Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology

webmaster 505Amazon rain forest. In a sense, viewers who saw the picturesof the Martian surface and the explorations of theSojourner rover were using the farthest-reaching webcamof all.Further ReadingBreeden, John, and Jason Byrne. Guide to Webcams. Indianapolis:Prompt Publications, 2001.Layton, Julia. “How Webcams Work.” Available online. URL:http://www.howstuffworks.com/webcam.htm. AccessedAugust 23, 2007.Mobberly, Martin. Lunar and Planetary Webcam User’s Guide. NewYork: Springer, 2006.Webcam Resources. Available online. URL: http://www.resourcehelp.com/qserwebcam.htm. Accessed August 23, 2007.Web filterListings of the most frequent requests typed into Web searchengines usually begin with the word sex. Although sensationaljournalism of the mid-1990s sometimes unfairlyportrayed the World Wide Web as nothing more than anelectronic red light district, it is indisputable that there aremany Web sites that feature material that most people wouldagree is not suitable for young people. Many parents as wellas some schools, libraries, and workplaces have installed Webfilter programs, marketed under names such as SurfWatch orNetNanny. Popular Internet security programs (such as thosefrom Norton/Symantec) also include Web filter modules.The Web filter examines requests made by a Web user(see World Wide Web and Web browser) and blocksthose associated with sites deemed by the filter user to beobjectionable. There are two basic mechanisms for determiningwhether a site is unsuitable. The first is to check thesite’s address (URL) against a list and reject a request forany site on the list. (Most filter programs come with defaultlists; the filter user can add other sites as desired. Generally,the filter is installed with a password so only the authorizeduser [such as a parent] can change the filter’s behavior.)The other filtering method relies on a list of keywordsassociated with objectionable activities (such as pornography).When the user requests a site, the filter checks the pagefor words on the keyword list. If a matching word or phraseis found, the site is blocked and not shown to the user.Each method has its drawbacks: Using a site list willmiss new sites that appear between list updates, while usingkeywords can result in appropriate sites also being blocked.For example, a keyword filter that blocks sites with theword breast will probably also block a site devoted to breastcancer research, a fact often pointed out by opponents oflaws requiring the use of Web filters. The list and keywordmethods can be combined.Filtering and parental control often involves more thansimply blocking Web sites. Many filtering products attemptto scan and block problematic chat and e-mail messages.Another type of filtering tries to stop users (particularlychildren) from providing sensitive information such astheir name and address online. Another common parentalcontrol feature is the ability to limit the times of day andtotal amount of time a child can go online.Besides protecting children from inappropriate materialat home or in a school or library, Web filters are also used inworkplaces. Besides wanting to keep workers from becomingdistracted, employers are concerned that allowing Internetpornography in the workplace may make them liable forcreating a “hostile work environment” under sexual harassmentlaws.However, civil liberties groups such as the ACLU objectto the use of Web filters in public libraries on First Amendmentgrounds and have vigorously fought such legislationin the courts. The 1996 Communications Decency Act wasdeclared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, anda later law, the 1998 Child On-line Protection Act (whichrequires that users of adult Web sites provide proof of age)was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2004.The next attempt at protecting children online was the2002 Children’s Internet Protection Act. This law was eventuallyupheld by the courts subject to the requirement thatadult library users be given prompt unfiltered access to theInternet upon request.Critics of Web filters suggest that rather using technicaltools to block access to the Internet, parents and teachersshould talk to children about their use of the Internet andsupervise it if necessary. Another approach is to focus onWeb sites that are designed especially for kids.Further ReadingGilbert, Alorie, and Stefanie Olsen. “Do Web Filters Protect YourChild?” CNET News. Available online. URL: http://news.com.com/Do+Web+filters+protect+your+child/2100-1032_3-6030200.html. Accessed August 23, 2007.Internet Filter Reviews. Available online. URL: http://internetfilter-review.toptenreviews.com/.Accessed August 23, 2007.Olsen, Stefanie. “Kids Outsmart Web Filters.” CNET News. Availableonline. URL: http://news.com.com/Kids+outsmart+Web+filters/2009-1041_3-60 62548.html. Accessed August 23, 2007.Parental Control Software. Available online. URL: http://www.softforyou.com/. Accessed August 23, 2007.webmasterThere are many online services (including some free ones)that will provide users with personal Web pages. Thereare also programs such as Microsoft FrontPage that allowusers to design Web pages by arranging objects visually onthe screen and setting their properties. However, creatingand maintaining a complete Web site with its many linkedpages, interactive forms and interfaces to databases andother services is a complicated affair. For most moderateto large-size organizations, it requires the services of a newcategory of IT professional: the webmaster.Although the mixture of tasks and responsibilities willvary with the extent and purpose of the Web site, the skillset for a webmaster can include the following:Developing and Extending the Web site• understanding how the Web site responds to andmanages requests (see Web server)