Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!rutgers!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!unmvax!uokmax!randy
From: randy@uokmax.uucp (Longshot)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: Re: Spy X Window
Message-ID: <1990Jul16.181959.16369@uokmax.uucp>
Date: 16 Jul 90 18:19:59 GMT
References: <194@melpar.UUCP> <9070003@hpavla.AVO.HP.COM>
Organization: Engineering Computer Network, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Lines: 36

almquist@hpavla.AVO.HP.COM (Mike Almquist) writes:

>> I want to "monitor" a window on another machine from my machine.
>> I have source for all software running but would rather not modify any of it.
>> I have full control of unix permissions etc.
>> 
>> Jim Hopkins	uunet!melpar!jim
>> ----------

>Is this ethical?  Is there a good reason for doing this?  I'd be majorly pissed
>off if someone was watching me - even more so if I didn't even know I was being
>watched.  What is the reason for the Big Brother attitude?  Did you see the
>articles about the situation at PSU between some users and their system
>administrators?  If not, you should take a look at it.  How is this tool going
>to be useful to you?  Why don't you ASK the students about their progress and
>work habits?  X is a good program, don't make people paranoid so that next
>versions of X will be more restrictive but secure.  Use tools, don't abuse them.

Well, here at my site, we have had to monitor users in the past, because their
actions were causing trouble, or we suspected them of trying to break system
security. When we have had to do this in the past, we were able to tap the
Annex port. As it happens, we usually catch someone doing something they 
shouldn't. We have some policy here that students are required to adhere to
(they sign a form upon receipt of their account, agreeing to our terms),
which includes not using other peoples' accounts, and other things. Sometimes,
when we suspect someone is breaking the policy, we have to have proof. In X,
there are no annex ports to tap. If the person needs to be able to monitor
someone, it may be for a good reason. The professor may think that the student
in question is guilty of academic misconduct (cheating). This may be the only
way to find out.

-- 
Randy J. Ray       University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus	(405)/325-5370
!chinet!uokmax!randy	randy@uokmax.uucp    randy@uokmax.ecn.uoknor.edu
"Quick to judge, Quick to anger, slow to understand; Ignorance, prejudice, and
fear go hand in hand..."	- Neil Peart