The DEC OpenVMS system in Oxford (MiaVX1) has been experiencing severe
performance problems since Monday evening, 27 March, at approximately 11pm.
These performance problems have resulted in delayed delivery of electronic
mail, slowed system performance overall, and incidents of users being
forced off the system.
 
     The cause of the MiaVX1 performance problems has been clearly identified
-- a deluge of incoming e-mail directed at Miami from various corners of the
Internet to protest recent inappropriate and arguably illegal postings to
NetNews newsgroups beyond Miami by a Miami student -- and actions have been
taken to deal with the increased amount of incoming e-mail and thus correct
the performance problems.
 
     This incident illustrates how even isolated incidences of
inappropriate behavior by individual users on the network can adversely
affect an entire academic community.
 
     MCIS regrets any inconvenience this incident has caused.
 
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                             MCIS News
           Miami Computing & Information Services (MCIS)
                    Miami University (Ohio USA)
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