Dear Editor,

The entire Bilkent computer system has been infected with Òw97.Chack.BÓ virus. This virus has caused my classmates and I numerous headaches and lost work time. It hides in Microsoft Word and goes undetected by the virus programs until a file that carries it is opened and saved several times. In the end, it alters the virus program itself so it is unusable.

In my attempts to alert the computer lab management about the problem, I have been unceremoniously and rudely brushed off and the problem has continued to spread. I would like to know what the computer staff is doing about both the attitude of their employees and the problem of the viruses.

(Ben Ball POLS-V)

Bilkent Computer Center Responds

As you have stated, this virus and its alikes cannot be detected by the recent versions of virus detection/cleaning software. We always try to collect as much information as possible on new viri and try to find/learn methods and tools to get rid of them, but unfortunately there are new viri popping up everyday with better ways of disguising themselves.

The mentioned w97.Chack.B virus. For instance, it attaches itself to Word documents and infects the current Word settings so that it can infect the next opened document. The current options available in MS Word settings are not sufficient to disable the so-called back doors this virus is exploiting. We are searching anti-virus sites for information on newly discovered viri. We need the cooperation of all users for the detection and cleaning of viruses and really appreciate if they could supply us a copy of an infected file.

If you experience any computer problems, please e-mail: hotline@bilkent.edu.tr.

Mayday for May Fest?

Dear Editor,

Today (April 15) I noticed handouts telling about the dates of the upcoming Mayfest. I learned that it will be a two-day fest, which seemed bizarre to me. Mayfest used to last for 4-5 days when I first came to Bilkent.

I'd like to know why. I believe a two-day Mayfest I believe will not satisfy the people at Bilkent. What I would like to see is a full week of real Mayfest which is something more than an "open-air doner kepab party" and I hope next year our Mayfest will not turn into "Mayday! Mayday!" call of a pilot about to hit the ground! I believe the Student Council should have done more to offer more than two days of "Mayday", sorry- Mayfest!