Stefano Marinelli

The Server That Wasn't Meant to Exist

A story from 16 years ago - trust, tech, and a server that had to disappear. They offered me a blank check. I said no.

https://it-notes.dragas.net/2025/05/13/the_server_that_wasnt_meant_to_exist/

#ITNotes #IT #SysAdmin #OwnYourData

The Server That Wasn't Meant to Exist

A story from 16 years ago - trust, tech, and a server that had to disappear. They offered me a blank check. I said no.

IT Notes
May 13 at 2:24pmWeb
Show threadudo m. rader ☕ 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 🐧May 13

@stefano "I like doing what I do - and the income is a consequence, not the cause." ... I like that mindset!

A well written adventure story, glad you managed to do the right thing 😃 Being asked to "quickly" fix some IT problem for friends (of friends) can be a real pita ...

Show threadStefano MarinelliMay 13
@riaschissl thank you!
Show threadnineofsevenMay 13
@stefano wow... i liked that story 🙌
Show threadStefano MarinelliMay 13
@nineofseven thank you!
Show threadÁngelMay 13
And of course, I’ve left out the worst parts of the story.
This is tragic and frightening. What a story.
Show threadStefano MarinelliMay 13
@angel yes, I couldn't write them. Other people were involved and those parts were too strong. Even if they, probably, could better explain why I decided to move away.
Show threadArcticulateMay 13
@stefano Oh yikes! 🤔🫤. I feel sorry for you. I had this one IT consultancy mission around 11 years ago. It was nothing like your story: it didn’t involve criminal stuff. However, there is this common thread of resistance to change which is instantly recognisable. Also, how the CEO gave me veto for my consultancy work but I still had to fight to get the CEOs will through to multiple satellite offices. I said: ”do this, do that”. Some responded: ”No, not now. I’m busy”.
Show threadArcticulateMay 13

@stefano Their resistance meant that I had to skip some people, try to help others in the organisation in the meantime and hope I could go back fix the stubborn people’s computers later. It’s like I had to act CEO but some just ignored me, I was just an annoying messenger.

In the end, the woman who resisted change the most came back e-mailing me after my mission was done, my consultancy considered finished. She wanted my help, long overdue. I replied something similar to this:

Show threadArcticulateMay 13

[Automatic response]: My consultancy is done. For more information, reach out to [CEO at the company].

It felt good, she was very arrogant! Perhaps not the most professional response from me, but I had no obligation to help and I couldn’t, regardless. My contract was up, I had no ties to the company anymore.

Show threadAnita LewisMay 13

@stefano

I was on the edge of my chair reading this!

Show threadKay OhtieMay 13
@stefano it's kind of heart breaking reading. It shows just how desperate those who depend on ill-gotten gains and power are to maintain it, that "great" isn't good enough for them, and perhaps nothing ever is.