Over the past year, SF State Computing Services has been involved in switching over student e-mail accounts on the Internet from the VAX system to the Sun Microsystem. That process was completed a few weeks ago and now these technological advances have some students up-in-arms.
For some, the problem is the lack of anonymity. For others, it is a question of notice.
"They had no right to change the system without notifying us of the change," Michelle Frandson said. "I used an alias to protect myself from harassment on the 'net. Now, it's open season. It's just not fair."
A forwarded message on the Internet from Richard Lee said, "I don't mind having my real name on my e-mail too much ... but no one even asked or informed me of the changes until it happened."
Users received a system-wide announcement of the switch from Mercury to Taurus and Orion. Students had to change their password in order to access the new system. Many were not aware of the details of other services incurred by the change. When the accounts migrated from the VAX system to the Sun Microsystem, the identity of students using an alias as their user name was unmasked.
Under the former VAX system, a person could change their user name from John Smith to Mickey Mouse for true anonymity using the 'change finger' command. The Sun Microsystem runs a different Unix operating system called System 5. Under this new system, users lost the ability to change their real name.
According to John True, director of Computing Services, students could "run amuck" using their aliases without any repercussions. He hopes the change will encourage users to take responsibility for their own actions.
"It wasn't an issue when we had 2,000 accounts," True said. "Now we have 9,000 accounts. It's better for us if we don't spend our time being Internet cops."
Everyone who applies for an account is required to sign an ethics guideline before the account is assigned. The computer ethics guide states that there are certain behaviors required on the Internet. Offensive information against others and unsolicited mass mailings are strictly prohibited. According to True, some students were abusing their e-mail privileges.
But, abuse on the Internet wasn't the cause for the switch. The Vax and Ultrix systems were no longer going to be supported by Digital Computers currently serving SF State. According to True, the new system is more modern technology.
The VAX system, which is still online, has been disabled by Computing Services. According to True it will still be around for another few months. "Class accounts and faculty who are still using the Mercury server still have access to the VAX system," True said. "By definition, the change is true for everyone."
Class accounts are used when a teacher requires everyone in a class to have an account as a requirement for the course, similar to textbook requirements. Class accounts are often used in courses teaching computer languages. They expire at the end of the semester.