Browsers on Public Computers in Libraries.

[Wilfred Drew]

Common sense and experience would say it is a mistake to allow browsers on
public internet stations to:

- have e-mail enabled (This is a no brainer).
- access for saving files to the hard disk
- downloading
- bookmarking (matter of opinion here but we have disabled it)
- hostory for more than a day or at all.

Netscape Communicator now has a stad-alone browser without built in e-mail.
Microsoft Internet Explorer has always required a separate e-mail program.
Combined with various security programs out there such as IKIOSK, WinShield,
and others; it is again a no-brainer to get a very secure browser
environment.  Libraries that enable e-mail on public computers (without some
sort of user identification such as separate accounts for each user) are
asking for trouble.  A little common sense and prepearation go a long way.

--
Wilfred Drew (Call me "Bill"); Associate Librarian (Systems, Reference)
SUNY College of Ag. & Tech.;   P.O. Box 902;  Morrisville, NY 13408-0902
E-mail: DREWWE at MORRISVILLE.EDU powwow:drewwe at wedrew.lib.morrisville.edu
IRC(irc.dal.net port 7000):#academiclibrarians (sysop/ops)
ICQ:UIN#268569
Phone: (315)684-6055 or 684-6060 Fax: (315)684-6115
Homepage: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/
Not Just Cows: http://www.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/njc/
LibraryLinks: http://www.morrisville.edu/pages/library/
--
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