NETSCAPE:Offensive Patrons

[Andrew J. Mutch]

Bobb,

One option is to look at my page describing how to run Netscape in a
modified Kiosk mode.  For public Internet use, I would include the toolbar
and the location bar.  However, by eliminating the menu bar, you can
prevent patrons from adjusting preferences and creating new windows.
However, it still is possible to use the Control-N keys to create a new
window, so its not fool proof(what is?!) but it might help a little.  This
method works with Navigator 4.x on Win 3.11 machines.

Instructions are at:

http://northville.lib.mi.us/tech/kiosk.htm

Andrew Mutch
Northville District Library
Northville, MI


On Fri, 13 Mar 1998, Bobb Menk wrote:

> We have increasingly encountered something like this scenario:
> 
> Patron uses public station to surf web.
> Patron visits offensive site
> Patron pops up 2nd (or 3rd or 4th or 5th) Netscape window to cover up 
> offensive window when others go by station
> Patron finishes session leaving Netscape at library home page rather 
> than closing Netscape out altogether.
> Next patron sits down to discover multiple offensive open Netscape 
> windows that had been hidden behind an inoffensive window, gets 
> angry etc.
> 
> Anyone have suggestions as to how to easily clear all those 
> multiple sessions between users?
> 
> This is _not_ intended to re-open one of those "filter or not to 
> filter" bruhahas.  I'm just interested in suggestions to force  
> closing out all instances of a browser or otherwise deal with this 
> problem.
> 
> Current platform for the public is Win 3.11,  Netscape Navigator 4.
> If this is doable in the Win95 version, the upgrade is on the horizon
> 
> Thanks in advance for any help.
> 
> Bobb Menk, Internet Librarian, Lane Memorial Library
> Hampton, NH 03842  603-926-3368
> bmenk at hampton.lib.nh.us
>