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I do get blocked from the cool widgets that people use to make access to those sites easier. I finally found a Firefox plugin for Twitter that didn't assume you have unrestricted access to the web.
A bigger problem is that people in my office don't see the value to being connected outside of the company, especially to people of unrelated industries. This, after we've had countless "motivational" speakers come and talk about getting outside your core competency to freshen your perspectives, networking as brain food, or thought cloud project plans.
So, fortunately for me, I'm not restricted from my connections to the SocNet world, because very few people here "get" it.
In a pediatric hospital in Australia where I trained, each staff member was given a login/password they could use to access the Intranet and Web. However, the sys admin could track online surfing patterns, and would immediately notice frequent visits to social sites during work hours, or if the user accessed any 'prohibited' sites.
Email access was free. To assess suitable and legal/ethical use, they had programmed it so that if you got a 'naughty' email message, and deleted it within 5 seconds, you didn't request it - while if you gawked at it for longer, it indicates 'interest'... which could then be penalized suitably.
The one way to work around this was to login as someone else - and that ID security was the user's responsibility (logging off after surfing, and not sharing passwords were commonsense precautions taught new users).
All success
Dr.Mani
Yes, it is tough being a social media person inside the firewall; however, I'm doing my best to make sure folks know the value of some of the basics of Web 2.0/social networking/social computing:
1. I give Web 2.0 101 presentations during team calls or 1:1 for individuals.
2. I blog internally about the value of these technologies/techniques.
3. I am honing my skills to ensure I am including the WIIFM when talking about all of these topics.
If you can tie what you do to learning, KM, innovation, connectivity w/ clients/partners/supliers, then your arguements for site access (and site exploration by the company) are that more powerful!
It all boils down to a reasonable acceptable use policy, and I assure you that mine are very reasonable and the firewall and other rules that flow from them.
No, not universal access to everything for everyone, but something very reasonable that's based on sound business principles and risk management. And yeah, some people can get to just about anything, probably most of the people reading this post.
My fear is that companies are too scared of breaking down the walls to allow 2.0 to become a reality. I am starting a new 2.0 web development company and I know I will spend my time educating businesses instead of selling to the converted. A few decent examples of how business can implement the 2.0 philosophy would be very advantageous.
I was amused.
However, I must strike a delicate and painful balance when it comes to blocking access to certain sites and services. The company's interest and bottom line MUST come first.
I do make every effort I can to downplay the misinformation that executives are fed which generates a hysterical fear of web 2.0. Yes, it can be a horriffic productivity killer in the enterprise. Studies have shown shocking amounts of time lost per day when users check personal emails, visit social networks, chat, play games, blog!, etc. Still, there are a lot of positive and beneficial elements to it all for business. I try very hard to downplay the negatives of social networking because I want to bring the positives to my internal network. I keep trying to make SharePoint our social network. It ain't easy folks. I feel like Rumpelstiltskin trying to spin gold out of straw but it's getting there.
Paisano
I work for a large company that is generally considered to be VERY conservative. A few years ago we made headlines when an employee was arrested at work for soliciting minors from his work computer.
Despite this, the organization appears to be fairly progressive. Everyone uses Microsoft Communicator, and I have downloaded AIM and MSN, and I can access all social media sites.
We have an internal blog site (which recently posted a review of Naked Conversations in the Virtual Book Club). There is an active Second LIfe blog (primarily Europeans) and I just discovered a Social Media blog yesterday (I'm trying to get on as a writer).
All of this has been done by a few champions within the organization. In a business review yesterday the quoted the number of "Blog Posts" a certain project had, which completely shocked me.
And all this from a company that is considered conservative.....
I think that the key is to have a number of Champions inside the organization who are passionate and can promote these things within the organization.
However, *my* computer terminal is never clamped down, and I've gotten countless new ideas that really helped my clients from reading blogs, seeing a tweet, etc. so I fully understand the value.
I'd listen to those arguments you outlined and take away restrictions IF it was preceded by "I'm caught up with or ahead on all of my projects." I can also justify access more for certain roles within the company than I can, say, for a data entry typist -- I see the value for a portion of the day (and arguably IMing might improve their typing!) but if they're falling behind on entries, that becomes a problem. There really isn't an exact formula for this kind of arrangement (nor should there be).
Sadly, when given an inch, many people take a mile.
I think it's a matter of time that the old-aged-bosses-scared-by-Web2.0 leave their positions to the web2.0 generation, so social media types will be another tool to use in workplaces
Further, since I work from home, this post does not really apply to me but it helps me in speaking to others in the work force about the importance of some social networks.
If companies do not want these social networks being used in their work place then the company manual/policy should outline no social networks and include each one by name so that the employees will know where they should not be.
However, some companies do not realize the value of twitter or technology forums which can help these companies be productive.
Fortunately today on Twitter, HRBlock is following me and they called me out on their twitter feed because they knew I was trying to be in touch with them.
I had another incident today where a friend was sharing some a copyright infringement with use of her photos on flickr and I wish I had someone who was into copyright law to back me up on what I was saying to her.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
In reading the Terms of last.fm, they can ban you from their website without just cause. Their words exactly from their Terms and Policy : you agree that Last.fm including any appointed personnel may at any time without notice:
* move or suspend the Website in whole or in part; and
* disclose any material or content contained on the Website if it considers it necessary to enforce these Terms and Conditions.
These terms can be read into many ways and I feel there can be other ways to resolve situations like this.
Funkcartel wrote an entry about their situation here:
http://dafunk101.vox.com/library/post/for-what-...
If I had the time, I could analyze the case from the terms of use as a user/artist and label but I do not have the time or resources.
But if anyone else gets into a similar situation just know to go through these stepss. So you know your rights. I just wonder if there are any precedent cases like this on last.fm or from other music websites.
Thanks for letting me share!
It could be my Mac religion or the Mormon one throwing it off. They're both the same, you know. :-)
Being Mac. Being Mormon. It's Quite Similar.
http://www.louisgray.com/live/2007/11/being-mac...
And Chris Brogan, thanks for this excellent article.
Also, I've found showing execs what our competition is doing is extremely helpful in solidifying funding for social networking opportunities.