[ISN] Rick no longer providing columns for Securityfocus

From: InfoSec News (isnat_private)
Date: Sat Feb 15 2003 - 00:48:12 PST

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    Forwarded from: Richard Forno <rfornoat_private>
    
    14 February 2003
    
    Hello, all --
    
    Effective immediately, I will no longer be providing a monthly column
    for Securityfocus.Com, which was acquired in 2002 by Symantec.
    
    The issue came down to questioning of the byzantine Industrial Age
    process through which Symantec - a billion dollar company allegedly
    in-tune with the Information Age - pays its recurring, monthly
    columnists.
    
    Although grumbling about the situation to my editor over the holidays
    (and hearing some of his complaints about the Symantec merger as well)
    I decided that enough was enough.  The other day, I composed a polite,
    formal letter to Symantec's executive management regarding this
    situation.
    
    Yesterday, as a professional (and personal) courtesy, I sent a draft
    copy of my complaint to my editor since he's been a fair person to
    work with. I asked for his comments or thoughts on it before I sent it
    via postal mail to the company.
    
    Today, via phone, my editor informs me that my column is being
    cancelled as a result of my "attitude" these past few months
    (regarding the archaic payment process) and also for the "quality" of
    my work -- which really surprised me, particularly since we've had a
    very candid working relationship these past two years and aside from
    typical editorial comments, he seldom complained about my work.
    
    One would think if the editorial problem was *that* serious, given how
    we've worked together these past few years, if such a problem existed,
    he would have brought it to my attention sooner.  I suspect this is
    simply a more convenient way of justifying the termination of my
    contract -- or else why bring it up now - retroactively - without any
    warning or opportunity for improvement?
    
    Was it inappropriate wanting to contact executive management about
    this problem? Perhaps. However, since my editor never provided me a
    middle-management person to discuss this situation with when asked, I
    felt justified in seeking answers from elsewhere in the company.
    
    Suffice it to say, the letter never got sent, because (for me, at
    least) there's no reason to send it now.
    
    Thus, I am moving on with no regrets....and wish my (formerly) fellow
    Securityfocus columnists well as they continue working in the shadow
    of the Symantec behemoth.  I also hope that Symantec learns to embrace
    the Information Age in practice as well as in buzzwords.
    Billion-dollar-business or not, there's always room for common sense.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Rick
    infowarrior.org
    
    
    For those interested, a copy of my draft letter to Symantec can be found at:
    http://www.infowarrior.org/symantec/symantec-lackingcommonsense.html
    
    
    
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