Is it ethical to keep a copy of the code or designs you did for your employer, for your reference?

Re:Is it ethical to keep a copy of the code or designs you d... by paulgb on Thursday August 02, 2007 @01:34PM (#38778)

I hope it doesn't feel like a debate, I am just trying to see your side of this because if I felt that what I was doing was unethical or even in a "grey area", I would not be doing it. The reason I keep coming back to this thread is not because I want to win an argument, but because I might be wrong.

I agree with you that drawing the ethical line wherever it is most convenient is bad. In fact, I have discussed or debated ethics online a few times in the past, and I was always in your position, saying that the issue is black and white no matter how convenient it would be otherwise. Perhaps this is why I am so interested in this thread, now that I am on the other end of it.

Anyway, thanks for your insight. Although I am still not convinced that anything I did was unethical, I will think twice before looking at past work again.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is it ethical to keep a copy of the code or designs you d... by edw519 on Thursday August 02, 2007 @01:48PM (#38786)

It hasn't felt like a debate. Just a real interesting topic. And, who knows, maybe we got one of those chicken leg buffet people to thinking here - this discussion may save someone a whole bunch of trouble years down the line.

Every once in a while, it's nice to say that which goes without saying.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Is it ethical to keep a copy of the code or designs you d... by juwo on Thursday August 02, 2007 @04:13PM (#38823)

well :)

which is more unethical?

the restaurant throwing away perfectly good food into the trash when there are hungry people in poorer countries (or even a few blocks away in the same city) who haven't eaten chicken in months because they cant afford it? (I know people like that).

the "chicken leg buffet" person. He paid full price for his buffet, only his stomach can contain 2 legs, and he does not wish to greedily stuff himself with 6 legs.

or what if he took 4 legs on his plate, and out of a good conscience, cannot throw 2 uneaten legs away?

point: it is hard to judge other people.

[ Parent | on HN ]