Re: seen recently at ACS/ITD

daedalus (daedalus@nospam.progsoc.uts.edu.au)
Fri, 19 Apr 1996 16:32:52 +1000 (EST)

Just thought I'd add my own little bit to the fray, mostly on
prompting from Cam.
I have a problem with the current ACS policy because of a couple
of things.
They may have a code of ethics or something, but where is it? I
haven't as yet checked to see if it is available as a web document or is
floating around the uni somewhere. I personally believe that if they wish
to take the current attitude to accounts on acs machines, users rights and
responsibilities should be documented and readily available (a readme
somewhere on the system perhaps?) as should acs's rights and
responsibilities.
The motd gives a basic idea of what they don't allow, but it is
very open to interpretation. Something a little more concrete, and a bit
better written would be better.
acs machines are exactly that, acs machines. They can administer
them as they see fit, but they must still adhere to general laws and
university laws, guidelines, whatever. It would be worthwhile researching
these things to see whether or not acs actually comply to these things. If
so, then they have every right to continue doing what they are doing. If
not (which is what I suspect), then they have no right to be acting as
they are, and action should definately be taken.
I plan to get a hold of some of these documents if I can, and if
anyone finds such things online, please forward me a copy. Ranting and
raving can be quite fun for its own sake, but this will do nothing to stop
ITD/ACS at all. Let's continue our expression of views, certainly. It can
only help to focus our own ideas, but I for one would really like to see
ITD taken down a peg or two. :) I don't know anyone who hasn't suffered at
the hands of self-inflated ITD personnel from time to time.

As a side thought, the fact that itd/acs are so draconian in their
systems admin attitude is a great advertisement for progsoc membership.
Basically, yeah, you can't do much at all on acs machines... but hey! join
progsoc and you can get all the .gif's you want (within reason), and for
only $10!!!! Even worded as badly as this, it's a great deal. :)

One last thought, along similar lines to previous messages:

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're _not_ after you.

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daedalus
director - eigenmagic
daedalus@nospam.progsoc.uts.edu.au
http://www.progsoc.uts.edu.au/~daedalus
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1+1=3 (for sufficiently large values of 1)
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