The recently installed firewall restricts some things that we probably have not yet realized. I can understand the installation for security reasons and purposes of stopping illegal file-sharing networks such as Kazaa. However, what many students will realize soon is that "file sharing" and "buddy talk" on Instant Messenger have also been ceased. The "file share" option allows one person to send Word documents and pictures to buddies. Therefore, they do not need to go through e-mail. This saves time and also allows all the information to be automatically stored in the computer, instead of needing to transfer it from an e-mail account to a permanent place on the hard drive.

Most people probably do not use "Talk," but I find it useful in being able to talk to my friends and have a conversation much like I am on a speaker phone. Neither of these is dangerous or harmful, but they do make simple tasks and communication much easier. Now that these options have been restricted, ones that do not cause problems, what will they start preventing next? Non-PSU e-mail accounts? Web sites?

I just hope that if these conveniences are taken away that we will not find more options being eliminated in the future.