On Sat, 2010-04-10 at 16:04 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
> I'm sorry that my language was not as precise as some would like.  I
> really did not intend to upset so many people.
> 
> The group who received computers from Free Geek has people from age 4 to
> age 106 who use the computers. The computer area is not closely monitored.
>  Most people use the computers respectfully however someone has been using
> their computers to go to porn sites and then leaving the site and the
> pictures there for the next user of the computer.  This is very disturbing
> if you are 4 years old (or any age) and you are not expecting this and do
> not want to see it.
> 
> If they knew for sure who is doing this, it might be possible to ban
> him?her from the community center.
> 
> Thank you for the suggestions.
> 
> I'll try to post again to let you know how things go.
> 
> Peace
> DFhubbard

Well, I don't know anything about OpenDNS.  I do know something about
Dansguardian though which can be somewhat effective.  The problem with
Dansguardian that I run into is that downloading isn't allowed where
some things like movies for example can be difficult to filter and
effectively, someone watching a movie can get around what Dansguardian
is trying to filter out.  Programming a computer to determine what is 
in a picture and whether or not it is appropriate for the viewer, very
difficult problem.  

I'm looking at OpenDNS right now, but I'm a little unhappy already.
They don't let you look at the white papers without identifying
yourself, which I consider a privacy issue.  I should be able to look at
what the service is and how it is implemented without announcing to the
world that I'm doing so.

What I am looking for is a service that rates web content using the 
most accurate method possible, have actual people look at it.  The 
most important thing with any rating system is accuracy.  The system
should be confidential too.  Apparently, OpenDNS is not confidential.
I'm sure that cloud computing is powerful, but a computer cannot
classify web content better than a mature adult human being can.

May I suggest that public computers be programmed to auto dump and auto
log out so that the next person is less likely to run into what the last
person was looking at?  This isn't a way to solve the problem, but this
should help.

Look at Dansguardian if you can.  Using what Dansguardian thinks is
appropriate as a basis is not a bad idea.  Another thing, can you
have a group of people that are older rate the sites being browsed?

Some porn sites are probably illegal, especially ones depicting 
incest and children.  The police should probably talk to the person
who viewed such sites.

Something like OpenDns is interesting, the problem I have though 
is one of privacy.  If I have a problem, the last thing I want to 
do is announce this to the world.  The solution is to filter at the
Internet service provider level, but how do you protect the privacy 
of your patrons if you do this?  The Internet Service Provider, not
individuals, should be asking for the filtered DNS service.

I question whether a person who views porno simply needs a talking to.
Realize that porno is addictive.  If you can get an addict to get help,
that is better than just saying a few words to him/her about acceptable
use.  Filtering porno out is good, but in the end one has to train and
discipline himself to stay away out of respect for himself and the human
race in general.  Too many people are indulging in the "adult"
entertainment industry or there wouldn't be one.  Wherever there is
porn, there is a push for money.  If someone pays for illegal content
through your public facility, there is a real problem that exists
regardless of what you feel is and is not appropriate.

One concern I have, take good care of yourself.  If I had the job of
keeping people out of porn sites and other addictive/illegal sites on
the Web, I know that I'd want someone checking in on me from time to
time.  Being a woman, I suspect that porn sites are less of a problem
for you than they tend to be for a man.  Still, remember to take care 
of yourself as you work to provide a safe environment for the community.

God bless and good luck.

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