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From: Joshua.R.Poulson@CYBER.WIDENER.EDU
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Re: A lot of stuff that's been happening lately.
Message-ID: <5A08161122060136-MTABWIDENER*Joshua.R.Poulson@cyber.widener.edu>
Date: 22 Aug 90 22:51:21 GMT
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Organization: The Internet
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Hello everyone,

I just recently joined this list and it appears that everyone is talking
about the big crackdown (Operation Sun-Devil and related stuff?) and the
Orwellian taste it has.  Perhaps I should strengthen the opposing viewpoint
some more since it seems to be losing.

Our computer here at Widener University is owned by the University.  The
University hires me to maintain the operation of that computer.  The
computer's function is to provide a service to specific group of people:
our user base.  Now, our user base consists of students, staff, faculty,
and administrative personnel here.

Since the use of a computer is a service that is provided to the users,
when someone extracts usage that he or she is not supposed to extract, we
consider that THEFT of that service.  This is similar to the people that
mess with cable TV lines to get pay services.  Theft of service is a legal
and I suppose well-defined area.  When someone calls our modems just to
play cracking games with our system and denies the use of that modem to
someone with a legitimate purpose we take that fairly seriously.

I suppose that the people who are "exploring" the network and
"experimenting" with the equipment I'm responsible for don't see it that
way.  I see it as people who are exploiting the connectivity that I've
fought to provide for legitimate users.  It hurts that someone takes
advantage of the utility the system should have.  No one likes entering
passwords in order to employ useful programs.

Now there are problems I have with some of the actions I've heard described
about Operation Sun-Devil.  Those doubts are based upon the
CONSTITUTIONALITY of certain things.  However, I support the idea that a
harder stance has be taken again people who misuse or abuse the equipment
they're provided.

The software issue, I feel, is the same way.  Software is licensed to users
for their personal use.  Users purchase the SERVICE of the software, just
like users paying tuition are getting the SERVICE of our computer.  I think
that software developers are allowed to receive recompense for their work.

Now I do admit that it seems that competition in the market is on a
downslide and that certain things are getting expensive.  It used to be
cheap to develop DOS programs.  Now if you want to write code for Windows
and OS/2 (PM or not) it'll cost you in time (it's more complicated), money
(those development kits are not cheap...  and neither is a reasonable
compiler), and resources (it's hard to believe the kind of machine needed
to do serious development work!).

I think that's unreasonable.  I like machines better that include all that
fancy software very cheaply.  Unix boxes with X Windows are CHEAP, compared
to the DOS/Windows/OS-2 nightmare.

Now, as I get off of my soapbox and paint a bullseye on my chest, I would
like to offer myself as an advocate on the opposite side of any issue.  I
feel that a certain amount of research is required to produce better
workers for the future.  And, it's nice to play with a game before buying
it.  And, it costs a lot to develop newer operating systems so how do you
make up the costs.  (See, ain't I lots of fun?)

I'll see everybody later, happy posting.

--JRP [Joshua.R.Poulson@cyber.widener.EDU]

Please don't send mail straight to me.  If it's pertinent, post it.  If it's
a flame, trash it.  If it's a love note, forward it to my girlfriend.