Toolkit lets you control computer
By KIM KOMANDO
Home computers and the Internet make it easier for kids to learn essential skills, research term papers and prep for standardized tests, but technology also poses temptations and dangers for children.
That's why it's so important that parents monitor their kids' computer use. But it's also difficult to be at their sides every time they launch a Web browser or pop in a disc. Microsoft has stepped in with Shared Computer Toolkit, an automated collection of software tools that can help you supervise your kids' computer time.
The tool was primarily designed to protect public computers, including those in schools, libraries, copy shops and Internet cafes. But it also has great potential to help you manage your family computer.
With the toolkit, you can customize restrictions for different Windows accounts, which is especially handy if you have both young children and teens in the house. The toolkit also has additional safeguards to protect your computer. For instance, it prevents kids from making changes to your system settings.
Here's a closer look at each of the toolkit's components:
Other tools let you block access to the Control Panel, Internet Explorer options and the registry editor, which ensures only you can tinker with these powerful features. You can also control access to any hard drive and removable media.
You can download the Shared Computer Toolkit at the Microsoft site. It's free during the "beta," or testing period. It only works with Windows XP Service Pack 2.
Microsoft says it expects to offer the full version of the toolkit later this summer. Pricing has not been announced yet.
