Bebo Prevails

Riamfada

Anyone read the Tribune today? Bebo wont be banned . Simple as. Read em and weap

eth0_

Care to bother your hole to quote some of the article?
The Tribune probably has about 100 readers in Ireland, after all.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

Riamfada

Well M'Lord i dont have a copy of it right now, so I dare not bother my hole going to college to get it. How about you get it yourself if your so interested in the details of whether or not it'll be allowed. Simply , nothing will change.

tintinr35

eth0_ wrote:

Care to bother your hole to quote some of the article?
The Tribune probably has about 100 readers in Ireland, after all.

go get a copy urslef if ur so interested!

Chinafoot

Solitaryman666 wrote:

This post has been deleted.

Myspace didn't really have quite the same impact in UCD that bebo has had.

They want it banned because quite frankly its hard enough to get a computer in UCD at the best of times. Its even worse when you are standing in a queue for up to 30 minutes needing to do some college work and looking at the amount of people surfing bebo.

If people want to look at bebo in college then they should do it on their own laptops and not tie up the few resources that the college does have.

Its coming very close to exam time now and people have end of term assignments to hand up. A lot of people in UCD don't have access to computers off-campus so its very unfair on them, particularly at such a crucial time in the year.

Chinafoot

tintinr35 wrote:

go get a copy urslef if ur so interested!

Watch it.

It was a valid enough request. If you're going to go to the bother of posting a thread about an article that was in the paper you could at least expand on what was said.

Art_Wolf

Then they should make it a rule in the college that their pcs are for course related work only. Ban bebo and something else will simply take its place.

Mimikyu

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tintinr35

they have it banned in a load of colleges but it doesnt make a difference because you can just go onto this site that reroutes you to it. so it really doest make a diff if they ban it or not!

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

eth0_

Bebo is for absolute RETARDS. I really do not see the attraction!
Are these people so unable to score in real life that they have to cybersex with someone and then meet them by the lake?

Grow up FFS.

You're here to study, if you're going to spend your time on Bebo perhaps you should drop out because from what i've seen of Bebo people, they barely have the intelligence to string a few words together, nevermind complete a degree.

And of course the university can block Bebo. They can block porn sites if they want to. If people are tying up university resources looking at this stupid site, they are well within their rights blocking it.

Chinafoot

tintinr35 wrote:

they have it banned in a load of colleges but it doesnt make a difference because you can just go onto this site that reroutes you to it. so it really doest make a diff if they ban it or not!

Well tbh if the site was banned and people are in the queue waiting to do college work, see some muppet surfing a site that they know is banned it may just give them the confidence to tell said muppet in no uncertain terms to get the hell off the computer and stop wasting everyones time.

Or if they're not brave enough for that, they can legitimately complain to services.

eth0_

Solitaryman666 wrote:

This post has been deleted.

It's blocked in the library building so trust me, Computer Services can block it site-wide if they were bothered.

All the people thinking UCD can't ban it, it's a private LAN and the admins can block access to whatever they want. HEANET provide the internet access here and there is NOTHING in their TOS preventing each university blocking access to sites.

beanyb

Bebo is for absolute RETARDS. I really do not see the attraction!
Are these people so unable to score in real life that they have to cybersex with someone and then meet them by the lake?

Yeah everyone that uses bebo is a retard... :rolleyes:
In fact I'd see boards as more fitting to your cybersex idea, since on bebo people talk to friends that they already know, but here we talk to complete strangers and organise meeting up!

Quotes from the article:

" Communications Officer for UCD Computer Services Niamh Milne revealed that there are no plans to ban Bebo from the UCD computer network at the moment.
'It is not part of the college policy to restrict access to websites. If it's Bebo one day, it would be another website the next.' Milne explained."

Beruthiel

Grimes wrote:

Well M'Lord i dont have a copy of it right now, so I dare not bother my hole going to college to get it. How about you get it yourself if your so interested in the details of whether or not it'll be allowed. Simply , nothing will change.

if you are going to start a thread, then I believe the least you can do is post the subject matter as a normal course of action. :rolleyes:

Chinafoot

How about everyone (and I mean everyone) discusses the issue with a bit of cop on?

Get it back on topic folks.

ferdi

Beruthiel wrote:

if you are going to start a thread, then I believe the least you can do is post the subject matter as a normal course of action. :rolleyes:

i dont think theres any rules saying you have to provide full documentry evidence of every post you make, if he is interested he can pick up a copy of this free paper himself. the OP said bebo wasnt banned....if anyone wants further details its up to them to find out surely?

Blowfish

tintinr35 wrote:

they have it banned in a load of colleges but it doesnt make a difference because you can just go onto this site that reroutes you to it. so it really doest make a diff if they ban it or not!

you got it bang on, though banning it will stop some people, who don't realise that they can do this, and sooner or later someone is going to tell them how to do it.

Chinafoot

ferdi wrote:

i dont think theres any rules saying you have to provide full documentry evidence of every post you make, if he is interested he can pick up a copy of this free paper himself. the OP said bebo wasnt banned....if anyone wants further details its up to them to find out surely?

You start a thread in order to start a discussion. If you post something vague about an article in the paper then those who haven't seen the article won't be able to participate in the discussion.

Quoting at least some of the article is just common decency tbh.

But that is beside the point, can we get back on-topic please.

ferdi

peachypants wrote:

You start a thread in order to start a discussion. If you post something vague about an article in the paper then those who haven't seen the article won't be able to participate in the discussion.

Quoting at least some of the article is just common decency tbh.

But that is beside the point, can we get back on-topic please.

really? several posters, including yourself, seem to have managed just fine.

common decency? thats a bit OTT, no?

eth0_

beanyb wrote:

" Communications Officer for UCD Computer Services Niamh Milne revealed that there are no plans to ban Bebo from the UCD computer network at the moment.
'It is not part of the college policy to restrict access to websites. If it's Bebo one day, it would be another website the next.' Milne explained."

That's strange because the presidents office is calling for Bebo to be blocked on the UCD network.

Chinafoot

ferdi wrote:

really? several posters, including yourself, seem to have managed just fine.

common decency? thats a bit OTT, no?

What did I say ferdi? I said back on-topic. The discussion is about bebo not being banned as reported in the Tribune. The part that you highlighted there was a statement about threads in general. And yes it is common decency.

Also, I don't recall saying that I hadn't read the article. I simply agreed with Eth0 about quoting some of the article.

Now, back on topic, thank you very much.

ferdi

yes mistress, i love it when you get angry;)

Dave!

Would banning Bebo not set a 'dangerous' (for want of a better word) precident, and kinda make it easier to start banning other non-academic sites, eg. yahoo mail, gmail, myspace, boards..., and lead to the computers being used solely for academic purposes? Maybe not soon, but in the future.

Some might say that we come to college to learn so that's a good thing, but it's not a boarding school or a prison camp, so that would be ridiculous.

Personally as I think I've said before, I don't care about Bebo, cos I have a laptop now But I can understand yer frustration

Red Alert

yes it does. it then becomes a case of writing a site-banning policy. for example does going to microsoft.com mean personal use - probably does. but what about someone writing a Windows Server application for a project? what about religious sites? shopping - should someone be on tesco.com if they live on campus?

i disagree with site-banning in any shape or form as any site ban is subjective.

the library is a different kettle of fish. they are special computers for accessing learning resources - you're not supposed to even be using MS Word on them! as such they have a right to block it - does anyone know if they got computer services to do it on the proxy or did they use the Site Kiosk to block it?

mloc

eth0_ wrote:

Bebo is for absolute RETARDS. I really do not see the attraction!
Are these people so unable to score in real life that they have to cybersex with someone and then meet them by the lake?

I can't quite agree with you there, Bebo is 99% used by people to connect with people they already know, and is mostly used for hosting photos, sending messages and general group communications. It seems to have benefitted from not developing an "uncool" image, as many online communication methods have (in Ireland) and entered mainstream use. Of the 150 or so "friends" i have on my bebo account, not one have I never met in real life before.

You're here to study, if you're going to spend your time on Bebo perhaps you should drop out because from what i've seen of Bebo people, they barely have the intelligence to string a few words together, nevermind complete a degree.

Bebo people? I don't think I've met any Bebo "people". If you're talking about Bebo users in UCD, theres 5360 users already registered as part of the UCD group, which in terms of undergraduate population is a significant proportion. I would imagine, from 1st to 3rd year, they are in the majority.

And of course the university can block Bebo. They can block porn sites if they want to. If people are tying up university resources looking at this stupid site, they are well within their rights blocking it.

While I agree that blocking bebo in the library building during exam periods might be reasonable, lets be realistic: what proportion of computer use is actually for course work? I'd love to know what proportion of bandwidth is actually course work and not students checking email, downloading irrelevant crap, playing flash games etc.

Vorsprung

Red Alert wrote:

yes it does. it then becomes a case of writing a site-banning policy. for example does going to microsoft.com mean personal use - probably does. but what about someone writing a Windows Server application for a project? what about religious sites? shopping - should someone be on tesco.com if they live on campus?

i disagree with site-banning in any shape or form as any site ban is subjective.

Come on Peadar. Social networking!? It can hardly be classed in the same group of sites, no matter how loose you make you define things

Red Alert

try http://proxy.ucd.ie/ and navigate around - i think it still works but i'm at home so i don't know. you'll probably see bebo in the top ten.

i actually think bebo is quite good - it is very well designed compared to myspace and is easy to use for computer luddites too.

humbert

I got a 403, something to do with my being on a laptop?

rain on

humbert wrote:

I got a 403, something to do with my being on a laptop?

i got one too and i'm on a college computer..

humbert

guess its just not publicly accessible anymore

leche solara

My brother works in the IT Dept in UCD and he says they have been told to drop everything and find a solution that will stop undesirable sites being accessed from college computers. They are currently testing a program called Websense which can be fed a list of topics which are deemed undesirable - sex, sport, religion, Instant messaging etc. The program examines site before access is given and if it falls into one of the banned topics a Websense message tell suer that the access to the site has been blocked because it contains references to 'Sex, Sport etc.' The program is also intuitive and has learning ability. If for instance a site does not contain a banned topic but it is suddenly receiving a lot of hits a report is produced. An administrator then visits the site and decides whether it is acceptable or not. If he considers it unacceptable it will be added to the list of banned sites. Apparently this program is widely used in semi state bodies and parts of the Civil Service.

Umaro

eth0_ wrote:

Bebo is for absolute RETARDS. I really do not see the attraction!
Are these people so unable to score in real life that they have to cybersex with someone and then meet them by the lake?

Grow up FFS.

You're here to study, if you're going to spend your time on Bebo perhaps you should drop out because from what i've seen of Bebo people, they barely have the intelligence to string a few words together, nevermind complete a degree.

i've never wanted to punch someone in the face as much as i do now.

Red Alert

this seems to be a client-side application! plenty of ways around it, firefox being one.

mloc

leche solara wrote:

are currently testing a program called Websense which can be fed a list of topics which are deemed undesirable - sex, sport, religion, Instant messaging etc. The program examines site before access is given and if it falls into one of the banned topics a Websense message tell suer that the access to the site has been blocked because it contains references to 'Sex, Sport etc.'

that sort of system seems entirely unfeasable in an open college education environment. It would prevent research from taking place, deny users access to useful information, prevent reasonable if not neccessary communications, and piss all over free speech.

There would be such a backlash comp services wouldn't know what hit them.

Chinafoot

Umaro wrote:

i've never wanted to punch someone in the face as much as i do now.

The next person to post off-topic gets a ban.

eth0_

I'm sorry but it's f*cking pathetic how you're comparing blocking bebo to a violation of your human rights (a comment in the library suggestion book) and infringing on free speech!

If you want to sit on Bebo all day, get your own laptop and use the wireless and ethernet connections to your hearts content, instead of blocking up PC's with your Bebo usage!

I don't think blocking Bebo would set a precedent because I don't think there's ever been such a scourge as this site in any college before. You never hear people complaining about students being on gmail etc, it's *ALWAYS* bebo. Even on the bus into town this evening there were a bunch of faux D4 girls whining on about 'Loike, ohmygosh it's loike, so hord to keep OFF bebo?'. They deserve a punch in the face for sure.

Red Alert

As laptop ownership goes up (which is something computer services could do even more on) this will become less and less of a problem - despite some of their carryon, computer services are quite media-savvy. they'd see a backlash like a bebo block coming a mile away.

i think best to leave it as now. no bebo in the library, bebo elsewhere.

BKtje

which can be fed a list of topics which are deemed undesirable - sex, sport, religion, Instant messaging etc.

So as someone said people doign research on this subjects do what then...? Change their area of research? That sounds like a windup to me as i'd never see a University be that short sighted.

eth0 i've been very surpsied with your houlier than thou attitude, massive generalisations and name calling in this thread (i know u didnt call any one person anything but group name calling is pretty bad too). Just cos someone disagrees with you does not mean they deserve abuse. Im surprised Peachy hasn't warned ya (if she hasnt).

Anyways. I agree Bebo access needs to be monitored or cut somehow during peak times (especially coming up to the exams). Can be tricky to do succesfully without interfering massively with research material. Just my opinion of course.

Sangre

etho is just mad because no one will accept her bebo invites.

Yeah, it should be blocked in the library at least. Any sites should be done on a case by case basis and not just because it falls into a 'category'.
I can't imagine any program allowing to search for 'rape' or 'murder' etc

eth0_

Sangre wrote:

etho is just mad because no one will accept her bebo invites.

Really showing your lack of intelligence with that retort, pal.
Maybe when you grow up you'll learn people have differing opinions to you :rolleyes:

Chinafoot

eth0_ banned for a week for dragging the thread off-topic after numerous warnings.

Villaricos

eth0_ wrote:

Bebo is for absolute RETARDS. QUOTE]
now thats a bit harsh, i admit i use bebo a lot but i like to think i have some amount of intellegence. and the ability to complete my degree.

It is annoying to see the computers being taken up by bebo users when you need a computer for essays or research, but if they ban it will they ban every popular site? im sure people spend plenty of time on hotmail or gmail but they cant ban them, people will say they need them for emailing tutors/lecturers etc so where do they draw the line

lets face it bebos current popularity aint gonna last forever.

Sangre

Just do what I do. If you see someone on bebo on the computers drop-kick them.

Half thinking of making a boards group but Im soooo lazy.

Riamfada

Or what I do when I see somone on Bebo. Sneak behind them and give a big loud fart. And then widen your eyes and repeate Bebo in your best Gollum voice as fast as you can.. Sure enough they'll be off the computer lickity split

boneless

I think it is a sad day for UCD. Free access to computers is important to a lot of students for important course work. It really pis*es me off to see ar*e holes spending hours on the machines fluting around on bebo. I won't even access Boards from a college computer!

anonymous_joe

I've never really used bebo in college, and it's my laptop anyway. Taking up pc's at this time of year for silly little reasons is bent. End of story.

elmyra

*promised herself she wasn't getting involved in this thread...oh well*

Ok...I'm a self-confessed bebo addict ('Hi Group'......'Hi Elmyra'....there we go, introductions over with), I like the site and I check in a couple of times a day. I do this during college hours but on my own laptop. If I couldn't afford a laptop and needed to use college computers regularly like a lot of people do, I'd still check my bebo because I'd feel that it was only fair that my net access not be restricted by my lack of laptop. However, check it is all I would do, it takes ten minutes to have a flick around and reply to anything you need to reply to. With that said, whenever I've used college computers I've been aware that I'm doing so while other people are waiting in line for the same facilities, and given that there should be a little bit of give and take among people who are sharing facilities, I don't dawdle. People need to apply their common sense and a little bit of respect. If you do what you need to do and get the hell off the pc, it wouldn't come to a point where anything needs to be banned.

UCD gives us precious little else for free, it's perfectly fair that people who don't have laptops should have the same access to sites as those who do, but they have a little bit of care for those who are in the same situation and respect that while we all know college pcs are invariably used for non-academic purposes, essays and research etc come first.

Let's all join hands and sing kumbiya post over...

Gazza22

Is it possible to invite friends into the UCD page on Bebo like you can for your old school?...

Syth

Art_Wolf wrote:

Then they should make it a rule in the college that their pcs are for course related work only. Ban bebo and something else will simply take its place.

THAT IS THE RULE! READ THE POPUP WHEN YOU LOG IN.