Stake Internet Use Policy

[jdlessley]

All of what mkmurray, Alan_Brown, and mikrowaved wrote apply to our wards in our stake. MLS is as the title says - Member and Leader Services, or database services for leaders.

[russellhltn]

Also, it has been approved to install PAF on administrative computers so that members who don't have access to a computer can do Family History work.

Is that in the Handbook? I know that was written into an old copy of the policy, but I don't see it in the current policy. Not that I'm saying it's not approved, I just want to be cautious about saying it can be done. Next thing you know some FH consultant will be demanding access based on some non-extant policy.

[aebrown]

Is that in the Handbook? I know that was written into an old copy of the policy, but I don't see it in the current policy. Not that I'm saying it's not approved, I just want to be cautious about saying it can be done. Next thing you know some FH consultant will be demanding access based on some non-extant policy.

You make a fairly good point -- by no means did I mean to say that there is blanket approval for PAF to be installed on administrative computers.

However, there's a huge difference between "allowed" and "required". I've seen some pretty reliable people say that some wards might use clerk computers for PAF, such as in this post. But it's definitely not in the Handbook, and it's not explicitly mentioned in the current policy. Since it is neither denied nor required by current policy, it is a local decision that the stake president can make.

[jdlessley]

I've never seen PAF itself mentioned as a piece of software that may be installed on an administrative computer. But I have read that an administrative computer can be used for family history work where there is no access to a family history center. I believe that is in the Church Handbook of Instructions. But since I do not have a copy with me right now I cannot make the quote.

[resimon3]

This is good information that we will consider. I should have more information and decisions after Bishops meeting on Sunday.

By the way, for those interested, Comcast is doing all the installation into the buildings and installing the modems for no cost to us. They will charge $59 per month per building. Compared to all the other options I could find this is good. I realize it's not the cheapest but we were willing to pay more to avoid the wireless problems. I will tell you about the cost of running the network cables when I get the numbers.

[aebrown]

By the way, for those interested, Comcast is doing all the installation into the buildings and installing the modems for no cost to us. They will charge $59 per month per building. Compared to all the other options I could find this is good. I realize it's not the cheapest but we were willing to pay more to avoid the wireless problems. I will tell you about the cost of running the network cables when I get the numbers.

What does Comcast have to do with "avoiding the wireless problems"? Regardless of your provider, you bring an Internet connection into the building and connect the Church managed firewall to it,whether that is DSL, Cable, or some other means.

Once the firewall is in place, you can connect wires, routers, switches, wireless access points, etc. as you desire (as long as you follow security protocol and it is approved by the FM group). Any issues with wireless are downstream from the firewall, and have nothing to do with the Internet Service Provider.

[resimon3]

I'm just referring to other threads that I've been reading where people are having problems with their wireless ISP's, IP's, security questions, wireless router hardware, etc. I had Sprint wireless broadband once. It worked well for a few months and then I was loosing so much signal it would hardly work at all. After Sprint replaced everything a couple times they said I may want to find another provider. My neighbor around the corner continued service with them for years afterwards. Things like that.

Do you have any more comments on our Stake policy or how we are wiring the buildings?

[resimon3]

[INDENT]I just wanted to post an update to my original. After a few months of experience, the policy and the system are working perfectly. Clerks are enjoying the high speed internet for all MLS transactions. They are ordering supplies and doing their church communications via email. With the hard-wired system, clerks can run their big print jobs directly on the library or stake printer/copiers.

The family history class in my ward is having lessons on basic computer usage for family history applications, basic and advanced PAF, PAF/Family Insight, Ancestry.com, and other genealogy research engines on the internet. We've had as many as 7 laptops and PDA's in the class operating concurrently. Instead of taking extra time wiring and disconnecting them for each lesson, I connected one inexpensive wireless router to the port and everyone runs from that.

Both buildings are 70's vintage and nearly all wiring runs are through the underground ducts. There are only a few small, almost unseen, holes for the wires to come up. Many were run to the microphone jack wall plates. Special plates were purchased or custom made. A few ports are in small boxes in out-of-the-way places. FM didn't mind this approach at all. The policy describes the rooms where the ports are located.

Here is the updated version of the policy.

Stake Internet Use Policy

1/23/09

Internet ports are installed in the Ward Clerks’ Offices, Library, Relief Society Room, Primary Room, Cultural Hall and Chapel of both buildings. In the South building there is also a port in the Aaronic Priesthood room. In the Stake Center there are ports in the Nursery Room, Multipurpose Room, overflow area, and High Council Room. The ports in the clerks’ offices, libraries and High Council Room are always active. All other ports are active on an as-needed basis only and controlled from the library.
A church-provided filter controls the content of all internet activity. If a site cannot be accessed it is probably blocked by the filter. The filter is not perfect so care must be taken when using the internet.
The following policies are to be observed by everyone who uses the meetinghouse internet ports. If you have any questions please call the stake technology specialist: Richard Simon: (numbers given)
General Policies
A.In short, internet usage in the buildings is restricted to church related activities only.
B.The Bishop is responsible to ensure all internet use within the ward is appropriate.
C.All church owned computers like those used in the clerks’ offices will be audited periodically for appropriate use.
D.All church owned computer configurations and software must remain standardized as they currently are. Reconfiguring the computers or downloading any programs, software patches, anti virus software, pictures, music, etc may only be done by or with approval of the stake technology specialist operating under the direction of the stake president.
E.Personal computers and other devices may be attached occasionally to these ports as long as this policy is followed.

Appropriate Uses – Internet ports may be used for any of the following activities. Any uses other than these must be approved by the stake president.

• Use of Member and Leader Services (MLS) by authorized personnel.
• Access to the online missionary recommendation system.
• Access to the online Church Directory of Leaders.
• Access or management of Local Unit Web Sites (LUWS) for scheduling, directories and announcements
• Ecclesiastical on-line training
• Ordering of stake or ward supplies through the online distribution center
• Use of directories and maps to standardize addresses on ward records and help with genealogy. Examples are: usps.com, canadapost.ca/splash.asp, maps.google.com, mapquest.com, http://www.superpages.com, whitepages.com.
• Printing from a clerk’s office to the library printer of programs, pictures, talks, etc. Appropriate permissions of copyrighted materials must be acquired, where applicable.
• Use of church websites such as www.lds.org, www.mormon.org, www.familysearch.org, byubroadcasting.org, clerk.lds.org, ldsclerks.org, and tech.lds.org
• Downloading or playing of church talks, firesides, training or other programs to computer, TV or projector
• Emergency Preparedness sites
• Personal emails for church business only
• Family History and Genealogy sites for classes and research
• Scouting - training, certificates, awards, requirements, stores, etc

Inappropriate Use
1. Accessing any websites, stores, services, or personal email for other than church related purposes
2. Accessing or downloading any confidential or personal information from the church-owned computers or websites by unauthorized persons.
3. Use of any programs or software that has not been legally purchased for use on the computer on which it is being used.
Security on Church-owned Computers
To maintain the security of private information and with an increased risk of abuse on the internet, the following rules must be followed.
1. The boot-up password should remain the same for now. Screensavers should be set for a few minutes and password enabled in case you leave briefly and don’t return when you expected. To lock the computer immediately, you can press the key with the windows icon and the “L” key together.
2. Personal MLS passwords on clerks’ computers should be changed every few months or when there is reason to believe the password has been compromised.

[/INDENT]

[dkcook2-p40]

Here is a stake policy that we are planning on using in our stake. Our stake presidency did not want member/patron owned computers on the network -- so the policy is written as such.

I would welcome feedback. It is more or less a combination of a couple of policies I have found.

[russellhltn]

On a quick read-though it looks good. A couple of comments: Having to clear additions to the "favorites" though the STS seems a bit excessive. I'd suggest designating someone a little more "local" for that function. For example the Ward Clerk in the case of the Admin computer.

I find the sentence "Patrons cannot use patron-owned computers ..." to be a bit clunky. I'd suggest "Patron-owned computers are not permitted ...." Likewise with the "Member owned computers".