Hello all
As promised, a summary:
1. Those in the Community Development arena see it as valid, as their
emphasis, if I read it correctly Kevin & Martin (I can quote you, as you
responded to the list publically!) is on community communication.
They want a debate, and want this list used for that debate, so speak up
if you're interested!
2. Those in education see it as a learning tool which is valid if part
of learning experience, and akin to Internet Chat.
3. Those in the public sector see it largely as a resource management
issue, perhaps linked to the quantity of access points provided, and the
money available (and this seems true of both UK & US responses).
Options seem to be booking systems (which we already do), staff policing
(not policy at the moment) or filtering of free email sites (which we
don't do).
I seem to recall an article last year by Michael Schuyler in Computers
in Libraries (Meckler), which said "filtering is not just about Porn,
stupid", so this seems to reflect this issue.
I'm also reminded of an issue here some years ago (long since quickly
addressed, I hasten to add!), where an open door policy on a TypeTalk
Service for the visually impaired was abused and clocked up a surprising
bill!
OK, with Internet, we're paying for the ISP, and either a leased line or
a dial-up line, not international charges, but this needs at least to be
faced, if not fully addressed.
Hope this helps.
Regards
John
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John Usher "I'd rather be Flying..."
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