CIT Points Out Inaccurate Article On College Network

To the Editors:

Sadly, I must take pen in hand to respond to the article found in the Sept. 21 issue of the Review, entitled “Network Continues to Upgrade.” I have been in the computer field most of my adult life, over 20 years, and could not have made up an article so full of inaccuracies and non-facts. Since I was the one interviewed for the article, I feel I must respond, lest anyone seriously think I actually provided any of the misinformation contained therein.
My boss was approached via e-mail message by the author asking for an opportunity to interview him about the “school server.” Since he was out of town, he replied that she should contact me about an interview. I replied to her and stated I would be pleased to meet with her, and we set up a meeting.
Upon meeting with this very pleasant journalist, it became apparent that she was eager to write the article assigned to her, yet she was not well-versed in computer technology. I endeavored to explain things fully, writing and drawing on my whiteboard to help present the facts, and following up with a copy of the CIT article on bandwidth-shaping from our web site.
It is apparent from the end result, the actual article, that the interviewer was completely overwhelmed by the technical aspects of the information provided. While some of the responsibility is hers for writing an article for which, as she must have known, she was not sufficiently knowledgeable, it appears that the main fault must be with the Review assignment process and editors. From what I understand, the assignment was presented to the author without many details. Thus, an important, technically-oriented topic was assigned to a non-technically oriented individual, and apparently, no editing or review was done on the article to ensure its accuracy.
To say I am disappointed is to mildly reflect my position. I can get quite animated about what we do in the Center for Information Technology. We strive to provide excellent information technology resources for all — faculty, staff and student. I was pleased for an opportunity to describe how we’re trying to keep our network functioning at peak performance levels. The result, instead, is an article that is filled with misinformation. The line “Originally, the College computer server had two super-computers called T1s” really helps to define the article. Anyone with any computer knowledge would know the error of the information provided.
I hope you will print the real facts regarding our computing environment. I would also hope that you review your assignment and editing procedures in order to present a credible newspaper, worthy of our bright and engaged Oberlin students and the accompanying academic and administrative community.
–Cynthia A. Murnan
Director of Client Services, CIT

September 28
October 5

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