The Church, Open Source and Kids

I would like to deviate from Church Management Systems and Church Membership Software in this post.

As y'all know I like Linux. And I really like Ubuntu. But I love FireFox!!!!

I recently built a computer for my kids (Using Ubuntu of course). As I was setting up the machine I came to the point most parents do: How do I let my kids safely surf the Internet. I have young children so not only was I trying to protect my children but provide a means of navigating the Internet that an eight year old can do.

So I started Googling and found Glubble.

Glubble is an add on to the FireFox browser that basically takes over the browser and prevents access to non-approved sites. The cool thing is a child can attempt to go to a site, be prevented from accessing the site and put in a request to Mom and Dad to gain access to the site. Mom and Dad can log on to their computer and grant access to the site. Once a site is approved it is known as a Glubble.

Glubble comes with a bunch of loaded Glubbles that most parents would grant access to. Discovery Channel Glubble, Disney Glubble and so forth.

The one critique I have is that Google search results are also filtered. They are filtered to the point that almost nothing comes back. This is the one feature I wish Glubble could allow a parent to turn on or off. I'm not too worried about what my child might search. I just do not want them getting to non-approved stuff. But I would like them to be able to search and find potential new Glubbles that they would like to request access too.

If any one reads this post and finds a Christian Child oriented site please email or post a comment here. I would like to add Christian oriented sites to my family's Glubble.