From: utzoo!utcsrgv!roderick
Newsgroups: net.general
Title: Don't swear at MY computer!  (A for-real news item.)
Article-I.D.: utcsrgv.1141
Posted: Wed Mar  2 20:27:28 1983
Received: Wed Mar  2 20:45:47 1983

This article recently appeared in a student newspaper called "The Varsity"
published here at the Univerity of Toronto.  The article is entitled
"Talk Dirty To Me."  (Reprinted without permission.)

     WATERLOO (CUP) -- Students at Sir Wilfred Laurier University
     have to watch their language around the computers or they risk
     losing access.
          The computer department there has programmed several com-
     puters to ring a bell repeatedly if anyone enters swear words
     listed as prohibited.  The computer then locks the student's
     file until that student explains to the dean why he or she swore
     at a computer.
          One student was cut off for using prohibited words while
     accessing the general account of the Faculty of Social Work.
     This also froze the files of 80 other people using that account.
          Dr. Bezner, the head of the computing centre, said every
     society has "taboo words," and ours has very few.  But when
     someone crosses the threshold and uses these words, violence
     could ensue, Bezner said.

I think this paragon of idiocy speaks for itself.  I am, however, unable
to resist this tremendous urge to flame.  I have recently reached the sorry
conclusion that one must expect this infuriating brand of prudery and con-
servatism in Ontario.  It is done at a level that is both ridiculous and
horrifying at the same time.  (You want what?  The right to swear at the
computer??  Get out of here.  **VS**  You're telling me I can't type what I
damn please at a computer terminal??  Next thing you'll be restricting
what I may write in a letter.  Get out of here.)

I am interested in the feelings of other people on this subject.  Please post
or (preferably) mail to me any thoughts, expressions of disbelief, maunderings,
etc. you may have.  I'd be especially interested in anyone who thinks they have
a justification for this, uh ... thing.


                                         In all seriousness,

                                               Rod Glover
                                               University of Toronto
                                               Department of Computer Science
                                               ...!utzoo!utcsrgv!roderick