Computer Changes Delayed

The log file of the "fas" computer was publicly available yesterday, despite a University official's available yesterday, despite a University official's assurance that users would no longer be able to gain access.

Any user who viewed this file could read the names of students sending email and the recipients of their meassages.

Franklin Steen, director of Harvard Arts and Computer Services (HASCS), who stated on Tuesday that access to the log files on all computers would be cut off, said he did not know why the file was accessible.

The Crimson reported on Wednesday that students could view a file logging the names of graduates and undergraduates who transferred pornography and obscene material between Harvard's computers and their own.

Many students were upset when told that their actions could be monitored, citing a possible violation of privacy.

Steen noted that the file available yesterday contained only e-mail records, not the file transfers which included pornographic images.

Students interviewed earlier this week said, however, that the existence of the e-mail log is an invasion of their privacy as well.

Several noted that by looking at the log it is possible to discover the names of students' friends, parents, employers, and other acquaintances.

Yesterday, Steen said the e-mail records do not invade student's privacy to the same extent as the file transfers because there are other ways to see who people are e-mailing.

"E-mail is not as big a deal as files," Steen said. He mentioned that the "w" command can also reveal whom a students has e-mailed.

But Steen said if students are deliberately examining the log file for information on other students, "it should be covered up."

He said, however, that he presumes the file will be closed in the near future.

Steen said two students called him in response to The Crimson's article onWednesday to express concern about the e-mailrecords and the log file.

"One was very depressed and distraught," hesaid. "He said he had spent some days in his room,not going out. I tried to calm him."

Despite the severe reaction of the student, whoSteen said refused to give his name, othersoffered arguments for keeping e-mail records open.

"One person pointed out the analogy of adepartment whose mailboxes are in a hallway," hesaid. "Anyone could, if they made the effort, readthe mail."

Steen said he wants to be careful in providinga warning to students that their activities maynot be as private as they think.

"I'm a little cautious about setting upwarnings," Steen said. "I don't want students tothink everything they do is public. Their e-mailmessages are secure."

Steen said, however, that students shouldunderstand the differences between electronic mailand regular mail.

"[Maybe] we should say a little louder that weare a public system and people can discover somethings about what you're doing," the directorsaid.

Nevertheless, he argued that the majority ofstudents continue to trust HASCS with theircommunications.

"People rely on our mail system, and trust usand our system administrators," Steen said.

A Student Administrator

Those systems administrators include, inaddition to several full-time employees, astudent: Jefferson C. Tarr '96.

Along with the rest of the administrators, Tarrholds the "root" password for the HASCS machines.

The password makes its holder a "super user,"capable of controlling the HASCS computers and allUnix accounts.

Super users maintain the computers, but theirpower gives them the ability to see intoeveryone's files and e-mail activities.

Steen said he is still considering the issue ofstudent system administrators, but said that Tarr"is a HASCS employee who has proven himself."

"I've been here nine months," he said. "[Therole of student administrators] is one of manythings that have been here, and that I've beenconcerned about."

"It is important to keep the number of peoplewith the root password to a minimum," Steen said."It is my goal to reduce this small number ofpeople to an even smaller number."

Students are divided on whether other studentsshould be super users. David A. Holland '95-'96, astudent not currently enrolled in classes, alsoholds the root password.

"David Holland has literally saved HASCS's butsometimes, by logging in at three in the morningand fixing a problem," said Eugene E. Kim '96,former president of the Harvard Computer Society(HCS).

"He's a HASCS employee," Kim added. "The facthe is a student is not important."

Others interviewed were more critical of thestudent administrator post.

"I feel a little bit uncomfortable about otherstudents have root privileges," said HCS NetworkDirector Richard B. Osterberg '96.

Tarr said he holds the password because HASCShas only two Unix programmers and needs additionalhelp.

"Basically, I was doing so much stuff for themthat it was just easier for everyone if I had theroot password," Tarr said.

Steen pointed to former Unix Systems ManagerMike Burner's recent departure as an example ofHASCS's staffing problems. "It's a manpowerissue," he said.

But Tarr has held the password for at least ayear, according to system log files.

When asked whether Tarr would hold the rootpassword if HASCS had increased funds, Steen saidmore than money was at stake.

HASCS has several posts open--in Operations,Humanities Support and Networks--but has not foundsuitable candidates, Steen said.

"We're a good deal more selective than someother University departments," Steen said. "Wewant administrators who are serious andresponsible, who we can trust."

"Tarr is a part-time, skilled, responsible,HASCS employee," Steen said.

Steen said meanwhile, he is searching for anappropriate replacement for Burner and expects tohire an additional personnel in the near future

"One was very depressed and distraught," hesaid. "He said he had spent some days in his room,not going out. I tried to calm him."

Despite the severe reaction of the student, whoSteen said refused to give his name, othersoffered arguments for keeping e-mail records open.

"One person pointed out the analogy of adepartment whose mailboxes are in a hallway," hesaid. "Anyone could, if they made the effort, readthe mail."

Steen said he wants to be careful in providinga warning to students that their activities maynot be as private as they think.

"I'm a little cautious about setting upwarnings," Steen said. "I don't want students tothink everything they do is public. Their e-mailmessages are secure."

Steen said, however, that students shouldunderstand the differences between electronic mailand regular mail.

"[Maybe] we should say a little louder that weare a public system and people can discover somethings about what you're doing," the directorsaid.

Nevertheless, he argued that the majority ofstudents continue to trust HASCS with theircommunications.

"People rely on our mail system, and trust usand our system administrators," Steen said.

A Student Administrator

Those systems administrators include, inaddition to several full-time employees, astudent: Jefferson C. Tarr '96.

Along with the rest of the administrators, Tarrholds the "root" password for the HASCS machines.

The password makes its holder a "super user,"capable of controlling the HASCS computers and allUnix accounts.

Super users maintain the computers, but theirpower gives them the ability to see intoeveryone's files and e-mail activities.

Steen said he is still considering the issue ofstudent system administrators, but said that Tarr"is a HASCS employee who has proven himself."

"I've been here nine months," he said. "[Therole of student administrators] is one of manythings that have been here, and that I've beenconcerned about."

"It is important to keep the number of peoplewith the root password to a minimum," Steen said."It is my goal to reduce this small number ofpeople to an even smaller number."

Students are divided on whether other studentsshould be super users. David A. Holland '95-'96, astudent not currently enrolled in classes, alsoholds the root password.

"David Holland has literally saved HASCS's butsometimes, by logging in at three in the morningand fixing a problem," said Eugene E. Kim '96,former president of the Harvard Computer Society(HCS).

"He's a HASCS employee," Kim added. "The facthe is a student is not important."

Others interviewed were more critical of thestudent administrator post.

"I feel a little bit uncomfortable about otherstudents have root privileges," said HCS NetworkDirector Richard B. Osterberg '96.

Tarr said he holds the password because HASCShas only two Unix programmers and needs additionalhelp.

"Basically, I was doing so much stuff for themthat it was just easier for everyone if I had theroot password," Tarr said.

Steen pointed to former Unix Systems ManagerMike Burner's recent departure as an example ofHASCS's staffing problems. "It's a manpowerissue," he said.

But Tarr has held the password for at least ayear, according to system log files.

When asked whether Tarr would hold the rootpassword if HASCS had increased funds, Steen saidmore than money was at stake.

HASCS has several posts open--in Operations,Humanities Support and Networks--but has not foundsuitable candidates, Steen said.

"We're a good deal more selective than someother University departments," Steen said. "Wewant administrators who are serious andresponsible, who we can trust."

"Tarr is a part-time, skilled, responsible,HASCS employee," Steen said.

Steen said meanwhile, he is searching for anappropriate replacement for Burner and expects tohire an additional personnel in the near future