A win95 question

[bhorne at banet.net (Bill Horne)]

Derek Atkins wrote:

> Bill Horne <bhorne at banet.net> writes:
>
> > 1. I want to be able to control it from the head end
>
> Ok, have the script run from the head-end (although that's more
> challenging, because you have to tell the script the IP address of the
> client).

I won't have access to the IP; it's assigned dynamically at logon.  Unless the
script could report it to the server ...

> > 2. It has to be transparent to the users, i.e., they won't tolerate
> > anything that they have to start each time they leave the machine,
> > so I don't think a script would do the trick.  Am I wrong?
>
> Will they tolerate something they have to startup every time they
> login?  The script can stay running even when they're at the machine.
> You don't have to stop it.  You'll just (potentially) have to restart
> it when you login again.

Yes, that's OK:  they can start the process when they logon.

> But I'm not convinced you even need to do that.  If you're not connected,
> the ping will fail.  But that should
> be ok.

Will it generate error messages that confuse the users?

> > Also, I'm REALLY worried about such a utility getting passed around
> > - you know how executives like to brag - and I'd greatly appreciate
> > ideas on how its use can be controlled from inside the firewall, so
> > the modem pool managers don't get deluged with "no access"
> > complaints.
>
> Not much you can do about that.  The managers of the modem pool have a
> real reason why they want people to disconnect when they're not using
> the system.  The modem pool is a scarce resource.  You're attempting
> to bypass their controls.

> If you want control over it, have the modem-pool maintainers make it

> so that certain accounts don't get automatically disconnected.  If you
> can't get them to approve this, then either:
>
>         a) your people aren't high enough in the food chain to matter,
> or      b) you will have to worry about other people using your technique.

True, and that's the first thing I suggested to my friend:  it really is
something I'm checking out for a friend, BTW, so my options are limited to
what he can implement from his position.  Myself, I'd tell them FOAD:  but
he's more politically adept than I and one never knows when one will need a
friend ...

This is one of those situation where I'm trying to cover all the bases:  the
uses concerned aren't in MY food chain, but they're high enough in his to make
him want to do it.  In a rational IT environment, this wouldn't be a problem,
but that's a conversation we'll have some night after a BLU meeting.  I'll
buy.


> derek
>
>        Derek Atkins, SB '93 MIT EE, SM '95 MIT Media Laboratory
>        Member, MIT Student Information Processing Board  (SIPB)
>        URL: http://web.mit.edu/warlord/    PP-ASEL-IA     N1NWH
>        warlord at MIT.EDU                        PGP key available

On a lighter note: I'm applying for a job at a new company, and my contact
asked what "SB" stood for.  Here's my reply:

Northeastern, being a highly respected, upper crust kind of place, uses SB to
lend the proper air of reverence and dignity to its degrees.  It means
"Science
Baccalaureate".

One assumes that the elders of the University felt that "BS" was subject to
multiple interpretations:  you know what they say about how much the truth
hurts. Then again, "SB" could be taken for "Sequent Bacchanalia", so I'd
better
not put on airs ;-J.

Bill

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