CAMS Computer Systems Information Leaflet

System Policy

This leaflet serves to highlight the guidelines, and responsibilities the CAMS network user is required to have in order to protect the integrity of the system and the privacy of other users. If you need assistance in dealing with someone willfully violating the rules or if you wish further information about any of the CAMS policies outlined below, send email to: admin@cams.aub.edu.lb

I Intended Use of the System: Rules and Ethics

1. Keep your password(s) secret!

Anyone who has your password can use your account, and whatever they do that affects the system will be traced back to your username. If your username or account is used in an abusive or otherwise inappropriate manner, you can be held responsible.

2. Always remember to logout

Leaving your workstation without logging out defeats most measures taken to protect your data. If you are going to leave your workstation unattended for a short while, you may lock the screen as long as it is for a practical amount of time.

3. Respect the privacy of other users

This means:

• Do not access the files or directories of another user without clear authorization from that user.
• Do not intercept or otherwise monitor any network communications not explicitly intended for you.
• Do not create any shared programs that tamper with the system or secretly collect information about the users.
• Do not remotely log into (or otherwise use) any workstation or computer not designated explicitly for public logins over the network -- even if the configuration of the computer permits remote access -- unless you have explicit permission from the owner and the current user of that computer to log into that machine.

4. Manage your memory space

No quota policy is set up. The user is responsible for organizing his/her data, and maintaining its size down to something reasonable. Keep in mind that, compressing infrequently used files and regular backups (CDRW, ZIP) are a good way of doing so.

II Protecting the CAMS equipment and environment

The computer equipment at CAMS is accessible to a large number of people and is therefore vulnerable to overuse and damage. The following guidelines are designed to help protect this equipment.

1. Do not power off CAMS equipment except in an emergency

Turning the power off on CAMS equipment (e.g., workstations, monitors, or printers) can permanently damage the hardware. However, if the equipment smells or looks like it is burning, do turn it off and contact the system administrator.

2. Keep the noise level down and maintain a tidy environment

Researchers who use these facilities have to be able to concentrate to do their work. Please don't play music at high volume, or engage in loud conversation. If you use a workstation that has sound capabilities, you are expected to use earphones rather than have the workstation audible to other users. Please keep the area around the workstation tidy and uncluttered. Food and drinks are not allowed next to the computers.

III Assuring Fair Access to Printers

Don't print any large or complicated print job that takes longer than 10 minutes total to print. Doing so ties up the printer for a long time, and other users won't be able to get printouts. If you have a long document, break it into smaller sections for printing.

Double-sided printing helps cut down on paper usage. Use single-sided printing only when required.

Printers should be used to print only one copy of a document. To make additional copies, please use copy machines. Printing multiple copies will often hold up other users from printing, and also wears out the printers.

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