Laura,

We've decided to place the computers in a 'supervised' area, namely our
Discovery Center.  The discovery center staff will be instructed on the use
of the www and will be warned to keep an eye out for 'questionable' usage.
This is not the best long term solution, but until our budget situation
improves, it will have to do.

We have plans to work with USC students to develop software which will
allow us to control some aspects of Internet access.  For example, we hope
to develop a 'dictionary' of inappropriate words.  This dictionary will be
used to identify inappropriate language in public postings.  When the words
are included in a text message, the software will reject the posting.  This
will take care of a few problems.  We're also looking into software which
will limit the URL's one can visit to those which are 'approved'.  That is,
only URLs which are approved will work.  We don't yet have a source for
this software, but I am certain that the religious right is working on it.

Please realize, I personally would not want to censor any activities.  But
it would not be in the best interests of our institution if a parent walked
in while there child was looking at erotica, or obscene postings where
being made to our "Cats" or member's bbs'.

If anyone has worked out these problems more fully, I would appreciate it
if you would contact me or the list.

Jim


>At 6:17 PM 11/28/95, Jim Angus wrote:
>>>Actaully I'm curious if any of the museums w/WWW sites have programs
>>>where they make access available to visitors to the physical museum.
>>
>>Yes, indeed.  We have purchased and are in the process of installing
>>several computers which provide 'public access'.  One computer presents
>>CD-ROM titles (both titles to be developed in house for this purpose and
>>commercial titles).  The other computer is being configured to provide easy
>>access to the WWW, with numerous 'subject' bookmark sets which we will
>>change as our programs change.  The computers are being placed in our
>>'hands on' discovery room.
>>
>How will you monitor visitor's use of the WWW?  Are you concerned that
>young "hackers" may stumble across sites which are of questionable repute?
>
>
>Laura Lewis
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Laura Lewis
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Jim Angus
Director of Information Technology and Hypermedia Programs
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA  90007

voice:  213/744-3317
fax:    213/746-2999
eMail:  [log in to unmask]
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