[vcf-midatlantic] VMS question

[william degnan]

On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 10:15 AM, Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic <
vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:

> william degnan via vcf-midatlantic writes:
>
> >On Fri, Oct 20, 2017 at 9:23 AM, Brian Schenkenberger via
> >vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org>
> >wrote:
> >
> >> william degnan via vcf-midatlantic writes: > > >I noticed when I
> >logged in today a file / info dump printed to the > >screen but when I
> >logged out and in again it was gone.  Perhaps that's > >what you're
> >talking about? > > > >Understand that I did not write SYSLOGIN.COM or
> >any of this > >configuration ... I would not have imagined someone would
> >have a messed > >up SYSLOGIN.COM to cause the issue you described.
> >There may be another > >explanation. > > No, that's the only
> >explanation.  Poorly written DCL logic and a really > stupid premise
> >too.  When somebody logs into VMS, they are granted the > privileges
> >defined in the UAF record.  They then execute ALL subsequent > DCL with
> >the persona (privileges, rights, UIC, etc.) defined in the UAF > record.
> > There's no way to elevate privileges via ANY DCL command!  The > author
> >of that SYLOGIN seemed to believe otherwise. > > > OK.
> >
> >
> >> > >I am trying to "take over" from where they guy that set this
> >machine up > >left off  and learn how this particular server was set up
> >and why.  I > >want to fix, but I also know System administration tends
> >to reflect the > >personality of the admin, people have reasons for
> >things.  I am making > >the assumption that given this was a production
> >system there must be > >some reasons for things.  Eventually I can try
> >to improve. > > Never make assumptions!!!  I have seen more systems in
> >production in my > career that look like they were managed and or
> >configured by brain-dead > chimps.  I see people that when told "don't
> >do this" will "do this" and > then, contact me and want their error
> >corrected.  I tell them "you did > what I told you not to do" and "don't
> >do it again!"  Guess what?  They > do it again and again and again. > >
> >That I know, but I am learning a whole new OS and even if it's not the
> >best way it's the way it is now, learning why something is the way it is
> >helps me to learn.
> >
> >
> >> > >When I log in using Evan's account, I can get in but I have a disk
> >quota > >exceeded error when I try to generate an email message. > > >
> >>MAIL> mail To:     SMTP%"evan at snarc.net" Subj:   VAX USERN/PASS >
> >>%MAIL-E-OPENOUT, error opening >
> >>COBK$DATA:[COBK.PERSONAL.EKOBLENTZ]MAIL_0128_SEND .TMP; as output >
> >>-RMS-E-CRE, ACP file create failed -SYSTEM-F-EXDISKQUOTA, disk quota >
> >>exceeded > > The disk that his account has been assign to IS the system
> >disk.  If > you look, it's very verly low on disk space.  If I were you,
> >I'd move > his account and any other user accounts (save SYSTEM, FIELD,
> >SYSTEST) > OFF OF THE SYSTEM volume. > > I have a new disk I am
> >preparing to use, agreed.
> >
> >
> >
> >> > Personally, if you really are hell bent on keeping the system as it
> >> was delivered, I'd suggest you backup all the volumes and then, init >
> >and start from stratch.  Then, once you know how it all works, you > can
> >go back and see what a mess the prior system's owner(s) left you. >
> >
> >
> >There is a historic angle here, I get your points though.  Logical.
> >
> >I see now I never set up the disk quota, doing that now.   It's all a
> >learning process.  One thing about me, I am pretty good to remember once
> >I make a mistake/crash something is sometimes how I learn.  So I trash
> >an old VMS box, I can always start from scratch.  It's not a job.
> >
> >I see now that the operator of this box probably was not fully trained,
> >makes it less valuable as a learning tool, why learn on a poorly
> >configured VAX, but I also have nothing to loose.  :-)
> >
> >Bill
>
>
> 2+2 = 5
> The earth is flat.
>
>
The quotas on this server for all users in [100,*] are 1000000.  That seems
pretty high.  No where else have I seen them that much.   Thanks for
helping me see the bigger picture.  I am operating a hacked box.

Bill