Why disable access to software features?

[Walter Lewis]

On Thu, 2 Nov 1995, Eric Lease Morgan wrote:
> > I too am interested in learning how to use Netscape (on Macs) in a kiosk
> > mode. It would be wonderful to disable access to the menu (or most of the
> > menu). This is conjunction with AtEase would make the whole lash-up more
> > robust.
> Remind me why we, as librarians, would like to disable access to some of the
> software's features. I thought librarians were interested in free and equal
> access to information?

Information Yes.  Config files no.

While we were meeting in Fredricton, someone stepped quietly out of my 
Windows 95 Netscape client at the information Desk and deleted the 
USER.DAT file (which controls which services are permitted). The result 
was a service which went missing for a period of time, until components 
of the config were rebuilt.  

Most Internet users have to take responsibility for their own machines.  
Not so in a public setting.  The Info staff did the dirty end of the job 
(until they call us in)

What would I change in a browser?
Controls for Save, Print, Mail, Open Location [even exit]; Adding Bookmarks
that could be turned off at the institutions discretion.

In Netscape I'd eliminate the entire "Directory" sub-menu, but others 
might not agree.

You need to lock out the Preferences and access to local 
files/folders/directories that are not part of the pages. And I'd like 
individual controls over the buttons.

The reference staff who interact with users don't want to become experts 
in rebuilding strange preference settings on the desk.

This is not an issue of blocking access to information, but of breaches 
of security of the library network/equipment.

Walter

Walter Lewis		  		     walter.lewis at sheridanc.on.ca
Deputy Chief Librarian/Systems
Halton Hills Public Library, Georgetown, ON Canada L7G 2A3 (905) 873-2681