[WEB4LIB] Re: Filtering/ Censorship....

[Phillip Whitford]

I've already responded direct to Joyce but for anyone else who is interested
a product called Cyber Snoop by Pearl Software also allows full control over
what is blocked.  It allows specific services (chat, e-mail, etc) to be
blocked or specific addresses. It does not filter based on words and does
not come with a preloaded block list.  It was reviewed , along with Net
Nanny and other similar products, earlier this year in PC Magazine and won
their Editor's Choice Award.  I suspect the review could still be found on
the magazine's web site.

We have used the software for about six months (to limit access to sex sites
in our Children's Room and to restrict general Internet surfing on a
research systems) and it works well for us.

I am not up for debating if we should filter or not, but if someone wants
more details about this product I'll be glad to share.

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Paul H. Gray
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 1998 9:43 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Re: Filtering/ Censorship....


>. . .
>Hello, I would be grateful if anybody could suggest an approriate =
>software
>that I should use in order to monitor, screen and block access to
>inappropriate websites for our public internet access. Any comments on =
>which
>sotfware ( Netnanny, Cybersitter, Surf Watch & Cyber Patrol ) is better =
>? Cheers!
>. . .

Kind lady - you have NO IDEA what a monster you have just unleashed.

Kind friends on WEB4LIB - is it too much for this tired old man to hope
that just ONCE we will be able to simply address this very direct and
specific question (she asked HOW to do this -- not WHETHER to do it).

I'll start -
One problem with all of the otherwise very good programs you mention is
they do not give you full control over what is blocked - i.e. you cannot
see and edit their entire block list.  That is - as of the last time I
checked - If I am wrong I am sure someone will correct me.

You might want to consider a lesser known product called The Internet
Filter.
Again, the last time I checked  - you could turn off ALL of it's built in
lists - and create your own.

All standard disclaimers apply -


Paul H. Gray, Learning Resources Manager	Phone:  (817)515-6623
TCJC Northeast LRC				Fax:    (817)515-6275
828 Harwood Road				E-Mail: phgray at tcjc.cc.tx.us
Hurst, Texas 76054