"Theft" seems like a rather harsh term for spending your time on a perl script.
I tend to follow a simple rule: If the servers are down or the users can't get their work done, then it's probably not a good time to be noodling with Perl. Other than that, I tend to take the view that, as an adult, I can make some judgement calls on what the best use of my time is.
Working with Perl makes me a better SysAdmin, and my boss mostly "gets it" (thank god), but I tend to do it when there's nothing pressing on my list.

It's also a form of "relaxation" that directly benefits the company. In contrast, a non-admin in a cubicle near mine seems to spend the majority of her day making personal calls. This makes it all too easy for me to justify an hour here and there with my friend perl.

My advice is to not sweat it unless your finding that you're not getting your real work done. Results matter more than a minute-by-minute accounting of your time.
/.02

~monk d4vis
#!/usr/bin/fnord

In reply to Re: Positive meditations (relaxation) or outright theft? by d4vis
in thread Positive meditations (relaxation) or outright theft? by vladb

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