e-mail policy -

[Paul H. Gray]

At 10:57 AM 4/1/98 -0800, you wrote:
>
>> 
>> 1. He uses a public Internet terminal and accesses a number of web based
>> mail packages including Yahoo.
>
>My problem deals with the same subject so I thought I'd reply.  We 
>. . .Does anyone know of a way to block people from using services 
> like HotMail without actually filtering the sites?  Thanks.

We are wrestling with the same things here. Our policy prohibits e-mail,
chats etc.  And as LAN manager I have been assigned the task of coming up
with a technological solution.
I have had had to explain to our people - now that these services are
offered as integral portions of "legitimate" reference sites like Yahoo
there is very little technology can do (at least without spending large
sums of money).

Ultimately it has to come down to whoever is working the floor being
willing to show an offending patron the door.  
IMHO - if it is not considered a big enough issue to do this --and do it
consistantly-- then it is --not-- a big enough issue to call it a policy. 

Stated policies that are not enforced are at best a waste of paper.  At
worst they encourage a tendency to ignore other policies.
Partial or sporadic enforcement only breeds anger and resentment against
the individual doing the enforcement when the patron wants to know why it
was OK for someone else.

I know this has not answered your question - but I suggest an even more
basic question is -- "How badly do you want to keep people from using your
stations for e-mail?"
If the answer is - "It's not that big a deal." then make everyone's life
easier - drop the issue - and move on to other challenges.

Sorry - but this is one of my 'soap box' issues.
Opinions are strictly my own etc.


Paul H. Gray, Learning Resources Manager	Phone:  (817)515-6623               
TCJC Northeast LRC				Fax:    (817)515-6275
828 Harwood Road				E-Mail: phgray at tcjc.cc.tx.us
Hurst, Texas 76054