[WEB4LIB] help (addidas-net or sneaker-net)

[Andro Gagné]

Janis:

         At 04:34 AM 7/14/02 -0700, you wrote:

>Could you tell me what this means? Does this impact on libraries?

         "Sneaker-net" is humorous geek-speak referring to the way people 
share files between two computers when the computers are not connected to 
each other through a computer network:  copying files to a removable 
storage medium--usually a floppy disk--on the first computer, then removing 
the removable medium from the first computer, taking it over to a second 
computer, and inserting it into the second computer, thus making one's 
footwear the "network" connection between the two computers.  I haven't 
heard "Adidas-net" used before, but it's not too difficult to see that it 
must be a synonym, since Adidas is a brand name of athletic 
shoes.  Sneaker-net could be an issue in libraries accessible to the public 
if their computers' diskette drives--or other removable storage media--are 
not disabled for public use by a security program, as invariably some 
library users will be exchanging files between a library computer and a 
computer not owned by the library.  Sometimes this is done for reasons we 
would all consider legitimate, and sometimes it's done for less-than-noble 
reasons.  Either way, sneaker-net use can lead to inadvertent or deliberate 
viral infection of a library computer (potentially multiple computers, 
since sneaker-net can be used between library computers, also since most 
library computers are networked), and it provides an entrée into a library 
computer (and potentially a library network) for those who believe they 
have a better or more entertaining way to use a library computer and/or 
network than what was envisioned by the library's staff.  Ultimately, 
sneaker-net makes it necessary for libraries which are accessible to the 
public to consider how they need to balance user convenience (keeping 
computers' removable media functioning for users) against the library's 
need to keep its computers functioning properly for all users all of the time.

Best regards,

Andro Gagné