Job update and security issues
You're reading Mikko Saari's blog Life and opinions. This entry was written 02/19/2005, at 11:17.
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I'm still working at the library (see I got a job!). I had to give up the card index in December, but continue to work at the circulation desk. I first got January (because January is very busy, almost as bad as September) and then February and March. I think the University isn't technically allowed to keep on hiring me for short periods like this, since my job isn't a temporary project - they should strive to employ people for longer periods.
However, I'm still very temporary. Their excuse is that I'm still here to help them survive the busy period. Except that's not true, the library isn't really that busy anymore. But hey, it's not that I mind, because I like to have to a job. I'm not going to complain about it to anyone who would care, I'll just whine and pout in my blog.
That's fun, so let's continue: recently they installed new self-service machines. The new machines require the user to both flash their library card and enter a five-digit PIN code that's also used to access the library web services. Earlier the card was enough. This, I reckon, is because of security issues.
Which would be nice, except: it's still possible to use someone else's card, just walk to the circulation desk and that's it. It's not like we're checking everyone's ID or anything. Second, users must type their PIN code on a touch display that's set up high on top of the machine, so everyone behind their back will see the code as they type it in. Third, the new system confuses the heck out of people, who don't know what a PIN code is and even if they know it, they generally spend a lot more time with the machine than before.
I think the new system is pretty daft. It's not like anyone actually benefits from the upgrade (except the company who sold the library the new program). It's a fine example of totally pointless security, too - it's like a state-of-the-art gate in a fence that has huge holes in it just few meters from the gate.
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Comments
Careful Mikko! Haven't you heard about all those people getting sacked for blogging about work?
I totally take your point about over-zealous security though. The NUMBER of passwords I use at work is insane.
Posted by: Iain 
at February 21, 2005 1:52 PM
I don't have much work security anyway - I have no idea whether I'll be working after March or not (probably not).
Posted by: Mikko Saari at February 21, 2005 4:47 PM
Better get used to it. I'm resigned to being little more than an under-paid contractor.
Posted by: Iain at February 22, 2005 7:16 PM