Net SW Has Access, Protective Functions
Featuring integrated protection from viruses and indecent material, InterGO is a unique offering of Internet software suited for educational settings. A new product, InterGO seamlessly combines browsing, searching, e-mail, file transfer, Telnet, virus scanning, objectionable material screening, and extensive resource content all via a graphic interface that employs familiar scenes such as an office, library, news room and treasure map. Integrated references include The Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition; The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition; Roget's II: The New Thesaurus; a world factbook and atlas; an Internet guide; and hundreds of literary works hyperlinked to the encyclopedia. Plus, key words within the encyclopedia are hyperlinked to relevant sources on the Internet. Distinguishing InterGO is KinderGuard and SafeSurf. KinderGuard, an exclusive system, rates Internet sources for sexual and violent content through in-house editorial review, a web crawler that searches for objectionable terminology and an automated customer-feedback system. The firm then applies the rating code established by video game manufacturers, so teachers can ensure that only age-appropriate material is available. Different levels can be set for different users. SafeSurf's more conservative approach restricts access exclusively to sites that are rated by the SafeSurf rating system, an emerging standard. Finally, the built-in virus scanning function enables students and teachers to utilize all features of the Internet without fear of infecting their own system or the school network. Download a free trial at www.teachersoft.com/products.htm. Suggested retail price is $99; Windows 3.1 and 95 versions are currently available, with a Mac version scheduled for early 1996. TeacherSoft, Inc., Dallas, TX, (214) 424-7882.
This article originally appeared in the 12/01/1995 issue of THE Journal.