The new strategy hinges around iTools, a group of software extensions that work together with OS 9, the latest Macintosh operating system. The iTools sit on your machine and communicate with other software on Apple s Internet servers to accomplish several tasks. Jobs announced the first four iTools at the Expo, but I suspect more tools are on the way. The first tool is called KidSafe, and it s a filter system for Internet use. KidSafe works a bit differently from standard Internet filters.
Most filters look at a Web site when a child points to that site with the Internet browser.
On some filters, if the site isn t marked with the computer equivalent of a do not enter sign, the browser won t connect. On other filters, the software checks for offensive words if the words are found, entry is blocked. KidSafe, however, checks Apple s servers for a list of KidSafe sites that have been approved by teachers and librarians. The company says the KidSafe servers list 50,000 KidSafe sites and will add about 10,000 new sites every month. The service works with POP e mail clients, which means you can access it from any machine through Netscape Communicator, Outlook Express or Eudora.