No YouTube! No MySpace! - Pentagon

[sbl_admin]

The Defense Department will begin blocking access "worldwide" to YouTube, MySpace and 11 other popular Web sites on its computers and networks, according to a memo sent Friday by Gen. B.B. Bell, the U.S. Forces Korea commander.

[AnimeSpirit]

Oh sure, that'll work! Hey guys, let's get off work and run to MWR to use their computers! :sarcasm:

[BrainSmashR]

Well the REALLY sad part is lots of people who work in an office environment simply can't be trusted to NOT "play" on the internet while they are being PAID (in this case by tax dollars) to do a job that I can guess with 99.999999% accuracy has absolutely nothing to do with Youtube or MySpace

[rhertz]

Originally Posted by sbl_admin

The Defense Department will begin blocking access "worldwide" to YouTube, MySpace and 11 other popular Web sites on its computers and networks, according to a memo sent Friday by Gen. B.B. Bell, the U.S. Forces Korea commander.

I bet this has as much to do with "network congestion" as anything else. sites like Youtube and software like Limewire can have major implications on network performance almost like a bad virus or hacker can inflict. Firewalling is just part of network integrity and the Defense Department above all should keep the fat on the network down to a minimum. Saving labor costs or tax payer dollars is likely not part of the problem, especially with these overseas transcontinent and sat links which are expensive.

[Millipede]

Well, as a user of these military networks...I have to agree that they are slow. Though I am sure a lot of tax payer money is wasted by the casual browser who should probably be doing something productive.

[AnimeSpirit]

While I was in the military, I work in an office and there were times when there was nothing to do, especially during weekend duty. During a duty weekend, productivity was the last thing on my mind, especially during the evening.

[BrainSmashR]

Originally Posted by AnimeSpirit

While I was in the military, I work in an office and there were times when there was nothing to do, especially during weekend duty. During a duty weekend, productivity was the last thing on my mind, especially during the evening.

I kind of think that's the point.

Very few people will find extra work for themselves when they are "caught up" if they can find something entertaining to do. So they are eliminating a presumably significant portion of their, "lost wages", if you will, by eliminating access to the 2 most frequently visited entertainment sites on the 'net today.

Edit: Well, maybe not eliminating, but certainly putting a big dent in it.

[AnimeSpirit]

Myspace and Youtube weren't near as well-known back when I was in and we still found places to go. If it's not one site, it's definitely another.

[BrainSmashR]

Originally Posted by AnimeSpirit

Myspace and Youtube weren't near as well-known back when I was in and we still found places to go. If it's not one site, it's definitely another.

Oh no question or argument there what so ever.

I just generally tend to favor some sort of attempt at resolving the problem as opposed to doing nothing at all. Same with the war on terror....I probably would have executed it differently, but I'm glad we finally have a man in the White House willing to not only acknowledge the problem, but actually has the balls to address the issue as well.

...but in theory, if your options were to sit in a chair doing nothing or do some extra work pertaining to your job....most people would prefer some activity over doing absolutely nothing.....and in my opinion, that's enough justification to block access to entertainment sites on work computers.