LIS cracks whip on file-sharing

Library and Information Studies (LIS) underwent many changes for the 2008-2009 school year, including a new Web site, the addition of Norse Apps for faculty and students and a crackdown on illegal file sharing.

The LIS Web site, active for more than a year, was revamped to be more user-friendly. Additions include a new research portal and a program called Encore, a new way to search the library’s collection.

The library catalog was also completely redesigned, according to LIS Director Christopher Barth. “We are making the entire system much more user-friendly,” said Barth.

Barth also spoke of the deployment of Norse Apps, the system that includes a Luther Gmail account, which began in the spring semester of 2008.

“We are continuing to push forward with Norse Apps and we’ve been pushing to add alumni,” Barth said. “We want all employees moved as well.”

According to Barth, a couple hundred alumni have chosen to keep their Luther email addresses instead of having their email forwarded to a current, non-Luther address. Barth also hopes to have all employees moved to Norse Apps by the end of 2008.

Barth compared Luther’s technological progress to that of other schools.

“We’re slightly ahead of the curve in Norse Apps, but a lot of schools are going toward it,” said Barth.

Other changes for the new school year include deployment of Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 to all campus computers. Luther also doubled its internet bandwidth since last school year. The greater internet capacity means there is more room in Luther’s system.

This school year brought another change: an increase in illegal file-sharing complaints. During the 2007-2008 school year there were 32 complaints of file sharing. In the first week of this year alone, there were 29 complaints. This is now a major concern, moreso than any other year, for LIS.

When Luther receives a file-sharing complaint, notices from the Recording Industry Association of American go to file-sharing networks (Luther’s network if a student is sharing files) and send a cease and desist order. Then action is requested. Luther must verify the claim by checking the traffic. On the second claim against the same individual, Luther takes away the ability for that person’s computer to connect to the network.

“We don’t snoop our traffic; it’s actually much easier [to share files] now, but you’re responsible for what you do,” Barth said.

The new bandwidth makes it possible for each computer to have an allotted number of Internet connections at one time. For example, if someone is downloading music, watching a video on YouTube and checking his or her e-mail while browsing pictures online, that person’s Internet connection will be slower than someone sitting next to them only checking his or her e-mail. The aim is to dissuade people from file-sharing by slowing down internet connections.

“With the ability to do this, we’re just penalizing the heavy user,” Barth said.

All of these changes were made with the Luther student in mind.

“We believe that in our information-based economy, learning critical information literacy skills in college is an integral piece to a 21st century liberal arts education,” said Barth.

For more information on file-sharing and other changes at LIS visit http://lis.luther.edu or email lisinfo@luther.edu.