[12798] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Lab Restrictions
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Raven Foster)
Mon Mar 29 20:10:59 1999
Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 13:09:08 -0600
From: Raven Foster <rafost@sapient.com>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I am stepping out of my role here, as I have never worked in this
workstation lab environment you describe. However, I know that for anything
as serious as applying filters to control access or to actually watching
someone's desktop, I would want to be very clear about my goals for usage.
If you are intending that these workstations are only to be used for
specific training purposes, ie university-related programs, that is one
thing. But if you are intending they are to be used for research by your
users, or to look at different services outside the college, then I can't
see how you can decide what they should or should not access. Are you going
to check their assignments to see if it maps to the screens they are looking
at? All this disturbs me, especially as it seems that access is likely to
be limited more because of the small staff than for policy reasons.
I hope this helps,
RAVEN
Raven Foster
Sapient Corp
rafost@sapient.com <mailto:rafost@sapient.com>
(v) 617-374-6833
(f) 617-621-1300
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Peterson [mailto:cpetrson@tsl.state.tx.us]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 1999 2:54 PM
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Subject: Lab Restrictions
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I am dealing with a small public academic library that recently moved
into a new building, complete with a 30-workstation lab that includes
Internet access. They have a small staff, so there are times when they
are helping students and the lab is not monitored. Soon the other
computers on campus will have Internet access.
The llibrary staff is considering restricting the types of
work/entertainment that can be done in this lab. Possibilities for
restrictions might include academic use only or not viewing electronic
mail.
Have any of you instituted these types of restrictions? How have you
done so? Are there legal implications?
They are also considering installing software that allows the
librarian/library aide in the lab to view any workstation's screen at
any time. Any comments on this?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for your time!
Christine Peterson
Manager, Continuing Education & Consulting
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
chris.peterson@tsl.state.tx.us
512-463-6627
