[WEB4LIB] Blocking all web browsing (only) at a terminal

[Julia Schult]

Another solution to how to keep circ staff from surfing the web on circ computers
would be to install security software that allows users only to use the programs you
specify.  WinGuardian is one such program (www.webroot.com) that also monitors
activity on the terminal so that you can see what it has been used for and what time
the activity took place.  I used WinGuardian to monitor public web browsing just for
a research project on web use, as it tracks which web pages are visited, but it can
also be used to monitor which programs are run on a computer, which windows open and
close, and can be set to only allow certain programs to function.

I'm sure there are other security products that do the same limiting function; this
just happens to be one I am familiar with.

Now, here's a question:  why do you want to keep them from surfing?  Is it keeping
them from performing their duties?  Are you afraid they will bring up controversial
sites at the circ. desk?

IMHO, if the net is keeping them from doing their job, you have a human problem, not
just a technical one.  Responsible employees will respond to responsible criticism
from their supervisors.  Has the problem been defined to the employees as a
productivity issue: "the job is not getting done in a timely fashion"?   Have the
employees been asked to propose solutions?  I know from experience that (especially
in academia) if "management" just hands down a dictum "No Internet surfing at the
desk.  You're supposed to be doing your job" that dictum will be ignored (here it
was "you may not put any screen savers on your machine that don't come with
Windows").  If, however, employees are confronted with a drop in productivity, say,
books are not getting shelved within X time as our policies state, and are asked to
find solutions themselves, the problem my disappear.

---Julia E. Schult
Access/Electronic Services Librarian
Elmira College
Jschult at elmira.edu

"Charles P. Hobbs" wrote:

> I've been asked to find a way to block web browsing access to a couple
> of Windows 95 workstations at our circulation desk. (Too much staff surfing).
>
> We use other Internet applications too (OCLC comes to mind) at those machines,
> so simply blocking all TCP/IP traffic is not an option. Also, just removing the
> browser is not enough, some of are staff are savvy enough to dig through Windows
>
> and get back onto Internet Explorer.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> --
> Charles P. Hobbs
> King Drew Health Science Library
> http://www.cdrewu.edu/kdhsl

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