Jury duty today- Texas CHL Forum blocked

[sjfcontrol]

Last time I had jury duty about one year ago cell phones had to be turned off once the panel selection started. I was going to say they pay for the WiFi so they can do what ever they want. Changed my mind when I remembered taxpayers foot the bill. I personally don't mind what they do as far as cell phones are concerned. I find it very annoying when folks don't pay attention to their surroundings because their face or ear is stuck to a cell phone. Many people bring books to read so I guess you could bring gun related books to get your firearms fix. Of course you can't call out, receive calls, text, or play video games with a book.

I recently went thru jury selection for a Federal trial. In those, you cannot even bring a phone past the metal detectors. No electronics whatever. No reading material whatever. Leaving you with ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do during the idle time (which comprises roughly 75% of the entire time you're there).

[The Annoyed Man]

Used the hotspot on my phone and had no problem accessing the forum when I last did jury duty.

[sjfcontrol]

Used the hotspot on my phone and had no problem accessing the forum when I last did jury duty.

If you used the hotspot on your phone, to access the Internet on a separate device -- and the phone was connected thru the cellular network, then you bypassed any net-nanny software in the local wifi net. (Or was that your point?)

[nightmare69]

When I worked for a school this site was blocked due to weapons. I had to call I.T. and have them unblock the site. I doubt the courthouse intentionally blocked this site but rather the firewall flagged it because it falls into the firearm/weapon category.

[Piney]

The Websence message indicated that the CO purchased and subscribes to that software. Its generally a local server that acts similar to a proxy. The Websence service categorizes web sites. The local administration decides what categories get blocked.

Its been a few years since I've run one, but I recall the service's review and categorization was pretty accurate.

It can be a little tricky. One administration decided to block the categories that included shopping and one that included financials (ie stocks, etc). The thought was to keep employees from wasting time, right ? That also blocked the accounting dept for accessing the firms bank accounts--missed a payroll.

[nightmare69]

The Websence message indicated that the CO purchased and subscribes to that software. Its generally a local server that acts similar to a proxy. The Websence service categorizes web sites. The local administration decides what categories get blocked.

Its been a few years since I've run one, but I recall the service's review and categorization was pretty accurate.

It can be a little tricky. One administration decided to block the categories that included shopping and one that included financials (ie stocks, etc). The thought was to keep employees from wasting time, right ? That also blocked the accounting dept for accessing the firms bank accounts--missed a payroll.

I remember one instance where we got new software and it blocked Lowes.com for "nudity". I called IT and asked if they knew something on Lowes website that I didn't.

[The Annoyed Man]

Used the hotspot on my phone and had no problem accessing the forum when I last did jury duty.

If you used the hotspot on your phone, to access the Internet on a separate device -- and the phone was connected thru the cellular network, then you bypassed any net-nanny software in the local wifi net. (Or was that your point?)

Yes.

[VMI77]

How is their limiting what you can view THROUGH their provided WiFi a violation of the First? Are they obligated to provide WiFi? If they turned it off entirely would that also be a violation? I dont see it violating anything.

I don't think it would be a violation to turn it off because it applies to everyone. But if you provide it, and as a government entity funded by tax dollars, block legal content selectively, that's censorship. The school comparison is not valid because the courts allow schools to do all kinds of things the government isn't allowed to do to adults.

[Deltaboy]

It is getting worse all the time , my work place got a new filtering program that even blocks sections of the Texas Parks and Wildlife it the words hunting guns or weapons is used. So no more Sports Afield, Field n Stream or Fur ,Fish and Game.

[Chityworker]

AISD blocks Texaschlforum

[C-dub]

A firner employer blocked Cabela's because of firearms, but not Bass Pro or Walmart.

EDIT: Wow, I just noticed "firner." It was supposed to be "former."

[SkipB]

I got my summons in the mail this morning. I circled the first exemption on the list signed it and ready it for tomorrows out going mail. One nice thing about being an 'ol fart.

[Dragonfighter]

Moral of the story - avoid jury duty?

*Edit* Don't they issue warrants if you "avoid" it?

During voir dire just tell them you know he/she is guilty (just look at his/her eyes) and should get the death penalty.

Tried that once in a juvenile misdemeanor trial. Judge laughed and said, "Have a seat".

[92f-fan]

IIRC, the Websense firewall has the "Weapons" category enabled/blocked by default, along with a few others like drugs, porn, etc.

Andy is right on.
Its a simple category based filter and the defaults were selected.
The category can be un checked or individual exceptions can be added...
We often see sites miscategorized.
BTW Im a BIG fan of this type of filtering -
It helps with reducing wasted time by employees BUT bigger issue for me is the fact that the known dark parts of the web are blocked - which means that the link in the email you received from Nigeria is likely already blocked unless the exploit JUST came out... So even though your employee, failed to follow basic email practices and TRIED to infect the whole company - it didnt work