My ability to update my eastern screech owl nest box camera web site was disabled around 10:15 AM this morning, and my access to the relevant machine also disabled, for reasons that have not been communicated to me. While the machine’s web server is still operating, there is no way to update the pages there to communicate this situation to viewers. Posting here is the best I can manage.
To the cam’s many viewers in homes, offices and classrooms around the world, I apologize. Until now, the cam’ has been running for 13 years from the computer on my desk at The University of Texas at Austin as my very own educational outreach program. There is no precedent for this site shutdown or loss of access.
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Guess I know why, so sorry it came to that. Bummer just the same.
ReplyDeleteThank you Chris, for letting us know. I'm sure Mme Owl will continue her work without our visual support, but what nail-biting suspense for us. Would petitions to UTofA be of any use?
ReplyDeleteBaggyWrinkle,
DeleteI wouldn't suggest petitions. However, I think polite and respectful emails to the public feedback email address of the UT Austin Office of the President would be a good idea. (I’m fully aware that you suggested nothing impolite or disrespectful - just wanted to get that out there.) Bear in mind that the people reading that email will probably be unaware of the site, and had no role in taking it down, though they could be of enormous assistance in undoing this embarrassment and securing the site’s future. (And I have some ideas for a K-college, hands-on, multi-disciplinary, educational outreach program that would use the site as an exemplar and seed, if the opportunity were to present itself....)
Of course, people who hate the cam‘ can write and say what a good idea it was to unilaterally disable it and/or save all those taxpayers dollars (even though I’ve always funded the cam’—everything except the computer on my office desk—out of my own pocket). Meanwhile, people who've enjoyed it, been inspired or educated by it, etc. can express their views. The University of Texas at Austin wants, I believe, to be a force for good in the world, creating educational opportunities everywhere it can, so where you live should make no difference to the value it places on your opinion.
I haven’t wanted to recommend this course of action personally (the President of UT is, ultimately, my boss, after all), but I know some people have already written to that office (a few have told me so, and I’m deeply grateful), and your question gives me a timely opportunity to say that I think that’s a good approach to the issue.
That said, my thanks for caring, and do what you think is best.
----Chris
I just emailed the university. I hope it helps in some way. I have enjoyed this site for several years. What a disappointment to find the site down. I hope the situation is remedied soon.
ReplyDeleteLisa Leefeldt
Santa Fe, New Mexico
I just emailed the university. I hope it helps in some way. I have enjoyed this site for several years. What a disappointment to find the site down. I hope the situation is remedied soon.
ReplyDeleteLisa Leefeldt
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Thanks for your help. I hate the thought of all the loyal, and would-be new viewers, being cut off from this year's nesting. To my surprise, I find it has cut me off to some extent, as well. Until the site was gone, I didn't realize how often I used the it to check on Mme. Owl from wherever I happened to be.
DeleteI just emailed the university as well. I hope this distressing turn of events is remedied soon! I have found no other finer educational resource on the specific topic of mating and breeding habits of the Eastern Screech Owl in Central Texas.
ReplyDelete