Stupid systems

[yrieithydd]

Nearly a fortnight ago we got an email saying that the Grad work room (where I've been working in August since the library's shut) was to be locked the whole of September for `computer updates'. We were told to email the sender if we had problems with this. I did so, pointing out that the library was shut until the 2nd September and so could the work at least be delayed until Monday 5th. I got a response which said she'd passed this on to the computer officer and she thought it would be ok.

Anyway today, I mailed the computer officer (because I was fed up of the printer's attention light flashing, just because it's within 700 pages of the cartridge dying). She responded saying she'd seen the message and figured that it would last at least until she shut the room down on the first. I thought I'd query this and more generally why it was that computer updates in a room with 2 PWF machines and 4 big desks was causing the whole room to be locked for a month. This was her reply:

It's not just the PWFs that need working on, it's the doors. I have to *manually* remove each of about 250 graduate students, one by one. And then add back next year's list, also one by one. Not a fun prospect... And just in case you're thinking this, I can't just leave people who will be here next year on the list, a) because I don't know who they are and b) because I *also* have to revamp the system so that the groups are correct and that people are only allowed into the bits they need to go into (not just grads, but staff and faculty members, as well). It's easier to do that all in one go than to try to move people from one group to the other - especially when we're talking about ca. 320 accounts. Anyway, it's going to take me at least a week if I can get a week free all at once to do it (doubtful). Plus, I still have a bunch of holiday that needs taking before term starts (which may not be a good reason, but it's a fact and I have to take it into consideration) :)

Is it me or does a security system which requires that for updating (which will happen annually) really stupid?

Comments

[emperor]

*sigh*

[meirion.livejournal.com]

professional COs do not take holiday in september. how much is said person being paid? if it's above bottom-of-CO3 level, i'll be distressed.

also that kind of updating can be done *much* more quickly than that, even manually. if brookes can do it, any fool can ....

-m-

[yrieithydd.livejournal.com]

professional COs do not take holiday in september. how much is said person being paid? if it's above bottom-of-CO3 level, i'll be distressed.

I have no idea! I have to admit that my idea of her as a computer officer fell when I discovered she didn't use TeX!

also that kind of updating can be done *much* more quickly than that, even manually. if brookes can do it, any fool can ....

[grins] And I fail to see why if it's going to take a week, the room has to be locked for a month.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Trinity similar, if less insane, inneficiencies in the security system. Of course, there might be a better way, but this might require funding or someone in charge to look into it, or something.

Random thought: there's no way to provide access to the room for some people during the change-over?

[yrieithydd.livejournal.com]

Random thought: there's no way to provide access to the room for some people during the change-over?

You'd've thought so, especially as there are about 5 of us who actually use the room (and one of them just submitted after 2 years 11 months!)

[caliston.livejournal.com]

If it's a sensible access control system, you can create a new users database then switch it for the current one at some convenient point. The Computing Service have a system where they pull a virtual Big Switch and cancel the accounts of 3000 users over a dozen systems in one fell swoop. So it's possible.

However some really ancient door control systems aren't online. The cheapest, oldest, nastiest version of TDSI (the black infrared strip on University cards) had no networking capability, so to cancel a user you made a note of their card number, went up to a door bearing a set of cards with the numbers 0 to 9 on them and swipe through these cards to tell the system which card you wanted to cancel. I imagine doing this for 250 users could be a tad tedious :-O If it were me, I'd go on strike until they replaced the system.

I think you've just experienced 'stressed CO syndrome'. Don't knock it until you've experienced it :-)

Theo (who is at a security conference and is spending all week talking about hacking locks, banks and other things...)

[yrieithydd.livejournal.com]

However some really ancient door control systems aren't online.

I could understand if it were an old system, but this is in a building which is a year old and it's the contact less chip sort (although different pads to the ones they've just put in in Fitz!)