You are being provided with access to a computer account on one of the UNIX mini-computers operated by the Instructional Computer Center -- an HP-UX Unix machine called issci1 (for "Instructional/Social Sciences #1). This account is free of charge (laser printing excepted). The account is provided so that you can do your course work for this class. In addition you may take advantage of some of the other facilities supported in this environment. You are free to use the account to read USENET News, play games -- if and when they are available -- or send electronic mail anywhere in the world that you can find online.
There is**NO** secrecy on this machine.
Everything you put on-line can potentially be read by anyone, given the right circumstances. The system administrators in the Academic Computing Center (the ACC), your professor(s), the class Teaching Assistants and the department Computer Resources Technician all have access to your files and to your account. This is not a peculiarity of UCSD, the Academic Computer Center or the Department of Communication. It is a normal fact of shared computing resources.
The ways in which the accounts are administered and maintained, as well as the responsibilities of administrators and users, are explained in detail in the newusers document which is available on-line by typing the word "newuser" at the shell prompt. This document is also available, in hardcopy from Bruce Jones. If you are curious about the ethics of shared computing you may find it interesting reading. In addition, the ACC publishes their own acceptable use policies for use of this account. This document is available at the shell by typing: help guideline.
Your password is the best means of protecting your account from unauthorized snoopers and lurkers. Keep it to yourself and change it regularly.
Happy Computing!
(c)Copyright 1985, 1996 by Bruce JonesAnyone is free to reproduce any of these documents in their entirety or parts thereof providing:
Bruce Jones Department of Communication bjones@ucsd.edu University of California, San Diego (619) 534-0417/4410 9500 Gilman Drive FAX (619) 534-7315 La Jolla, Ca. 92093-0503
This page last updated on: Feb 3 1997