Political forum discussion and planning

[AFK]

It's blocked here too by Websense for "Potentially Damaging Content"

What does that even mean, potentially damaging what? Your browser? Your sensibilities?

My Mom! 

But seriously, here is the full text of what it bleets out when I click the link: 

"This Websense category is filtered: Potentially Damaging Content. Sites in this category may pose a security threat to network resources or private information, and are blocked by your organization."

ETA:  That's why I wonder if somehow my hospital has some extra sensitive version of Websense (if that's even possible, I dunno, I don't do l33t)

Our hospital obviously houses all kinds of HIPAA sensitive stuff, so it is beyond hyper-vigilant about protecting from potential breaches.  (don't get me started on the shit they do with my e-mails!)

[Salty]

That's badass. We already have a rep.

[Triple Zero]

But seriously, here is the full text of what it bleets out when I click the link: 

"This Websense category is filtered: Potentially Damaging Content. Sites in this category may pose a security threat to network resources or private information, and are blocked by your organization."

ETA:  That's why I wonder if somehow my hospital has some extra sensitive version of Websense (if that's even possible, I dunno, I don't do l33t)

Our hospital obviously houses all kinds of HIPAA sensitive stuff, so it is beyond hyper-vigilant about protecting from potential breaches.  (don't get me started on the shit they do with my e-mails!)

Well, the webfiltering software we use at the Young Researchers Centre (called K9 something with a logo of a dog with a sheriff star) has several different filtering profiles. Each profile has certain categories that are blocked and unblocked. There's different levels of sensitivity, from no filtering at all to the most stringent one blocking all categories ("harmless" is not a category). But there's also special profiles that focus on (a very US centric morality view of) suitability for kids, Christian sensibilities or just blocking hate-speech sites.
After selecting a profile you can still turn categories on or off to customize it further. For instance I unblocked "alternative spirituality" as soon as I found I couldn't load 23AE, yet PD.com is not in that category (I also unblocked the "Abortion" and "Sexual Education" categories. While I see no reason why the kids should go there, I see no reason why they should be blocked either).

Interesting enough I can't recall seeing a category for "social networks", which would have been useful because we don't allow them to go on Facebook and the likes. It's just 10 computers though, so it's just as effective to simply keep an eye on what they're doing (probably more effective even, since I bet K9 mostly has English language sites in its category database).

But that's the thing, every web filtering software comes with its own category database. I suppose it periodically checks for updates and new sites from a central server or something.

About your particular Websense category: It just sounds very generic, like "there might be a virus or phishing on this domain but we can't outright say for sure". K9 also has a couple of very generic-sounding category names, vaguely alluding to the possibility of some sort of cybercrime. I kept most of those blocked as well because I'm not really sure until I come across a site that should not be blocked. I haven't yet tried to access dirtypoliticsforum.com over there, though. Oh and it even has an "Unknown" category for stuff they're even less sure about

I secretly hope one of the kids will figure out how to hack and circumvent the K9 filter, one day (though shoulder-surfing my admin password would be far easier)

[Salty]

I apologize, hand/foot/mouth disease, Microsoft Office, and my sisters inability to pay her phone bill have conspired against me today. I will look into this later tonight. Who's got thumbs and a fuckton of redbull? This guy.

[LMNO]

I get the same blockpage as RWHN.

[AFK]

What's up with our employers trying to ruin our fun?  They should be happy I spend a few minutes here and there pushing away from my work and not becoming a frothing, mindless robot. 

Frothing, mindless robots are bad for appearances. 

[P3nT4gR4m]

regged as me. 

[Cainad (dec.)]

Reg'd as Feldspar. My participation will be light until finals are over, most likely.

[Salty]

I am contacting Websense today to find out what it is exactly that's fucking it up and what their requirements are, so IF we need a different domain we will know what to avoid.

[Doktor Howl]

I am contacting Websense today to find out what it is exactly that's fucking it up and what their requirements are, so IF we need a different domain we will know what to avoid.

And then Roger couldn't access PD. 

[Salty]

I am contacting Websense today to find out what it is exactly that's fucking it up and what their requirements are, so IF we need a different domain we will know what to avoid.

And then Roger couldn't access PD. 

If that happens I will (in total jest, Websense humans, in jest) personally go to the Websense offices with a tire-iron and a smile.

Update: no word back yet. Still looking as my schedule permits. I have tomorrow off, will pursue a solution with vigor.

[Golden Applesauce]

That's badass. We already have a rep.

My understanding is that Websense takes the opposite approach with new sites and domains - that for the first month or so they're blocked as "potentially dangerous" until Websense has more data on them.

[Salty]

That's badass. We already have a rep.

My understanding is that Websense takes the opposite approach with new sites and domains - that for the first month or so they're blocked as "potentially dangerous" until Websense has more data on them.

That's good to know, thanks!

[Triple Zero]

Hm interesting, that's an option I hadn't considered. Here's to hoping that's the case

[Prince Glittersnatch III]

So are we waiting until the nannywall issue is cleared up to start recruiting people?