Osterberg says that during a 14-month span, the site accounted for about 12 percent of all data transferred over Harvard's server. We have a policy against sending mass e-mail or spam. It's not uncommon for a student to violate this policy by sending a chain letter to a large number of friends. Osterberg cites a sharp increase in student policy queries. One challenge the quiz addresses is password management.
Students often use passwords that are easily broken.
Our favorite example was the username Beavis. The quiz tries to make students aware of a wide range of issues, including proper e-mail etiquette and piracy law. Osterberg says it has helped make his job a little easier. If we can prevent some of the infractions that are caused by simply not knowing or understanding the policies, then it's worth it. And we definitely perceive an increased awareness of computer rules and policies from the student body.