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Unintentional Humor From the Federal Bureaucracy

Luddites!

hr specialist
USDA
Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:32 AM

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It is discouraging to hear that agencies want to attempt to control the use of the internet in this way. We should take action against those who abuse the internet but banning all access to some sites sounds like the attempt to stop the introduction of modern machinery by the Luddites. Perhaps the management of the INterior dept. should become more aware of the analogy to the Luddites; perhaps they would have second thoughts.

Good analogy with the telephone!

Re: Luddites!

HR Specialist
Dept of Army
Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:48 AM
Have you checked lately - USDA is slowly adding the filters. You may already be the victim of your IT shop and not even know it.

This article may sound funny, but folks we're all filtered! There are many articles that I have not been able to open and I use a DA computer. I just move on and find that I can open them on other days. I've basically given up.

Working in HR you sometimes have the need to use education websites to access information. I've found that some of the education sites are listed as social/dating and the information is blocked. So much for networking!

Access to Sites

Information Security Officer
VA
Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:40 AM

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Anyone can subscribe to FedSmith using their personal internet address and personal account information. There is no vested right to receive any non-business communication at work. That is one of the first things that I tell my users when they hit a VA filter.

Re: Access to Sites

General Busybody
SSA, retired
Mon Oct 16, 2006 11:44 AM
Did you post this reply from your personal computer at home at 9:40 am on Monday morning?

Or are you receiving FedSmith at work and replying from your Government Computer on Government time?

Re: Access to Sites

Laughing Trees
US-DOI
Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:08 PM
lol.....lol.....that is so funny.....he can use the computer because he has been sworn to feed the mushrooms....UNLESS he really did break the Dear Leaders rules and now must be banned to light fuses for the nuclear progam........

unintentional humor

hardworking, faceless, (soon to be raiseless,) nobody
DOD
Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:50 AM

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Test, test

my last attempt to comment was blocked by a "spam filter".

Seriously.

However, why does the Federal Government try so hard to attract the 20 something children of the internet age and then start limiting their access to the internet?

How long do they think THAT will work?

Not ancient history

Human Resources Specialist
Federal Agency
Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:55 AM

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It was less than 10 years ago that I was asked to draft rules that would have forbidden lower-graded employees bringing cell phones to work. The fear was that these cell phones would be used for illegal purposes, such as contacting a bookie or drug dealer. The thinking was that if the phone call was legitimate, why wouldn't the employee just use the phone on their desk. Also, it ignored the fact that higher-graded employees have bookies and drug connections.

Banned websites

HR Specialist
DOI
Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:24 AM

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You're right, I tried to click on 2 items in the article & it blocked me from seeing them.

Unfortunately, the people who are going to abuse the right to have internet, will find a way to get around it, while those of us who do work, will be punished for the wrongdoers crimes. I've found, in the many agencies I've worked for, that when management finally have the guts to punish the wrongdoers, all the rest of us get punished in the process.

Everything banned

Engineer
Department of Interior
Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:47 AM

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I couldn't reach any of the links in the article. Access to all was blocked.

contact your IT office

analyst
USAF
Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:57 AM

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Anyone reading this article that sees articles being blocked should contact your IT office to try and get the block removed. It will have to be done from inside the organization but sitting back and waiting for it to happen will ensure that your internet access is blocked for randomly selected sites depending on the mood or preferences of your local computer programmer.

Re: contact your IT office

Emp
Agency
Mon Oct 16, 2006 1:43 PM
Maybe they're blocked because your agency wants you to perform "work" and not read unauthorized and unofficial articles not related to the performance of your duties. You can read those articles from your personal computer at home.

Re: contact your IT office

Analyst
DOD
Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:05 PM
Emp, that is most intelligent comment on this subject I've seen yet! Funny how common sense seems to cut to the chase so easily...
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