Netscape email and security questions

[Anne Kaay]

Greetings.

I'm hoping to get some feedback on how other libraries are addressing
the use of Netscape email on their OPAC terminals.  Currently, our staff
and students use Groupwise for email and are discouraged from using
Netscape Messenger as their email application; however, more pc-savvy
students can use Netscape Messenger by editing preferences as needed so
it's not impossible to do.

However, the primary rationale provided by our Information Tech. people
for discouraging use of Netscape is "relay rape" and the "lack of
adequate security"  -meaning that a user could easily disguise their
identity and send out spam and/or messages in the name of other people
(e.g. faculty, staff, etc.)

However, this also has some undesirable effects - e.g. discourages most
users from emailing useful websites under the "Send page" option in
Netscape (unless preferences are edited); forces all users to use
groupwise (web-based client for students, pc and web clients for staff)
as their email application, with its atttendant strengths/weaknesses.

What we would appreciate knowing is how other academic libraries are
addressing the use of the Netscape Messenger application; specifically,

1.  Are your users allowed/prevented from using netscape's mail
application, for similar reasons?
2.  Are these security risks present in other applications (e.g.
groupwise?).

Any other points re: the use of netscape email and security are also
welcome.

Kindly reply to me and I can summarize for the list if desired.

TIA for any assisatance you can provide...



Anne Kaay
Catalog & Systems Librarian
Trinity College
125 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, D.C.  20017
Phone: (202)884-9354
Fax:  (202)884-9362
Email:  kaaya at trinitydc.edu