Megg+Panopio+on+Downloading+Issue

Being part of the Student Council for almost two years gives one a bigger perspective of how things run up and about in a basic university structure. In my case, I know the in's and out's of De La Salle University and I can give really good explanations for majority of the issues the come up and about of the said structure. In this case, as mentioned in an earlier debate over downloading issues in universities as described in the US, is it fair that students be allowed to download sources from certain websites--in this case torrents of movies, music, and other files?

The case described in the aforementioned debate surrounds on the idea of students downloading illegal materials off the internet in a legal institute, namely the schools. I agree that it is only fair that such laptops and computers be confiscated for that matter, but the surrounding issue to be discussed in this essay is whether such a policy be implemented in a Philippine university, namely De La Salle University.

There are three points I'd like to point out in this case. Firstly, the internet speed. Though paid for, other web browsing users or students must be taken into consideration. The current speed of Gokongwei is low, and to allow students to download such huge amount of files and media can disrupt other students. Secondly, the issue regarding usage must be considered--filtering the legal ones such as MSDNAA or Microsoft Alliance software from Piratebay torrents must be thought of carefully. Third, and lastly, the issue regarding location and legal issues. Downloading illegal media in a school is like, (and pardon the only form of metaphor or comparison I have, though I strongly believe it's true), downloading porn in a sacred church. Do you see the HUGE gap of difference and inappropriateness? Students must be able to make the mature decision and take into consideration that: there will always be another place for that. Aside from that surrounding issue, the only way about such actions done by students is to set the limitations ourselves [meaning the administration themselves]. Though it is easy to say that students should be mature enough to not download anything illegal--well that also has the dress code issue ethics and how the once university guidelines had become abused. The university then set the dress code after the abuse but gave into the student mutual agreements (hence the multiple changes done in the handbook regarding the dress code).

See? Now if it was simple enough to come up with a mutual understanding between students and the administration regarding the dress code, then for sure mutual understanding can be made regarding and implementation of policies done regarding internet usage.

Is **DOWNLOAD** or **ACCESS** of materials in the net still an **ISSUE**?

As far as I am concerned, it isn't an issue in De La Salle University. The only form of banning I have reached was when youtube.com and other huge resolution websites were not accessible at a point of time. They are accessible now though.

Does it **RESTRICT** or **ENHANCE** learning?

Not once did I think of it as restricting in learning. From eBooks to Podcasts, there are so many forms of new media students like myself have, can, and always will learn from. Though there becomes a lower appreciation from text or print works (and sometimes the rarest information can be found in such), the simple report or subject requirements can be easily handled by the internet and it's huge variation of sources. One issue on the top of my head right now is the idea of originality. Though plagiarism exists, and I cannot disagree with that, such sources should serve as a form of basis or foundation of ideas especially in terms of viability and practicality. This just goes to show how strong learning and understanding has become in terms of digital media and it's enhancement capabilities.