Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax!computer-lab.cambridge.ac.UK!scc From: scc@computer-lab.cambridge.ac.UK Newsgroups: comp.sys.xerox Subject: Re: Othello and "magic" passwords Message-ID: <8801060249.AA07558@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> Date: 6 Jan 88 02:33:56 GMT References: Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: U of Cambridge Comp Lab, UK Lines: 30 Hal Brand writes: >WHY DOES ONE NEED A "MAGIC" PASSWORD???? It seems to me that: > 1) Everybody using a Xerox 11xx machine knows enough CS stuff > to use (or NOT use) such a powerful (and deadly) tool! > 2) It's "my disk" so I should be able to "go after it" > in any way that is appropriate to retrieve my data! >Now, I know that many times because of these reasons, the password is >made known to users, but if this is the policy, why have a password?? It is NOT a good idea to assume that everyone using a D machine is an expert. Some companies buy D machines for office work ... and not many secretaries have enough CS experience for this sort of thing. You'd be surprised how daft CS types can be at times. If it is "your" disc it is your own funeral, but in our setup some of our workstations are "public". >My point? If you don't know this password, I suggest you ask your Xerox >person for it ASAP before you really need it and have to wait N days to >track him down. I concur heartily. I was tempted to broadcast the password ... but I thought better of it. While you are at it, try and convince your Xerox person to leave you a copy of the DayBreak Product Support Supplement. It is an IMMENSELY useful document for someone who has to look after a lot of machines. It is called: Xerox 6085 PCS Product Support Supplement 600P88305 -- Steve