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HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
So I learned something interesting today.
The pornography filters that hospitals, schools, and libraries use on their web browsers are usually set to "high".
At "low" a filter will filter out 87% of porn and 1% of legit medical websites. At "high" a filter will filter out 91% of porn (about 30% of the web is porn) and 24% of legit medical websites.
Discuss?
So I learned something interesting today.
The pornography filters that hospitals, schools, and libraries use on their web browsers are usually set to "high".
At "low" a filter will filter out 87% of porn and 1% of legit medical websites. At "high" a filter will filter out 91% of porn (about 30% of the web is porn) and 24% of legit medical websites.
Discuss?
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
GOLD Member
master of disaster
3,354 posts
Location: New York, USA
master of disaster
3,354 posts
Location: New York, USA
Posted:
only 30% is porn? I find that staggeringly low
only 30% is porn? I find that staggeringly low
kyrian: I've felt your finger connect with me many times
lou kitten: sneaky little meatball..
ezz: please corrupt me more
member
162 posts
Location: Birmingham, UK
162 posts
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posted:
Where can we find this other 70%?
Where can we find this other 70%?
BRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Posted:
Those numbers seem about right to me. I'm not sure what there is to talk about. The way the filter will work is to look at a number of things including the text of the page, the URL and with any luck, back links like google does for it's pagerank.
I would assume that medical websites would include words that these filters look for, but in the low option the other things like domain name and backlinks are given more priority.
Do you have a point? Do I?
Those numbers seem about right to me. I'm not sure what there is to talk about. The way the filter will work is to look at a number of things including the text of the page, the URL and with any luck, back links like google does for it's pagerank.
I would assume that medical websites would include words that these filters look for, but in the low option the other things like domain name and backlinks are given more priority.
Do you have a point? Do I?
There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees
SILVER Member
100 characters max...
2,996 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
100 characters max...
2,996 posts
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posted:
Uncollected thoughts:
In an ideal world, kids would be able to discuss sex & sexual health openly with their parents, or other responsible figures in their lives (note, not limited to adults). However it is not an ideal world.
But even in an ideal world, there is a place for the net in providing private information. Cos every young adult has a right to privacy as well as information.
Maybe hospitals, schools, and libraries are too scared of:
- being accused of superceding the role of the parents
- being accused of promoting "alternative" lifestyles and sexual practices (such terrible terrible
things as sex before marriage and gay relationships)
- being accused of being too cavalier about that 4% more porn
Or maybe it is just because of the wording. High must be so much better for us than low.
Uncollected thoughts:
In an ideal world, kids would be able to discuss sex & sexual health openly with their parents, or other responsible figures in their lives (note, not limited to adults). However it is not an ideal world.
But even in an ideal world, there is a place for the net in providing private information. Cos every young adult has a right to privacy as well as information.
Maybe hospitals, schools, and libraries are too scared of:
- being accused of superceding the role of the parents
- being accused of promoting "alternative" lifestyles and sexual practices (such terrible terrible
things as sex before marriage and gay relationships)- being accused of being too cavalier about that 4% more porn
Or maybe it is just because of the wording. High must be so much better for us than low.
It was a day for screaming at inanimate objects.
What this calls for is a special mix of psychology and extreme violence...
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
I think if kids want to find it, they will. No matter the filter.
I have seen teens (my niece) get around filters like they were nothing.
I think the blocking of medical information is horrible and counter-productive to many assignments.
In my home, and even when we visit the library, I use the best filter of all (imo)....me.
In my son's school, it's not a big deal. It's a middle school and most of the kids have access to the net for research at home.
Now, when he goes to the high school, I may have a very different opinion.
I think if kids want to find it, they will. No matter the filter.
I have seen teens (my niece) get around filters like they were nothing.
I think the blocking of medical information is horrible and counter-productive to many assignments.
In my home, and even when we visit the library, I use the best filter of all (imo)....me.
In my son's school, it's not a big deal. It's a middle school and most of the kids have access to the net for research at home.
Now, when he goes to the high school, I may have a very different opinion.
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
BRONZE Member
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Posted:
why are legit medical websites blocked? it it because of words used?
i remember in high school, my psychology teacher referred us to a website, but the website was blocked by the school's newtwork (about 5 sites he told us about were) because they mentioned sex.
why are legit medical websites blocked? it it because of words used?
i remember in high school, my psychology teacher referred us to a website, but the website was blocked by the school's newtwork (about 5 sites he told us about were) because they mentioned sex.
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,848 posts
Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia
Pooh-Bah
1,848 posts
Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia
Posted:
yeah, the filters check for individual words, not the context. I had an email blocked at work once cuz it had the word "pink" in it too many times. I was working in IT at the time so i just turned to the guy that sat behind me who was the email-type-guy and asked him to unblock it for me, he went "it has the word pink in it too many times, that's disgusting sarah!"
umm... yeah, i'm not sure what that has to do with anything really, except for the sillyness of some of the filters that're out there.
yeah, the filters check for individual words, not the context. I had an email blocked at work once cuz it had the word "pink" in it too many times. I was working in IT at the time so i just turned to the guy that sat behind me who was the email-type-guy and asked him to unblock it for me, he went "it has the word pink in it too many times, that's disgusting sarah!"
umm... yeah, i'm not sure what that has to do with anything really, except for the sillyness of some of the filters that're out there.
"i am exotic, and must keep my arms down" - Rougie
"i don't understand what penises have to do with getting married" - Foxie
BRONZE Member
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
had her carpal tunnel surgery already thanks v much
4,145 posts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland (UK)
Posted:
As a side note, on German ebay you can't sell coffee tables as coffee tables because "Kaffetisch" contains the equivalent of "fetish"
Foxindocs, can you look at the HoP intros? Only God knows how often the workd Pink shows up there
As a side note, on German ebay you can't sell coffee tables as coffee tables because "Kaffetisch" contains the equivalent of "fetish"
Foxindocs, can you look at the HoP intros? Only God knows how often the workd Pink shows up there
"vices are like genitals - most are ugly to behold, and yet we find that our own are dear to us."
(G.W. Dahlquist)
Owner of Dragosani's left half
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
4,172 posts
Location: Hastings, United Kingdom
Posted:
Filters mean jack shite to a person who can get around them.
Take FRD for example. His school has blocked HoP on several occasions with differant filers. He just keeps getting around them.
Filters mean jack shite to a person who can get around them.
Take FRD for example. His school has blocked HoP on several occasions with differant filers. He just keeps getting around them.
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
I remember an old "Net Nanny" which blocked pictures based on thier colour content - too many skin tones must equal porn...
It didn't last too long though as it also bloked classical art pictures and there such things.
I remember an old "Net Nanny" which blocked pictures based on thier colour content - too many skin tones must equal porn...
It didn't last too long though as it also bloked classical art pictures and there such things.
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
member
25 posts
25 posts
Posted:
Our school have taken to 'watching' us from another computer when we go online. (Although this is partly just to stop us listening to the radio during our IT lessons). From their point of view it works well and no one can do anything 'interesting' without them finding out.
When at home filters are just a mild inconvinience
Our school have taken to 'watching' us from another computer when we go online. (Although this is partly just to stop us listening to the radio during our IT lessons). From their point of view it works well and no one can do anything 'interesting' without them finding out.
When at home filters are just a mild inconvinience
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
Exactly. But hospital and library administrators are quick to click on "high" because "more is better."
A website on STD's is going to include names of body parts that are involved in said STD's...and it's going to have pictures of such body parts. And if even one page at, say, www.med.umich.edu gets filtered, then the entire website does.
Written by: Sym
I would assume that medical websites would include words that these filters look for, but in the low option the other things like domain name and backlinks are given more priority.
Exactly. But hospital and library administrators are quick to click on "high" because "more is better."
A website on STD's is going to include names of body parts that are involved in said STD's...and it's going to have pictures of such body parts. And if even one page at, say, www.med.umich.edu gets filtered, then the entire website does.
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
now comes with skydiving license
1,627 posts
Location: In your head. (Tasmania, Australia)
1,627 posts
Location: In your head. (Tasmania, Australia)
Posted:
Our school uses a filter and it get's very irritating because many sites that we need for school work are blocked. I can understand the need to filter, but it's incredibly annoying when trying to find information.
Anyway, a lot of people get around the filters if they're desperate enough..
Our school uses a filter and it get's very irritating because many sites that we need for school work are blocked. I can understand the need to filter, but it's incredibly annoying when trying to find information.
Anyway, a lot of people get around the filters if they're desperate enough..
Proudly owned by the very cute Pineapple Pete. Owner of Noddy. Joint owner of Mr Majestik.
Member
90 posts
90 posts
Posted:
On the flip side, during my photo class, if we have free time, we search the net for photographers, and plenty of skin gets through that. Actually, most of the time when searching for a photographer who does nude work, it doesnt get filtered, however when searching for a widely known work of art, abstract paintings even, of nudes, they get filtered. Its infuriating.
On the flip side, during my photo class, if we have free time, we search the net for photographers, and plenty of skin gets through that. Actually, most of the time when searching for a photographer who does nude work, it doesnt get filtered, however when searching for a widely known work of art, abstract paintings even, of nudes, they get filtered. Its infuriating.
GOLD Member
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posted:
its lazy design and programming, pretty much as simple as that
its lazy design and programming, pretty much as simple as that
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourself, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous and talented? Who are you NOT to be?
GOLD Member
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Member
120 posts
Location: Nr Petersfield, United Kingdom
Posted:
I remember that our filters in school were nigh-on useless - they'd block all sorts of things and even programs that we needed for our work. They installed the system at the end of yr 9, and two weeks into year 10 we'd discovered the responsible program and how to bypass it (it appeared in the task manager for about 15 seconds as the computer started up...was all a matter of timing). The more jumped up the ICT department got about this the more controlling they became, and the number of system compromises increased rather that slackened. It reached a head when the entire schools network login details, admins included, were hacked and printed off. They were only caught by chance because it took so long to print.
At college, however, there were no such heavy-handed barriers, and as such, no attempt to force the more important restrictions such as accessing login and password information. I think by placing obvious, limiting restrictions people will rail against it, but if they are reasonable and imply a level of trust, then people are more likely to respect them.
Lets face it: people don't like being nannied. And the more restrictive the nannying, the more people will try and break through.
It seems to me that you'll always lose some useful websites via a blocking system, but the more porn you block the more useful sites you block with it. I'd go for the low option setting and allow the more useful relevant websites though myself. 9% of porn is still a huge amount of porn, knowing the size of the web, and blocking 1 in 4 medical websites (prospective med student here...) is just a travesty. What a waste.
I remember that our filters in school were nigh-on useless - they'd block all sorts of things and even programs that we needed for our work. They installed the system at the end of yr 9, and two weeks into year 10 we'd discovered the responsible program and how to bypass it (it appeared in the task manager for about 15 seconds as the computer started up...was all a matter of timing). The more jumped up the ICT department got about this the more controlling they became, and the number of system compromises increased rather that slackened. It reached a head when the entire schools network login details, admins included, were hacked and printed off. They were only caught by chance because it took so long to print.
At college, however, there were no such heavy-handed barriers, and as such, no attempt to force the more important restrictions such as accessing login and password information. I think by placing obvious, limiting restrictions people will rail against it, but if they are reasonable and imply a level of trust, then people are more likely to respect them.
Lets face it: people don't like being nannied. And the more restrictive the nannying, the more people will try and break through.
It seems to me that you'll always lose some useful websites via a blocking system, but the more porn you block the more useful sites you block with it. I'd go for the low option setting and allow the more useful relevant websites though myself. 9% of porn is still a huge amount of porn, knowing the size of the web, and blocking 1 in 4 medical websites (prospective med student here...) is just a travesty. What a waste.
SILVER Member
enthusiast
271 posts
Location: Bradford *rolls eyes*, United Kingdom
enthusiast
271 posts
Location: Bradford *rolls eyes*, United Kingdom
Posted:
we had a variety of blocks at 6th form... but everyone knew how to get past them... it WAS the city technology college after all....
*psh*
we had a variety of blocks at 6th form... but everyone knew how to get past them... it WAS the city technology college after all....
*psh*
GOLD Member
co-director of A.C.B.I.S.H.A.
761 posts
Location: in the corner beside the filing cabinets, 2nd floo...
co-director of A.C.B.I.S.H.A.
761 posts
Location: in the corner beside the filing cabinets, 2nd floo...
Posted:
"only 30% is porn? I find that staggeringly low"
"Where can we find this other 70%?"
realy? do you guys spend alot of time on the internet? it has an amazing amouint of non-pornographic sites databases, forums, chats, e-mail, news sites, game sites... i could go on for a while... the same as in the real world. there are pon shops, but you dont go around all day remarking on how theyre everywhere.. do you?
"only 30% is porn? I find that staggeringly low"
"Where can we find this other 70%?"
realy? do you guys spend alot of time on the internet? it has an amazing amouint of non-pornographic sites databases, forums, chats, e-mail, news sites, game sites... i could go on for a while... the same as in the real world. there are pon shops, but you dont go around all day remarking on how theyre everywhere.. do you?
There's no place like 127.0.0.1, There's no place like 127.0.0.1, There's no place like 127.0.0.1,
"in most of our friends we're the hippies. but we have hippie friends of our own.. its like a dog having its own pet" - H. Sinoquet 19-03-2005
GOLD Member
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Pirate Ninja
3,882 posts
Location: Galway/Ireland
Posted:
Yeah, but look at how many news agents are selling maganzines with pictures of scantily clad women these days?
Wheres the net nanny for the shops!! Thats what I want to know.
Yeah, but look at how many news agents are selling maganzines with pictures of scantily clad women these days?
Wheres the net nanny for the shops!! Thats what I want to know.
Love is the law.
GOLD Member
co-director of A.C.B.I.S.H.A.
761 posts
Location: in the corner beside the filing cabinets, 2nd floo...
co-director of A.C.B.I.S.H.A.
761 posts
Location: in the corner beside the filing cabinets, 2nd floo...
Posted:
shop nanny... they're called shop assistants
shop nanny... they're called shop assistants
There's no place like 127.0.0.1, There's no place like 127.0.0.1, There's no place like 127.0.0.1,
"in most of our friends we're the hippies. but we have hippie friends of our own.. its like a dog having its own pet" - H. Sinoquet 19-03-2005
SILVER Member
addict
449 posts
Location: Australia
addict
449 posts
Location: Australia
Posted:
CTRL + ALT + DELETE >> end task. No more net nanny.
I don't really think it's an issue. Porn on websites is utter rubbish anyway, i don't know why anyone bothers looking at it.
CTRL + ALT + DELETE >> end task. No more net nanny.
I don't really think it's an issue. Porn on websites is utter rubbish anyway, i don't know why anyone bothers looking at it.
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
You've obviously never driven through Northern Pennsylvania then!
Written by: doctor_fandango
"only 30% is porn? I find that staggeringly low"
"Where can we find this other 70%?"
realy? do you guys spend alot of time on the internet? it has an amazing amouint of non-pornographic sites databases, forums, chats, e-mail, news sites, game sites... i could go on for a while... the same as in the real world. there are pon shops, but you dont go around all day remarking on how theyre everywhere.. do you?
You've obviously never driven through Northern Pennsylvania then!
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
GOLD Member
co-director of A.C.B.I.S.H.A.
761 posts
Location: in the corner beside the filing cabinets, 2nd floo...
co-director of A.C.B.I.S.H.A.
761 posts
Location: in the corner beside the filing cabinets, 2nd floo...
Posted:
havent had the pleasure yet Pele. whats northern pennsylvania like?
havent had the pleasure yet Pele. whats northern pennsylvania like?
There's no place like 127.0.0.1, There's no place like 127.0.0.1, There's no place like 127.0.0.1,
"in most of our friends we're the hippies. but we have hippie friends of our own.. its like a dog having its own pet" - H. Sinoquet 19-03-2005
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
A porn store every hour or so that you drive. It makes me comment every time I drive through. lol
Written by: doctor_fandango
havent had the pleasure yet Pele. whats northern pennsylvania like?
A porn store every hour or so that you drive. It makes me comment every time I drive through. lol
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
Internet Hate Machine
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
Posted:
Word.
I'm at school right now, with access to the entirity of the internet. Which is how it should be, IMO. Not becuase I want to get at pr0n or whatever, but becuase censorship is BS. And being almost (I say almost... its like... a good 5/6 months off) 18, I pretty much know what's going on anyway.
A hopper once said to me "If you're old enough to do it, you're old enough to see it". And some of the categories here that are banned are just completley stupid.
Fair enough banning porn and violence for the sake of stopping our fragile little minds getting warped and stuff but there is some really trivial stuff being blocked at the mo.
Take this website for example. If I was to try and access this site without using a proxy or using firefox to bypass our filters entirely, I would be told that this site was banned under the premise that it coflicted with th school's policy on "communities". Which I think deserves a big WTF?
On the other hand, some filtering does make sense (to a certain degree). We can't check our own personal webmail, but this is 'cos we're provided with our own email adress for school, which we can even access from outside of college. Its also because webmail doesn't exactly have the best virus protection out there, and becuase we're on an intregrated network, a virus could cripple us. It happened once before.
But I'm no fan of internet censorship. Doc's mention of the legit medical sites being blocked is a little concerning. At one point, surfcontrol (the software we use here) had blocked both pro and anti choice abortion sites. I didn't get that, and complained like nothing else. Sites like that are still blocked, and it gets to me. People have a right to get to that kind of information.
All of this, of course, is in my humble opinion.
Written by: Aimée
Filters mean jack shite to a person who can get around them.
Take FRD for example. His school has blocked HoP on several occasions with differant filers. He just keeps getting around them.
Word.
I'm at school right now, with access to the entirity of the internet. Which is how it should be, IMO. Not becuase I want to get at pr0n or whatever, but becuase censorship is BS. And being almost (I say almost... its like... a good 5/6 months off) 18, I pretty much know what's going on anyway.
A hopper once said to me "If you're old enough to do it, you're old enough to see it". And some of the categories here that are banned are just completley stupid.
Fair enough banning porn and violence for the sake of stopping our fragile little minds getting warped and stuff but there is some really trivial stuff being blocked at the mo.
Take this website for example. If I was to try and access this site without using a proxy or using firefox to bypass our filters entirely, I would be told that this site was banned under the premise that it coflicted with th school's policy on "communities". Which I think deserves a big WTF?
On the other hand, some filtering does make sense (to a certain degree). We can't check our own personal webmail, but this is 'cos we're provided with our own email adress for school, which we can even access from outside of college. Its also because webmail doesn't exactly have the best virus protection out there, and becuase we're on an intregrated network, a virus could cripple us. It happened once before.
But I'm no fan of internet censorship. Doc's mention of the legit medical sites being blocked is a little concerning. At one point, surfcontrol (the software we use here) had blocked both pro and anti choice abortion sites. I didn't get that, and complained like nothing else. Sites like that are still blocked, and it gets to me. People have a right to get to that kind of information.
All of this, of course, is in my humble opinion.
The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."
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