Surf, Surf, Surf your life away

Published on April 24, 2006 By Dr Guy In Current Events

Ah yes, my little chickadee! Yessss. It seems the internet is the new phone book, or morning paper. And cannot be used for termination.

At least to one NY Judge. Oops! That is going to hurt a lot of employers.

But the judge is right (not in his ruling - that I will leave to legal beagles) in his definition of the Internet.

How many people use the yellow pages? How many actually READ a newspaper? (I did today waiting for the dentist. Did I mention I hate dentists?). But I read a paper about twice a year, and the last time I pulled out the yellow pages, I did not find what I wanted. But I found it on the internet!

As I do all my news and articles. Yes, I surf a lot. I have a 21" screen, and am working on a server in one panel, and surfing with the next (beats watching that stupid status bar going across, right?). Am I cheating my employer? No, it keeps me from falling asleep!

Since Mac OS7 and WIndows 95, multitasking is the name of the game, and most of us do it. WHile I am not going to defend the worker (as the article is very scarce on details), I will say that the amount of Surf time is not an indicator of how much work is being done or not done.

If you are doing your job, surfing news sites should not be an issue.

Surf's UP!

Comments

island_gurl12

on Apr 24, 2006

Yep, if we do our work in time then I think surfing the net isnt a big deal.

I've come back to JU only once I was totally at ease at work and felt I had free time on my hands that could be spent surfing instead than trying to learn some new tips. 6 months after I was hired sounds pretty reasonable.

island_gurl12

on Apr 24, 2006

Dr Guy

on Apr 24, 2006

Yep, if we do our work in time then I think surfing the net isnt a big deal.

And we are not cheating. As I said, I would be looking at a status bar creep or reading Foxnews. Neither would add an iota to the company.

SanChonino

on Apr 24, 2006

I wish I worked at a place where I even had access to a computer, much less time to surf.

But - while I'm at school, if I'm able to accomplish that which I'm supposed to accomplish, i can't see anything wrong with surfing around a bit. I get a good amount of posting done during class.

Dr Guy

on Apr 24, 2006

wish I worked at a place where I even had access to a computer, much less time to surf.

No, actually, first you have to get there. Learn it all. I have been in my profession for 23 years, and on the internet for 15. I learned and became a top guru, and still learn daily. But now when I am fixing a server, I can fix it in one window, and surf in another.

Get there first (as I said, I dont know what this guy's situation is, so I dont know if he was goofing or working).

SanChonino

on Apr 24, 2006

Get there first (as I said, I dont know what this guy's situation is, so I dont know if he was goofing or working).

I really doubt that I'll ever be in the position to surf while on the clock much. At the garden center, I only get to touch the computers to print tags to put on the plants (or to clock in and out, of course).
Once I'm a professor, while I'm up at school I'll be too busy to surf while on the campus.
I can always go home at one or two in the afternoon, though, and then - surf's up!

Granted, I'll be grading, preparing lesson plans, etc. but I can still wish.

Dr Guy

on Apr 24, 2006

Granted, I'll be grading, preparing lesson plans, etc. but I can still wish.

My job is in essence the internet. I was born on it. For many, yes they cannot. But for me, I am surfing tech sites, fixing servers, and reading a JU post. And no work suffers.

My Boss slammed me for that. Until I started documenting my work time. I give 12 hours and get paid for 8. I work smart, not stupid.

MasonM

on Apr 24, 2006

I have to stop to surf. Maybe when I get that satellite internet system installed on my truck I can surf and drive?

SanChonino

on Apr 24, 2006

Maybe when I get that satellite internet system installed on my truck I can surf and drive?

I don't know how safe that would be, my friend . . .

Dr Guy

on Apr 25, 2006

have to stop to surf. Maybe when I get that satellite internet system installed on my truck I can surf and drive?

Uh, please dont!

We have enough drivers doing that already.

Dr Guy

on Apr 25, 2006

I don't know how safe that would be, my friend . . .

It would help with the Gas situation, as I would quit driving!

MasonM

on Apr 25, 2006

I can just picture all the wrecks now as drivers weave all over the road trying to google something or other

dynamaso

on Apr 25, 2006

While I read a newspaper just about every day, I also surf at work, particularly if there is a news story I'm interested in. I then use the internet to reseach the story more.

It used to be that general internet access was restricted where I work but about 12 months ago, the powers that be decided to give everyone general access. I think the administration, like the judge, couldn't see too much wrong with people surfing so long as it wasn't affecting their performance.

Dr Guy

on Apr 26, 2006

I can just picture all the wrecks now as drivers weave all over the road trying to google something or other

I have seen people playing with laptops in cars, so it is not too far in the future I guess.

Dr Guy

on Apr 26, 2006

I think the administration, like the judge, couldn't see too much wrong with people surfing so long as it wasn't affecting their performance.

I think it can, especially if it is something like Porn. But you are right, reading up on the latest China shenanigans or the latest Budget controversy is not really affecting work, and may be helping them in their work.

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