Re: Shell accounts (fwd)

Dale E. Reed Jr. (daler@comtch.iea.com)
Mon, 3 Jun 1996 19:29:44 -480

> 'Shell' implies a 'UNIX shell login' to 99.99999% of the users out there.
> You might find the one user who thinks shell means an account on an NT box.
>
> So if they really want 'shell' you need UNIX. (I for one won't consider
> using an ISP that doesn't have a full featured UNIX shell.)

The one problem with shells is high maintenance. Shell users always
want something (can we get compiler access, why don't you run
identd?, ....). We have an open policy about it. We DON'T tell
people we offer shells. Those who are knowledgeable enough to ask
whether we offer shells are usually not a pain. It generally
confuses the HELL out of people who aren't familar with a shell to
add that as an option. If they don't know, then they want a PPP
account.

--
Dale E. Reed Jr.
Internet Engineering Associates
Providing Internet Solutions for Today