Poll for Avatar/signature showing in public

[Endymion]

I'm not worried about sexual harassment at work. My situation is different from the others.

I work as an interpreter at a state college. Sometimes I have an hour between assignments. I can use the college computer lab during that time. I do NOT surf the web when I am actually working. The computer lab rules prohibit accessing obscene sites.

What state college is this, if I may ask? All the institutions I've attended do not prohibit viewing of questionable material. That's mostly because there are courses that involve research with relevant subjects.

For example, the psychology department at one of the schools I attended might have something covering sexual tendencies of disturbingly criminal minds. We can imagine that some of the relevant, legitimate research done online could would not go over well with WebBlocker or any regulatory tools.

 

[Reba]

What state college is this, if I may ask? All the institutions I've attended do not prohibit viewing of questionable material. That's mostly because there are courses that involve research with relevant subjects.

For example, the psychology department at one of the schools I attended might have something covering sexual tendencies of disturbingly criminal minds. We can imagine that some of the relevant, legitimate research done online could would not go over well with WebBlocker or any regulatory tools.

There's a difference between legitimate research and cruising porn or potty mouth sites for fun. Emoticons holding "Who gives a f**k" signs, or naked cartoon bimbos shimmying also don't count as research.

In the Learning Center (aka library), students can use computers in individual cubicles for more private research. In the open labs, it is rows and rows of computers lined up in large rooms. One wall of the room is a huge window that is open to the public hallway. No privacy. It is a "showcase" building, so there are often tour groups going by the window.

 

[Endymion]

There's a difference between legitimate research and cruising porn or potty mouth sites for fun. Emoticons holding "Who gives a f**k" signs, or naked cartoon bimbos shimmying also don't count as research.

In the Learning Center (aka library), students can use computers in individual cubicles for more private research. In the open labs, it is rows and rows of computers lined up in large rooms. One wall of the room is a huge window that is open to the public hallway. No privacy. It is a "showcase" building, so there are often tour groups going by the window.

*nods* makes sense. I'm just surprised a state institution does that. Which one was it again?

If you don't feel comfortable saying which institution, it's okay. I totally respect your privacy.

 

[Reba]

Some excerpts from the college website:

PURPOSE: To establish standards for the use of information technology resources at XXXXXXXX College, including e-mail, software, hardware, network resources, and infrastructure.

USER RESPONSIBILITY

Information that may adversely affect the College must not be downloaded, uploaded or transmitted on College equipment, voice mail or e-mail. Inappropriate materials include statements, graphics or images that are defamatory, racial, sexual or otherwise offensive or prohibited by law.

ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL)

E-mail use includes the ability to send and receive textual messages over a local network or the internet that may include media and data files. The College permits personal use of College e-mail accounts and internet access as long as it does not interfere with job duties, or cause excessive network traffic or storage issues.

The College prohibits the following:

E-mail messages that contain pornography, obscenity, defamation, threats, and harassment that constitute a violation of local state and federal law or messages which would not be allowable by any other means of communication.

NETWORK AND INTERNET ACCESS

The College network and Internet access is for authorized users only. The College does not routinely inspect, monitor or disclose content. However, anyone using the network consents to monitoring and is advised that, if the monitoring process reveals evidence of criminal activity, the College would provide the content and transmission details to law enforcement and national defense agencies as appropriate. The college prohibits the transmitting, storing, downloading, uploading, viewing, receiving of data, or otherwise using computing resources in a manner that would constitute a violation of state or federal law, including but not limited to obscenity, pornography, defamation, threats, harassment, and theft.

 

[Reba]

*nods* makes sense. I'm just surprised a state institution does that. Which one was it again?

If you don't feel comfortable saying which institution, it's okay. I totally respect your privacy.

I prefer to protect the privacy of my clients.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Interesting, some of your posts consider sexual harassment because of that harmless avators...

Well, we have sexual harassment law here in Germany, too but they limit the work rules...

Some of you know that I work for Government... We have 2 poster of half nudity men with muscles on our office. Our co-workers have poster of models with sexy underwear... It's okay to our employer.

Dear British,
I'm sure that "Page 3" in Sun newspaper are still around in England... Correct? Logically, the children look "Page 3" Sun newspaper don't they?

I remember when I was little girl and use to look at "Page 3" everyday when my parents read morning newspapers...

"Page 3" models like this...
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2006110551,00.html

I can't understand why anyone consider it as sexuall harrassments/sexual abuse/verbal abuses because the children look them...

Yes we have similar newspaper as British Sun newspaper here in Germany...

 

[Dennis S.]

I see that some members are worried about sexual harassment at work if a coworker saw some sexual avatars and signatures over your shoulders while you are at work, Aren't you supposed to be working? I'm certain that no boss would pay anyone to sit around and fool around in AllDeaf {has no related to work} You get paid to work. So, if you were caught posting in AllDeaf at work, It doesn't make it our fault or Alex's fault. It makes it your fault because you are supposed to be working at your job, doing your job that's what you get paid to do.

Some of us have jobs that involve working with the deaf. AllDeaf is perfectly legitimate resource site.

Some of us have breaks even when our bosses work us like dogs. AllDeaf is a perfectly legitimate site to attend while on break.

I'm certainly not getting fired because of my posting habits. I'm only going to get fired when someone reports me for breaking sexual human resource policies.

 

[Mookie]

Some of us have jobs that involve working with the deaf. AllDeaf is perfectly legitimate resource site.

Some of us have breaks even when our bosses work us like dogs. AllDeaf is a perfectly legitimate site to attend while on break.

I'm certainly not getting fired because of my posting habits. I'm only going to get fired when someone reports me for breaking sexual human resource policies.

Cheri,

I strongly agree with Dennis. It is not easy task for us at federal government. Did you know that IT specialists can easily be nosy on our private converations via IM, blog/forum posts, private emails, cookies from surfing, and et cata on our computers at work? (Sorry, IT techies...please don't tell my boss [see me at my desk so I can offer you coffee/soda] no..no I did not put two red-finger smiley...ok take it easy and be peace) Whew! See what I meant....

 

[me_punctured]

At any paying job, I would prefer not to surf the web, because it takes away the credibility of my professional demeanor. This way, I won't have any problems that may result from surfing alldeaf.com and stumbling upon "obscene" material by accident.

 

[FreeWoman77]

now I remember once I was working in the evenings and it was slow so I brought my laptop at my work and front desk guy came in he used to talk with me, so he saw the signature, Proctocks19's F-U-C-K-Y-O-U each person' sign letter sitting on something the roller coaster? looked at me and snickering all I was doing to reply him its not mine* he was taught ASL and Alphabets by me that how he could understand reading Prostocks19's siggy, for a moment, in my mind I shouldnt have taught him ASL nah, its good he is interesting to learn ASL

since I havent brought my laptop to work anymore

 

[Liza]

Good job, diehardbiker65

I have a question about the rating system before I vote.

What does PG and PG-13 entail? What would be allowed and not allowed under those ratings?

 

[diehardbiker]

Good job, diehardbiker65

I have a question about the rating system before I vote.

What does PG and PG-13 entail? What would be allowed and not allowed under those ratings?

Hi Liza, here is rating info since this site is located in New York City, therefore United States rating applies.

G - General Audience - All ages admitted.
PG - Parental guidance suggested - Some material may not be suitable for young children.
PG-13 - Parents strongly cautioned - Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
R - Restricted - Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

You all know what X rated means anyway need not to explain

G-rated is really generic nothing bad in there or should I say Very holy, eh?

PG is more like "So-so" these you see on everyday tv shows, anytime during the day. Contains little violence like cartoon where Wilie E. Coyote always falls and get killed and return to life again.

PG-13 usually have mild suggestive language or briefly nudity (not human gentil area), as well as mild violence in limited time frame.

R-Rated usually contains ocasssional brief nudity, frequent voilence.

Hope this help making your decision on vote...

I don't care which one you'd vote. Only that it would help Alex make the final decision. Be careful with voting because I have no control over my poll booth, and once mistake is made its permanently. So, again make sure you click right one and check 50 times before hit "Enter". Now closing that curtain behind you!

 

[Cheri]

What about "New Posts"?

The biggest part of the problem is "New Posts" where you view threads that members would recently posted, There's also Penisarium and Adult forum listed with certain dirty words on the outside of the thread such as vulgar are: blowjob, clitoris, cock etc.. Should we should be caution on how we wording our thread on the outside when creating a thread? I'm surprised nobody had brought this to anyone's attention expect worried about half nudity body parts on signatures and avatars, What about wordings? Kids who read aren't stupid to pronounce or sounding out those words that I mention above.

 

[Tousi]

What about "New Posts"?

The biggest part of the problem is "New Posts" where you view threads that members would recently posted, There's also Penisarium and Adult forum listed with certain dirty words on the outside of the thread such as vulgar are: blowjob, clitoris, cock etc.. Should we should be caution on how we wording our thread on the outside when creating a thread? I'm surprised nobody had brought this to anyone's attention expect worried about half nudity body parts on signatures and avatars, What about wordings? Kids who read aren't stupid to pronounce or sounding out those words that I mention above.

Very good, Cheri; I seem to recall thinking the same thing.

 

[RedheadGrrl]

Voted!! Great thread!! It is fair poll.

 

[yankees]

But in my case im only being paid to work over internet :stupid:

 

[javapride]

same here i just now relize this at a wee hours in the morning and ran here but 2c posted before me to agree with the concept.... we need to watch what we say!

 

[Cheri]

The poll ends March 22, 2006 at 11:12 am. Which is tomorrow, Wednesday
I wondered if Alex and the moderators would respond to this, what deal will it be made, if PG. 13 is allow or G rate is allow only? Since PG-13 is winning.

 

[Alex]

Looks like it'll stay PG-13, but no explicit sexual content (porn) allowed in signatures of course. I'm working on some minor changes to make the dirty smilies and the adult forum harder to access for children.

For example, if you click on Post Reply, you'll notice that only regular smilies will show in the box. But if you want to see the "dirty" smilies, you'll have to click on "More" and scroll all the way to the bottom.

 

[Angel]

Awesome!! Thanks Alex