File name/server question

[JW310]

My school has a school-wide network set up. However, to log in, we are limited to using 8-character user names. When saving a file the user directory, we are limited to using an 8.3 format for the file names. This does not seem to make much since, as we use Win95 for the workstation computers. The network administrators are using NetWare for the server/client connections. This is probably because both PCs and Macs are used as workstations.

But now for the point of the post....
Are the administrators limited to the 8.3 format for the user and file names, or are they still stuck in the mindset of Windows 3.x, where the shorter file names are required? Or is it something completely different that I may not be aware of?

Just curious... As much respect as I have for my school for even having a semi-working network up, there are some things about the computer people that make me wonder....

[800XL]

In Netware, the server volumes are setup to use standard 8.3 names (at least up to Netware version 4.1, 5.x may be different.) The admin could "add name space" to the volume to allow long filename support. It adds a little memory overhead for mounting the volume, but it fairly easy to setup and do.

To give you the short answer, the administrators either don't know about adding namespace to a Netware volume, or they chose not to for memory usage reasons. Ask them if they know about putting Mac and/or OS/2 name space on their Netware volumes to allow long filenames.

User names are another matter. Depending on the version of Netware server being run, there are different limits on the length of the username. The admins may have just chosen a policy of usernames <8 characters also to make thing easier on them. I know I try to stick to that guideline. Finding the keys to type out 'disconnect Freakboy' is hard enough without adding "BigFreakboyDaddyMacPimpMaster" in there. [img]/forum/wink.gif[/img]

[JW310]

800XL,
Thanks for helping with the curiosity. It makes a little more sense to me now why I can only save my files in the 8.3 format. The admin probably didn't want to add namespace to conserve memory.... Saving memory could probably explain why most of the Win95 workstations have a resolution set to 720x480... (but that's another story)...

As for the user names, I was just wondering because the way they have it set up now is that our user name consists of our last name (or the first seven letters of it) and then our first initial. We don't get to choose our own user names (understandably).

I have a feeling that talking with the network admin in my school wouldn't get me far... most of the computer techs/admin that I have had experience with, seem to have the attitude that they know everything about the systems they're running, and that the students know nothing... And the students that question them about the network are just out to wreck it... Some of us just want to learn more, so we can use it in the future!

But enough of my rambling

[800XL]

Netware is sort of a funny case. Most of the people I've seen doing any admin work for it either knew it backwards and forwards, or they inherited the setup from a previous admin and barely know how to keep it alive. It is hard to say which is the case in a given situation. You could send them a friendly email asking about long filename support and mention you heard it has something to do with adding namespace to volumes in Netware. Aim for a "I've heard it was possible, and I think it would benefit us users" slant on your message and they should at least be receptive. They are there to support the user base's needs after all.

The first seven of last name, first letter of first name username scheme is very common. It gets a unique name most of the time that is related to the real name. So when Joe Student calls with a problem you already know his username is studentj without having to ask.

[JW310]

E-mailing the admin is a good idea... However, the school does not, AFAIK, have intra-school e-mail established, and I do not know the e-mail address(es) of the admin. If I did, I would take the advice to e-mail them.

For now, though, I guess I'll try to digress back to the Win 3.1 days of 8.3 file names when I use the school's computers... Thanks for helping me out!

[xtant]

It might be difficult to find those email addresses- most places like that try to keep them from the unwashed masses. I never did find the address for the any of the admins at my school.