Running FFXI off of USB/External HDD at work

[phrost]

used to play XI at work with a laptop and an air card.

[Miraun]

To further qualify my statement... there is still another difference between playing a game and browsing forums at work. More technical...

Correct me if I'm wrong on the which FFXI uses, but when installing games that require integration into the registry and .dll files, they typically open up distinct communication ports for that game to use that would otherwise be closed by default settings, especially in a corporate environment. Asmoranomar had mentioned ports as being a potential problem if there's an additional firewall keeping ports closed.

From the security standpoint, albeit slim, the additional communication ports can be used freely upon opening. This is typically why larger corporations do port scanning of computers on their networks in addition to registry and application scanning.

I'd recommend using a second computer all together. While also not a good idea, it wouldn't jeopardize any potentially confidential files you have on your workstation.

[keitari]

I bring my laptop and run FFXI while I work. I'm not camping HNM or EXP partying but I might craft here or there. The most I will do is camp small crap while at work. This week, I have gotten both Saruta Kyahans (sp?) and a pair of Shinimusha Haidate.

It's a little trick I learned called multi-tasking: While I am doing 3 other things work-related, I spend a 30 seconds killing placeholders, then setting a timer for next pop. Wow, a total of MAYBE 20 minutes total wasted during the day.

I hear the annoying chicks in my office sit around and gab for hours about hair, make-up, weddings, their little shit-eating dogs, how much they hate their husbands, etc. If you think I am being unproductive while doing small shit in FFXI you'd have a field day with my co-workers...

I've been running life insurance, and long-term care quotes for so long I can do it in my sleep. I can build a portfolio on Morningstar with the monitors turned off. I don't really think playing FFXI for mere minutes at the time is going to cause me to become any less productive.

[Katoke]

Don't feed the trollbane.

However, idk how it can be done, but there's a bunch of QQ'ing going on from people who just wish they could get paid hourly and then play ffxi.

[FailureMidgard]

To further qualify my statement... there is still another difference between playing a game and browsing forums at work. More technical...

Correct me if I'm wrong on the which FFXI uses, but when installing games that require integration into the registry and .dll files, they typically open up distinct communication ports for that game to use that would otherwise be closed by default settings, especially in a corporate environment. Asmoranomar had mentioned ports as being a potential problem if there's an additional firewall keeping ports closed.

From the security standpoint, albeit slim, the additional communication ports can be used freely upon opening. This is typically why larger corporations do port scanning of computers on their networks in addition to registry and application scanning.

I'd recommend using a second computer all together. While also not a good idea, it wouldn't jeopardize any potentially confidential files you have on your workstation.

Ok, I'll grant that, if it's applicable. But that goes past games to virtually any application outside of a web browser too, no? And it's still not really the fact it's a "game", but more when I listed my 3 categories I saw, you are placing it potentially in disruptive due to security.
Unproductive is still unproductive though.

[retice]

http://www.ceedo.com/products/ceedo-personal.html

You have to pay for this program but from what I hear it works with and without windower.

[Spira]

really shouldnt be a moral implication to this.

if you're not being productive at work, then it doesn't matter if you're surfing the web, reading a book, watching a movie or playing a game. The bottom line is productivity.

If you do get your tasks done on time anyway, then power to you and you can make use of it whichever way you want (given it is allowed, or you're willing to take the risk).

I used to play flash games and listen to music at my work computer 3/4s of a day and spend like the other 1/4 doing my actual work. I woulda installed FFXI if i could but the PCs worked purely by Intranet only lol.

As an interesting aside, my supervisor (of sorts) played FFXI too and we'd chat about it at length during work time lol.

Also if anyone even dares to bring up the argument of 'scale' of the game, games like Tetris and Farmville can take up as much time, if not more, in the right (or wrong) hands.

[Gergall]

Spoiler: show

To further qualify my statement... there is still another difference between playing a game and browsing forums at work. More technical...

Correct me if I'm wrong on the which FFXI uses, but when installing games that require integration into the registry and .dll files, they typically open up distinct communication ports for that game to use that would otherwise be closed by default settings, especially in a corporate environment. Asmoranomar had mentioned ports as being a potential problem if there's an additional firewall keeping ports closed.

From the security standpoint, albeit slim, the additional communication ports can be used freely upon opening. This is typically why larger corporations do port scanning of computers on their networks in addition to registry and application scanning.

I'd recommend using a second computer all together. While also not a good idea, it wouldn't jeopardize any potentially confidential files you have on your workstation.

On the flip side, there are a lot of companies out there that will monitor your web browser traffic (via Websense or similar) but never have any clue that you are playing games. Determining which behavior is riskier depends entirely on the employer.

It's obvious that the safest thing to do is focus on work, but everyone will make their own decisions.

[Miraun]

Ok, I'll grant that, if it's applicable. But that goes past games to virtually any application outside of a web browser too, no? And it's still not really the fact it's a "game", but more when I listed my 3 categories I saw, you are placing it potentially in disruptive due to security.
Unproductive is still unproductive though.

Yes, I completely agree with that statement. It does go beyond games. Hell, we're not allowed to install Skype, any type of AIM, and of course not games on our workstations. Big brother comes and sends nasty e-mails to our managers if we do. I think we've had a chat about my job in FFXI before... either that, or it was with Iremire.

[HadesBothari]

Since we're being so very hypothetical and all... laptop/cellphone/tethering no security problem, no disruption! back to slacking!

[Iremire]

Has anyone answered the op or are we still arguing about if it's ok to play at work or not?

I used to play at work, but it really depends on your job.

[Norellicus]

Not gonna get into the whole right/wrong-ness of playing the game at work, but I'll say this as a network admin:

Unless the connection to the internet starts and stops with your pc, you can be tracked and caught, and the more you try to disguise or bury it the more curious it's going to make someone who spots the anomaly. Installing on a usb drive isn't going to help you avoid asset management tools or bandwidth monitors, it just prevents all the end-user shortcuts from being installed. If you're trying to skirt detection because you know it'll cost you your job, then just don't do it at all. There's plenty of non-invasive ways to kill time at work, computer security is pretty serious business in most corporate environments and I wouldn't fuck with it.

[retice]

Has anyone answered the op or are we still arguing about if it's ok to play at work or not?

I used to play at work, but it really depends on your job.

few posts up

[thunderlips]

few posts up

Theres a free program I posted a few posts above yours.

[nitsuj]

I bring my laptop and run FFXI while I work. I'm not camping HNM or EXP partying but I might craft here or there. The most I will do is camp small crap while at work. This week, I have gotten both Saruta Kyahans (sp?) and a pair of Shinimusha Haidate.

It's a little trick I learned called multi-tasking: While I am doing 3 other things work-related, I spend a 30 seconds killing placeholders, then setting a timer for next pop. Wow, a total of MAYBE 20 minutes total wasted during the day.

This. My project @ work can take upwards of 20 minutes to do a full recompile/build. I see no difference if I spend that 20 minutes in the bathroom, on BG or crafting a few silent oils.

yeah because one is a game and one is a fucking internet forum you fucktard

Who let you out of spam?

[cdgreg]

God damnit I read something today that mentioned a website with online games that are built just like MS office programs. So the game is built into an excel spreadsheet or a word document. It's definitely not a USA thing, anyone who can be a lazy fuck will be a lazy fuck.

Do I wish I had a job where I could craft or camp, HELL YA, do I? Nope, but I'm not going to sit here and be jealous and butthurt over your question. If I had info to help you I would, sorry I don't.

[Klutz]

I played FFXI when I was an Assistant Manager at Abercrombie and Fitch. 9 hour shift with nothing to do but talk to my "Models" (That's what they call their customer associates).

Bring in my laptop, and hook that shit up to the wall internet. Free T3 ftw, lol. My manager would come in to check on me sometimes and ask what level I had gotten too. It was awesome.

Inb4 teenage job. You're all just jealous.

[Wulfgang]

My job blocks virtually any entertainment site on the planet and gmail (fuck you FINRA), except for ESPN.com. I don't see why people care, if your get your work done and it's quality, fine by me.

Colenzo trolling the planet.

[AidenCarby]

Mighty fine trollin' sir, might fine trollin'. http://www.simpsoncrazy.com/content/...iefWiggum2.gif

[Gergall]

This. My project @ work can take upwards of 20 minutes to do a full recompile/build. I see no difference if I spend that 20 minutes in the bathroom, on BG or crafting a few silent oils.

Spoiler: show

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/compiling.png