Change In Internet Usage Structure at IITD


Change In Internet Usage Structure at IITD
The Issue
It is quite clear that most students are dissatisfied with the structure of internet usage at IIT Delhi. This leads to sharing of passwords which, being against the Honour Code, ends up in students being considered for disciplinary action. The purpose behind the proxy quota is to promote use of online educational resources among the students, while restricting use for other purposes.
However, it is an observed fact that most students do end up "squished", and "borrow" proxy quota from their friends, or obtain passwords from postgraduate or doctoral students, who have a higher limit. In order to reduce effort on the administrations's part in catching the wrongdoers, and to provide a better online experience for the students, we propose the following changes in the usage structure:
- Exempt online educational sites like Coursera, KhanAcademy, NPTEL, MIT OCW etc., from the proxy quota. The exact list of sites can be discussed upon and finalized.
- Provide an inter-hostel "hub" for file sharing (or allot more sharing space on OwnCloud), so that repeated content downloads can be avoided.
- In order to restrict usage to academic purposes, restrict access to sites not related to curricular/co-curricular content. (This can start with porn sites.)
- Add to the software repository, in order to minimize the download of pirated software.
- Allow 24/7 access in hostels. Restricted access does not serve any purpose.
Based on the usage once these steps are taken, the proxy quota can again be reconsidered to 2 or 3 GB per week. This will ensure sufficient leeway for students to access sufficient recreational content while having enough quota to pursue their academics. These changes will ensure more satisfaction for students, while allowing the administration to relax their pursuit of miscreants.
The Issue
It is quite clear that most students are dissatisfied with the structure of internet usage at IIT Delhi. This leads to sharing of passwords which, being against the Honour Code, ends up in students being considered for disciplinary action. The purpose behind the proxy quota is to promote use of online educational resources among the students, while restricting use for other purposes.
However, it is an observed fact that most students do end up "squished", and "borrow" proxy quota from their friends, or obtain passwords from postgraduate or doctoral students, who have a higher limit. In order to reduce effort on the administrations's part in catching the wrongdoers, and to provide a better online experience for the students, we propose the following changes in the usage structure:
- Exempt online educational sites like Coursera, KhanAcademy, NPTEL, MIT OCW etc., from the proxy quota. The exact list of sites can be discussed upon and finalized.
- Provide an inter-hostel "hub" for file sharing (or allot more sharing space on OwnCloud), so that repeated content downloads can be avoided.
- In order to restrict usage to academic purposes, restrict access to sites not related to curricular/co-curricular content. (This can start with porn sites.)
- Add to the software repository, in order to minimize the download of pirated software.
- Allow 24/7 access in hostels. Restricted access does not serve any purpose.
Based on the usage once these steps are taken, the proxy quota can again be reconsidered to 2 or 3 GB per week. This will ensure sufficient leeway for students to access sufficient recreational content while having enough quota to pursue their academics. These changes will ensure more satisfaction for students, while allowing the administration to relax their pursuit of miscreants.
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The Decision Makers
Petition created on 3 February 2016