🚀 go-pugleaf

fullnews@engin.umich.edu (Henry Park) writes:

> In article <1991Jun7.050512.29949@eagle.lerc.nasa.gov>:

> >are you living in a cave??  no company or university is going to give you
> >(an outsider) something for nothing.. they're not in business to do that...
> >if they do, they certainly wouldn't be in business long...

> Fabian is referring to the idea of "dialouts" in situations where no password
> is required. He seems to feel that there is something unethical about using
> freely accessible resources. In some of the annoyances he is talking about I
> think he is right.

I would think that many admins of dialout ports would grant access willingly,
if asked.  It's the disregard of local needs that seems to create the problem;
if a site's targeted usergroup has first crack at a resource, the casual
'outsider' should find out whether his intrusions are welcome.  It may not
be feasible to post a 'welcome' on the port stating "This dialout is provided
for the ___________ of _____________.  Access to others available after
_________ hrs. on a first-come, first-served basis", or something to that
effect, but it should be inferred.  If I want to camp on someone's property,
I would ask permission first.

Many universities offer 'outside' accounts with resources that mimic
those of its students, usually with a small monthly 'service fee' and/or
a bill for cpu time.  The packet-switching networks (TYMNET comes to mind)
offer dialouts, for a fee.  Access is available and without hassles for
anyone wishing to make an effort to find one; FREE access should neither
be demanded or expected.

TANSTAAFL
--
  "These are the days of lasers in the jungle; this is a long
   distance call."  Paul Simon - The Boy in the Bubble, Graceland