Hey chuck,

Sounds like you have a real dilemma. And it also sounds like your supervisor has it out for you. Be careful.

I agree with the person who suggested that you have a discussion with your supervisor and point out just what you have said. That you agree that any software on a UW computer should be owned by UW, and you feel that winzip will be an aid to your job performance. If she diasgrees, ask that she note that she denied you a job aid in your personal file so the next time you have a performance review, you have a reason for what we know she will find as poor performance.

Also, by pointing out that there are many other unlicensed software programs being used, she may be discriminating against you. If she has a brain at all, she will be sensitive to the "D" word. Ask that your file be updated to show that you feel discriminiated against for not haveing the tools you need to work.

Best of all, find out what others in the same situation are doing. Do they have winzip or other utilities in use unlicensed?

Also consider that there may just not be the budget there to purchase a license, and the budget process is usually a big headache.

Put your licensed copy of PKzip for DOS on a floppy and run it in DOS like I do.

And last of all, learn everything you can and get out of there. Can you transfer to another campus?