Intro to PC Parental Controls
Lately my strong-willed 4-year-old has been driving me crazy over using the internet. She’s had her own educational software (a discontinued product by Sesame Street) since she was a toddler, so she’s really good with a mouse. 
Then last summer I introduced her to Tumblebooks to which she immediately became addicted. Then a couple of weeks ago Elmo or Curious George let it slip that there are cool games for preschoolers available at PBSkids.org. Now, she – the same child who forgets what she’s supposed to be doing almost as soon as I’ve told her – is badgering me with perfectly recalled web addresses. But Nick.com is a can of worms I’m not ready to click on yet.
So, I need to set up some Parental Control software for Windows XP (no, I haven’t upgraded to Vista – still waiting for more of the bugs to be resolved). I found a really useful site that describes how to set the Content Advisor (for Internet Explorer only) that comes with Windows (Note: the appearance of the icons has changed but the names are the same). So that would take care of light web usage, but would be cumbersome for managing heavy online browsing and completely useless for limiting computer time. For that, I plan to try Kids PC Time Administrator, one of several free 30-day downloads ($18.95 to keep after the trail period) available from PC Home Software. It claims that I can specify the times my child can use the computer, which is just what I need to end school-morning and bedtime battles. I know: keeping firm boundaries and a close watch does the same thing, but I’m tired of the arguments and grief. 
Anyway, if the (free!) Windows’ Content Advisor and relatively inexpensive Kids PC Time software work well together, I should be all set to manage a preschooler’s blossoming internet habit (assuming I set a password on my grown-up no-restrictions user account! More on that later.). But if they don’t give me the control I need then I may have to shell out more cash for something more powerful like Net Nanny (a free 14-day trial is available, $39.99 after that) or BSafe Online ($49.95 for basic protection).
However, my plan is to wait until my child’s online skills are more developed before purchasing a more sophisticated internet filter. By the time I’ll need all the features included with those more expensive software suites, the same money will be able to buy a product that has evolved to handle whatever online dangers exist at that time. At least when it comes to software, I believe it’s better to save the money and buy only what you really need. Otherwise you waste money, disk space and start-up time. Just my 2 cents.
OK, I wish you and your family happy (and safe!) surfing until next time!
Tara
3 comments May 26, 2008
Taking Babysteps
OMG, I’ve missed this blog! I’ve now got a handle on my offline life (albeit a very short & flimsy handle). And I am ready to re-join the online community. However, I plan to take babysteps until I’ve developed a new posting routine. So for now, I’ll still post bits of info that maybe interesting to other tech-loving and/or tech-challenged parents.
Glad to be back (again!).
Tara
Add comment May 24, 2008
I’m Not Back After All
OK. I know it looks as though I’ve totally forgotten about this blog, but I haven’t. I had planned to post about my home networking experience, but I don’t have it in me to type up my notes. My offline life is undergoing dramatic changes, and I need to focus on that right now. I hope to get MomTech back on track at some point, but I don’t know when that might be. Thank you for all of your support and your comments. I hope to really be back here before you know it.
Regards,
Tara
1 comment February 3, 2008
MomTech is back!
Hey there,
I’ve finally wound down from the holidays and am getting back in the swing of things. I’ll start posting regularly next week
Since my last post I’ve networked my home computers which was pretty easy! the hardest part was deciding which router to use for my needs. So next week I’ll be giving an overview of home networking and describing what I decided to use for my network – and what I added to my wishlist for next Christmas!
Ciao!
Tara
1 comment January 10, 2008
MomTech is on hiatus for the Holidays
I’ve finally admitted to myself that I can’t do it all right now. Actually I haven’t been able to do it all since just before Thanksgiving. I usually commit time to my daughter’s school, my church and pretty much anyone who asks me for a favor, LOL! But, because of holiday-related events and activities, the time required for those commitments has increased dramatically. And, because my daughter’s birthday is about a week before Christmas, I’m planning a birthday party and preparing for Santa’s arrival at the same time. As a result, my days have been so full that I have rarely been able to find more than half an hour of computer time each day. So, I’m barely keeping up with email (my apologies to those of you waiting for a reply – I’ll get to it soon!) and haven’t found time to blog.
However, I am itching to share what I’ve learned in the course of networking my home computer, laptop, and TV/DVR/Satellite. There are some pretty cool gadgets that I can’t wait to get my hands on. But, I think I’ll have to wait until after Christmas to do the topic justice.
In any case, enjoy this holiday season and please catch up with me in the new year!
Ciao!
Tara
Add comment December 9, 2007
New digital camera features
For the past week I have been obsessed with two things: giving my daughter a fun Halloween and buying a new camera with which to capture the fun. And now that Halloween is over, I am able to pass on what I’ve learned about a couple of cool features now available on digital cameras: face detection and optical image stabilization.
Cameras with face detection distinguish human faces (sorry, it doesn’t work for pets) and adjusts the focus and exposure to bring them into focus. Image stabilization reduces the blurriness that results from hand-holding the camera by counteracting the motion of a moving image during exposure (Note: This is not the same as manipulating the shutter speed, which is sometimes misleadingly referred to an “anti-shake” or “anti-blur” function by some manufacturers).
Now, when it comes to digital cameras I have a 
few requirements. I carry my camera with me everywhere to take snapshots of my daughter. So I need a small point-and-shot camera, with good image quality (I wanted about 8 megapixels) and minimal lag-time between shots. Also I wanted to spend under $300, but still get face detection, image stabilization, and red-eye correction (a pretty common, but useful feature). So after a bit of 
research I narrowed it down to the Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
When it was all said and done, I ended up buying the Sony. I was intrigued by the Canon, but I had to face the fact that I am already invested in Sony technology. My last 2 cameras were Cybershots, so I’m already familiar with the series and own a large-capacity Memory Stick. Plus it cost $50 less than the Canon when I went to check them out at Best Buy. So it was kind of a no-brainer for me.
BTW, at least in California, Best Buy offers more service plan options in the store than they do online. The 4-year service plan offered for the Cybershot at BestBuy.com is $50 and covers typical wear and tear. But I was able to purchase a 4-year service and accidental damage plan for $80 (2-year plans are also offered in-store). So, if I drop or otherwise damage this camera within the next 4 years, BestBuy will replace it. Which is a source of peace-of-mind for me because my last two Cybershots were dropped to death. 
Happy camera hunting!
Tara
2 comments November 5, 2007
Teens are erasing the “Digital Divide,” but how safe are they?
It’s just as I thought. Our kids are pushing all of us (parents) deeper into the world of technology – whether we’re ready or not.
I’m referring to a study I just read (you can view it here if you’d like) by EduGuide.org that found that teens are motivating their parents, including those with the lowest levels of education, to get “connected.” And those teens are credited with closing the “Digital Divide.” In fact “80 percent of parents with less than a college degree, previously thought to be among the least connected, now use the Internet compared to 72 percent of all adults.” They are also “more likely to access the Internet by broadband at home.” The study is aimed at college access professionals (i.e. college admissions staff, counselors, etc.) who want to increase their access to first-generation college students (those whose parents never enrolled in postsecondary education) and their parents.
And, I think, the study reflects shows that things are headed in the right direction. Having been a first-generation student, I’m glad to hear that the “digital divide” is closing and that educators are gaining access to those “hard-to-reach” students via their home Internet access. However, I’m troubled by the question of who is actually in charge of that Internet access. I would guess that the person most comfortable and well-versed in the use of the family’s home computer is also the one charged with managing it’s security and access. I would also guess that, in most cases, that person is the teen, not the parent.
If you think of the Internet as a digital representation of our society (as I do), then that’s just plain scary. Online there are fun and useful places like retail stores, schools, libraries, and theme parks. There are places to get intangibles such as professional advice and places that will deliver food right to your door. There are also “seedy” elements such, as casinos, “adult” book stores, and the like. If they’ve thought about it at all, many parents are just hoping that their kids won’t get into trouble. But imagine being 14 years old and having unfettered ability to experience anything that attracts your attention. So much curiosity, so little wisdom, so much trouble waiting to happen.
So this has started me thinking about two things: 1) gathering information about internet safety and parental controls and 2) figuring out how to reach parents, especially those who are less than comfortable with computers, with that information. I hope to have more on this soon . . .
Tara
2 comments November 1, 2007
Addiction-proof your child
One of the podcasts I listen to regularly is by Jane Nelson, author of the Positive Discipline series
I’m bringing up this topic because, according to Dr. Peele’s unconventional thinking, “addiction-proofing your child” is about more than warning him/her of the dangers of drugs, sex, alcohol, the Internet, etc. It’s about preparing children to handle life’s challenges and reducing the likelihood that they will turn to self-destructive behaviors in order to avoid dealing with their problems. And the process starts well before children have the opportunity to experiment with these addictive substances and/or activities.
Dr. Peele advises that rather than “announcing a completely improvident and impossible goal” of abstinence from risky activities, we need be realistic and intellectually honest when discussing these issues with our children. As one who tries to keep in mind the long-term goal of raising my daughter to become a secure, well-adjusted, self-confident woman, this makes a lot of sense. However as someone who is an admittedly over-protective parent, I find the idea of letting go of the “scare tactics” to which I was subjected to be, well, . . . scary. I imagine that I would like the feeling of control, the sense of “taking action,” that I’d get from lecturing my child against drugs. Then again, I am relieved to think that I may not have to resort to lectures.
I value wisdom that comes from first-hand experience. In fact it was my observation of others that caused me to steer clear of experimental drug-use. That’s right. I have never tried an illegal drug. Seriously. My only “walk on the wild side” came at the age of 28, when I coughed/choked/retched my way through a quarter of a cigarette as an experiment with a friend. It took three days for my lungs and throat to recover from the experience. So, you see, as far as first-hand experience goes . . . I lack credibility. That lack of credibility has worried me because I’ve assumed that first-hand experience and direct observation produce the best lessons. Anyway, I look forward to reading this book and learning how to approach these topics without resorting lectures or threats.
And if, after reading this rather long post, you have a few more moments, I encourage you to view what Dr. Nelson’s blog says about the interview. In it she talks about how Dr. Peele’s book relates to the principles of positive discipline and tells how we can use those principles to “help children learn to use their personal power in useful ways.”
Sorry this is so long!
Tara
1 comment October 29, 2007
