ProCon Latte--Web Filtering with or without the Java?

Sounding more like a new type of coffee (Java) rather than a web content filter, I was asked by an IT person from one of our AALS libraries (Thanks Gerry) to take a look at ProCon Latte. Simply put, it is a web content filter provided as an add on within the Firefox browser. And the good news is...it is absolutely FREE!!! This is one more reason to boasts of the superiority of the browser over IE, but that is my humble opinion.

But I have digressed enough. If your Public access computer (PAC) facility is either required or desires to filter those PCs, ProCon Latte offers a way to do so, without spending gobs of money to get a very effective and flexible filter. The only catch is, it will only work if you use the Firefox browser not while using IE. If you can live with that, read on about some of the features of this Firefox add on.

To quote Mozilla.com which is the one who operates the Firefox browser: "ProCon is a content filter for the Firefox browser. It can filter any kind of material (pornography, gambling, hacking, cracking, etc...), it can also block all traffic, making sure that only desired websites (set in the Whitelist) can be accessed, and includes a profanity filter, all *like* a parental control filter."

Now this is one of many add on items and plug-ins that the Firefox browser provides, but I definitely think this is good for libraries and PAC facilities to know that they can save their institution some money.

The URL to download this add on is at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1803


Some features of the ad on are as follows :

A way to lock it down; otherwise most people would simply figure out how to disable it. This requires a password placed on the ProCon Latte. Once installed You can use the hotkey buttons of Control+Alt+P to open the ProCon settings.

Here is a screen shot I took of the ProCon settings. You can click on the picture to enlarge a little.



Within the settings there are a number of tabs that you can work with. The general tab just basically shows what has been enabled and what has not. This is also where the password can be set so that others can not change the settings. There is also a settings tab which allows to restore defaults, import/export settings, and to clear all settings.

On the main filter tab there is a "edit list" button which allows for blocking of words and/or sites or both. One thing I need to point out, because this is a filter to block offensive material, words, and etc...one would have to actually review these words and phrases, so be forewarned that crude language is in these settings.

There is a white list tab. Which if enabled, will allow the sites whose URL is typed in here to run without being filtered.

One thing I found interesting is on the next tab. There is a profanity filter, which if enabled allows for words placed within this area to be replaced with a different word of choice if so desired. I find this to be a highly desirable feature that could be utilized by PAC facilities.

The final tab is the credits tab. This shows the person(s) that are behind this filter add on. You could send an email to thank them, and although this is a free filter, one is allowed to make a donation through pay pal if they choose to do so. There is also a link to the license and documentation of ProCon Latte.

There is a lot more to this add on then what I am going through in this blog. So if your PAC could possibly benefit from this FREE web filter, perhaps grabbing a cup of the real Latte and taking a look at this add on in greater detail might help your facility.

I know this is not a "cure-all" and nothing is perfect, but if your facility has tried this add-on or has thoughts about this subject. Let me hear from you.

Rodney