UNIX and security <was: Unix & X-Windows on 386SX>

[Fred Miller]

In article <1990Dec29.044954.2167 at NCoast.ORG>, allbery at NCoast.ORG (Brandon S. Allbery KB8JRR) writes:
> As quoted from <1990Dec27.051728.12035 at fiver> by palowoda at fiver (Bob Palowoda):
> +---------------
> | > But you don't have to know exactly what the dollar cost is to know that
> | > the human cost (my time, yours, etc) is too much.
> | 
> |   It's like selling insurance. 
> +---------------
> 
> Insurance policies don't jump out and prevent you from walking near
> construction sites on the grounds that someone might drop something from the
> top of the building under construction and it might hit you.  SCO "UNIX" (or,
> more precisely, SecureWare) does.  Why is this a problem?  What happens when I
> *work* at the construction site?
> 
> ++Brandon

I couldn't help but add the following humor, since it fits in so well with your
comments!  I hope you enjoy it!

							Fred


                      LOST PRESENCE OF MIND

Dear Sir:

I am writing in response to your request for additional informa-
tion.  In block #3 of the accident reporting form, I put "Lost
presence of mind" as the cause of my accident.  You said in your
letter, that I should explain more fully, and I trust that the
following details will be sufficient.

I am a bricklayer by trade.  On the day of the accident, I was
working alone on the roof of a six story building.  When I com-
pleted by work, I discovered that I had about 500 lbs. of brick
left over.  Rather than carring the bricks down by hand, I decid-
ed to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley which fortunately
was attached to the side of the building at the sixth floor.

Securing the rope at ground level, I went up to the roof, swung
the barrel out, and loaded the brick into it.  Then I went back
to the ground and untied the rope, holding it tightly to insure a
slow descent of the 500 lbs. of bricks.  You will note in block
#11 of the accident reporting form, that I weigh 135 lbs.

Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I
"lost my presence of mind", and forgot to let go of the rope. 
Needless to say, I proceeded at a rather rapid rate up the side
of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down. 
This explains the fractured skull and broken collarbone.

Slowed only slightly, I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping
until the fingers of my right hand were two-knuckles deep into
the pulley.

Fortunately, by this time I had regained my "presence of mind"
and was able to hold tightly to the rope in spite of the pain.

At approximately the same time, however, the barrel of bricks hit
the ground with such force, that the bottom fell out.  Devoid of
the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed approximately 50
lbs.

I refer you again to my weight in block #11.  As you might imag-
ine, I began a rapid descent down the site of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming up. 
This accounts for the two fractured ankles and the lacerations of
my legs and lower body.

This encounter with the barrel slowed me enough to lessen my in-
juries when I fell into the pile of bricks, and fortunately, only
three vertebrae were cracked.

I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks,
in pain and unable to stand, and watching the empty barrel six
stories above me, I again "lost presence of mind".....I let go of
the rope.