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Hi folks, I shared the HIT I posted a few days a go with the Surfwatch folks. The CEO in return has on a point-by-point basis responded to some of the concerns I had, and it seems many of you also shared. I think this posting is more to an issue and is not a product endorsement or advertisement. Anyway, I found the CEO's reply of interest. Doug >Date: Fri, 02 Jun 1995 12:18:34 -0700 (PDT) >From: info@surfwatch.com >Subject: SurfWatch Software Questions >X-Sender: aduvall@batnet.com >To: palsdaj@VAX1.MANKATO.MSUS.EDU >MIME-version: 1.0 > >Doug, >Thanks for all the email, and for the posting about our phone call. Bill, >our CEO took the time to answer your questions and this reflects more of >what you and I discussed on the phone. We would greatly appreciate your >posting this so other people can understand our philosophy, and any >response from you is always welcome. > >Ann > >>I have just received an interesting piece of software on my desk - >>Surf-Watch. It claims to be able to "block" sexually explicit material fro= m >>machines on the Internet. It comes with sites already blocked chosen by "a >>team of experienced surfers" and "all sites are reviewed by a panel of >>parents and educators." >> >>The original program must be purchased ($49.95), and then a subscription i= s >>sold which will update the blocked sites ($5.95 per month) with educationa= l >>discounts available. >> > >For educational institutions, there are steep discounts on the product and >maintenance (subscriptions). The maintenance includes site licenses, >software updates, and SurfWatch=81 Manager -- the program for customizing >site lists (which will be available soon). > >>They say they will make customizable lists. > >Until SurfWatch=81 Manager is released, we will offer to provide users with >specific needs a custom site list service. As soon as SurfWatch Manager is >available, users will be able to do their own site list creation or >modification. > >> >>Quite frankly, I've had teachers and administrators clamouring for a >>program like this. But I am concerned about a few things: >> >>1) It seems that we loosing local control of the selection of materials fo= r >>our schools. I hesitate to let anyone in California (or New York or North >>Dakota etc.) decide what materials my Mankato kids will or will not have >>access to regardless of how well intentioned they are. >> > >The whole idea behind SurfWatch is to distribute content control to the end >user and local sites. If we do this well enough, then there will not be a >need for centralized content regulation. > >>Will there be grade levels? A page about birth control methods is probably >>fine in some schools at some grades, inappropriate in other communities or >>at other grades. >> > >SurfWatch@ Manager will allow different filter configurations on different >machines. It will also make it convenient to change between configurations >on a specific machine, although it may requre rebooting to do so. > >>Customizable lists? Yeah, right, like I'm going to take responsibility for >>finding all the objectionable stuff out there! >> > >By using the list provided by SurfWatch as a starting point, and then >adding/deleting your personal sites, you can let SurfWatch do the core of >the work, and you can add your preferences. SurfWatch allows you to take >advantage of the periodic updates provided by the SurfWatch Maintenance >Service without having to re-do your local preferences. > >>2) Can't there be software developed which allows us to select the good >>stuff rather than block the "bad?" Wasn't this called censorship back in >>li-berry school? >> > >SurfWatch can be configured as either a "positive" or "negative" filter. >It is a simple matter to block everything except a selected set of sites. > >>3) Why does this just block the sex stuff? I personally am more offended b= y >>the white supremists, gun nuts, and Rush Limbaugh fan clubs that I am >>pictures of nekk'd ladies. >> >This is a matter of personal preference. SurfWatch Manager will give >individuals, schools, libraries, districts, etc. the power to write filters >which block whatever sites and/or topics they choose. > >>4) Are we giving parents and teachers a false sense of security if we >>assure them their children can not get to inappropriate materials if we >>install this software. The Web alone is doubling in size every 8 months. >>Even with updating the sites on a monthly basis, there'll be sexually >>oriented pages available within hours after the update is gone. I am very >>concerned that such a program will be an incentive to stop creating >>acceptable use policies which encourage student responsibility and teacher >>monitoring. >> >SurfWatch does not block 100% of inappropriate sites. We believe that we >currently block 90% or better of the readily accessible sites containing >sexually explicit material. This percentage will improve over time, as our >surfers find more sites, and our customers let us know about sites that >they have found. SurfWatch is intended as a tool, and is not a substitute >for responsibility, education, and guidance. > >Bill > >CEO, SurfWatch=81 Software, Inc. >bill@surfwatch.com > > > >SurfWatch Software 415-948-9500 >105 Fremont Ave Suite F 415-948-9577 (FAX) >Los Altos, CA 94022 info@surfwatch.com > Doug Johnson, District Media Supervisor | Month-End Report I.S.D. 77, Mankato Public Schools | All targets met; Box 8713, Mankato MN 56002-8713 | All systems working; Voice: 507-387-7698 | All customers satisfied; =46ax: 507-387-2496 | All staff eager and enthusiasti= c; E-mail: palsdaj@vax1.mankato.msus.edu | All pigs fed and ready to fl= y. or: djohns1@west.isd77.k12.mn.us V. Arwginski http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/staffdir/staff2/Johnson_Doug.html