Re: continuation...

From: DA Morgan <damorgan_at_psoug.org>
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:00:52 -0700
Message-ID: <1184994052.495923@bubbleator.drizzle.com>

Bob Jones wrote:

> ">>>>>> If there are business needs, nothing can really stop a company from
>>>>>>> upgrading. Technologies are there to support businesses. Some may 
>>>>>>> think the other way around. Not just CTOs, many people would be 
>>>>>>> risking theirs jobs, if they don't carefully consider the business 
>>>>>>> impacts.
>>>>>> I often, due to what I do, find myself talking with IT management at a
>>>>>> sufficiently high level to know what they are doing. The driving need
>>>>>> is compliance and CTOs and CFOs are very aware of what can put them 
>>>>>> into
>>>>>> legal jeopardy.
>>>>> What are they saying? They upgrade because they are afraid of legal 
>>>>> issues?
>>>> That is a reasonable incentive.
>>>>
>>> Yes, everyone, upgrade immediately, or face legal consequences.

>> Your comment is dripping with sarcasm. If you have some other moral
>> compass you think DBAs should follow why don't you tell us about it.
>> My sense of morality still requires me to do more than just what I
>> can get away with.

>>
> 
> This is no sarcasm, if everything you say here is true. It has none to do 
> with morality, unless you think not upgrading to the lastest Oracle as being 
> immoral.

Mark and Willie may, and Larry likely does, but I could care less just so long as you comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law.

>> It is your responsibility as an IT professional to inform management
>> when you believe they are not following best practice and the law. To do
>> otherwise is irresponsible by any ethical standard. Though I am fully
>> aware that it is the S.O.P. in 2007.

> 
> You are going off to a different topic again. Does the best practice or the 
> law say anything about not on the lastest version?

It does not. The law defines a practice that must be followed. If you think you can do that without the latest version you need to hire an attorney to explain the law to you.

Oracle is putting these features into the product so that they can sell a product that makes compliance possible. If the there was not a compelling reason to buy those features, and they were put in anyway, I doubt Safra would look kindly upon those who spent their time and money unwisely.

>> Your question is roughly equivalent to "tell me confidential and
>> proprietary information entrusted to you by one of your customers."

>>

>> But certainly not out of line with someone dismissive of obeying the law.
>> Sorry Bob but I really have little respect for people willing to
>> say "I know what the law is and I'm going to ignore it because it isn't
>> important to me personally."

> 
> It doesn't matter it is can't or won't. There is no data to support your 
> argument.
> 
> Wow, many people must have broken "the law".

Duh! Are you really that totally out of contact with reality? Yes most organizations are only partially in compliance and their employees are at risk the first time an attorney sues and finds an excuse to use their non-compliance against them. Which part of the new item on Intel didn't you understand?

Given that others may be equally unaware of the laws here is some reading material to start your education.

http://www.oracle.com/solutions/corporate_governance/sarbanes.html
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/06/disposal.shtm
http://www.shrednations.com/articles/facta.php
http://www.privcom.gc.ca/legislation/02_06_01_01_e.asp
http://www.itworldcanada.com/a/CIO-Gov.-Review/d11d15d4-52bf-4ade-8846-ca2d269cc87b.html
http://www.oracle.com/oramag/profit/04-nov/p44bank.html
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/item/?ci=15604
http://www.ameinfo.com/33652.html

and there are plenty more laws and regulations where these came from.

Do yourself and your employer a favor. People who don't know traffic laws shouldn't drive. If you don't know these laws you could be digging a hole of a depth you can not comprehend.

-- 
Daniel A. Morgan
University of Washington
damorgan_at_x.washington.edu (replace x with u to respond)
Puget Sound Oracle Users Group
www.psoug.org

Received on Sat Jul 21 2007 - 00:00:52 CDT