Campus Computers, too Prude?
Sophomore, Kaitlyn Hagberg, using a library computer on which she has limited access.
August 31, 2010 • Michelle Abunaja
Filed under News
Students in class often say music helps them work, but if you have tried logging into a website to fill your ears with few tunes, you may have gotten a surprise. No access! If you start surfing the web, you might notice even more sites that DV students used to have access to have been blocked. Ever wonder who blocks those seemingly harmless sites like Wikipedia, which is somewhat accurate. So why are some sights blocked and others not?
According to Mr. John Olson, Librarian, most things are blocked by Web sense, the software the district uses to sensor computer sites. Teachers also have a say in what is blocked. The software combs through and blocks websites that set it off. A research paper done in health may have to be mostly done at home because web sense blocks a lot of the diseases listed as taboo topics.
“The software we have goes through everything,” said Olson.
There’s usually an alternative to the beloved blocked sites. The main reason why many music sites are blocked is because of copyright laws. Though some sites still let you play it at school.
A main reason why music sights are blocked is because people can violate copyright laws. Since copyright laws are linked to money, many school districts veer away from anything that shouts “trouble”. There have been cases where students and teachers have downloaded thousand of songs leading them to court where they had to pay it all back with fees.
“I don’t think there’s any reason music should be blocked during the day,” said Mrs. Annette Haynes, a computer applications and business teacher.
When music is downloaded illegally then the federal government tracks what computer it came from and can confiscate that computer. Another issue that arises from this is if Desert Vista has a confiscated computer they won’t have enough money to replace it.
Every user name on campus is tracked and has a monthly report printed out and put down stairs by the Technology Director, Mr. Jon Neimen. That’s why it’s critical that everyone uses their own account.
So what do you do if you are trying to get to a site and it’s blocked? There are many Proxy websites that could be used. Or, to listen to music, trying the artists’ website is the way to go. Since the district’s software also protects the computer from getting infected with viruses, it’s best to be careful about any site you attempt to access while on campus.
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