A small library recently asked us to identify a product which can be mounted on individual PCs to control access to Web sites. The library did not want a "filter" which blocks access to sites, but a control device that would limit access to sites selected by the library. The library had developed a list of nearly 900 useful sites, and wanted to limit access to the URLs on this list.
Without commenting on the appropriateness of the request, the Contributing Editor suggested Cyber Snoop Pro, a product released this summer. It runs a client program on 32-bit Windows systems which limits Web access to selected sites. While it is relatively easy to enter the list of sites, some large sites pose a problem because they route among many servers. It is, therefore, necessary to enter multiple URLs in order to provide access to all of the site.
The product can also be used to monitor activity to determine which sites are popular, and which are seldom accessed. A "filtering" option is also included.
The price of $59.95 per client makes it attractive for a small library. Larger libraries might consider a network-based tool such as Kansmen Corporation's Little Brother or Software Inc.'s Internet Manager.
[Contact: Pearl Software, Inc., 800-732-7596; URL www.pearlsw.com].
