LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Dear LM_Netters,
Back in November, I posted this query about CyberPatrol. I had just
installed it, and was going crazy. After much frustration, I finally
removed it from my machine. I know I will have to reinstall it, though, on
my travelling computers, as I cannot expect 5-6 grade teachers to have time
to monitor it constantly in the classrooms (I am working today, Dec. 31, as
the workers are here installing the cable in the ceilings from the library
to the classrooms.)
There are lots of frustrations, and I can see that it will take me a lot of
time to figure out how to do all the things I want it to do (in reality,
undo all the things I don't want it to do!). As you will see, after reading
my original post and the answers that followed, we are all ambivalent about
it: see the need, don't like the frustrations.
Someone asked me to post a hit, and here are the original and the replies:
ORIGINAL POST:
I am about to pull my hair out! I am trying to set up Cyber Patrol, and
it's driving me nuts. The directions are ambiguous, confusing,
helter-skelter, use contradictory words (for example, in one sentence, it
says 'excluded are...' and later says, 'also included are...'). I can't do
net searches, or search.com, or any other search engine. Do I have to
include all those addresses in the CyberYes list? Do you have it on your
server? At this point, my computer tech tells me I have to have it
individually on 16 computers! That will take me all day, every day, I'm
afraid, to set it up and keep it updated.
I remember when I first got Winnebago. I also nearly went insane, calling
their 800 number frequently. Now, I love it. I wonder: is this the same?
Should I be patient, and hope I eventually figure it all out? Or is this
just more trouble than it's going to be worth? I have 5th and 6th graders,
and sure enough, no matter that they've been warned, signed an AUP, etc.,
the other day a girl typed in "sex" and got CyberPatrol!!
Are you glad you have it? Were you totally confused like I am at first?
Are you still confused? Have you ever used their support phone number? I
hesitate to use it, just because it's not an 800 number, and I'm afraid I'd
be on there so long, the call would cost thousands!
If you don't mind, please send me some of your thoughts, tips, etc.
Suby Wallace
REPLIES:
HI!
We put Cyber Patrol on two computers a month ago. We just accepted the
downloaded list as is, adding only militia. Now, about once a week, we
refresh the list by downloading again.
It is important to remember that Cyber Patrol watches every program on
the computer.
Last week, facing a deadline, I mistyped "publish it" in my Word
program. When I corrected it by backing up and adding the last 2
letters of publish, space, and the word it, I got X's across the page.
The way around the problem is to type something else, then replace a
letter; e.g., "publish in."
Show Low High School Library <slhslib@whitemtns.com>
Suby, I was interested in your experience with Cyber Patrol. I've got it at
home (it came with my new computer) and it works generally ok there. When I
called their customer service number, I talked with a helpful rep who
outlined the options for using it with our computers at school (which are
networked).
There is a network version of Cyber Patrol, but like most network licenses
it costs much more than the standalone version.
Regarding the settings, I feel that I'm going to have to spend some time
learning to use the various options that Cyber Patrol has. Have you been
able to tailor Cyber Patrol to the desired degree of "filtration"? Although
my teenage son & I still get blocked inappropriately, the program did
respond properly to my adjustments, allowing my son more freedom but still
blocking the stuff that I do not want on my computer.
I haven't used other filters. My experience with Cyber Patrol--and the
publisher--has been positive overall. Good luck--to all of us!
Dave Thomas fox@cybrzn.com
Suby,
I can only say terrible things about CyberPatrol. We have it school wide
and it is on each machine, even though it can be changed and updated
through the network by the network administrator. It locks us out of so
many useful sites that we have removed it from many of our machines. For
example, I couldn't access the World Greatest Pumpkin web site before
Halloween. Some search engines have been denied by it. Our tech people
have altered it many times, but it is a real problem. Also, it interfered
with some programs--especially our School Vista programs. I have nothing
good to say about it. I'm curious if anyone does like CyberPatrol.
*******************************************************************************
Kriste Rees
Librarian/Media Specialist
E-mail: krees@jcf.jonesnet.org Phone: 501.750.8877
Parson Hills Elementary School Fax: 501.756.8262
Springdale, AR 72764
I just put Cyber Patrol on my machines in the library. Have fun.. you must
have a separate Cyber Patrol for EACH machine and it does take forever. This
product does not work on the server. Also... keep straight which machines
you register and which registration number goes with which machine. Also,
watch your setup time... I came in the library to work a staff meeting and my
Cyber Patrol was set for 8:00 a.m. startup. No internet until then. Also,
you must register right away (like 6 hours of time on the internet) and then
Cyber Patrol locks the internet up until you do.
After calling them the second time ( do not,,I repeat NOT, try to remove the
files unless you read their directions...It is not done the usual way), I
asked if they had an 800 number. Yes, they do but I'm sorry it is at school
and I am home. Now that I think about it... I found their 800 number on
their web page!
Good luck... our investment is made but I don't know if I am sold. I had
someone tell me a quick way around the system and got sick. Takes just a
couple of minutes.
Jeane Campbell
FFJHS, Sacramento, CA
So, you can see, there is no good answer. So many good sites are blocked.
For instance, one of my favorite sites is "The Yuckiest Site on the Internet".
http://www.nj.com/yucky/ I had told my 5th grade teachers about it, and
they used it when they were studying invertebrates. As they were doing
their assignments on that page, I noticed that beside one of the worm
diagrams were the words "sex organs." I thought - "Oh no! I'll bet Cyber
Patrol blocks that one!" And, sure enough, when I installed it, the first
thing I checked was "The Yuckiest.." and it was blocked! It also blocked a
Butterball Thanksgiving site. It had a trivia question that asked why
Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey as the national bird, and the answer was
that he thought the eagle was worthless and shifty!!
I'm very concerned about making my parents feel that we are handling the
internet responsibly and carefully. So, I guess I will have to rely on
Cyber Patrol until I can come up with a better way. Or until the Internet
cleans itself up!?!? Is it snowing in Hawaii yet??
I would love to hear what others say about this issue. I'd like to say that
we talk to our kids about responsibility, that we tell them they will lose
their accounts, etc., but all it takes is one kid to try it and completely
disrupt a classroom, and then we have trouble from everyone else's parents!
I feel that, since parents are trusting me to monitor and provide the best
for their children, I owe them my comittment to just that.
Ah, life....when will you be simple?
Suby Wallace
Library/Media Center
Nettleton Intermediate Center
(5-6 grades)
3801 Vera
Jonesboro, AR 72401
501-932-5650 swallace@nic.crsc.k12.ar.us
or swallace @nettleton.crsc.k12.ar.us
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