A visitor to the Fifth Avenue (NYC) retail store reports that display computers there are configured to allow access only to a short list of Web sites that includes Apple.com, CNN, the BBC, The New York Times and several other newspapers. “Oops!” says an alert flashed by the OS X parental controls feature if you try to surf a Web site not on the approved list. “To add this website to your approved list…you need an administrator password,” the alert explalins. The stores have selectively used site blocking for several years, particularly at larger stores where “computer hogging” is rampant. It’s reported that individual store managers have the authority to impose access limits, and that there is no blocking policy that applies to all stores.
It’s subsequently been reported that assistant manager frequently are also given authority to limit Internet access when the store is so crowded that the computers are accessible by shoppers (not visitors).
This partial screen from the OS X
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like a good idea to me. I have often wanted to look at the latest model of computer in the Apple Store and can’t get on them for kids using Facebook or some other rubbish. When you ask if they could move all you get is a load of abuse. There are many who hog machines for ages. I wanted to buy a new MacBook but could not get on a machine for over 20 mins and had to stand there while kids messed around. Yes I’m a grump, but I’m also trying to spend money. I do find that the Apple Stores are not always the best place to go an buy anymore. You can’t get to the actual devices to try them and once you do want to purchase there is no one to server you. Many times in the Manchester, UK stores they have no one on the actual checkout and you have to walk round the store trying to find someone with a handheld device who is free, which is not easy. They should ALWAYS have an open register so at least we can queue and know we will get served eventually. I have walked out of the store a few times without my purchase simply because there is no one to take your money!
This is not anything new. At times, the parental controls get set wrong and access is blocked. It’s been happing for a long time but it’s not an actual move by the store though.
Ian, you need to book a personal shopping appointment. That is the easiest way to get their attention. Otherwise good luck finding someone. There is a quee just it is more digital then you may think. Ask your local store about personal shopping and see what they say.
I think that this is a great thing to do. When I worked at Willow Bend, we frequently had to close Safari because someone had browsed to a porn site or some other website that was inappropriate. We had a guy come in once and buy a game called Everquest and he asked permission to install it on one of our iMacs. Amazingly, the manager on duty let him. After he was done playing, he left the game there. We never saw him again. He had explained that he had been kicked out of his mom’s apartment for playing the game all the time and tying up the computer.
GREAT IDEA!! I always want to test out iMovie and Final Cut, but theres always teenagers blasting up iTunes and moms checking there email and stuff. I want to test out some software but I wait 30 min to get to a computer. It is so annoying. The list of sites are good enough and the point of having the computers on is to show people what internet browsing is like. All you need is 20 sites to see how Safari works. This will also help since if someone downloads a bad file, they can’t due to parental controls. This will let the buyers actually try out the product!!!