Agreed - there is certainly an over dependence amongst people on the internet now and a lot of work might benefit from a little less google and a little more library research. That said though, I don't think that's an argument that justifies the action of this CO. As people have pointed out here, universities are far different from businesses and schools because people need access to a much greater range of information. And free access to the internet has to be a part of this. Internet papers are now invaluable for scientists and, in the same way, I am sure downloading mp3s of various composers is an important tool for musicians.
I am aware, of course, of the need for institutions to limit their bandwidth costs to a realistic level. I am at a UK university and my internet access is limited to 500MB a day, but with no other restrictions. Surely this has to be the best way to ensure that the best possible range of information is available to students and researchers, at a reasonable cost. That has to be in the best interests of the university.
Liquid nitrogen canisters would not have fueled the fire obviously! The article says they exploded, which they would have because as the liquid nitrogen canisters are heated up by the fire, the liquid turns to gas which occupies a much greater volume. As a result the canister explodes which is extremely dangerous for anybody around.
Slashdot Mirror
Agreed - there is certainly an over dependence amongst people on the internet now and a lot of work might benefit from a little less google and a little more library research. That said though, I don't think that's an argument that justifies the action of this CO. As people have pointed out here, universities are far different from businesses and schools because people need access to a much greater range of information. And free access to the internet has to be a part of this. Internet papers are now invaluable for scientists and, in the same way, I am sure downloading mp3s of various composers is an important tool for musicians. I am aware, of course, of the need for institutions to limit their bandwidth costs to a realistic level. I am at a UK university and my internet access is limited to 500MB a day, but with no other restrictions. Surely this has to be the best way to ensure that the best possible range of information is available to students and researchers, at a reasonable cost. That has to be in the best interests of the university.
Liquid nitrogen canisters would not have fueled the fire obviously! The article says they exploded, which they would have because as the liquid nitrogen canisters are heated up by the fire, the liquid turns to gas which occupies a much greater volume. As a result the canister explodes which is extremely dangerous for anybody around.