<p>I have one a question, what is allowed at the other Federal Service Academies? </p>
<p>I know they get a lot of things that KP does not; what’s their protocal about external hard drives, etc.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>External hard drives are not a problem at USCGA - they sit right on every cadet’s desk.</p>
<p>So what happened to the employee that left their password unsecured laying around. At my workplace that is a major infraction as well.</p>
<p>First and foremost:
Hacking security-- Bad. Wrong. Punishable. Punished. Done.
NO superintendent would condone it (sliding allusions to ‘previous administration’ notwithstanding.) And, unless my timing is off, this seems to have occurred under the CURRENT Administration? Perhaps the feel-good policy of No-IT didn’t bring about the cohesion/unity of 2012 as hoped… a recurring issue noted about 2012.</p>
<h2>For clarity… again… Illegal and hacking/malicious activities are not condoned. Period. Penalties to the extent of the law should be pursued.</h2>
<p>What do other academies have/do… JUST happened to wonder the same thing… Let’s look:</p>
<p>AFA:
Specifications:
Fujitsu model T5010 tablet computer, Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4 GHz)
4GB memory (DDR3 1066 SDRAM)
120GB Hard Drive
Port replicator with 2nd power charger
External Mouse and Keyboard
Items Not Included:
Personal printer (inkjet or laser with USB 2.0 cable) $60 - $200
19-24 flat panel for their rooms (analog or digital-DVI) - $200 - $400
These items make good gifts for parents or grandparents to buy them over Parents Weekend.
Printers are not included in the computer purchase for several reasons:
o It is a personal preference item some want cheap black and white, while others want high-quality photo printers.
o They are not necessary, since we provide squadron printers.
We teach computer ethics in Comp Sci 110 to convince cadets that certain common practices done in high school (e.g. illegally copying music or movies) are no longer acceptable and are punishable</p>
<p>NA: (they get TWO computers , a deskside unit, and a netbook)</p>
<p>Dell OptiPlex 960 Mini Tower Desktop</p>
<ul>
<li>Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz E8400 CPU, 4 GB DDR2 800 MHz SDRAM</li>
<li>320 GB Serial ATA Hard Disk Drive</li>
<li>Dell 16x +/- RW Serial ATA DVD Drive</li>
<li>Dell UltraSharp 1908FP 19 inch LCD</li>
<li>Dell USB Mouse with Wheel</li>
<li>Dell USB Common Access Card Keyboard</li>
<li>4-Year Parts Warranty</li>
<li>On-Site Technician</li>
</ul>
<p>Dell Inspiron 12 Inch Netbook</p>
<ul>
<li>12.1 inch WXGA 1280x800 Display</li>
<li>Intel Atom Z520 1.3GHz CPU</li>
<li>1 GB DDR2 533MHz RAM</li>
<li>40GB PATA Hard Drive</li>
<li>Integrated 10/100 Ethernet</li>
<li>802.11b/g Mini Card</li>
<li>Bluetooth Internal (2.1) Mini Card</li>
</ul>
<p>No printer is included in this package. A high percentage of incoming freshmen either bring a printer from home or buy one shortly after computer issue. Public printers are available in each company area and in the library, but are in high demand. Several printers are available for purchase at the U.S. Naval Academy Store on Parent’s Weekend, and retail stores in Annapolis carry a variety of printers. When buying a printer, make sure it is Windows Vista- compatible, includes the parallel or USB cable, and connects to a standard parallel or USB port. Also consider size (limited desk space), cost, maintenance and reliability, and supplies (paper, ink or toner, etc.).</p>
<p>Midshipmen are required to run both administrative and academic software. The administrative software is centered around the office suite, email, and web browsers. The Class of 2013’s office suite will be Microsoft Office. It includes Microsoft Word (word processor), Excel (spreadsheet), PowerPoint (presentation and graphics package), Access (database), and other support software. This software is pre-configured on a master hard disk and factory loaded on every midshipman’s microcomputer during production. Additional required academic software is purchased in the USNA book store and treated as a book issue.</p>
<p>To support midshipmen in using their new systems, an on-line “Microcomputer Getting Started Guidebook” will be produced by Information Technology Services. This electronic guidebook provides general information about the issued systems, software applications, and the Naval Academy Data Network.</p>
<p>CGA:
Class of 2012 Cadet Laptop Specifications
Dell Precision M4300
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.20GHz 800Mhz 4MB L2 Cache, Dual Core0
Memory: 4.0 GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM for Dell Precision M4300
Hard Drive: 120GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive 9.5MM, 7200RPM
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive: 8X DVD+/-RW, Data only; Cyberlink Power DVD software and media for Dell
2 GB Cruzer Titanium Ready Boost Smart USB Flash Drive</p>
<p>MA:
Dell Precision M90
Intel CoreDuo T2400, 1.83 GHz 667 Mhz 2MB L2 Cache, Dual Core
17 inch wide screen WUXGA LCD for Dell Precision M90
1GB DDR2667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM for Dell Precision M90
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1500M 256MB Open GL
80 GB Hard drive 9.5MM, 7200RPM
USB Floppy
8X DVD+/-RW w/ Sonic Digital Media and Cyberlink Power DVD
Dell wireless 1490 (8-2.11a/g, 54Mbps) dual band mini card
Dell wireless 350 Bluetooth module
Additional battery
They ARE issued printers.</p>
<p>. . . . . . . </p>
<p>Each of the other academies pays their students—something. Money goes into their accounts, and fees are automatically deducted from that account.
The computers are being paid for out of the government funds being paid to each and every student.</p>
<p>Net-Net, the government bought computers at other academies, and they are being used by Federally paid employees. </p>
<p>Not the case at KP, and I still have a canceled check from MY funds that bought that computer…
There is more I’ll post on the subject, but know this…
ALL the other academies went through a scare/knee-jerk “no USB/flashdrive” policy in Nov/Dec-2008, due to viruses on flashdrives and the Windows default ‘AUTORUN’ (among other reasons). By 12/5/2008, this ban on academy networks was rescinded… (probably because their administrators used policies to turn OFF the autorun capabilities?)</p>
<p>Simply put:
OTHER academies have figured it out.
OTHER academies have network printers available, often several PER DECK.</p>
<p>OTHER academies support minor conveniences of having larger screens, different printers, external keyboards and mice … if their students want them… They aren’t standing in the way of the students trying to utilize what precious little time they DO have more effectively.</p>
<p>Being a helicopter parent not withstanding, how about parents taking this opportunity to speak to our mids about what the honor code means. Was it only lip service to get into this place? These kids still care what we think. And maybe everyone is overreacting a bit and it would be nice if the admin explained to all the parents, not just those reading these posts and the other forum what is going on and why. We want to be supportive of the admin. Also, I thought these kids didn’t have a minute to breathe - when do they find time for all this mischief?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The issued computers at USCGA were paid for out of the initial $3,000 entrance fee required of all entering swabs.</p>
<p>Academy Admissions - Tuition - Cost
Tuition, room, and board at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy are paid for by the government. All candidates who accept an appointment to the Coast Guard Academy must submit $3,000 to purchase uniforms, a laptop computer, school supplies, and other necessary items. Other than this initial deposit, there are no additional fees for Academy cadets.</p>
<p>[Tuition</a> - United States Coast Guard Academy](<a href=“http://www.cga.edu/display.aspx?id=2936]Tuition”>http://www.cga.edu/display.aspx?id=2936)</p>
<p>:cool:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Supportmom: THAT is the single, most telling statement in the whole email.</p>
<p>First, KP changes passwords about every 90 days or so. It should be doing the same for all the Administration passwords as well. I’ll assume they are. Otherwise, you can run behind-the-scenes forever with the keys to the kingdom forever.</p>
<p>I/T should protect the Admin ID more than about anything else. It should be stored in the same vault with the CocaCola forumla. (humor… but you know what I mean).</p>
<p>Second: NOBODY should be using that regularly. Additional, individual Administrator profiles should be created that specifically identify the person… (AdminMyInitials, AdminYourInitials, etc)… and the SET of Administrator rights should be granted that the individual I/T person needs. [authentication and irrefutability/nonrepudiation–geek words ]</p>
<p>Third: Profiles can have TIME limits. For instance, if I am the admin contractor, and on campus from 10-4, then you can make my profile only available during that time. (lazymans way, they are left on 24/7, since you just never KNOW when you’ll need access. Not ‘right’, but often done)</p>
<p>Fourth: There are system/network logs that can tell you EVERY time a profile logs in. If those logs were reviewed AT ALL on a regular basis, it would have been evident that there was ‘lots’ of Administrator activity (at least ONCE each PC to ‘unlock’) across a RANGE of computers, and at particularly UNUSUAL times. Even if parts of the events took place ‘offline’/off network, the individual event logs STILL existed on the target PCs, which regularly connected to the network… and thus, could be copied or analyzed.</p>
<p>Fifth: Heck Virtual Lans mean that you can have AUTHENTICATED users allowed access to proper network resources, and NON-Authenticated users could NOT get to resources… ie, the internet gateway, for instance.
…</p>
<p>Passwords are MEANT to be secure. </p>
<p>However, the instant the onus of remembering ‘what’s the password TODAY’ is too great, it gets written on a piece of paper.<br>
Across America, IT folks cringe when they go help a user, and a yellow sticky note is attached to the monitor with the user’s current password written on it. For the REALLY secure folks that don’t do that, yay… but if I flip your keyboard over I’ll often find the sticky note there 
Sigh.
This is what leads me to feel (my opinion only) that the contractor was given the REAL admin password… and not set up with his own Admin-ish profile that he set his own password(which he would have remembered) WITHOUT WRITING IT DOWN.</p>
<p>Without the other defenses in place (time locks, log reviews), it was allowed to spread … uncontained.
The largest part of that problem, however, was UNNOTICED (for a while).</p>
<p>…
You’ve got a bunch of kids who are pretty dang smart coming to KP.
We tell them to bring their ‘A’ game.
I/T needs to do the same.
…
I have ALL the respect in the world for the job these guys are tasked with doing. It may be human nature and politically expedient to blame the ‘previous administration’ (heck, we see it every day in the Senate/House/and White House… no matter WHO is in it). If I/T didn’t get the tools they needed to be able to perform the function they’ve been tasked with, I hope they have it NOW.</p>
<p>But, everything I’ve mentioned … is built in to the Operating systems they’re using… for free. The Adage: “Even the best locks won’t protect anything when they’re not used” is true.</p>
<p>… And the visual I’m trying to keep out of my head…
If you’ve every watched Andy Griffith show, you’ve seen where Andy and Barney keep the keys to the jail cell… on a peg between the cells. Well, by not protecting the password, I/T let Otis run amok in City Hall for a while.</p>
<p>And, I’m struggling with seeing Barney Fife, getting his one bullet out of his shirt pocket (in this case a little BestBuy WiFi $15 detector), running up and down the decks looking for wireless offenders, saying “Nip it . Nip it in the bud!!!”… all the while, dragging some poor schmuck that he’s got whipped into a frenzy like Goober, bursting in on rooms yelling "Citizens A-rayy-ist’. ;)</p>
<p>=======
In closing, if the previous email is anywhere close to right, my personal opinion/take on the whole thing is:
– This problem started with a lack of care in I/T, coupled with a vigilant conman plebe;
– This problem festered undetected by I/T monitoring, asleep at the switch.
– The common denominator apparently isn’t Previous/Current administration… it’s the staff within I/T, or inadequate tools/time/training to monitor the situation.</p>
<p>. . .
What A FEW individuals did (mostly a few plebes of 2012) did was wrong.
Without a doubt.
But it wasn’t some brute force, subversive, Marad/DOT-networks-are-vulnerable-because-of-maurading-evil-midshipman, chicken-little-the-sky-is-falling attack.
I/T left the keys laying next to the lock.</p>
<p>. . . .
Most importantly, the OVERWHELMING majority of the Mids at KP are working their BUTTS off academically. Let’s not hold them up with trivial restrictions that NO OTHER ACADEMY does.
Without a doubt, as at all academies, if a Mid has made up his mind that he’s not staying, he will find all SORTS of entertainment/distractions. And often tries to drag down others with him.</p>
<p>At this point in the show, Andy Griffith would calmly find a reasonable, balanced, consistant solution by listening to folks, surveying what others do, and achieving the mission he was entrusted with.</p>
<p>I’m hopeful that Worley is doing the same, behind the scenes right now.</p>
<p>(Luigi. As always, thanks for CG perspective. I know it’s different for the other 3. I’ve heard that they are going with more of an accrual. Not one upfront lump, but ‘financed/deducted’ across a longer span w/their monthly federal stipend.)</p>
<p>I’d say Zonker is correct, policies last year did not succeed in bringing 2012 together as a class. DD has at times had some uncomplimentary things to say about her classmates. That kind of serious disregard for the entire institution really seems to frost her. I’m not sure where her external drive is at the moment. She did not bring it home over the summer, but left it in storage. So what is she supposed to do. It was perfectly OK to have it there in June. I’m honestly not sure what the impact has been on her directly. I’m lucky to get an email once a week right now. And frankly, she’s much more worried about possibly failing Diff EQ. Anybody have any good study guide recommendations. Seems she drew the short straw on professors. . . . .</p>
<p>ZONKER YOU HIT IT ON ALL POINTS!</p>
<p>Now for the top admin I know are watching this blog…you have some super intelligent, knowledgeable parents online here. All they want is a stellar education for their son or daughter. I bet they would schedule to help you for free. Today we have Webex meetings remote from all around the world. Put them on a panel and let them help you make a plan to get this all straightened out. </p>
<p>I am confident that this new adminstration does want the USMMA to be one of the best service academies and is working through what was in place to see what has to be upfitted and upgraded to make that happen.</p>
<p>So to chime in again my understanding on a couple of points and not being argumentative with anything here.</p>
<p>The events happened under the prior administration, that said there was a three strikes your out policy that was followed with the “seminal plebe”. While officially his record would show he “resigned”, he did so in the face of knowing if he did not, he would be involuntarily disenrolled. He was as the memo alludes brazen but he isn’t stupid by any means so he took the easier, smater option.</p>
<p>As I alluded to in my earlier posts that are more understanding of Mr. Weiner’s actions and comments, and as his memo confirms, no one’s life has probably been more affected on a day to day basis then his and his staffs. Besides now trying to operate and provide a useful IT network, in a academic setting for use by smart, but at time less than totally mature young adults, and stay in conformance with the regulations required to do so on a node of a larger Agencies Network that is part of the Federal Government’s infrastrucutre.</p>
<p>Whether Mr. Wiener is a GS 11, 12, or 13 is sort of immaterial, I can’t imagine it can be an easy job. Now besides knowing that at least once a fall some unsuspecting PC will send a broadcast email of something silly that will be address to everyone in DOT including BTW the now Secratary (Ray LaHood) he knows when things like that happen he can expect a less than enjoyable conversation with either MARAD and/or DOT’s OIG about such stuff. From my limited experience, once that happens, the type of over reactions everyone is seeing and railing about are basically inevitable.</p>
<p>My summary of Mr. Weiner’s email, is be warned, a few bad eggs may have “ruined” a number of things for everyone…</p>
<p>was HDW disciplined for giving an obviously “hot” password to a contractor? Hmmmm…</p>
<p>My head is spinning!</p>
<p>Sounds like the investigators from the OIG might need to talk to Zonker. That last response sounded somewhat like a confession.</p>
<p>Ethics are a way of doing business not just a quick class to check the block.</p>
<p>Stealing is wrong.</p>
<p>My God if I leave my house unlocked does it if anyone the right to help themselves to my belongings? </p>
<p>If someone is extremely intoxicated does that give someone else implied consent?</p>
<p>Come on you don’t play stupid so well!!!</p>
<p>If anything you sound like you are wasting your time at school because you already have all the answers.</p>
<p>Thank you for the insight and suggestions for use of the many security features in place. Did you consider most of those might not be for prevention but prosecution?</p>
<p>Who said the password was unprotected? </p>
<p>The previous post mentioned an image capturing phone was used. How do we know your the keystrokes weren’t video recorded?</p>
<p>Let’s just treat this like a mistake, a teaching point. Because if we look at this from another angle the charges could start accumulating and many would be very serious federal offenses. </p>
<p>Maybe a personal laptop or smart phone should be allowed, if nothing else to avoid waste, fraud, and abuse.</p>
<p>Maybe repetitious briefings on proper network security and the use of government property are all that is needed.</p>
<p>Does this school have a public affairs officer? Many of your comments really should be cleared before posting them on the internet.</p>
<p>Purpose, check.
Direction, aaahh.
Motivation, check</p>
<p>Just do the right thing.</p>
<p>Here is the official complaint letter created by a midshipman, signed by members of the regiment and handed in to the RC</p>
<pre><code> M/N Alexander Wingate 1/C
The United States Merchant Marine Academy
Main Deck, 4th Company
Platoon Commander
</code></pre>
<p>Formal Complaint on the DoIT Policy: 07AUG2009</p>
<pre><code>The new policy outlined by the DoIT and enforced by the Commandant has raised many concerns of the practicality and purpose of such stringent requirements on midshipmen computers. As laid out in the letter to the parents of the Class of 2013,
Each entering Plebe Class receives a standard set of computer related
</code></pre>
<p>items. A great deal of thought and effort is reflected in the equipment
and software you are each issued. The hardware and software youve
received is more than sufficient to support your success at Kings Point.
([USMMA</a> Parents Page](<a href=“http://www.usmma.edu/parents/]USMMA”>http://www.usmma.edu/parents/)).</p>
<p>According to this message, all items are provided to the midshipman for the efficient and proper use of his computer and accompanying accessories. However, this statement is not only misleading, it is down right false. Any member of 2010, 2011, or 2012 Engineers can explain to the workers in DoIT that AUTOCAD is next to impossible to complete in a timely manner without the use of an external mouse. While at sea, members of 2010, 2011, and now 2012 have found that an external hard drive is downright necessary to ensure the protection of the sea projects by backing up their files. However, these items are not only not issued, but considered contraband. </p>
<p>One of the principles guiding the entrance of each Plebe Class is
that no Plebe will enjoy the benefits of additional computer hardware
and software unless all Plebes benefit in a similar manner. Not all families
are in a position to provide their Plebes with wireless input devices,
additional hard drives, additional display devices, and so on. Every Plebe pursues a degree, a USCG License, and an Officers Commission
on a level playing field. </p>
<p>Three final points: First, you are issued a 16 GB flash drive to back-up the contents of your laptop hard drive. You do not need, and cannot have, an additional hard drive. ([USMMA</a> Parents Page](<a href=“http://www.usmma.edu/parents/]USMMA”>http://www.usmma.edu/parents/)).</p>
<p>The passage states that not only will the Class of 2013 receive 16 GB flash drive, but any items such as hard drives are prohibited. It goes on to state that any items not issued cannot be enjoyed since not all families are able to provide them with such. This statement creates two problems: 1) any items not issued are no longer acceptable and 2) no one in the regiment may have more than another in the setting of computer technology. In order to properly address these issues, they have each been divided into separate explanations and related to REAL WORLD examples on and off campus.</p>
<p>Issue No. 1: The Use of Unacceptable Items
According to the DoIT policy to be enforced by the Commandant of Midshipmen, the use of any items not issued to them during the course of their time on campus is prohibited. There are multiple items limited by such a claim: 1) external mouse, 2) external hard drives (dealt with in the explanation to issue 2), 3) external speakers, 4) external monitors, and 5) external keyboards. These are merely examples of a few common items commandeered by the regiment of midshipmen in order to facilitate their work on computers while spending time on campus. As ideal as it may seem to limit what midshipmen may have due to the unavailability of such items to others, this will only go to detract from the everyday requirements placed on midshipmen by both the Regiment and the Academics Department. A prime example of this is the printers provided upon entry to the Academy. On day one, each class is issued one computer, one flash drive, and a printer equipped with ONE set of printer ink. By the argument of DoIT, not only can midshipman not utilize paper that is not issued to them, but they cannot refill or buy new printer cartridges once their initial batch is empty merely because not everyone can afford them. In the same right, the concept that any items that have not been issued to a midshipman are not acceptable is quite impractical. One would be hard pressed to search a midshipmans room and not come up with at least one item that has not been issued to them. In fact each class has been required to purchase certain items prior to their arrival at Kings Point. This concept continues today with the purchase of Books and Uniforms that do not come out of the funding from Congress, but rather the midshipmans tuition. In fact, the computer each class receives was not due to an issue but rather a common purchase by the Academy utilizing the money provided in the Midshipman Tuition. Therefore, by the Academys argument that an individual my not have anything he or she was not issued, each class should only have a printer, a few wires, and the inability to use the Academys Internet Access.</p>
<p>Issue No. 2:
If the standard has been set that no one midshipman may have any items not issued since one may have more than another, the Academy would find itself in serious debt. The Class of 2010 was issued a flash drive much like the Class of 2013. However, the 2013 has one capable of 16 GB while 2010s was only able to hold 2 GB. Therefore, the Academy would find itself purchasing new computer items every year including computers, printers, and software. It is thereby absolute necessary to have an external hard drive purchased by the midshipman to makeup for the lack of provided storage space. If such a justification can be made for the prohibiting of extra computer items, then what is to say that this justification isnt proper for all aspects of the Academy? If this claim is legitimate, as DoIT would contend, then by their standards, the entire policies set forth by the Government require re-evaluation. By this token, all members of the military, civilian contractors, and other governmental employees should be required to be paid the same amount, since no one individual should enjoy additional benefits. In the set of the Academy, the entire class rate system would not only become null and void, but all individuals would revert to one set of rates. This would thereby destroy the purpose of midshipmen officers and their training constituted in the Academys Mission. Now, it is clear that it is in no ones best interest to change Government or Academy policy to such an extreme, yet if the argument offered by DoIT is deemed legitimate, then one is thereby saying, it is legitimate in any element of the Academy.</p>
<p>Conclusion:
The institution of such a policy based on the statement made by DoIT on the [USMMA</a> Parents Page](<a href=“http://www.usmma.edu/parents/]USMMA”>http://www.usmma.edu/parents/) page in cohesion with the continuing policy outlined by Howard Wiener in the email sent to the Regiment (07AUG2009, 1355) does more to harm the Academy and its midshipmen than help. The goal is to seemingly make those individuals who cannot afford items feel better that the Academy will not allow anyone to display such frivolous behavior. This will undoubtedly come at the cost of lost work due to improper space to back-up files, the inability to use the printers, the detriment in work due to lack of necessary tools such as the external mouse, and the overall decreased morale of the midshipmen. I humbly ask the governing members of the Academy in parallel with DoIT to review the question of whether such a blanket policy is really worth it. I leave you all with a quote that seemingly has echoed itself in my mind from the moment I heard this policy would become enacted.</p>
<p>The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all private property. Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto</p>
<p>Very Respectfully Submitted,
Midshipman Alexander R. Wingate 1st Class
The United States Merchant Marine Academy
Fourth Company Platoon Commander, Main Deck
Class of 2010</p>
<p>Created: 07AUG2009</p>
<p>Slowandeasy</p>
<p>You are correct…stealing is wrong. Again, those that stole the password should be held accountable. The employee that left the password out should be held accountable as well. If students have illegal stuff on their computers, they can be in serious trouble with more than just he academy. As in most cases I bet it is the minority not the majority. Those with the infraction will have to pay if caught. Is it worth the chance…no way! </p>
<p>Not an expert with insurance but, I believe if you leave your door unlocked and there is no forced entry then law does not deem it breaking and entering and you are not covered by your insurance.</p>
<p>M/N Wingate should be commended for his well-reasoned and articulate response to a flawed one-size fits all policy. Rules for rules sake, leads only to ignorance. Is the Academy’s purpose to simply train officers to follow rules, or to develop young minds to assess, adapt and respond to problem situations? We can train monkeys to do the former, it is my hope that our mids are learning the latter. The best military officers I have known assess a situation with a practical result in mind and not simply make a blanket policy that produces a bigger problem. Perhaps the Administration will consider M/N Wingate’s concerns.</p>
<p>Megga dittos to the letter. I’m glad my Mid is at sea right now and doesn’t have to deal with this right now. PS, His hard drive is coming in handy for his sea project.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine going to sea without an external hard drive. If you lose your sea project you are toast.</p>
<p>While I’m pretty sure it was that great American Henry David Thoreau who wrote in “Civil Disobedience” </p>
<p>“Any fool can make a rule and every fool will mind it.”</p>
<p>and I heartedly support the tentets and points made by M/N Wingate 1/C…</p>
<p>If the policy isn’t reversed by the time the “B” splits return from sea in November, my advice to my son will be “Don’t risk your $230,000 education so you can use a hard drive while you are on campus for this next trimester before going out to sea., leave the peripheral at home.”</p>
<p>Also all should note re: sea projects and external hard drives, Weiner’s memos and the policy clearly state that during sea year the use and availability of such devices are governed by the policies of the companies on whose vessels, your DS or DD are sailing. </p>
<p>Just pointing it out, though I have to say again a very well written argument, the picture I have in my mind is a group of mids in a barracks room at KP workjing all night on this - like the “Law Club” in Van Wilder…;-></p>
<p>Bravo Zulu - Fair Winds and Following Seas to M/N Wingate and any who collaborated with him on the letter’s generation. Can’t wait for the next edition of that subversive publication “Hear This” or perhaps “Common Sense” might be a more apt name for the Campus Paper these days…</p>
<p>Acta Non Verba too</p>
<p>“Also all should note re: sea projects and external hard drives, Weiner’s memos and the policy clearly state that during sea year the use and availability of such devices are governed by the policies of the companies on whose vessels, your DS or DD are sailing.” </p>
<p>The problem with that is that the mid’s computer is “locked” to not allow any new hardware or drivers to be installed, even when off the academy network. Mids do not have administrative rights over their own computers. So, even though you’re off campus and away at sea, you still cannot install any hardware. This outrageous policy and frustration is what led me (and many other mids) to use “alternative means” to unlock our computers my 1/C year (yup, I was one of “those”). I finally was able to use my own printer!!!</p>
<p>I’m not disagreeing with you, but just pointing out a fact that doesn’t seem to have been mentioned yet.</p>