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M.S.E. Filtering

Hi, ;D

First post after six months of lurking, finally decided to register. Sorry I've nothing to contribute at the moment (working on something for you soon) but would like to pose a question.

Many companies including my employer now filter web content for abuse of priveledges or !!!!!! etc.

M.S.E has now been added to our list thus excluding us from an excellent site. We have requested it's removal from the filtering system but have been refused on the grounds that it would open the flood gates for everyone to do the same. >:( >:( >:(

The software (Websense) picks up on specifics such as "chat forum's" etc. Is there a real need to label it in the address as a chat forum - may be "readers write" -thus getting past the filter. It's hardly !!!!!! or idle chat, my company has even benefitted from M.S.E. on several occassions. Hope you can do something or advise of a way around the problem.

Cheers, Neil.
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Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 178,223 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    No advice from me i am afraid, that is down to the techi side of the site, but i just wanted to say, welcome to the boards. Its nice to have you aboard!!!
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • scheming_gypsy
    scheming_gypsy Posts: 18,410 Forumite
    From what i understand / been told it's picked up from the meta tags. Where i work we also use Websense (pile of frickin shoite) and only recently - past 2 weeks - it's been picking MSE up as a chat room So it could be a recent change here that's causing it..

    Possibly so more searches pick it up
  • MSE_Martin
    MSE_Martin Posts: 8,272 Money Saving Expert
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Can i check does it block the main site and the chat forum or just the forum?  Do any techies know if it maybe because the address now starts http://forum

    That was the change when we switched servers - it may well be the difference
    Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.
    Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.
    Don't miss out on urgent MoneySaving, get my weekly e-mail at www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips.
    Debt-Free Wannabee Official Nerd Club: (Honorary) Members number 000
  • scheming_gypsy
    scheming_gypsy Posts: 18,410 Forumite
    i've not tried the main site but i can get on a few forums. It could be cos of the forum. as the 2 i can get on are /forum.
  • surfnlurk
    surfnlurk Posts: 109 Forumite
    Hi, :)

    Sorry for the delay, have been in work on 2-10 shift and obviously can't see the site (or some of it). Having to text in to the night shift and wait for response. I think we can access the main site and some times the forums if we click quick enough to beat the websense software. Perhaps you right about the "forum" bit. I'll try to post more info when night shift reply. Agree with scheming gypsie's comments.

    Also, thanks for the welcome. I always get a bit annoyed when I go through the forums and see umpteen replies just saying "thanks for this one". Feel a bit guilty now, makes a bit of a difference when your actually on the receiving end! :-[

    Makes me want to try harder to give something back after leeching loads from this site. I reckon I've saved about £600 on insurance, another £150 on products and tons of freebies. Best had to be £300 worth of webcam and headsets (vizzitme/BT) for me and my daughters school. ;D ;D ;D

    Cheers, Neil
  • MSE_Martin
    MSE_Martin Posts: 8,272 Money Saving Expert
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks Neil,

    Glad it's working - if any of you can confirm whether it's the 'forum' thing in the URL that's cool - as if so i've discussed it with webbie and we'll change it. However it'll meana bit of work and downtime - so if it's not that would prefer not to do it.

    martin
    Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.
    Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.
    Don't miss out on urgent MoneySaving, get my weekly e-mail at www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips.
    Debt-Free Wannabee Official Nerd Club: (Honorary) Members number 000
  • surfnlurk
    surfnlurk Posts: 109 Forumite
    Hello again,  :D

    Can now confirm we have access to main site but not to chat forums. May be an idea to create a tech testing forum page (on the main site) to play around with rather than interfere with your main site. That way you would only have to change things when you know for sure that we are right. I don't know if that's easy, just an idea.

    By the way, we still have full access to "Tekforums" and "DVD reviewer bargains" if that info helps. Thanks again for your help so far.

    Cheers, Neil

    P.S.   popularity is (was) growing, just found another four pc's in work with MSE in their favourites bar and one guy reading your book! seem to have started something! :):):)
  • JIMJAM_4
    JIMJAM_4 Posts: 93 Forumite
    MSE and ebay are taking over the world
  • pin
    pin Posts: 4,265 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Websense have changed their categories of the M.S.E forum and it is no longer filtered.

    (posting from work, using a network that uses Websense filtering).
    "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind" - Mahatma Gandhi
  • MSE_Martin
    MSE_Martin Posts: 8,272 Money Saving Expert
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hiya I've been talking to websense

    Seemed they had the Chat Forum categorised as 'Chat' not a bulletin board. So now only companies who ban both will have access blocked, most companies only stop Chats - so hopefully you should all be back :)
    Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.
    Please note, answers don't constitute financial advice, it is based on generalised journalistic research. Always ensure any decision is made with regards to your own individual circumstance.
    Don't miss out on urgent MoneySaving, get my weekly e-mail at www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips.
    Debt-Free Wannabee Official Nerd Club: (Honorary) Members number 000
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