J. Dan Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Going to be really difficult to resist the urge to use this thing for music. We're not supposed to use them for personal use or install personal software on there, although for most stuff they look the other way. On my old one I had Amazing Slow Downer so I could park it next to my keys when learning new songs. Before sending in the old one, part of the instructions are to remove any unauthorized software and personal files. IT mirrors your old drive and sets the new one up with your outlook, and all your files, etc. So this one is a Dell Lattitude E6330 with Core i7, 3GHz, 16 gig ram. I think using it for recording/gigging would be pushing the personal use thing a bit too far. Plus, it may not be good for it anyway since there's so much stuff installed on it for work. 119 processes running! It's running win 7 pro, which I have on the cheapo ($180) desktop I just got for home - that one's running around 40 processes. OK, one really freaky thing. Since our old laptops didn't come with iTunes, I figured I should remove it. I copied all my music over to my home computer drive, deauthorized that computer, deleted the files and uninstalled iTunes. They included iTunes on the new laptop. I opened it expecting to need to setup my account. It opened up already logged into my personal account with my purchased music in the library. WTF? How is that possible? Did some trace of my account get left behind on the old computer that they were able to pick up to set it up? Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Just got a new one myself, fortunately there's no such restrictions (though I wouldn't put it to the test too boldly). Logic shall be installed! I don't like the whole mirror the old drive personally. I keep work files on shared drives that are protected and backed up on an enterprise level (so I don't need to worry about losing any on the laptop). If that's not possible--say if you work without a connection--I'd try at least to keep all files in an easily-backed up spot. Depending on how much security is required, you could use a cloud solution, even google drive for files. Of course IT may not give you an option in this regard, but I'd prefer starting fresh with a new machine. It does mean more installing for programs that don't come with the image, but I'll put up with that. Part of my mentality stems from windows xp and how it was strongly recommended to start with a new install periodically (ran like a dog usually after a while and there was no easy fix). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoodyBluesKeys Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Dan, I just looked up the manual on that Model Dell - the hard drive is in a slide-out tray that has a single bolt holding it. My Lenovo notebook is that way - it takes me about 30 seconds to (with it powered down) remove a hard drive, install another, and put it back in place). Presto - a whole different system - get a copy of Windows 7, install whatever else you want, use for music or whatever. Come time for work - power down, change HD, fasten back in place - instant work computer with NO "unauthorized" software, and no possibility of contamination by malware while using it "unofficially". BTW - the Lenovo IS a company computer. Since my wife and I own the company, we have no problem anyhow. The Lenovo came with XP, and I have one program (a network analyzer) that won't work on Win 7, due to the changes in the TCPIP stack. So I keep the original HD with XP around, but normally use the considerably larger HD that has Win 7. Howard Grand|Hamm SK1-73|Kurz PC2|PC2X|PC3|PC3X|PC361; QSC K10's HP DAW|Epi Les Paul & LP 5-str bass|iPad mini2 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 They give us 50 gig on a network drive and we have air cards and VPN's, so I could always use that. I also use dropbox. I just find it more convenient to have everything locally rather than worry about being able to connect to a network drive. I had Ableton Live Lite on my old work laptop because i had an emergency situation once with my old Fusion keyboard - the output went out and my "backup" fusion's output board had already been pulled. I used my M-Audio interface to pull the SPDIF out from the fusion and route it, via Ableton, to the analog out. That was really freaky because there was latency on the Fusion but not my Triton, yet some sequences on the Fusion triggered triton sounds. So some tracks would be delayed. Oh, and the click track for the drummer came out the aux out on the fusion. SO even sequences that used all fusion sounds had the click ahead of the audio a bit. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 Dan, I just looked up the manual on that Model Dell - the hard drive is in a slide-out tray that has a single bolt holding it. My Lenovo notebook is that way - it takes me about 30 seconds to (with it powered down) remove a hard drive, install another, and put it back in place). Presto - a whole different system - get a copy of Windows 7, install whatever else you want, use for music or whatever. Come time for work - power down, change HD, fasten back in place - instant work computer with NO "unauthorized" software. LOL, great idea! Of course, if somebody spills a drink on it at a gig, that might be hard to explain...but home personal use.... Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadslayer Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Dan, I just looked up the manual on that Model Dell - the hard drive is in a slide-out tray that has a single bolt holding it. My Lenovo notebook is that way - it takes me about 30 seconds to (with it powered down) remove a hard drive, install another, and put it back in place). Presto - a whole different system - get a copy of Windows 7, install whatever else you want, use for music or whatever. Come time for work - power down, change HD, fasten back in place - instant work computer with NO "unauthorized" software. LOL, great idea! Of course, if somebody spills a drink on it at a gig, that might be hard to explain... Or, you're running late for that big meeting at a new customer's facility where you are presenting on the big flat screen in the conference room, in front of all the players... and you think, Did I or didn't I swap out that drive? YOW! Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 So when I pull the drive, it goes in the computer bag. But yes, swap time could be an issue. The iTunes thing still has me a little freaked out. I don't know if, even after uninstalling, enough remnants were left behind for the new installation on the new laptop to pick up my account info? Or is our IT department just that clever? They always say, assume everything you do on your computer and phone is being monitored by the company, including personal email, etc. Not sure IT would go to that much trouble just to set up iTunes for me, though. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I'm far far from any kind of windows admin, but since they are copying things from your old drive I'd assume that includes registry settings (xp at least, don't know if that applies to newer windows). Uninstalling I would think would have gotten all that so I'm not sure what to think other than some kind of backup they've taken in the past... It does seem a bit odd that they'd worry about iTunes so I'd assume they just get app-specific settings for any software installed under your profile on the old machine. Mine is a macbook pro but it's odd to hear someone else having the same misgivings For instance having a coworker come to a gig and saying "hey that laptop looks familiar!". But really my main concern is something happening to it in a live setting, and that is just one of my reasons for hardware-only when it comes to live music. I watched someone knock our guitarist's les paul off it's stand saturday night...yikes. Of course that could be a keyboard but mine are heavy and would be more likely to injure someone that fall over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 I hadn't tried to play anything before. I just did, and it said I needed to authorize the computer, and I did. When playing, I noticed it's streaming over the internet, and I have the option to download. So obviously the files themselves didn't make it in the transition, but somehow my account info did. Oh, and not everything I purchased is there. I had the Beatles box set, and while there are a lot of Beatles songs in there, the entire box set is not there. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Mine is a macbook pro but it's odd to hear someone else having the same misgivings For instance having a coworker come to a gig and saying "hey that laptop looks familiar!" I'd look into getting one of those covers, and taking it off at work. I don't know how easy it is to do, but I'd consider that. Combined with swapping drives, I think Dan would be good to go! "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Going to be really difficult to resist the urge to use this thing for music. We're not supposed to use them for personal use or install personal software on there, although for most stuff they look the other way. ... As head of IT at my agency I'll say that I'd rather find purchased music programs over free screensavers or streaming software. I'll also say that Reason is great on work laptops. Not very demanding of resources and allows internet verification. This post edited for speling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokely Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I actually have a plastic cover for my macbook, works great. I got black to "blend in" in case I used it on stage, but otherwise wish I'd gotten a cool orange or blue They snap right on and off, it can take a bit of work to pry off the top on mine. Only downside is a bit more weight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I have seen people really get screwed over for loading unauthorized software on business computers. Seen people fired with cause because of it. So be careful--never assume they will "look the other way". Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I was really happy with my latest work laptop, a Thinkpad W510 (i7 processor, 1.6GHz, SSD, Win7/64, blah blah). I've always loaded my DAW et. al. on my work computers; my work benefits because I frequently get pulled into work when I'd planned to be doing music stuff on the weekends; if that laptop was in my briefcase I wouldn't even see the emails/whatever. But unfortunately the IT department keeps downloading/updating stuff; the security stuff is the worst. Last time I checked, my worst latency was ONE SECOND! Arrgh. Maybe I should get a spare hard drive. However, I think my current lease has about a year left. Maybe instead I'll do it on the next new laptop and get 2 1/2 or 3 years value from it. On this one, the SSD is only 80G and there's not room for another partition. The funny thing is, one of the biggest losers (I suspect) is the data encryption stuff (all user data on the HD is encrypted). Yet almost nothing work-oriented is stored on my hard drive, since my main use for the computer is as a face for virtual linux servers. The other amusing bit is that all our company's software can be found on the internet anyway. But of course the IT security team still has to lock the barn despite the horses running loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reezekeys Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I opened it expecting to need to setup my account. It opened up already logged into my personal account with my purchased music in the library. WTF? How is that possible? Did some trace of my account get left behind on the old computer that they were able to pick up to set it up? Are you sure it's the library on your local drive? I just updated to latest iTunes and found that all my purchased music was listed twice in my library the local copies and the cloud copies! I think that if you have an iCloud account you automatically have your purchased music stored in your "cloud space", to be shared among all your iDevices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceNorman Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 I have people really get screwed over for loading unauthorized software on business computers. Seen people fired with cause because of it. So be careful--never assume they will "look the other way". Great advice! ...and don't even think that they won't know. Load unauthorized software on laptops that my company issues - and it will be gone the next time you boot and log onto the network. You'll also very likely show up on the list of "improper use violators" - and placed on corrective action and possibly terminated if you're a repeat offender. More and more companies are taking this stuff serious - and are actively implementing all sorts of mechanisms to lock down and protect data on ALL company owned computing resources - complete with automated monitoring of any violations to corporate security policies (such as not installing unauthorized software). As much as I'd like to leverage my company issued laptop for other things ... it simply isn't worth the risk. The SpaceNorman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted August 7, 2013 Author Share Posted August 7, 2013 I think in order to get fired you'd have to almost be doing something malicious or blatantly abusing the policy. What is far more likely would be improper CONTENT on the computer - like images, etc. They are a lot more strict about that because of ethics, sexual harassment, etc. They know we put stuff on our laptops and phones. Part of it is because we travel with them. When you're out of town on business, you have personal time in the evening or whatever. They even say things like we have to pay for personal apps on our phones, etc. If they didn't want us to do it at all, they wouldn't say we have to pay for them, they'd say don't do it...but that's the phones. Software I think doesn't bother them until it causes a problem and they have to support it. Then it's most likely that you'd get a slap on the wrist and they'd tell you to remove it. Again, in the instructions for returning the old laptops, they said remove unauthorized software first. So obviously, they know it's out there and want you to take it off before it gets to them. All that being said, I've never really tried to push it. I'll probably put Amazing Slow Downer back on this one, but probably not much else. Some of it depends on if I could justify it for business use. If I had audio editing software, I could always say it was for putting audio clips in powerpoint presentations or something like that. Or Video software for editing Demo videos for training/presentations. But I probably won't go there. It IS a nice laptop though!!! Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I think in order to get fired you'd have to almost be doing something malicious or blatantly abusing the policy. Wanna bet? Not trying to be confrontational here; however, it happens and I have seen it. Not to me, but it is ugly. Best practice is to never use company property for personal use. Employers are NOT your friend. Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuzikTeechur Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 All the teachers at my school just received new MacBook Airs. Lucky for me music IS my work, so not only can I put all the music software I want on it, but they'll buy it for me and Tech Support will iron out any kinks. /enjoying the perks Muzikteechur is Lonnie, in Kittery, Maine. HS music teacher: Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, History of Rock, Musical Theatre, Piano, Guitar, Drama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 Stop gloating already, OK? :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceNorman Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I think in order to get fired you'd have to almost be doing something malicious or blatantly abusing the policy. Only you know your employer. At my place of employment - loading unauthorized software regardless of type - can and will get you fired. The SpaceNorman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted August 8, 2013 Author Share Posted August 8, 2013 Well, considering management does it an my boss has suggested software to get, i think I'd have a case. It's one of those things they could keep in their back pocket to pile on if they wanted you gone for another reason. Like i said, we travel, they expect that we need to take care of personal things on the road - they're taking us away from our homes. But like i said, i know they won't hesitate for a second to fire you for ethics violations, unreported conflict of interest, things that could be constued as discrimination or sexual harassment. That's where content comes in - no "NSFW" stuff, period. Put it this way, my 17 years either with, or associated with the company with 10's of thousands of employees, i've never heard of anybody being fired for unauthorized software (doesnt mean it hasn't happened). I have however heard multiple cases of people fired for incorrect expense reports, etc. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Verelst Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 A usb-3 stick with "live"-OS and room for files can leave the whole machine intact, while still being able to use a fast I7 (I would covet a 4th gen with 4k screen...) for various purposes, including safe web-browsing. Leaving all of the internal disk um-mounted, nothing can happen, within reason, unless they count accumulating run hours, dust accumulation, and possibly running the processor hot for some reason or another. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 A lot of it also has to do with your standing, reputation and work ethic. I am much more lenient to employees that turn in paperwork on time, exceed work standards and get along with others. However, if you are a slacker.... You could just ask. This post edited for speling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted August 8, 2013 Author Share Posted August 8, 2013 I think for sure, if it doesnt cause any problems, unauthorized software being used FOR work is fine. I have software my boss TOLD me to use, like dropbox and mappoint that we use inmour region, but is not authorized by IT. Likewise, if it's software you need because you have to take care of personal business in the evenings while you're on the road, i think they understand that as well. Personal stuff used at home on your laptop starts to cross a line. Though my boss told me he doesn't even own a computer at home anymore because he just uses his work computer. Taking it on a gig would be way over the line. I did it once in an emergency, but didn't like doing it and would avoid it at all costs. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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