No MySpace on School Space
MySpace Access Blocked on School Computers
By: Shar-Lyn Tay
Issue date: 12/14/07 Section: News
The computers located in the LaGCC's library, as well as other computer lab areas throughout the campuses four buildings, are designated for open access to students. However, it appears that the library's computer lab began a ban on certain websites.
The library's computer area has several guidelines. A sign located at the front of the queue states: "there is to be no instant messaging, online shopping, or playing games on the computers. The lab in the library is meant for students to complete homework assignments, or do research for school projects." There have been conflicts in the past, where students came to blows as one student needed to do an assignment while another was instant messaging on the library's computer. However, a technical support staff person for the library's computer lab said that websites such as "myspace.com," "YouTube," and "Hi5" are unavailable to students from the library's computers. The direct URLs for these websites have been blocked, yet many students are still able to access them by clicking a link via a search engine. The computer lab has been trying to overcome this problem by installing filters to block links that may direct students to these sites.
An interview with Ted Dec, the Director of Network Administration, reveals that these blocks are not supposed to exist. Dec states that it is neither the school's policy to block these websites nor is it the school's role to police student's Internet activity. Dec went on to say that he will be working with the library's staff to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
In addition to the Internet blockage, students are also limited to the amount of printing they can do. The computer lab has set a maximum of 15 pages per student .A technical support staff says that this is because the lab is given ten reams of paper per week and limits were put in place in order that the paper not run out before week's end. The cost of paper and printing supplies for the computer lab is roughly $20, 000 per semester.
Despite these limits, there is good news for the students on the technological side. Dec states that the college will be upgrading from Novell's Netmail to Microsoft Live Solution in the very near future. This new email program will allow students 5GBs of inbox space instead of the 10MB that Netmail currently provides.
Follow up - Dec brought an IT Support Center Helpdesk staff member to the library to resolve the issue. The issue has since been resolved and students are once again able to access these sites.
The library's computer area has several guidelines. A sign located at the front of the queue states: "there is to be no instant messaging, online shopping, or playing games on the computers. The lab in the library is meant for students to complete homework assignments, or do research for school projects." There have been conflicts in the past, where students came to blows as one student needed to do an assignment while another was instant messaging on the library's computer. However, a technical support staff person for the library's computer lab said that websites such as "myspace.com," "YouTube," and "Hi5" are unavailable to students from the library's computers. The direct URLs for these websites have been blocked, yet many students are still able to access them by clicking a link via a search engine. The computer lab has been trying to overcome this problem by installing filters to block links that may direct students to these sites.
An interview with Ted Dec, the Director of Network Administration, reveals that these blocks are not supposed to exist. Dec states that it is neither the school's policy to block these websites nor is it the school's role to police student's Internet activity. Dec went on to say that he will be working with the library's staff to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
In addition to the Internet blockage, students are also limited to the amount of printing they can do. The computer lab has set a maximum of 15 pages per student .A technical support staff says that this is because the lab is given ten reams of paper per week and limits were put in place in order that the paper not run out before week's end. The cost of paper and printing supplies for the computer lab is roughly $20, 000 per semester.
Despite these limits, there is good news for the students on the technological side. Dec states that the college will be upgrading from Novell's Netmail to Microsoft Live Solution in the very near future. This new email program will allow students 5GBs of inbox space instead of the 10MB that Netmail currently provides.
Follow up - Dec brought an IT Support Center Helpdesk staff member to the library to resolve the issue. The issue has since been resolved and students are once again able to access these sites.
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