Cheaper filter for schools

[inewman]

For those looking for an email\web filter we use Opendium Internet Filtering and Online Safety Systems | www.opendium.com I have found it to be significantly cheaper and better performing than any of the big names. The GUI takes a bit of getting used to but in three years we have had no problems with it and its new reporting function is great for the Ofsted safeguarding requirements. Edited February 8, 2017 by inewman

[synaesthesia]

Looks interesting however a) they're reselling open source products from what I can see from their b) website that is just a HTML marquee tag or Geocities host away from a mid 90's effort. Difficult to take things like that seriously!

[inewman]

a) so are most of the VLE companies, the price companies charge for Moodle based products is outrageous.

Yeah, their website doesn't really do them justice. I have spoken to them about it before, but you can't judge a book... I think many of the filters out there are based on open source products, so I don't think that is really relevant. All we know is that this product has always been much more focused on child protection than business-style filtering shoehorned into an educational environment. True, their website isn't as flash as it perhaps could be, but their support is second to none.

We went for an on-site demo before committing. I have used a number of filters in the past including the likes of Barracuda and smoothwall and would pick Iceni everytime. As yet nothing has managed to get through it and as I said the reports really tick the box for the new Ofsted safeguarding requirements allowing you to record and track highlighted concerns electronically. Pastoral staff really like it as it makes their lives a lot easier.

[synaesthesia]

Perhaps I should have been a little less blunt What I'm getting at, is what are the benefits of running iceni yourself rather than via a 3rd party company? I don't know the product well so not in a place to comment; however a comparison with the likes of Smoothwall's offering, paid vs free.

[inewman]

I don't think i would want to run it myself, while you can obviously subscribe to the category lists etc some of the clever stuff the Opendium product does on top of the freeware option would be way beyond my skill set (if it wasn't I would not be working for a council salary!). If its something you are interested in i would get a demo. Or if you are ever in Hampshire you are welcome to pop in for a look at our system.