On my Home computer; which is a fairly newer Gateway PC, runnung
windows 2000 Professional; I would like to know how to find every
single place of data, or history, or evidence of visited websites.  I
know that most corporations I.T. departments have the ability to track
that at the front end.  But because I have other users in my home,
(sometimes people I don't know),  I would like to have a policy
written for users to see and the ability to enforce it.

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Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 27 Dec 2002 16:42 PST

Do I understand that you want someone to write you a computer user
policy for your HOME computer? Secondly, your statement "...and the
ability to enforce it" is unclear. Is this YOUR home and YOUR
computer?

tutuzdad-ga

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Clarification of Question by zeek-ga on 27 Dec 2002 18:19 PST

Sorry about that:
I really just want to monitor my childrens use of the family computer
without having to install cybersitter or other kinds of "watch-dog"
programs.

I'm trying to teach myself to be my own systems administrator in the
home as long as I'm nice enough to let my kids use it.  Knowing how a
Windows based PC stores information, (i.e., history) will enable me to
verify that other users are honoring my wishes.
I hope that clarifies my question.
John C.

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Request for Question Clarification by aceresearcher-ga on 27 Dec 2002 19:46 PST

zeek,

While you have a good idea, it's my perception that many children
these days are very quick to learn the same things about which you are
asking, and thus, to learn how to get around it. For instance, if they
know how, they can delete records of certain sites that they have
visited without you ever being the wiser.

It's my recommendation that if you really do want some measure of
control and verification of compliance, that you make use of one of
the myriad methods available for doing so, whether it's purchased
software, freeware, or controls you can implement through your
Internet Service Provider.

If you just want to know how to find the records of visited sites
(assuming someone else has not already deleted them), a Researcher can
provide you with that information. However, this will not cover the
second part of your question, "the ability to enforce it".

If you are also interested in finding out what software and other
methods are available for enforcement, I encourage you to post an
additional question for that (or raise the price on this one, so that
a Researcher can give it the time and effort you will need).

Be sure to supply the name and version of your ISP software (AOL, MSN,
etc.), if applicable, and the Browser name and version number that is
used on your system.

Regards,

aceresearcher

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Request for Question Clarification by mvguy-ga on 28 Dec 2002 11:24 PST

The short answer is that a browser's history files will include
information about the sites visited, although these can be erased
easily by savvy users. However, there are some browsers that also make
other files that include a history.  To answer your question, I would
need to know which browsers are installed on your system as well as
whether you're using an ISP (such as AOL) that requires you to access
using special software.