Hoping to boost the current performance of Boogle, a student-run network search engine, the Union Senate granted the Computer Operators Group (COG) $350 on Feb. 23 to purchase a new computer server. The Union Allocation Board (A-board) previously denied the request. "Boogle is being used consistently by a large percentage of the campus population," said Danny Silverman '05, creator of Boogle and member of COG, in his request to the A-board for funds. "Boogle has, up until this point, cost the University community absolutely nothing. However, the strain of its popularity is causing Boogle to perform poorly ... As the network grows and more people search it more frequently, Boogle is reaching a point of collapse."

Silverman and COG requested the $350 to purchase a new computer server for Boogle, which is currently being run through an older, less efficient server. The new server will be operated by COG and will stay in the club's possession after the leaders have graduated.

"Almost every person on campus has checked out Boogle at one time or another," Silverman said. "It has received almost one million hits since the service began a little over a year ago."

"It makes sense to move Boogle under (COG's wing) and for the club to get the computer and be in control, and continue after we leave," said Adam Batkin '04, President of COG.

COG requested money from the A-board on Feb. 18, but was denied its request, most likely due to legal concerns, according to Batkin.

"(The A-board) didn't want to have to think about it too hard," Batkin said.

According to A-board Chair, Ari Kahan '03, the A-board was apprehensive about granting COG the money, in part because of Boogle's link to the controversial practice of Internet file sharing.

"I personally had trouble voting 'yes' on something that was of questionable ethical value," Kahan said.

Silverman disagrees, and argues Boogle is not in danger of violating laws or incriminating the campus. "Many systems like Boogle are operated by students at other universities, and none have yet been subject to legal action," he said.

"While no one knows for sure how the courts will react, or possibly overreact, to services like these, there is no indication that Boogle is in any way illegal," he added.

ITS Network Administrator Rick Graves, however, said he is also concerned about the moral value of file sharing.

"Recording a TV show and sharing it with the entire Internet ... is wrong," Graves said. "Any trafficking in unreleased movies is wrong. Clearly there is a lot of gray area, but people of integrity should be able to define reasonable limits for themselves. I believe in a broad penumbra of privacy, so you can 'get away with' a lot, but that doesn't mean I approve."

Kahan further explained that for a club to receive funding from the secured allocations fund, the club needs to be able to advertise. In light of the administration's hesitant view towards Boogle, COG refused to do this.

Kahan added another concern the A-board had is that COG has not followed through with some of the things they said they would do, such as installing wireless networking equipment. One of the responsibilities of the A-board is to see that the money allocated has been used to better the Brandeis community, Kahan added. However, the Justice has learned that wireless internet is now available in Usdan, so anyone who has a wireless network card may access the Brandeis network from there.

"They've purchased equipment but we haven't seen tangible results," Kahan said.

After being denied by the A-board, COG approached the Senate.

Executive Senator Kate Vogel '03 supports Boogle as a valuable campus tool. "I think Boogle provides a worthy service on campus, and it seemed logical (to grant COG the money)," she said. "I think most people that know about Boogle, benefit from Boogle."

Silverman agrees and added that Boogle aids in avoiding technical problems and network traffic "The system allows users to confine their search to local computers, and has thus been one of the primary means of avoiding network saturation and internet outages like those that plagued the school last year," he said.

According to Vogel, the senate looked into these issues and sided with Silverman.

"The Senate is typically a source of funding for special groups and their needs," Vogel said. "If it's something particularly good or worthwhile, and they're willing to put in the extra effort, sure we'll listen.