Surfing Experience

No, this is not about surfing the waves for some insane reason because if you know me, I hate the ocean even if I love the beach.

Anyway, this is about an activity for COMPMED. This is all about my internet surfing experience.

Slow PC, slow internet and don't forget about the Dans Guardian. Those were downsides of internet surfing here in school.

I was just surfing through Multiply and my Blogger, and the PC took too long to respond, maybe because everyone else was using the internet.

Earlier today, I tried to type in the terms "Color wheel" and "Mickey Mouse" over at Google and it took me by surprise that images of those things were banned. BANNED! Why in the world will they ban Mickey Mouse and the Color Wheel?? The terms "Porn" came in. Crazy, ey? It just made me realize that the internet was so nasty than what it really seems to look like.

Those were pretty much my problems while surfing the internet.

There were positive things anyway, I got to check my mail, I got to check my Multiply site and even get to update my Blogger (Yes, I'll be passing this to my Professor and posting it as my blog entry as well). These are just a few things that I can check out of my list for the day.

That, I believe, sums up my experience, for this day alone. :)

Internet Usage Experience in DLSC

After surfing for a few minutes one realizes that there are certain sites, which the regular DLSC student would go to, that are blocked by the school’s internet safety system, Dan’s Guardian. Though the safety system not only prevents sites with malicious content but also sites that “Dan” would consider pointless and not connected to educational content; So one could say that safety here is not only for pornographic or violent material, but for sites and applications that encourage distraction from studying or research such as social connectivity sites much like Facebook or Friendster.
The school’s primary purpose for internet usage is to facilitate and allow to students to conduct internet research for school papers and projects, as well to check email. I understand the school’s blockage of pornographic material or violent content, as these would go against moral issues that the school upholds as well as the school not having any medical or psychological courses that may deal with these topics. The problem I see is the prevention of social connectivity sites, because with the advancements made in internet connectivity, students not only connect with email but with several methods as well.
My usual routine when connecting to the internet, I would open up three tabs. In each of these tabs I go through the usual sites that I frequently visit. The first being my Multiply account, this helps me with viewing whatever my friends and relatives are up to or any announcements that might be necessary. I also use multiply to display my online portfolio, as I am into photography and arts, it helps me show clients and potential clients current and previous works. The second would be Facebook, this is much like multiply but with a more complex and intimate connectivity with peers, I use this to have a more updated relationship with my peers as it contains status updates, event invites and announcements. Some would refer to this as an online community gazette. Unfortunately Dan’s Guardian blocks this and prevents access, listing it as a banned site. The third tab would contain my email account for internet correspondence. After checking these I would then change each tab to message forums that I frequent that keep me updated with current events in society and my hobby and part time profession, which is photography.
I could only hope that social connectivity sites be allowed in school, as some students who prefer using the school’s internet, for those who do not have connections at home or at their dorm, be allowed. Even if they’re only unblocked at certain times to allow students to connect with their peers, as email these days isn’t as instant as it used to be.