I readily admit there was a time when people downloaded files and "free" apps willy-nilly and unwittingly infected corporate networks with nasty viruses. So, I have no real problem with strictures against such behavior. However, when IT bans the use of any and all apps except a small list of corporate-approved (read: Microsoft) software, I can get just a little pissed.

iTunes, for example, is considered verboten by many corporate IT groups for reasons that escape me. If it is OK with my boss that I listen to tunes while sitting (I mean, working) at my PC, where's the harm? I buy stuff from iTunes legitimately because I'm not smart enough to get music for free. (I mean, because it's wrong.)

If anyone is found stealing music, they should immediately be fired – after they show me how to do it.

Years ago an IT executive once told me there was "absolutely no legitimate business use for streaming video." I took that as a challenge, and produced streaming video of a conference sponsored by our employer that was viewed by thousands of customers all over the world. The IT executive was still unconvinced. Although he did start hating my guts.

If you present IT with a business case for anything different or "new" which requires them to do any additional work, you will invariably be told that no resources are available. Of course, you can always try to develop a compelling business case and present it to some IT committee for review. If it ever gets approved (which is about as likely as Ann Coulter dating Michael Moore), don't hold your breath waiting for something to happen.

If you really want to scare the crap out of IT, tell them your entire department needs to use Macs. They'll fight you like mama bear protecting her cubs. Secretly they fear Macs require less support, which might reduce IT's grip on the throat of upper management.

I don't believe IT is lazy. I think their behavior is all about getting revenge for the way they were treated in high school.

Remember them? The geeks and nerds who were way too interested in math, sexually awkward at best, and apparently ignorant of styles and fashion? Shunned or tortured by the cool kids (and the wannabes such as myself), future IT execs recall high school as a sojourn in hell.

Today, they're armed and ludicrous; code warriors, network ninjas, and help desk dungeon masters. They have the keys to the magic computer stuff and they know the rest of the company hasn't even the beginning of a clue. They're still not "cool," but they now wield megatons of power.

The truth is IT is nothing more than a service function. We need computing thingees for sales and marketing and accounting and operations and all like that. IT's function is not unlike building maintenance, cafeteria services, and trash removal – only with more electrical usage.

So back off and stop being such a pain in the ass.

Are you listening IT?

Would it help if I apologized for giving you a swirly?

Bruce Pilgrim is the CEO and janitor of Bruce Pilgrim Marketing Communications, LLC. He recently published his first book, Talking to My Cats: A Small Business Journal.