Although I have been using computers for a number of years, I am not a professional or very knowledgeable about how things work.

I'm not sure I understand why by using your own computer - but accessing the internet though the ship's satellite system - you bypass the firewall.

This is based on what Chip said in his first message.

I know I sat next to a guy in Club.com on the Voyager last year. We were both using our own computers. He had the volume on loud enough to be heard all over the room and was checking out a site with some pretty vulgar language. No censorship here.

No one - including me - said anything. He continued to stay on the site for several minutes. I finally moved.

I realize this is two different issues: the one addressed in the thread and the fact that the guy was rude/inconsiderate.

So I guess the question I have is why are personal computers exempt form censorship even though they are on the same ship system?