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 QAA19778; Thu, 18 Dec 1997 16:30:24 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 16:30:24 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <s4992563.085@chemek.cc.or.us> 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: "Fauzi Naas" <NAAF@chemek.cc.or.us> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:123] Re: Techno Tyranny X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise 5.2 Status: RO Dear David and Gregory On our community college campus, we run in to the problem of students unintentionally or intentionally erasing/corrupting software installed on the computers/network and we have been struggling with this problem a while. Then, I started searching for security software that allow complete control to what users can do on the computer. One particularly good software is called "FoolProof" you can down load a demo copy from http://www.smartstuff.com This software does the job. It gives you the ability to customize access options including DOS commands. However, installation was not trouble free, but once that is over, it works pretty well. As far as other software installation by teachers, we are going through some of these problems ourselves. Maybe a training/awareness session about legality of software licensing and having one individual responsible of tracking what software is on the computers or on the network, this means that everyone with the intention of installing a software has to go through this designated individual, for tracking and to make sure licensing is in agreement. This is what I am doing with our particular department. Otherwise things can get out of hand, not to mention computers may loose their optimum performance if they have cluttered hard drives. Fauzi Naas Instructional Network Specialist Chemeketa Community College Salem, Oregon >>> David J Rosen <DJRosen@world.std.com> 12/17/97 03:31PM >>> Gregory, Your reply below makes me very glad I posted my message. The issues you raised certainly present a different point of view on this problem. I am glad to hear it, and think the issues you raise do need to be addressed. The challenge, for all of us then, is what to do about this problem? How can we create the maximum amount of responsible freedom for teachers (and for students, too)? 1) What would a LAN/WAN use policy look like that safeguarded software from actions that would trash it or make it inoperable, which would prevent illegal activity, and which would allow teachers the maximum amount of freedom of use. 2) What software is out there -- that some of you may be using now -- that allows different levels of freedom (with different levels of responsibility?) and 3) What is the role of training? It seems to me that teachers (and possibly students) could be given more freedom (and responsibility) if they were given training (and assessment of their skills and maybe certification.) Incidentally, in the example I gave, the LAN was installed, but the teachers were provided with no training, so of course, they made some mistakes (maybe serious ones -- I don't know) and the response was to severely restrict how the computers could be used, that is, not allow them to use the computers at all. That seems to me to be a big part of the tyranny problem. What do others on this list think about this problem? I bet there are some good answers out there. David Rosen On Wed, 17 Dec 1997, Gregory Dupre wrote: > David, > > I am currently a student at small campus > in south central Louisiana. Our computers > have nothing to prevent the students from > installing their own software, which happens > quite often. > > Problems > > 1-Some software packages cause memory conflicts > with others. The program that you need for school > no longer works because someone has > installed their own software, rendering your > program useless. > > 2-Some programs, as they install, will simply > erase anything that gets in their way. Once > again, you have been using WordPerfect, but > find it has now been overwritten by an > interactive tutorial. Try teaching a WordPerfect > class without WordPerfect. Try teaching your > kid to ride a bicycle without a bicycle. > > 3-Whose software is it. If it belongs to the > instructor, chances are that he has already > installed it once on his machine at home. > If he installs it again on the machine used > by the school, this makes the school liable > for copyright infringement. > > To use your example: > If instructors are installing anything they > want into computers used in a city sponsored > program, the city is legally responsible for any > consequences. Are you willing to send the city > in question an affidavit offering to pay the > costs of any copyright infringement lawsuits? > If not, you seem to be awfully easy with other > people's money. > > 4-What EXACTLY is being installed. > I am reminded of a story that made the newspapers > down here. > > It seems the Clerk of Court's office > for one of the parishes was switching over > to computers to allow people internet access > to parish records. They had a member of the > staff who was extremely knowledgeable about computers. > > This gentleman spent many long hours on the > project, often working late into the night. > Everyone was amazed at his dedication. > > Then one day the FBI came to call. > It seems Mr. Computer Expert had been > spending taxpayer money installing special > programs that allowed him to download > pornography. In addition to regular old ho-hum > pornography, he had been downloading CHILD > pornography. Now Mr. Expert is in jail, and > the clerk's office is a LOT more careful about > what is installed on their machines. > > Nuff said. > > Gregory Dupre > > > > > > > Date sent: Sat, 13 Dec 1997 14:25:40 -0500 (EST) > > Send reply to: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov > > From: David J Rosen <DJRosen@world.std.com> > > To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> > > Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:112] Techno Tyranny > > > 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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