rbullo's Journal: How do you deal with draconian computer rules?

I just moved to Kokomo, Indiana, and have begun attendance at Kokomo High School. Two of the classes I'm taking are Intro to Engineering Design and Digital Electronics, both of which require extensive use of computers. Unfortunately, the school corporation has set very restrictive rules on the use of their computers--for example, moving any of the icons on the desktop is considered VANDALISM(their emphisis, not mine), as is changing any settings, no matter how trivial. Most recently, the administrators have declared that you cannot change your password unless your instructor does it for you. This is just stupid, becaus everyone starts out with the same password , and my account was created AFTER this rule was put in place. So what do you do? Hack it? I don't know who to complain to(their website doesn't give any address info on any of their administrators), so I'm completely lost on this one.
P.S., 9/24/03 I have just found out that the student passwords cannot be changed at all. Apparently, some students got in trouble last year(don't ask me).

Re:Don't do it yourself

[rbullo]

The thing is, they know that these rules are obscenely restrictive, too. And they can't do a damn thing about it, because admins don't care about what teachers have to say.

As if they'd know?

[RobertB-DC]

You say that you're not supposed to change your password... but how would they *know* you've changed your password, unless they used your account without permission?

Of course, then they'd know for sure. On the other hand, you could simply say you don't know what happened. You didn't let anyone know you have a clue what a "computer" is, did you? :)

My brother-in-law had several run-ins with the small-town high school he attended, and some of them had to do with the computers. He got caught downloading pr

Re:As if they'd know?

[rbullo]

The thing is, you CAN'T change yur password--the system doesn't let you. You MUST have admin priviledges to do much of anything besides run the programs on the desktop. So no "Run..." button in the Start menu, very limited DOS session functionality, etc. This would be tough to crack, as the system files are all hidden.

Of course, the network admins focus more on restricting the student's abilities do do much then on securing their network, as the entire network got hit hard by MSBlaster...

Get your own notebook, Education & Money

[Longshottek]

Hey, don't mean to be a downer on this or anything, but I couldn't help but comment on this.
First off, and I don't mean to sound like one of these over-controlling jerks or anything, but - it all depends on what you're using their computers for. But if you want to learn about computers way beyond their scope, you simply need to get your own. I'd suggest a laptop, if you want to want to bring it to school with you. Otherwise, the ball is pretty much in their court, I'm afraid. They do own the computers.

OK, so the school system has some stupid rules.

[maeka]

That's their problem, not yours. Unless you are failing to mention something that their not-very-well-thought-out rules prevent you from doing that is needed to pass the course. If the computer system is set up to give you the tools needed to pass (and deny you all other access), then I say the school has done a good job.
Why do you need a password protected account for this class anyway?

Re:OK, so the school system has some stupid rules.

[rbullo]

Why do you need a password protected account for this class anyway?

To keep other students from cheating off of my work.
To keep other students from using my account for unscrupulous activities.

Re:OK, so the school system has some stupid rules.

[maeka]

Ok, so there is a reason to have them password protected.
What is wrong with having your instructor change your password for you? Is your instructor going to cheat off of your work?