Filter Solves Internet Complaints - THE GAZETTE, Grand Forks, B.C., Wednesday, August 23, 1995.
Gazette Staff
The information superhighway has its potholes. Many parents say concerns and complaints are mounting against material available on the Internet.
Some televisions allow parents to lock out stations they don't want their children to view. Why not on the computer?
Former Grand Forks resident Jeff Koftinoff and Vancouver artist and teacher Bob Turner asked just that question. The answer: The Internet Filter
Together, Turner Investigation, Research and Communication and J.D. Koftinoff Software, Ltd. have created innovative computer software that allows parents to exercise choice options as to what their children can be exposed to on the internet.
"The Internet Filter is the software solution to widespread concerns regarding the effects of undesirable Internet material on the young people of our communities," Turner said.
Complaints are resulting in legislative changes, although there are free speech voices which deplore the intervention of a regulatory authority policing the Internet.
What their new software product is, Turner explained, is a filter that will empower parents to influence, choose and control what their children are exposed to.
There are two versions of the product. Version Zero is free and can be downloaded from the Internet at the end of an introductory document. Version One, purchased from Turner Investigation, can easily be configured by the user.
Version zero features a scaled-down version of the Internet scanner used in Version One. It sports a preset, non-changeable configuration suitable for many parents.
It supports any Windows 3.1 system and is silently installed - and it's free.
Version One features a comprehensive Internet scanner.
It has the ability to scan, block or log all data transfers including World Wide Web pages, newsgroups, types of messages within any newsgroup, Internet hosts that are known to have forbidden material, and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) sessions.
Version One will immediately e-mail the parents if specific access violations occur.
it also supports any Windows 3.1 system; installation is silent, without any indication to the child that it is installed.
There are limitations to Version Zero, Turner noted. With that version, settings can't be modified.
"This means that the data logging and e-mail features are disabled. However, the permanent settings of the free version are good enough to block most of the bad information on the Internet," he said.
To customize the search engine, parents can purchase Version One. It retailsfor $49.95; site licenses are available.
"This is a worldwide offering to anyone who is concerned about limiting unwanted influences available on Internet for the protection of young people," Turner said.
"We trust the Internet Filter will be a valuable contribution for adults to exercise choice options for their families, and for the etention of free speech as it is uniquely expressed on the Internet."
For further information or to purchase the Internet Filter, contact Turner Investigations, Research and Communication at Box 151, 3456 Dunbar St. Vancouver, B.C., V6S-2C2