Sysadmin Field Notes

February 20, 2004

You know what? So far the plan is going okay. Things are easier to stomach, I can let things slide. I don't feel like I need to throttle anyone. That's all a good start, even if I can't exactly articulate what my new philosophy is yet.

One aspect of it is definitely the finding of other bright, enthusiastic, and in some ways fed up people within the organization and connecting them together. The more allies you have, the more likely it is that we'll be able to make a difference. I actually started thinking today about what it would take to have an active, thriving "underground" in a large corporate setting. Some sort of invitation-only discussion group for exchanging ideas, information, and plans so that people in diverse groups could coordinate their movements. After all, those on the other side, who are not so helpful, coordinate their actions all the time: constant meetings, email, phone calls....seems only fair that we should be able to organize right back.

While it's certainly not illegal, I can't imagine those we would be looking to replace would think kindly of such and organization, so it would have to live in relative secrecy. And ideally, all roads wouldn't trace back to a single, central source of control, lest that person become a scapegoat. Maybe make use of some typical resistance tactics (cellular organization, anonymous contacts, but then how do you know that the people are who they say they are and are actually trying to help).

It's a fun idea, but even if it doesn't get formalized, the general principle is there: make lots of friends with the bright people, don't make enemies of the powerful people.