According to “Parents” page, Ask Jeeves For Kids only searches for “G-Rated” information. However, they do warn that since web sites change, there is no guarantee that adult content cannot slip through cracks. Still, they do a good job at trying to filter out information, so if you have children surfing net, you may want to point them over to this popular resource.

Google http://www.google.com/

Visit “Advanced Search” link and take a look at “SafeSearch” section. Click “Filter using SafeSearch” radio button to cause Google to only returns sites that match Google’s “SafeSearch” filter. This filter attempts to remove material containing pornography or sexual content, but it is not and cannot be 100% accurate. Click link “SafeSearch” on this page for more information about this filter.

You can also click “Preferences” link from front page to set preferences on how you want Google to search through documents. From here you can enable “SafeSearch” setting by default. These preferences are placed in form of a cookie stored on your browser, so if you disable cookies your preference choices will not stick. Be sure to press “Save Preferences” button when you are done with your choices or they will not stick.

Lycos http://www.lycos.com/

Click on “Parental Controls” link on front page (located under search bar), or turn on “Adult Filter” from advanced search page to enable “Lycos SearchGuard”. This feature attempts to filter out sites containing inappropriate or offensive material such as “adult, violent, hate and weapons-related content”. Note that while no filter can be 100% effective this is a good start.

You may also want to visit following family and kid-friendly Lycos sites:

Lycos Family Zone http://familyzone.lycos.com/

Lycos Zone (For Kids) http://lycoszone.lycos.com/

No matter which site you use, realize that no filter can be 100% accurate. All it takes is a little web browser knowledge to defeat cookie-based filters. Inappropriate sites can and sometimes will “slip through cracks”. Thus, I recommend that you always supervise your kids’ Internet usage whenever possible. These filters, however, may make your supervision easier and your entire family’s Internet experience more enjoyable without any surprises.

Now for burger lovers - Using a 1/3 cup scoop, divide your ground beef into mounds. Flatten each mound between pieces of waxed paper, creating a 4” patty. Place half of your patties aside. These are your “toppers”. Sprinkle other burgers with salt and pepper, prepared mustard or ketchup, onion slices, and shredded cheese. Now take your toppers and place them over your burgers. Press together edges all around to seal in all those burger fixins inside. Grill over hot coals about 10-15 minutes, flipping very carefully. When done to your liking, place on grilled buns and enjoy. Maple flavored baked beans, potato salad, and hot fudge sundaes and you have a meal fit for a Backyard Grill Fest.

I’d like to give you more recipes but my neighbors are sending conflicting smoke messages. Got to go - have fun and enjoy! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 April