Customer Reviews

BumperCar Browser 2.0: Internet Filtering For Kids (Mac)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I use this for my children, now aged 7 & 9. It works well, and they like it. It has age based settings that I have more or less used as they are. I removed a few links and added some of my own liking. It is completely customizable. I also recently activated the time controls. My kids can not get online before 7:30am and can not stay on past 7:30pm. In addition to the blackout times, I can control the total number of hours per day that they can be online. Any time I want I can temporarily allow a particular site.

The only problem I have had is that for sites that require a logon and password it doesn't work properly. For example my kids are playing fantasy football. I allowed the NFL website and all is well until they try to log in to see their team. For that I have to switch over to Firefox. While that is a minor inconvenience the bigger problem is that the more times they see me close the bumper car browser and go in to open Firefox the sooner they will "learn" how to do so and bypass the whole process themselves.

I downloaded this software from the Freeverse website for my elementary school aged boys based on the reviews and recommendations. I use MAC Snow Leopard. I downloaded the software, typed in the web key, launched it, configured the settings, then re-launched it. The browser failed to launch after configuration and all I had was a screen of code. I used CleanMyMac to uninstall it then started over and ensured I went step by step. This time I didn't even get as far as setting up the preferences.
I contacted Freeverse using their web-based support form. I received a prompt e-mail telling me they had it. I've been logging in daily for a week now and it still shows as "Pending Assignment". I have sent a total of three e-mails to Freeverse now with no response. I got frustrated and tried to call the phone number listed on their website in New York. It went to a fax machine. I tried sending e-mails to other links on their websites and these were rejected by the companies Spam filtering software.
For all I know this software may be the greatest thing since sliced bread. I bought it because I thought it would be great for my kids. However, I have followed the steps and can't get it to run properly....the company is unresponsive to customer service support requests and is unresponsive to general attempts to contact them. I have asked for a refund with no response. My next step is to contact my credit card company and revoke the charge.

Just what I was looking for to allow my son to enjoy all of the wonderful kid-friendly websites, while filtering out all of the trash. Simple to use and set up.