of the rules. http://www.inc.com/john-mcdermott/eric-simons-interview-youn...

I don't think that example is equivalent. The ex-AOL guy was working on his own stuff and was basically squatting on AOL property. It's not clear he was accessing AOL computer systems and resources and making changes to or contributing to AOL projects. Basically, place to sleep, munch, shower and perhaps free wi-fi.

Re: Unemployed Programmer Kept Sneaking Into Apple to Finish the Job

#19

1. Dig up old stories from slashdot. 2. Write a blog post summarizing them. 3. Post to HN / Reddit. 4. PROFIT. Smart business plan.

For what it's worth, I appreciated reading this story. Just because it may be old hat to HN and/or ./ veterans doesn't necessarily mean that it's not a reasonable contribution.

However, I assume you are inferring that the OP made this contribution specifically to boost his/her karma points - a practice I do not support either.

Re: Unemployed Programmer Kept Sneaking Into Apple to Finish the Job

#20
post #9

Would this even be possible nowadays? As soon as your badge gets disabled typically any access you have to systems gets disabled as well.

> typically Even in the best systems, there are bugs and human operators.

Yes, but it would still be de-facto unfeasible in most modern (well-run) organizations. It's no longer a matter of setting up a few boxes in a hallway and dodging a lone manager who happens to be patrolling. Everything from building access onwards is non-trivial to consistently bypass - even with inside help.

FWIW, I'm not sure the current culture at Apple would support this either. Every single one of the employees who aided Mr. Avitzur would essentially be putting their careers on the line. Modern day Apple is notoriously stern when it comes to employee transgressions.

Post reply on HN