Google Blocked??

[dlavery]

For the first four+ decades of my life, Google didn't even exist. Using it wasn't even an option. Somehow, we survived.*

This is an excellent opportunity to explore other ways to research information, find new resources, and investigate alternative media. Use the opportunity to understand the "pre-Google seach mechanisms," (check out the library - it is full of these strange things called "books"! ) which will make you all the more appreciative of what a wonderful application Google really has become.

Then when you are done, we can talk to you why you should learn to use an abacus, a quill pen, and a sliderule...

-dave

*and I managed to get through this whole thing without saying that we used to walk barefoot through five feet of snow to get to school, uphill both ways, with just barbed wire for mittens, and we liked it!

[lukevanoort]

A lot of combination websites use google as a part of their search mechanism. Try dogpile or metacrawler. But what works and doesn't all depends on how their blocking software is configured/coded. The .ca is probably the best method. Back when i used yahoo mail before I upgraded to gmail I used the UK yahoo to check. Its all bout toeing the line between breaking the policy and bending it. Using a proxy clearly breaks it (i assume yours is similar to ours), and so due a number of things. A .ca or uk or IP tends not to. You could just say that you are of a "international mindset" or want to get "a feel for the REAL internet." Dave has a point, the library is a excellent source. Then again, considering the state of school libraries today maybe not. I ran into this problem at the public library here in Durham, there are very few good engineering texts there. Except for one book on industrial pneumatics which was the wrong scale for robotics there were next to none.

[mathking]

As a HS computer science teacher, I think blocking google for a little while is an excellent educational tactic. Too many students, no too many people, today are very good at finding information but not nearly so good at evaluating that information. Learning how to use databases is an important skill. Google is a fantastic starting point for finding information. As is wikipedia. For simple stuff one of those two is pretty much always how I start.

But when you are looking for information with any level of sophistication and/or subjectivity, you really need to learn to use databases so you can find information with more reliability. I use wikipedia all the time. Its power derives from its open nature, but that nature means that for a lot of information, you need to dig a little deeper. WAY too many people of all ages just accept what they read and hear as the truth. When they first learn about a controversial subject, they tend to settle on the first information they find as correct. If you want an example, try using just google and wikipedia and tell me what caused the civil war.

Furthermore, good databases allow you to use really powerful techniques to find exactly the right information. Everyone who uses computers should know how to use them.

[mechanicalbrain]

OK their is tons of great suggestions here but another, that's slightly against the rules but definitely going to make them more aware (so try the others first and I don't actually recommend this. Its theoretical), is to change the IP address of the computer. I have the exact same problem with my school blocking gmail. I would like to know though what blocking Google accomplishes. Since Ive started working toward my CCNA Ive truly come to appreciate how amazingly usefully Google is when it comes to diagnosing problems.

[karinka13]

thanks everyone.

see...our school has all these databases and stuff, and trust me, i KNOW theyre expensive. why? because we pay for them, even though we dont have a say in it and our parents arent exactly informed. i just think its a little bit messed up.

[sanddrag]

Institutions quite often spend money in the most confusing (and not the smartest) ways. It's a fact of life.

[Cuog]

https:gmail.google.com


use that with a gmail account so u can check ur email on a blocking comp also gmail allows u to do a google search right from there, so get ur buddy to send u an invite

[Madison]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Institutions quite often spend money in the most confusing (and not the smartest) ways. It's a fact of life.

As someone who lived in a library's 'technology center' for two years or so, I can attest to the usefullness of many of the databases that are available. Simply put, Google often cannot give you access to the large volume of traditionally published works that touch on every subject imaginable. Google is great for common knowledge, but when you get into the nitty gritty of true research, the databases are unmatched in their quality.

[looneylin]

pshh. just use an anonymous server. it's easy

[Cuog]

u mean an annonymous proxy? that involves a bunch more( like 3 web pages i beleive) i just dont have time for that on a school computer besides my school has already figured out how to block some of them

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by karinka13

thanks everyone.

see...our school has all these databases and stuff, and trust me, i KNOW theyre expensive. why? because we pay for them, even though we dont have a say in it and our parents arent exactly informed. i just think its a little bit messed up.

Since the blockage is for a limited time, they are obviously trying to make an educational point. Just like the Information and Computer Science dept at my college did when they made everybody write at least one major program on punch cards. At least they did until the readers wore out and they couldn't get parts anymore. I got lots of tips from my dad on how to handle punchcards. He started programming in the early 60's, boy could he stack a deck!

So go out and learn something new, even if it is old. Co-operate in this and you'll get much more out of it. Cheat and you are only cheating yourself.

[Josh363663]

Ask.com is blocked because of the binocular function googlr.com is google england so usually yuo can use that for images

[Pavan Dave]

I believe CD's ToS was modded to where you can not post loopholes to get past school filters and things along those lines (Reference Scroll down to Brandon's comment) and if you didn't notice, this thread is from 2005...

That said a Slashdot article [today] talks about the "Google Generation" and how it has changed the way we search. Link to /. article.

Enjoy!

[lukevanoort]

Hmm, this thread is over three years old.... wow my grammar and spelling sucked back then. I imagine nowadays schools have probably realized the value of Google, and have started coming up with inane reasons for blocking Wikipedia instead.

[Pavan Dave]

Originally Posted by lukevanoort

Hmm, this thread is over three years old.... wow my grammar and spelling sucked back then. I imagine nowadays schools have probably realized the value of Google, and have started coming up with inane reasons for blocking Wikipedia instead.

There is a very valid reason. There are inappropriate pictures on some of the pages and anyone can put anything on any page (almost) whether it be pictures or comments. That is why my district has blocked Wikipedia.

I may not agree with it, but I understand why. Liability is a big deal in America especially NOW. ...