A project leader came to us and presented an intriguing logistical problem: His agency runs an educational unit for adolescents who have difficulty in public schools. The kids are curious and computer savvy, and they secretly access a popular interactive youth culture site during class. The agency wanted to block the site. This site provides a wealth of positive interaction but it's inappropriate for vulnerable adolescents and apprehensive staff. Dark tales of lurking online predators abound in TV crime shows.

Strategies

The "Just Say No!" method does not work. Teachers travel between classrooms and computer screens face different directions. The kids hide the taboo window when the teacher is near and restore it when the teachers are gone.

Some browsers support Web site blocking. Ours did but the process was awkward. Teachers balked at the prospect.

Group Policy would be a viable solution but the affected computers are low-end models passed down the corporate food chain. They lie below acceptable specs and are rarely upgraded -- because of the rationale that someday the ante-diluvian machines will be replaced.