Category: the Rant Board
Well, I'm getting a new computer from visual services with windows vista. The problem is that the tech who's setting it up said that I will have a limited user account. This means that I can't install programs or change windows settings. That makes me so dang ticked off because I can't install any messengers or skype! I can't even install audio games because my account is quite limited. Since I can't install messengers or skype, I can't talk to my friends online and it totally sucks! I can't believe visual services would do something like that to me! Without messenger and skype, I'm mostly separated from my friends who I may never talk to again! To add more fuel to the fire, I won't even be able to talk to my best friend! I'm so upset and don't know what to do!
If that's going to be at your school, and your school's blocked instant messenger, I can understand why. It's there for your use, but it's not your actual computer, so why should you have the right to install things on it?
and about being separated from your friends, it's called e-mail.
and what did you do to your last computer? Maybe there's a reason you have a limited user account.
O dam, that really sucks.
I can't imagine with out any communications with my friends through messengers.
It's really hard for us to be with out messenger, in my opinion.
i agree with the other posters. you must have done something, or you would be able to have all the messengers and skype. oh, and their is a thing called the telephone? call your best friend if your so worried.
But a lot of schools block file-sharing programs like Skype and MSN. well, maybe not the latter, but I wouldn't install Skype or Ventrilo at school on the computer that's there for my use and for educational purposes only.
I'm going to do something that I rarely do here, and that is put on my work hat. I work for rehab here in Maryland. When we issue a computer to someone, they have to sign a form that says they'll only use the computer for the purpose for which it is intended. This could be school or work, in general. We get enough calls asking for tech support. Come to find out, they've installed programs on the computer that have nothing to do with what we intended the computer to be used for, and it takes our time to troubleshoot the problems. The hard truth is that if you want to have total control of your own system, find a way to purchase a computer yourself or a source for a computer with "no strings". In some ways, I have issues with what we do, but when I sit on the phone with people trying to troubleshoot these problems on computers that we've provided for hours at a time, or gone to someone's house to try and fix them, it gets old. Oh, and the person with the chat program complains to us that they can't do their schoolwork properly, and it somehow becomes our fault.
Lou
You are wrong. This computer is at my home. I didn't do anything to it.
And it's strictly for schoolwork, right?
Visual services didn't say.
who the hell are visual services anyway? if they're linked to educational establishments, they will put strings on the pc.
That's exactly what i was thinking.
perhaps that's just how they run things. The whole purpose of them giving you a computer is for school. It's better than no computer.
And you've already got one computer that has MSN and Skype on it. why get those on another one?
Kate,
I am going to put on my advocates hat. On the issue of using a state computer for personal use, state employees do it. To me it is the pot calling the kettel black. That, however, is not a goodargument. What I might consider saying is that, these messenger and VOIP services are another way in which students communicate with each other. As a student, I should have the ability to act in a maner which fits the norms of others in my classroom. Groups have the ability to pass information over msn and hold meetings there. Taking off my had for a moment, boy I only wish my group would get on the information band wagon sometimes. It would make things so much easier. But, their old, and I digress. The state will work with you if you can make enough of a convincing case.
Nem
ok, and to all of this... if the "visual" services didn't say in your end, neither did they say on mine and look here I have reformatted this thing at least twice and switched from the retarded unusable vista to a more familiar and somewhat less problematic xp. Microsoft just fails again and again to make good operative systems, and more so each time they are released. i am not even considering getting "mackin-trash", because I really wouldn't pay for open source bundles. Yup, and how unusable (even the adobe reader works better in windows) they are supposed to be the best (right, right( for music production and taking control of what I wanna do is quite beyond the scope to discuss here. linux i cannot have simply because I am finishing school and time is spare (so that will be planned for later use). Anyway, "inntended"purpose" can mean a thousand different things. Its like you are going to buy "nurishing items" for a lunch with your friends. "nourishing items" can meal a thousand different meals too. If vista has a limitted account and this is provided for school and school only, then there is a reason why these are blocked. I though agree strongly with having the right to communication online. Unless you are unintelligent enough to share your social security number, your address and a screen name that says "available 24/7 for any kind of intended purposes", then you are going to be fine for the most part. If that computer is for an "intended purpose", then you surely intend to become more profficient at the use of computers, and would reformat and make the computer do what you want. You woul also stop calling technical supoprt and expand your purpose to "more autonomy" so that you learn to research the net on any computer related problems.
It also could be that somebody did something they werent supposed to and everyone pays for it.
To get my technology I had to write a justification letter saying why this particular technology was useful for school. of course, they are not going to give it to you if you use it for something other than school related stuff.
You still have the computer you are currently using for the fun stuff such as chatting.
When I was at college I could use the computer for my own tme. well depending on what sight I went on. Some of them were blocked or asked you if you wanted to continue. I can also understand not having any friends to conunake with by messenger or skype would be hard. I cant survive well with out my computer iether
Oh shit I'm gonna lecture. Kate, you force me.
First, I must illustrate some key items.
1. I'll bet you dollars to donuts the state has a good reason for restricting your account.
2. You can fight it. These people can't run your life.
3. Your a computer major like myself. You can easily find a work-around.
4. You can save up for your own computer.
I'm sure you can think of many other logical solutions.
Oh, one more thing regarding not beeing able to talk to friends:
You have email, the phone, and you can always visit people in person.
It's all a lot to swallow...but one step at a time.
Well, good news! I have the new computer, and I got an administrative account! I installed messenger and skype, and I love it! Rant over!
glad you got it.
Like post 19, I have 2 laptops. I have a windows one for my school, and a mac for my tech school. THe windows one, I have an admin account, and I can install what I want on it, although they don't want me too, but they usualy don't say anything. For the mac, I'm not an admin, but they still installed skype and Adium for me. I am glad u got an admin account on your laptop. Now, does this laptop have an internal mic? haha. jk. l8r, Mike.
It's not a laptop, it's a desktop. No internal mic. The downside is that latest version of my tts software that I use with skype works with vista, but is very limited.