One option that I didn't see mentioned in my scanning of this series of postings is the path that the library system I work for is taking: essentially, opt-in filtering.
Despite (extremely well-founded) misgivings about censorship of any form in a public library system, the library board here is acknowledging community pressure for Internet filtering by adopting a "we'll provide the option, and let individual patrons decide if they want it or not" stance. The public access internet stations will offer two logon profiles, one "filtered" by pointing the web browser at our censorware proxy, the other untouched. Neither login is passworded, so the patron is free to choose either at the time they sit down at the terminal.
Of course, this *could* be seen as a foot-in-the-door step towards non-optional censorship software, but it looks like a reasonable solution for the interim, defusing the arguments of those who want filtered Internet access, and putting the onus on the parents and persons who don't want to see material that might be blocked by filters. The parent can tell the child, "When you use that library computer, you log in as FILTERED, you hear me?".
We're only just beginning this program, so it may not work as well as I'm hoping, but it looks as promising as anything in this area could.
Standard disclaimer: This is my understanding of the situation. My employers' ideas may be completely different. No flamage or lawsuits, please. It's been a tough week.:-)
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One option that I didn't see mentioned in my scanning of this series of postings is the path that the library system I work for is taking: essentially, opt-in filtering.
:-)
Despite (extremely well-founded) misgivings about censorship of any form in a public library system, the library board here is acknowledging community pressure for Internet filtering by adopting a "we'll provide the option, and let individual patrons decide if they want it or not" stance. The public access internet stations will offer two logon profiles, one "filtered" by pointing the web browser at our censorware proxy, the other untouched. Neither login is passworded, so the patron is free to choose either at the time they sit down at the terminal.
Of course, this *could* be seen as a foot-in-the-door step towards non-optional censorship software, but it looks like a reasonable solution for the interim, defusing the arguments of those who want filtered Internet access, and putting the onus on the parents and persons who don't want to see material that might be blocked by filters. The parent can tell the child, "When you use that library computer, you log in as FILTERED, you hear me?".
We're only just beginning this program, so it may not work as well as I'm hoping, but it looks as promising as anything in this area could.
Standard disclaimer: This is my understanding of the situation. My employers' ideas may be completely different. No flamage or lawsuits, please. It's been a tough week.