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Re: Website Reliability - oops



I just can't help myself --
I too, have been on the Internet since before there was a WWW, and I also am
a librarian and an archivist.  When the www first began, I worked making web
pages for an internet service provider -- my how things have changed. This
is my $.02 worth.

To those that think the librarian had children's names and it was an
invasion of privacy.  Pullease.
#1 -- The article stated they surveyed the sites. This was probably done by
using the history file of sites visited. They would not know which student
went where, only that the site/file was visited, and then I assume, they
appraised the validity/reliability of the site for research, which would
include the site owner (6th graders or publisher? personal page or company?
name or unknown?), currentness (when was the last time the page was
updated?), statistics? From where? So on and so on. . .
#2 -- There was no invasion of privacy. Since the right to privacy exists
only in lawyers minds and not in the law, it is a moot point until it is
decided by the Supreme Court, and that hasn't happened yet. De facto is that
we have no privacy rights anymore, anyway.

For the remark about the "pot calling the kettle black" (Peter was that
you?)
The distinction was made by someone between academic, school, and public
libraries. Please understand that these libraries serve very different
groups and each has a different purpose. For public libraries, it is true
that you will not find the same quality of reference or research material,
because that is not what they are intended for. The categories that are
checked out most often in my library are fiction, history/travel, and
business -- in that order.

How about internet filtering?
I have not used internet filters, but what I understand is that the filter
only works on searches. If you type in an address you can go anywhere you
please. I have not tried any software so I can not speak positively on this
issue. But what I can address from my own point of view, and librarian's
that I work with -- is that hell yes, you should only go to appropiate
places on the internet in public libraries. Who decides? I do, dammit, and I
am damn good at it!! If you want to go to a graphic site that many people
would find offensive, do it at home. The public library is just that -
PUBLIC. Our internet computers are in the main throroughfare of the library
and can be viewed by anyone walking by. Not to mention that they freeze very
often and I have to reboot them constantly. I didn't spend time and money to
earn a degree so I could be subjected to porno constantly throughout the
day. And I do believe that community's have the right to impose standards.
One man's freedom is another man's tyranny. The internet is not a book, do
not compare it to a book, it is more like a poster.

Teachers?
You would not believe, or maybe you would, what is being asked of students
in my community. The incompetance of many of the teachers is horrendous.
Students do not understand what is being asked of them, many have their
parents do their much of their homework and find the answers for them.
Second graders doing research papers. Sophomores needing answers on
biolecular chemistry and genetic engineering, and they don't even understand
the questions, much less can they make sense of the answers. And they have
no comprehension of judging the validity (nor are they asked) of where they
find the information. They are simply told to find it on the internet!

Commercialism selling the hype for the internet?
You bet. But it's selling everything else in our country too, heck, you can
buy a mother, father or child. You can buy an execution or a suicide. That's
the glory of capitalism, if it has a value to anyone, somebody can make a
buck. Now that nostalgia is in, I am looking forward to my windfall as
keeper of the old and worthwhile.

Jackie



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