Return-Path: <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost.nifl.gov [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.8.7/8.8.5) with SMTP id OAA27400; Sat, 13 Dec 1997 14:25:42 -0500 (EST) Date: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 14:25:42 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <Pine.SGI.3.95.971213141748.16336B-100000@world.std.com> Errors-To: lmann@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: David J Rosen <DJRosen@world.std.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:112] Techno Tyranny X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Status: RO NIFL-Technology colleagues, I have recently come across an example of an organizational practice that I would term _technology tyranny_ and I wonder if others on this list have run into such practices. A teacher told me that they have a new network of terrific pentiums at her program which apparently is connected to a Wide Area Network. Her program is one of several adult literacy programs sponsored by a city agency. The WAN/LAN administrator(s) have a policy that no software may be installed or used on any of the computers unless it is first approved by a central committee downtown. What's bad about this? From a teacher's point of view, it's intimidating, prevents one from using tools one is familiar/comfortable with, prevents use of small, creative programs which might only be useful for some specific purposes in a particular class, discourages teachers' creating their own software for use with their classes, and.. gives everyone the the "Big Brother" chills. One colleague, outraged by this practice, thinks its analogous to book censorship. What do you all think about this? Is this typical where you are? Is this not all that unreasonable from your perspective, and if so, why? Are you outraged by this? Why? David J. Rosen
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