[iDC] Computrace query

[Tom Novelli]

That's creepy.  If I were you I'd buy my own laptop and refuse to use
any computer provided by the IT department.  (Besides, I'm a
programmer who uses Linux, which I doubt Computrace would support
anyhow.)  People ought to stand up to this crap.  I've worked for
plenty of employers that trusted workers with laptops, vehicles, etc.
This is crazy.

--
Tom Novelli
http://tnovelli.github.com

On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 2:30 AM, Jonathan Beller <jbeller at pratt.edu> wrote:
> Dear IDCers, a moment of your expertise if you have the time (I beg you to
> forgive the ignorance which the question below betrays):
> At long last (6 years) my institution has agreed to buy me a new computer.
> Long story short I asked to bypass our IT department and receive the unit
> directly, but Pratt requires the installation of Computrace, and will not
> turn the computer over to me without it. My preliminary investigation of
> this program by the aptly named company, Absolute Software, shows it to be
> spyware capable of grabbing real time screen shots from my computer,
> monitoring key strokes, and remotely deleting the hard drive. Supposedly
> these features are activated only in the event of the computers theft, but I
> do not take much comfort from such assurances. First is this assessment of
> Computrace's capacities correct and second, does it not seem that
> acquiescing to the installation of such programs institutes an unprecedented
> level of surveillance over our intellectual and sensual
> exploration as well as our very creativity. We know that in principle our
> every screen-view and inscription is retrievable by those who have immense
> power over us. If this understanding is correct, how can we tolerate that
> our liberal arts institutions allow a window open to the possibility of human freedom be closed not only for us but
> --should this situation become the standard -- perhaps for all time?
> Your thoughts will
> be greatly appreciated and also used to develop an arsenal to change
> our institutional policy should that prove to be the proper route.
> With thanks,
> Jon Beller
>
>
>
>
> Jonathan Beller
> Professor
> Humanities and Media Studies
> and Critical and Visual Studies
> Pratt Institute
> jbeller at pratt.edu
> 718-636-3573 fax
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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