Social policies prohibitting specific conduct isn't a bad idea though enforcing strong regulations can lead to company wide reprocussions.  Lets assume that the reprocussions of using ICQ is immediate termination.  You've created a hostile work environment that some may choose to leave simply because you rule with an iron fist.  By putting a company policy in place that states that Internet services should be used for work specific functions and the use of services such as ICQ is frowned upon then backing that up with technical means such as blocking the use of the services is the best approach.

In respect to the original message, the administrator was attempting to block users through technical means.  The company may already have a policy in place yet the users are obviously not following it.  At that point the company really has two choices:

1.  Technical actions
2.  Resource actions

Although I don't know enough about this specific company, I would imagine the quickest, easiest, simplest approach is to cut off the use of the ICQ service through technical means.  Doing so would be much less intrusive than attempting to govern the actions of internal users.

IMHO,
- Dave

Duncan Hill wrote:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">
On Tue, 13 Nov 2001, David Ishmael wrote:

Block the users from accessing the ICQ servers.

Or set a company policy that contains repercussions for those caught using
the ICQ service. If it truly is not desired, use a "social" policy to make
the point. Technological solutions are not the be all, end all solutions
all the time. You may also need a technical + social solution.


-- 
David Ishmael, CCNA, IVCP
Senior Consultant
Windward Consulting Group, Inc.
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"I think, therefore I am"

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