My History 4B: Western Civilization professor made the login to her site: his4b, password: index
Her challenge to us was to have us find out why she made the password index. Anyone have a clue?
I think the answer is either: one of index's definition has something similar to passwords, their function, or their asterick nature or 'index' has something to do with Wester Civilization or the history department?

Here is my first set of guess she just turned down:
>Webster defines the word 'index' as either:
>
>"An alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc. together with the page numbers where
they appear in the text, usually placed at the end of a book or other publication." -
Passwords are also a collection of alphabets and numbers put together to restrict access
to only those who know it.
>
>Or "The relation or ratio of one amount or dimension to another, or the formula
expressing this relation." - Having index as the password symbolizes that passwords are
the judgement to whether or not we are on the same dimension (whether we are really HIS
4B students or just a random person) to enter the site.

Take a shot at this! If you answer correctly, I'll be sure to give credit to you (your sn) in class. ;)

You didn't look very far- you should have pulled your [index] finger out.

Godspeed you!

Interesting. I think the answer is "TOo make us think of all of the possibilities, and find nothing to make us realise that no matter how well someone can think critically, the answer may not be found"

It would be hilarious if your prof surfed this page and found this. I always wonder if someone I know (or acquaintance) surfs here.

index
1398, "the forefinger," from L. index (gen. indicis) "forefinger, pointer, sign, list," lit. "anything which points out," from indicare "point out" (see indicate). Meaning "list of a book's contents" is first attested 1580, from L. phrases such as Index Nominum "Index of Names," index expurgatorius "specification of passages to be deleted from works otherwise permitted." The verb meaning "compile an index" is from 1720. Scientific sense (refractive index, etc.) is from 1829; economic sense (cost-of-living index, etc.) is after 1886. The Church sense of "forbidden books" is from index librorum prohibitorum, first published 1564 by authority of Pius IV.

Perhaps this last meaning of forbidden books is a clue. Passwords indicate when something is forbidden, with the exception of those that know the word. Also, the Pope just died.

the index of a book or webpage is a reference to to everything therein. the purpose of a password is to hide information.

he used the thing that is used to find infomation, as a way of hiding it. its a simple paradox

Maybe because it unlocks information?

Her challenge to us was to have us find out why she made the password index. Anyone have a clue?
She's an attention whore. She made the challenge about herself.

She's just another pedestrian Liberal Arts major masquerading as an intellectual.

Ignore her tripe. Just ooze appreciation. That'll get you an A, for sure.

Her challenge to us was to have us find out why she made the password index.

Because she doesn't know how to pick a decent password.
Dictionary words and names should never be used as passwords. Ever.

she was thinking of a good password and couldnt get one. She looked around her and must have obviously found a book. That gives her a quick keyword - index, since most books have an index. Then she has probably justified it in some way. Really! Don't look too much into why she chose that password.

am i a fool or what? the original post was written in early 2005. We are almost into 2007 ! The writer probably hasnt looked at this page and has most probably graduated from the school a long while ago! Dumb, dumb, dumb me for not looking at the date of a post before replying to it ! Its like replying to a speech by Neville Chamberlain - Sir, I disagree with your policy on Czechoslovakia .. and then feeling happy about the reply .. the guy's been like, dead, for half a century!

am i a fool or what? the original post was written in early 2005. We are almost into 2007 ! The writer probably hasnt looked at this page and has most probably graduated from the school a long while ago! Dumb, dumb, dumb me for not looking at the date of a post before replying to it ! Its like replying to a speech by Neville Chamberlain - Sir, I disagree with your policy on Czechoslovakia .. and then feeling happy about the reply .. the guy's been like, dead, for half a century!
Um, it's a thread in part about history. And you're complaining because the thread has a history?

What are they teaching you folks at school anymore, if anything?

;)