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About Internet Filters | About
the Library Filter | Filtering
Options
About Internet Filters
Filters are an imperfect technology and do not provide a guarantee
of complete content screening. Parents are offered the option of filtered
Internet workstations for their children. An Internet filter can provide
a level of rudimentary protection by filtering out many of the 1.5%
of Internet sites that are explicit. When selecting this option it
is important to note that there are many things than an Internet filter cannot do:
- Block only those
sites which are obscene
- Block every site
that is obscene
- Block sites, which are o.k. for adults, but which
might not be age appropriate for some children
- Block e-commerce sites that some families may
not want their children to use
- Block chatrooms that some families may not want
their children to visit
- Block sites which may have inaccurate or biased
information
- Select the sites which are most useful and appropriate
for children
Ultimately children will become young adults charged
with the responsibility of making good judgments
about the Internet and other media. Parents,
guardians, and caregivers are urged to work with
their children in the proper use of the Internet
and its resources.
About the Library Filter
In the children's areas of the library, the Websense
Library Plus filter is used on workstations with
Internet access. This filter operates by directing
inquiries from the filtered workstations through
an Internet control point (firewall) integrated with
the Websense software. Each request is checked against
the Websense Master Database of more than 4 million
sites in 44 languages to determine whether it should
be allowed or denied. Sites with blocked URLs cannot
be accessed at the filtered workstations. When a
site has been blocked the filtering software will
give the user the message: Access
to this web page is restricted at this time. Reason:
The Websense
category (subject inserted) is filtered. URL: (lists
the filtered URL site).
Like all Internet filters, the Library filter may
occasionally block a site which is innocuous. Other
terminals in the adult areas of the Library may be
used to view such a site. Sometimes a site is not
filtered that might be expected to be. If over or
under-blocking is noted, the library can pass along
the URLs of sites for reconsideration to the company
that maintains the filter.
Internet access is unfiltered in adult areas of
the library. Users of unfiltered terminals who want
to filter their searches can use Internet search
engines with filtering features. They can also use
children's search engines which limit search results
to child safe content. More information about suggested
search engines with these options can be found below.
Filtering Options for Adults
Adults who wish to filter their Internet searches
may want to use Internet search engines with filtering
options. Some suggestions are:
- 1. GOOGLE
- http://www.google.com
To use GOOGLE filter feature:
- Enter search terms on home page
- At the top of the search results page, under
the search box, you can click SafeSearch
if Off to engage the filter. The link
will then say SafeSearch
in On. Results are filtered and a new
list of results is generated. This method allows
easy comparison of the results with the filter
on and off.
- The filter can be turned off by clicking
again on SafeSearch in On.
- 2. FAST Search
- http://www.alltheweb.com
To use FAST Search filter
feature:
- Click on Customize below
the search box.
- Click on Offensive Content
Reduction.
- The filter can be turned on by clicking on
the radio button labeled ON.
- Click on the Save Settings button.
- The filter can be turned off again by returning
to the Customize page,
resetting the radio button to Off,
and saving settings.
- 3. RAGING Search
- http://www.raging.com
To use Raging Search filter
feature:
- Click on Customize next
to the search box.
- Click on the Advanced
Search tab at the top of the page.
- The filter can be turned on by clicking on
the radio button labeled Family
Filter is ON.
- Click on the Save button,
and then the Exit button.
- The filter can be turned off again by returning
to the Customize page,
resetting the radio button to Family
Filter is OFF, saving, and exiting.
- 4. Use a Children's Search Engine
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Use a children's search engine
which limits search results to child safe content:
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