Search Sites Services ITcareers Product Finder Mobile devices and multimedia downloads are capturing users attention - and drawing fire from network managers. One employee had been with his company for only two days when he downloaded Napster - and proceeded to teach everyone else in his department how to do so. Incidents such as this perpetuate the stereotypes that exist about users and IT staff members.
Users view IT as an obstacle, and IT views users as uninformed troublemakers.
Instead, they assign themselves the role of 'standards cop,' with the philosophy that everyone should mold their operations around IT rather than the other way around. For IT, trying to keep things standard is a frustrating, draining proposition, particularly as users become more Internet-savvy and start playing with instant messaging, downloading audio files or tuning in to Internet radio. Users exercising their download skills and IT staffers flexing their administrator muscles. There will always be stubborn parties on both sides. Cut back on the recreational activities and business tools may improve.