[UCLA-LUG] The squeaky LUG nuts get the grease

[Mark Fasheh]

--------
from http://www.cybertrn.demon.co.uk/atomic/culture.htm:

"You *should* recieve instructions on what to do next." 
  -- if you don't then civilisation has collapsed, government is no more,
     you are now on your own, good luck!

On Thu, 16 Sep 1999 dannys@csua.ucla.edu wrote:

> "FASHEH,MARK JAMES" <mfasheh@ucla.edu> wrote:
> >is this: The STC policy does not pick out linux as its target.  The policy
> >picks out people who want static IP's (and the ability to run network
> >services), and tells them that the STC doesn't want this.  Linux users can
> >use DHCP, and they are not being told not to run samba either.  Therefore
> >I don't believe that the STC's actions are a sort of 'linux
> 
> Honestly, I'm quite surprised this big discussion has centered around
> the static IP issue.  The static IPs are only part of the issue.  The
> main thing (I think) is being able to run "servers".  (Which, btw, the
> STC has never clearly defined in a consistent manner that makes any
> sense).

Look closely at what I wrote above.  After static IP's, I say "the
ability to run network services".  

> 
> I know that when I was in the dorms, I wasn't so much concerned about
> letting other people get to my machine.  Yeah, it was kinda neat and
> all, but I (personally) never took big advantage of that.  (Besides
> the convenience of ftp'ing files... even between my dorm-mate and
> myself).  My big thing was for /me/ to access /my/ machine.  I'd want
> to be able to use ssh, ftp, etc. to xfer files around for whatever
> reason.  Makes sense... you do your homework on your computer, you're
> down in campus, realize you forgot something, or there's a piece of a
> project you've been working on that someone in the lab would benefit
> from, and you don't want to walk all the way to your dorm to get the
> file.  Also, I might be a little paranoid about people hacking into my
> computer, as any computer literate person should be.  So, I'd want to
> keep all my connections ssh, or encrypted in some fashion.  This, to
> me, is a prime example of a completely legitimate and reasonable use
> of campus networking that the STC simply does not allow.
> 
> So what's the point of campus networking, then?  Just letting people
> websurf, and Windows users pirate software?  That's the end effect.
> But the real reason we even have dorm networking is so that it can be
> glamored up in the UCLA brochures, so that the upper-ups keep their
> stream of cattle revenue.

*sigh*.  This is getting ridiculous.  Unfortunately, 
telnetd/sshd/ftpd/etc are all server processes, and more unfortunately the
STC isn't bright enough to figure out that people don't normally run
illegal warez sites off of a telnet connection.  People have choices.  I
(for example) moved out of resnet, and donated Kuato to the LUG so we
could all have a decent access point to the net from which we could access
our important files.  In fact, I did several programming projects (I *am*
a CS major), and uploaded them to Kuato or fire (over a 28.8 modem) every
time I left my apartment, so if someone isn't capable of doing the same
from their dorm room, over the gigabit backbone (or whatever we have),
then I have serious doubts against their ability to run *nix.
Furthermore, the general stupidity of the STC becomes an advantage for
these students.  I know for a fact that noone at the STC has any idea what
SSH is.  In fact, for the short time I was living on campus, I ran sshd
without any problems from them (they harrased me about all other services,
but had no idea that I was running ssh).  One more thing -- I knew *lots*
of freshmen who lived off campus in apartments, coops, frats, etc, so
there is lots of choice for people who want to run stuff without the STC's
approval (DSL is now available in Westwood).  

> 
> >but we need to understand that this sort of political action needs to be
> >organized by a seperate club devoted to that sort of thing (perhaps the
> >libertarian club?). The LUG's purpose is to promote the use of linux at
> >UCLA.  We can do this most effectively when working *with* the school, and
> >improving our image on campus.  The STC's policy on static IP's does
> 
> again.... the LUG (in all it's incarnations -- there have been about
> 4, I believe), has always hit a rough road with the STC.  The reason
> is because of their long-standing rule for not letting students run
> "servers".  Here's kind of a history on it:
> 
> When the network first came up, it was the middle of a year, everyone
> had static IP, and they didn't care too much about who ran what.
> 
> The next year, they allowed "servers" only if you told them what you
> were running, and signed some form.
> 
> Following year, started using DHCP, but allowing you to purchase
> static IP (which consists of an entry in a table somewhere).
> 
> Then maybe 1 or 2 years pass (or 0... not sure about the time frame
> anymore).  And we're at the present situation: DHCP, no static IP, and
> possibility of no servers allowed.
> 
> So they've been moving relatively slowly, but consistently in one
> direction.

I am aware of this short history of the STC.
None of this changes my main point.  Once again, this isn't a fight for
the LUG.  I highly suggest that you guys contact the libertarian club.
I'm sure they would have lots of energy to devote to lobbying for the
freedom of on-campus-housing students.  Also, just because previous LUG's
couldn't avoid reacting non-rationally in regards to this situation,
doesn't mean that our LUG can't.  Hopefully we've moved forward in
maturity since then.


> 
> >services, then they can get an account on Kuato.  At the moment, I think
> >the LUG leaves a rather bad taste in some peoples mouths, and I'd like to
> >see that change -- our future as a campus group might depend on it.
> 
> 
> Or maybe we're the shining beacon of hope.  The distaste you have is
> for that of battle.  (Or something less dramatic)
> 

Two things.  First, I said *other* people had a distaste for the LUG.
Secondly, the distaste I have is for that of battles which are not the
LUG's to fight.

> 
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