So annoyed today!!!

[Laura]

This is going to sound whiny and lame, but we had big changes to our internet security here at work and I really don't know what I am going to do. I can get on this forum thanks to my boss, but we can't use any web-based email except between the hours of 11:00 and 1:00 pm. I can't get on my (or any) blog, most news sites, uscis.gov, Laurel's site, etc.

My job is cool because it's decent money for relatively little work and we've always been blessed by our immediate supervisor (who's also the IT person) to do whatever we want on the web as long as it doesn't compromise the company's web security and as long as we take care of our work, which all of us do. Our department performs really well and we all have grown our territories A LOT in the last couple years, so it's not like we are unproductive and they are punishing us.

But all of a sudden the president of our little company went to this conference, heard some spiel about web security and made our boss install all these new features which block thousands of web sites. He's such a chach I just can't even stand it. I don't think I'll be able to get on the chat anymore, but I'll have to check next Wednesday. That means someone else will have to be responsible to manage all the questions, ask them, post it, etc.

I know in the grand scheme of things this is a very small problem, so I feel sort of lame posting it but I hate being idle, and it's Friday afternoon and I have NOTHING to do, and I can't email my work buddies anymore.. so I have to share with you guys.

The only light at the end of the tunnel is leaving this place in five months. Whoop-di-do! (I was going to put a cute smiley here but I think they are blocked). :(

[AGJB]

Hi Laura,

What's happening in 5 months? New job?

[ARodrigues]

That is annoying, but your post also made me laugh. Just stick it out the best you can. It's funny how attached we get to our e-friends. I was just thinking today that the people from this site are the only ones who understand this process and the stress that comes from it.

[losguerra]

Laura, I feel your pain. No blogs?? I'd go nuts. And blocking USCIS seems crazy.

I'm glad the next chapter of your life is coming up, hopefully these next few months fly...

[Chapital]

wow...what a bummmer...a year or so back we had some IT load issues and they temporarily blocked all kinds of websites...it sure did cramp my style for awhile. I know I'd have withdrawl if I couldn't log on here a few times a day and check in...sorry

[Mami-cinco]

I would be so irritated too. I get on the forum at work and it keeps me going.

[christytorres]

Laura..bummer right..I have the same..but I am able to get on this site and a few others..I use to get on the Juarez Forum..but I got blocked..let me know if I can help..sometimes I can do the questions for the site to Laurel..let me know..

[losguerra]

Also, now that I'm dabbling in the Immigration Activism World, I see how essential being on top of the news and blog world can be to getting the word out! Ugh, that is so frustrating.

[Laura]

Hi Laura,

What's happening in 5 months? New job?

I start law school in five months, and since I got into the University of Wisconsin I'm going to quit my job and go full-time.

Yeah, I realize it's a lame thing to complain about, but there is a fine line between tolerating a really boring job because it pays the bills, the people are generally pretty cool and you can pursue your "other interests" in your free time, and absolutely hating it because you feel bored, unchallenged and unmotivated.

I guess not having the freedom to read my political stuff, blog and look up laws tips me over the edge into the hate side. At least I can get on the forum. I almost had a heart attack this morning when I couldn't get on the forum. I wonder if my supervisor told the president that I would walk out right now if I couldn't have access to my forum... LOL

[chalakita]

I think Laura is going to Law School in 5-months, right? I hope so, you should be a lawyer!

[AMBallesteros]

:ditto: Laura you will be a great lawyer.

[Laura]

:ty:

Thanks ladies...

[H Suarez]

I agree, you will be a great attorney.:thumbup:

I feel your pain about the web security. I can't even see the pictures anymore on the computer at work. That was one thread I really enjoyed (share your family photos.) I don't think it's lame at all, we need these things. Hopefully it won't last.

[LilB]

Laura, girl...I know the feeling. Trust me. When I worked briefly for another property management company, I went crazy that they had all these blocks. Ugh! I'm sorry, I feel you....

[jsierra1982]

oh laura i know! i work at a school and it is only by the grace of God that i2us is not blocked--ALL message boards are blocked but i think that maybe since it is a .net it flew under the radar...i can't get on any blogs, any personal sites, etc, etc. blocking uscis.gov is way extreme, though, i thought they usually left .gov and .edu alone. once, they blocked web-based email and the central office was flooded with so many angry calls from teachers that they unblocked it later that same day.

[Laura]

Yeah, it blocks anything that fits into the categories: "politics and law," "entertainment," "sports," "music," and on and on. He let "community sites" go which is why I get I2us. Web-based email being blocked is the hardest... :pullinghair: My co-workers and I email all the time, it keeps the day light. No more.

[LilB]

I mean, seriously, Laura, what do they plan to accomplish by this?

[tasksgirl]

Can you use MSN messenger to communicate with coworkers? That's what we do

[Laura]

Can you use MSN messenger to communicate with coworkers? That's what we do

No instant messenger. We've never had that though. According to my boss that is an actual internet security risk. This other stuff is just a way to prevent us from doing things we enjoy at work.

[aprilstorm]

WOW...law shcool!!!! Congrats lady!!!!

[discoviking]

He is right about pm being a risk. It also exposes your company legally, because there is no log of what is being said. In the financial industry where I work, we are legally required to keep records for 7 years. All telephone conversations are recorded, and all email is backed up. Since there is no way to keep a record of pm conversations (public pm that is) or web based email, we are blocked from those services. Sounds draconic, but when you think of the ramifications it could have if one of our traders made a multi million deal over yahoo chat and the deal was later disputed, it all makes sense. I suppose the same would apply to other industries to a varying degree.

We do have an internal pm system where everything is logged, however. Makes it easier to keep in touch with the guys in the other offices.

[jsierra1982]

hey laura, your blocking system isn't called bess, is it?

[Laura]

No, it's called "Instagate." It's evil.

[Klame1983]

You have every right to be angry! I would be too. I don't know what I would do without complete internet access. I'd go nuts!

However, I'm glad to hear you decided to go to University of Wisconsin for law school! How exciting! I decided to post-pone my law school experience until next fall. We'll see what happens by then! Anyway, congrats again and again! :)

[llanderos11]

A lot of companies are doing this now so you're not alone. Sorry that it hit you just before you leave. Congratulations on law school. I am a perpetual student and I get really excited about people returning to college. Don't forget about us when you become a lawyer and mix with the big guys/gals. :)

[Laura]

Thanks guys - I am getting really excited to start school, other than the financial aspect, but we'll figure that out.

[nineten]

Can you purchase an inexpensive laptop with aircard to get by on for a while?

[Laura]

Can you purchase an inexpensive laptop with aircard to get by on for a while?

Huh? I don't get it.

[JennyM]

Its a card that plugs into the laptop for wireless...AT&T and Verizon have them for around $60 a month...

[Laura]

Right, but I don't get why it was mentioned.

[JennyM]

so you can access the websites...your company denies...

[Laura]

Oh... hmm.. really, I mean how am I going to have a laptop at my desk while I am at work? Anyway, I have internet access at home, so it's not like work is the only place I am online. But I mean, I can't have my personal laptop with me at work, if that was what was being suggested. Thanks though! :)

[Kikigurl1]

Laura, I don't think it's lame to complain about because I complain about it all the time.... and I'm able to access I2US, Blogs, AND email. So I'm definitely feeling your pain because if all of those things got cut off I'd die too... especially since my job doesn't involve very much actual work. So sorry about this :(

[nineten]

laurafern11, I just thought that they might permit you to have yours there. I had mine at a job where I had to be in the office for a while and it was permitted as long as I did my work first.

You never know...it might not hurt to ask your superiors. You could always use it on your breaks and lunch anyway. That works for me to break the monotony in the day.

[Laura]

We can definitely not bring our laptops to work. The problem is that the president of the company does not want us to have access to our personal email and certain sites. He is not actually concerned about web security. He believes, apparently, that this will make us more porductive. I can use my web-based email from 11-1 now. Which is a relief, but still a lot less than before.

[nineten]

I know that has to be a dissappointment and also aggravating. I wish they'd understand that you're an asset to this site and let you bring one in. I get disgusted with the policies of some companies but to ease my ire I tell myself that I might do the same thing if I owned the company, being in their shoes. I know I'd have a blah feeling if I'd not have access to the computer (most of the time I don't). On my last job I had my laptop in the car and fortunately I was on a site that we parked very close...I'd make a beeline to my car at lunch and break because I've only had that opportunity a couple of times.

It's aggravating when we get our patterns changed after having been accustomed to what we were doing.

I wish he'd not attended that conference!!

[epm525]

Augh...how irritating. I like to be treated like a grown up.