Thread View: alt.privacy
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Started by gregh@gpu.utcc.u
Wed, 19 Jan 1994 12:31
Re: U of Toronto (Scarborough) introduces drastic computer policy
Author: gregh@gpu.utcc.u
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 12:31
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 12:31
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In article <2hikln$k8f@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,
Christopher J Burian <cburian@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu> wrote:
>mroussel@alchemy.chem.utoronto.ca (Marc Roussel) writes:
>
>] I don't see what the problem is. The University makes computers
>]available for students who need them for their coursework. On the other
>]hand, the University doesn't have unlimited resources and has placed
>]some constraints on use of the systems. What's the big deal?
It's one thing to say that the UofT doesn't have unlimited resources,
but it's quite another thing to say that they 'own' the files that
YOU, the user may be creating... I find that implication quite
offensive.. if I am the one who makes the file, regardless of where
the files may reside, the files are MY property unless I say otherwise.
What if the files I have are 'secret' with regards to a project that
I am working on? Does that give the UofT the right to 'peep' at them?
I would think not.
>Some of my class projects would have been really lame without ftp and,
>especially, gopher. U Toronto does its students a GREAT disservice by
>disallowing connections to other computers. What's the point of being
>on a network if you can't use it?
Exactly. You might as well just get a home computer and connect to a
local BBS.. you probably would get more options available to you.
>And, BTW, "offensive files" aren't going to be offending anyone except
>spies snooping through other people's accounts.
I agree... if you don't look, you won't be offended.. plain and simple.
>Almost all of the points of that policy are indefensible on any grounds.
I would tend to think so, but knowing universities, they would be able
to come up with something somewhere that could be arguable...
--
gregh@gpu.utcc.utoronto.ca UofT Network and Operations Services
(DrLecter on IRC) ,,,,, Work: (416) 978-8836
(o o) Fax: (416) 971-2085
+-------oOO--( )--OOo-------+
Re: U of Toronto (Scarborough) introduces drastic computer policy
Author: mroussel@alchemy
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 14:29
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 14:29
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In article <CJvMsE.325@gpu.utcc.utoronto.ca> gregh@gpu.utcc.utoronto.ca
(Greg Hurtault) writes:
> It's one thing to say that the UofT doesn't have unlimited resources,
> but it's quite another thing to say that they 'own' the files that
> YOU, the user may be creating... I find that implication quite
> offensive.. if I am the one who makes the file, regardless of where
> the files may reside, the files are MY property unless I say otherwise.
> What if the files I have are 'secret' with regards to a project that
> I am working on? Does that give the UofT the right to 'peep' at them?
> I would think not.
If you're working on a U. of T. project on a U. of T. computer, I
can't see how your files could be "secret", in any reasonable sense of the
word. We're not talking about privately owned research machines.
>In article <2hikln$k8f@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>,
>Christopher J Burian <cburian@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu> wrote:
>>Some of my class projects would have been really lame without ftp and,
>>especially, gopher. U Toronto does its students a GREAT disservice by
>>disallowing connections to other computers. What's the point of being
>>on a network if you can't use it?
>
> Exactly. You might as well just get a home computer and connect to a
> local BBS.. you probably would get more options available to you.
I presume that if network access is required for a particular
project, it can be granted. Besides, you're not exactly cut off. Email
is available, which means that FTP is available (although not with the
usual interface), mailing lists are available, ...
>>And, BTW, "offensive files" aren't going to be offending anyone except
>>spies snooping through other people's accounts.
>
> I agree... if you don't look, you won't be offended.. plain and simple.
Here, it seems to me that the University is trying to cover its
butt. It's probably not going to go looking for offensive material, but
if it discovers (or, more likely, is informed) that you have been using
your account to distribute anything offensive, it can point to the
policy and pull the plug on your account. It sounds draconian, but
people are granted access to these machines for coursework, not
entertainment. The University can't afford the legal fees that would be
required to defend itself from a suit brought about as the result of
inappropriate use of its computers. It has left itself a regrettable
but necessary escape hatch.
Marc R. Roussel
mroussel@alchemy.chem.utoronto.ca
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