Should I put up a fight? Or is this okay? (Kingdom, hell)

[Jaymes]

My college has free wireless internet for students that bring their laptops to campus. Some of my favorite websites are blocked (not RF, fortunately!) because it contains games or adult humor (you'd think that being an adult and in college would let you look at adult humor... but I guess not)... but one of my favorite news sites, 365gay.com is blocked! I couldn't believe it when I tried to access it and got the 'this website has been blocked' error message. It's not like it has detailed gay sex manuals everywhere, either! (That I know of, anyway. If you know of it, please direct me in that direction. ) It's just news related to the LGBT community.

My questions are: Is this legal? If it's not, should I raise hell about it, or just save my news reading for when I'm at home? If it is legal, WHY is it legal?

[Shadow Wolf]

Well, since your college is providing the service, it your colleges rules. Kinda like living in someone elses house.
I don't remember any right off the top of my head, but there are whats called anonymous search sites, that will directly link you to the blocked site so you can still surf it. Or, this will sometimes work, if you know the sites IP address, then type that in instead of the URL.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Jensa

My college has free wireless internet for students that bring their laptops to campus. Some of my favorite websites are blocked (not RF, fortunately!) because it contains games or adult humor (you'd think that being an adult and in college would let you look at adult humor... but I guess not)... but one of my favorite news sites, 365gay.com is blocked! I couldn't believe it when I tried to access it and got the 'this website has been blocked' error message. It's not like it has detailed gay sex manuals everywhere, either! (That I know of, anyway. If you know of it, please direct me in that direction. ) It's just news related to the LGBT community.

My questions are: Is this legal? If it's not, should I raise hell about it, or just save my news reading for when I'm at home? If it is legal, WHY is it legal?

I know nothing about American law, so it is difficult for me to comment.

Is it right ? Of course, I don't think so; I would be tempted, in your shoes to go and ask the head why you can't access that page. I have a horrible feeling (Getting to know American ways) that you'll be told something along the lines of "It is perversive, and not for consumption of young adolescents"........

I am not sure who you should go to from there (But, having said that, ask both Pah or Maize, because they are both involved in trying to promote gay rights (At least I believe they both are)). Right ? - no, of course not. Predictable, sadly, yes.

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

Well, since your college is providing the service, it your colleges rules. Kinda like living in someone elses house.

I can understand that, but it's not like it's a private college... the government pays for it. I'd think that would change things a bit, y'know? I can access BBC through it...

I don't remember any right off the top of my head, but there are whats called anonymous search sites, that will directly link you to the blocked site so you can still surf it. Or, this will sometimes work, if you know the sites IP address, then type that in instead of the URL.

I'll have to hunt around for one of those... I don't stay up late enough at night when I have to go to school the next day, and they block Kingdom of Loathing... so I have to wait until 4 or so to play it. I miss it!

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

Well, since your college is providing the service, it your colleges rules. Kinda like living in someone elses house.
I don't remember any right off the top of my head, but there are whats called anonymous search sites, that will directly link you to the blocked site so you can still surf it. Or, this will sometimes work, if you know the sites IP address, then type that in instead of the URL.

^^ This is good advice. Often the DNS is blocked but not the URL. The URL may resolve to the DNS however which will end up blocking you out. Unless you can get one of the techies at your uni a direct link past the Cache servers then you may be sh1t outta luck. sites generally get blocked at this level or the firewall level, which sits one level above the cache servers.


*Irkle snort*

Yeah I'm a geek.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Luke Wolf

Well, since your college is providing the service, it your colleges rules. Kinda like living in someone elses house.
I don't remember any right off the top of my head, but there are whats called anonymous search sites, that will directly link you to the blocked site so you can still surf it. Or, this will sometimes work, if you know the sites IP address, then type that in instead of the URL.

Wow! devious............ I'll have to tell my son to try that at UNI; their wireless network won't allow them to stream video or audio. Hehe, he can then say "An American taught me" if he gets caught!

[ChrisP]

http://www.freeproxy.ru/en/free_proxy/cgi-proxy.htm


Here's one CGI proxy searcher that may work for you. Trust the russians ;o)

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Jensa

My college has free wireless internet for students that bring their laptops to campus. Some of my favorite websites are blocked (not RF, fortunately!) because it contains games or adult humor (you'd think that being an adult and in college would let you look at adult humor... but I guess not)... but one of my favorite news sites, 365gay.com is blocked! I couldn't believe it when I tried to access it and got the 'this website has been blocked' error message. It's not like it has detailed gay sex manuals everywhere, either! (That I know of, anyway. If you know of it, please direct me in that direction. ) It's just news related to the LGBT community.

My questions are: Is this legal? If it's not, should I raise hell about it, or just save my news reading for when I'm at home? If it is legal, WHY is it legal?

Jensa, are you at a public or private college?

Also, notify every student organization that you can find. Student organizations have a powerful voice, and many of them would support your cause.