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I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

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Re: I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

#51

Post by tastroder »

stedaniels wrote: post #49
tastroder wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They might just not be from the US. Here in Germany, tracking or forcing student attendance is subject of large discussions and generally often frowned upon (or forbidden by regulation) in the University setting these days.

This is mind boggling. Failing someone for missing one or two classes is ludicrous, but giving someone a certificate who didn't engage with the course is equally so. University education isn't about the destination/exam it's about the journey.

Not sure why you'd think that not tracking attendance means that people do not attend. Pure attendance does not guarantee good performance and in filled lecture halls there's often not much to "engage" with anyhow.

We see this as academic freedom, if you miss out on in-person seminars you won't pass, if you do not go to some lecture because you have to work and teach yourself afterwards, who cares.

Re: I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

#52

Post by malaxii »

stedaniels wrote: post #49
tastroder wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They might just not be from the US. Here in Germany, tracking or forcing student attendance is subject of large discussions and generally often frowned upon (or forbidden by regulation) in the University setting these days.

This is mind boggling. Failing someone for missing one or two classes is ludicrous, but giving someone a certificate who didn't engage with the course is equally so. University education isn't about the destination/exam it's about the journey.

This is a common practice in Europe as I understand, not just Germany.

The thinking as I understand it goes along these lines: there are requirements to get a degree (thesis, pass exams, score high enough in exercises), but the university is primarily a center for learning and you are an adult, so how you achieve the abilities to fulfill the requirements is your own business. If you want to do things on your own, you are free to do so.

Re: I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

#53

Post by yardstick »

aitchnyu wrote: post #40
bgdam wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here in India, the University I attended requires a minimum attendance of 75%, or they won't allow you to sit the end of semester exams. Your attendance even accounts for 5% of the score of your end of semester exams for that course. Quite insane when you think about it.

And having a full day class on Saturday when a weekday was lost due to bad weather or strikes.

What sort of bad weather are we talking about here? Also, is this due to the commute becoming difficult/impossible in the weather, or because the facilities/lecture theatres are leaky/poorly constructed, or something else?

Re: I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

#54

Post by Fronzie »

malaxii wrote: post #52
stedaniels wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is mind boggling. Failing someone for missing one or two classes is ludicrous, but giving someone a certificate who didn't engage with the course is equally so. University education isn't about the destination/exam it's about the journey.

This is a common practice in Europe as I understand, not just Germany. The thinking as I understand it goes along these lines: there are requirements to get a degree (thesis, pass exams, score high enough in exercises), but the university is primarily a center for learning and you are an adult, so how you achieve the abilities to fulfill the requirements is your own business. If you want to do things on your own, you…

Also, it is seen as a test by itself: Are you capable to take your responsibility and do your work?

This is a quite valuable lesson by itself. Most people need a few months to learn it (partying is fun, but doesn't get you a degree), some don't and indeed drop out.

Re: I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

#55

Post by hjk05 »

MRD85 wrote: post #33

The media would have a field day and say that he hacked his school database. It's crazy how so many institutions are doing the digital equivalent of leaving an unlocked car in a bad neighbourhood and no one holds them accountable. Most people understand the concept of an unlocked car, not many understand that he didn't do anything special to hack his school db. He just strolled right in.

> he didn't do anything special to hack...

Someone who snatched a purse out the hand of someone else isn’t “doing anything special” either. The illegality doesn’t hinge on the difficulty of the action. Why is that so hard to grasp for technical crowds?

If you find a car with the keys in the ignition and the door unlocked, you won’t get away with driving it a block down the road by telling the judge: “Oh, but it was obviously insecure, and I was just testing to see if I could steal it”.

Re: I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

#57

Post by ryanmarsh »

hjk05 wrote: post #55
MRD85 wrote: post #33

The media would have a field day and say that he hacked his school database. It's crazy how so many institutions are doing the digital equivalent of leaving an unlocked car in a bad neighbourhood and no one holds them accountable. Most people understand the concept of an unlocked car, not many understand that he didn't do anything special to hack his school db. He just strolled right in.

> he didn't do anything special to hack... Someone who snatched a purse out the hand of someone else isn’t “doing anything special” either. The illegality doesn’t hinge on the difficulty of the action. Why is that so hard to grasp for technical crowds? If you find a car with the keys in the ignition and the door unlocked, you won’t get away with driving it a block down the road by telling the judge: “Oh, but it was o…

This is more like walking up to the bank at night and jiggling the door handle then telling everyone it’s unlocked and the alarm isn’t on.

Re: I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

#59

Post by [deleted] »

MRD85 wrote: post #33

The media would have a field day and say that he hacked his school database. It's crazy how so many institutions are doing the digital equivalent of leaving an unlocked car in a bad neighbourhood and no one holds them accountable. Most people understand the concept of an unlocked car, not many understand that he didn't do anything special to hack his school db. He just strolled right in.

[deleted]

Re: I “found” the database of a college app (2018)

#60

Post by powercf »

MRD85 wrote: post #33

The media would have a field day and say that he hacked his school database. It's crazy how so many institutions are doing the digital equivalent of leaving an unlocked car in a bad neighbourhood and no one holds them accountable. Most people understand the concept of an unlocked car, not many understand that he didn't do anything special to hack his school db. He just strolled right in.

The car analogy would be:

  He saw a car
  He tried the doors until he found one that was open
  He climbed in and searched everywhere until he found personal information about other users of the system
Even though the security of this system was poor, he still (probably) broke the law. There are plenty of opportunities for people with some knowledge of IT to abuse their power, but it's our responsibility not to do so.
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